Tanzania Safari

A passport that is valid for at least six months after the end of your trip is required for both U.S. and Canadian citizens to enter and depart the country. Please ensure that the name on your passport matches all travel documents we have issued. If this is not the case, please contact us immediately. Your passport must have at least one blank page for the entry stamp. This cannot include the ‘endorsement’ page at the back.

Please make a photocopy of your passport’s identification page and keep it separate from your original. It’s also a good idea to leave a digital copy with someone at home. This may speed up the replacement process should you lose your passport.

Visas may be obtained in advance through a visa service, though 95 percent of guests will purchase their visa upon arrival. A visa for Tanzania is $50 USD for Canadian and $100 for American citizens. Tanzania’s visa takes up one full page in your passport. Proof of yellow fever immunization is required if you are traveling to Tanzania through an effected area. If you are flying in directly through Europe it is not necessary.

Cancelation and Medical Insurance is highly recommended as it can safeguard against the expenses associated with in-country medical emergencies, lost or delayed baggage and emergency cancelation or interruption of your trip. Please ensure your policy will provide you with upfront medical coverage so that you are not responsible for a hefty doctor’s bill while away. Insurance can be purchased through us.

Some vaccines require more than one dose or a major length of time to be effective. For that reason, it is recommended to see your doctor or health provider at least 6 to 8 weeks before your trip. For all vaccinations and health requirements, you can also refer to the recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) http://www.who.int and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) http://wwwnc.cdc.gov.

Currently Required Vaccinations: All persons travelling to Tanzania from countries that have Yellow Fever Endemic (see further details and information on the WHO website http://www.who.int/ith/ITH_country_list.pdf). Travelers who transit in Yellow Fever Endemic Areas, are required to have a certificate only if the transit period at the airport is 12 hrs or more, or if while on transit leave the airport in Yellow Fever Endemic countries. Travelers entering Tanzania directly from non-endemic countries do not need a Yellow Fever vaccination nor need to show Yellow Fever certificates.

Other vaccines to discuss with your doctor or travel health professional:

• Tetanus & Typhoid recommended but not required for entry
• Hepatitis B & E recommended but not required for entry
• You may also want to discuss Typhoid, Diphtheria and Poliomyelitis (polio), Meningitis, Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) from swimming or paddling in fresh water, dengue fever from mosquitos and rabies depending on your time of visit and where you’ll be traveling
• Malaria is present although not generally in Kilimanjaro and the highlands (above 8200ft/2500m). However, malaria pills are an option to discuss with your doctor.

Remember that the best precaution is the preventative kind. Wearing long sleeves is a good idea. To reduce the risk of contracting yellow fever, dengue fever and malaria, liberally apply mosquito repellent that contains DEET to your skin and clothes, and wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers/slacks especially in the evenings.

If there are any medical items essential to your health, such as prescription drugs or corrective eye wear, bring duplicates and divide them between your checked bags and hand luggage. While non-prescription drugs such as aspirin are generally available, it is difficult to replace prescription items.

Other recommended Items:

• Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), after-sun lotion, lip balm, sunglasses
• Insect repellent with a high concentration of DEET (at least 30 percent)
• Basic medicine kit (painkillers, band-aids, antiseptic cream, etc.)
• Digestive aids such as Imodium, Pepto-Bismol. Also, re-hydration salts and anti-diarrhea preparations.
• Hydrocortisone tablets or cream for allergic skin reactions and bites
• Anti-nausea tablets if you suffer from motion sickness

Tanzania’s climate is warm and humid at the coast, cool and humid in the central highlands, and hot and dry in the north and east. There are two rainy seasons; the short rains are generally from late October to early December, while the long rains start in March and end in June. The central plateau tends to be dry and arid throughout the year. The best game-viewing is during the dry winter months (May – August) and warmer spring months (September & October). For up-to-date forecasts, check www.weather.com.

It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings, as well as a warm jacket for early morning game drives. Light, quick-drying, practical clothes are advisable. Non-synthetic, comfortably fitting, cotton clothing breathes more easily and will keep you cooler under the hot African sun. Shorts and T-shirts are normally the order of the day, and are replaced with long-sleeved shirts and trousers at night for warmth and protection from insect bites.

Preferred colors on safari are khaki, beige, olive green and brown. You are less visible in the African bush and therefore less threatening to the animals. These colors also help to deflect harsh sun and are less likely to attract mosquitoes.

Other essential items:

• Sweater, jersey pullover, safari jacket or windbreaker for the evenings
• Swimwear
• Bandannas, handkerchiefs and hat with a brim
• For upscale lodges and nights out in Nairobi, you may want to pack something more formal.

FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS: Video camera, camera with zoom lens in a dust-resistant case, sufficient memory cards, a spare camera battery and charger, binoculars, bird and animal check lists

Electricity: Electricity in Kenya is 220/240 volts and 50HZ. Plugs have three rectangular prongs that form a triangle. To conserve power in environmentally sensitive areas lodges may turn off electricity overnight. If you have a medical device that requires 24 hour electricity please contact your travel consultant.

Phone: Your cell phone will work in most areas while on safari if you have a “Smart Phone.” However, roaming can be quite expensive so we do strongly recommend that you pre-purchase a data and roaming plan with your carrier before travel.

Internet: Local connections are exceptionally slow and can be costly (as much as $5-10 per half hour). “Smart” phones such as BlackBerrys and iPhones will actually download data much faster than computers. Again, roaming and data charges can be exceptionally high – so please talk to your phone provider to pre-purchase a data plan for when you are on safari.

Internet cafés and wireless access are available in most urban areas, airports and hotels. Please note that wi-fi and internet service provided in properties is at the discretion of each establishment and Kensington Tours has no control over this. Please feel free to check with your Sales Consultant before travel if you’d like to know internet set up at each of your properties or contact the properties directly so you are aware of their internet policy if this is important to you. You may like to speak to your internet provider prior to travel to arrange a roaming package

The currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling (TSh). Notes are in denominations of TSh10,000, 5000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of TSh200, 100, 50, 20 and 10 but these are worth very little and are rarely used. For current exchange rates please visit www.xe.com

Capital: Dodoma

Language: The national language is Swahili (locally referred to as KiSwahili) although English is widely spoken. You’ll also find numerous indigenous languages).

Currency: Tanzanian Shilling

Religion: Mainland – Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, Indigenous beliefs 35%

Time Zone: GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) + 3 East Africa Time

Electricity: 220 Volt, 50 Hz

Telephone: Country code for calling is 255

Calling North America: Dial 011 plus area code and your 7-digit number

Emergency numbers in Tanzania: For police, fire brigade or ambulance service, dial 111