In 10 Days the Safari Zone event in Dortmund starts. We are listing all the important things that you have to remember inside and outside of the game, to have the best possible experience.

Pre-event meetup on Friday

We already talked about the pre-meetup in our last post. If you've missed it, you can read all about it here.

Preparations inside the game

● We expect there to be a lot of rare species and unlike Community Day, we don't think the capture rate will be increased. It is wise to collect as many Ultra Balls as possible.

● Users of Go Plus and Gotcha should also collect a couple of Pokéballs, however there will be a lot of Pokéstops around, so you probably won't run out.

● If not already done, increase your bag space to 2000.

● To save space, throw away or use any items you don't need like any revives, potions and berries. – Those who want to stock up on candy should bring some pinap berries.

● We are also expecting that the shiny rate for Pokémon hatched from the special 2km-eggs will be increased. If you are planning to hatch eggs during the event, stock up on super-incubators or regular incubators.

● Use perfect-IV-Strings to quickly check for 100% IV Pokémon. You will be catching a lot of Pokémon during the event, so you will need to transfer Pokémon once in a while. IV-Strings are a great way of saving a lot of time. We recommend strings for the following Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu, Machop, Chansey, Tangela, Mr. Mime, Magikarp, Lapras, Porygon, Snorlax, Dratini, Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Mareep, Unown, Corsola, Larvitar, Ralts, Slakoth, Roselia, Trapinch, Feebas, Chimecho, Bagon and Beldum.

● Find English perfect IV-Strings here.

Preparations for hardcore players

Keep in mind that there's an upper catch limit of 3500 for Pokémon caught per week. If you are planning to play the entire 2 days of the event, we recommend that you start catching way less the 5 days leading up to the event, in order to not reach the limit during the event.

You all are best familiar with your own play style, so try to figure out how many Pokémon you will be catching during the event and how many Pokémon are left for the 5 days before the event.

Preparations outside of the game

● Read the official FAQ of the Dortmund Safari Zone, especially about all the things that aren't allowed inside of the park. You are saving everybody a lot of time, if you don't bring stuff, that isn't allowed.

● For instance you are not allowed to bring glass bottles or cans with you inside the Park. Only plastic bottles of 300ml (10fl/oz) or less. However you may bring as many bottles as you need for yourself.

● It might be wise to purchase a bigger bottle inside the park and refill it over and over again –

● There will be free water inside the Westfalenpark at all times. However we expect that there will be a waiting line, so keep that in mind. – Bring cash or get cash using a debit card (not credit card) for purchases inside the Westfalenpark. – Bring enough portable batteries and cables

● The Westfalenpark will be closed, once 55.000 people are inside the park. If you want to secure yourself a place inside the park area, keep that in mind and be punctual.

General things about Germany

● During the summer Germany has temperatures between 28-32°C (82-90°F) and is usually very humid. Please stay hydrated at all times and apply sunscreen and dress accordingly.

● Germans like to pay cash. Debit Cards are accepted at most restaurants, but not at every restaurants, so it is advised to have cash on you at all times.

● The average percentage you tip your waiter is about 7% of your bill. The bill does not include any tip.

● All prices already include all taxes. The price on the lable in the supermarket is the price you pay, except for beverages with returnable bottles.

● In Germany almost every beverage you purchase (softdrinks, water, beer) has a refund tag on the bottle. The “Pfand” as it is called in Germany is 0,25€ for plastic bottles and 0,7-0,15€ for glass bottles. If you are purchasing any beverages, keep in mind that you will get a refund, once you return the bottle.

● If you don't feel like returning the bottle, it is common usage to leave the bottles next to the trash cans, so homeless people can easily pick up the bottles and cash them in.

● Supermarkets are closed on Sundays. On Saturday Supermarkets ususally close between 8 and 10pm. Gas Stations are open on Sundays, but are much more expensive.

● The legal drinking age is 18. Beer and wine can be purchased at the age of 16 and above.

Traveling by car

● In Germany a lot of cities have “environmental zones” which you can only enter by car, if your car has a “Umweltplakette” (environment badge)

● If you don't have one, your car has to be parked outside of the zone, which usually only includes the inner city. Buying a “Umweltplakette” will cost you about 20€. Not having one can result in a 80€ fine. Rental cars always have the necessary badge.

● Parking usually isn't free, unless you're staying at a hotel with free parking. Keep that in mind.

Traveling by public transport

Try to find a public transport between your hotel and the Westfalenpark in advance. Also expect the public trains and busses to be full.

Miscellaneaous

● For all those perfect-IV-collectors out there, there is a telegram channel for 100 IV Pokémon https://t.me/dortmundsafarizone100iv

● This group is obviously for wild Pokémon encounters, not lured in spawns, since they despawn after 3 minutes.

● There is also a chat group https://t.me/DortmunderSafari

Rules:

● No SPAM

● Post nothing other than a screenshot taken in Calcy, PokeGenie or any IV-Checker, the time when you caught it and the location where you caught it

● Please don't annoy YouTubers and other famous Pokémon Go Players by sending them private messages

Parting words

We hope that everybody will have a great time in Dortmund. We will be there personally and hope to meet many of you in person!