Bumpy, but not dangerous - enough for me to wear a sports bra, but not bang my head against the ceiling.

There is a great road from Arusha to near the Ngorongoro Crater. Once you get past there, the quality rapidly diminishes and it is the worst in the Serengeti. I am glad we had several spare tires on the jeep, because we had a few flat tires - luckily, none where the lions were waiting.

The speed boat experience will be bumpier than the jeep.

Speedboats bang harder because the water is unable to compress & absorb the shock.

Most roads are fine. when not tarred your driver will do his best to keep you comfortable. that is his job! Tracks in Parks can be interesting but you are not going very fast anyway (or should not be.) Just ask him to ease up if he tries to cover the distance too quickly.

some roads are "corrugated" and there is a school of thought that they should be taken relatively quickly so the cars suspension counteracts the juddering and thus gives you a smooth ride. It does not always work.

the "main road" from Ngorongoro to Serengeti is the worst you will be on. Very rutted due to lots of traffic.

I suppose a cushion would help but I have never needed one. Just something else to lose. I do have some natural paddding though!

There are some paved roads. The road from Arusha to Tarangire is paved all the way, about 1 1/2 hours. The the road from Tarangire to Lake Manyara, about another 1 hour, is paved. The the road from Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro Crater, another 1 1/2 hours, is paved also. Then your luck runs out when you go to the Serengeti from Ngorongoro, you will be on dirt/gravel roads where sometimes overland looks good. As Mfume said, tell the driver to slow down a bit and it will keep you from getting bumped. There are no paved roads in the parks; but you will be going slowly so the bumps are not noticed much.

For a cushion, I've seen some used and have been told that it helps. I've seen some use an air cushion/pillow which they blew up and when not needed was deflated and put away. Probably helps if one is worried about the bumps (I have been known to sleep soundly on these bumpy roads but I'm used to them, and like Mfuwe I have some padding also.) If you just relax and go with the flow of the vehicle you'll find it better. Just look at it as though it's part of the adventure.

On a side note, I got a strange picture in my silly mind when I read about using a sports bra and not banging her head on the ceiling; made me wonder how that was configured.

Always a good idea for women to wear a sports bra, whether you fill it up or not. Simply more comfy.

Above is spot on. With exception of roads inside the parks - dirt, gravel or rutted - and which aren't (shouldn't be) taken at high speed, the paved ones in Tanzania that you will cover are in darn good condition.

Though I did notice a small pot-hole on that road to Manyara... most surprising. Better get those maintenance crews on this!

I don't think there's a word or phrase in Kiswahili for maintenance so they are unaware of the need for maintenance (for you Swahili speakers I know there's the word matengenezo, but it doesn't seem like they know or understand it.)

Yeah! I am with Karl on this one. Why would wearing a sports bra stop you banging your head on the ceiling? Amazing mental picture! Time for our Medication Karl?

Hi,

The roads are bumpy in the Serengeti and other areas but you are not driving highway speeds. You're driving slowly to spot game. Also, your driver/guide will be cautious, I'm sure, and if you are uncomfortable, just tell him.

We went in June with Swala Safaris out of Arusha. The vehicle (Land Cruiser) had extra padded cushions on each seat. It bothered my friend more than me, so she used 2 of the cushions.

Check with your safari company to see if they will provide the cushions for you.

It is bumpy but not "banging," that's for sure.

Lulu :)

The sports bra was not for my head. I am pretty well endowed but not enough for the excursions you are all imagining.

giblum. thanks for the re-assurance on that. Sad really but the mental imagery made two old men smile though!

Whew... thanks for clearing that up. Now the image is out of my head.