Before Departure
Jambo! This safari guide is divided into two parts, for your convenience in planning. Part I contains important information you will need prior to departure. Part II contains information that will be helpful to you while you are on the safari. Please read all the information carefully. I think you will find the checklists extremely helpful as you organize your trip.
CHECKLIST: BEFORE DEPARTURE
Finalize flight arrangements. Airline reservations should be made as early as possible to ensure seat availability and the best possible price. Make sure you purchase travel insurance at the time that you purchase your airline tickets.
Get a passport. If you do not already have a passport, you need to apply for one ASAP. (Please see more detailed information on documents on the next page). If you do already have one, make sure it will remain valid for at least six months after the date of your return from Tanzania.
Obtaining a Tanzanian visa Tanzania requires a visa, but you can obtain it when you arrive at one of the borders. You no longer need to send your passport to the embassy in advance. The cost of the visa is $100 payable at the border if you are an US citizen and $50 for non-US passport holders. If you are flying into Kilimanjaro or Dar Es Salaam, you may pay at the Immigration booth. If you are driving across a border, you will also pay at the Immigration desk at the border crossing. If you are using our VIP Meet and Greet Service at Kilimanjaro, the visa is pre-paid and you will simply need to give your passport to our private Immigration Officer to be processed while you collect your luggage.
Take the necessary health precautions. Contact your local Travel Clinic to determine the updated requirements for travel to Tanzania. You will also want to check your health insurance coverage, since your provider may have restrictions about where you can receive your immunizations and medications. Your physician can be most helpful in deciding and prescribing any first aid and precautionary items you should take with you. If your health insurance does not cover international medical treatment, you need to secure additional medical coverage.
DOCUMENTS
PASSPORT
If you have a valid passport, make sure that it will remain valid for at least six months after the date of your return.
If you have changed your name, be sure that is reflected on your passport. You must always use the name as it appears on your passport for all applications, visas and identification.
If you have a passport that has expired within the last eight years, or one that will not remain valid for at least six months after the date of your return, you will need to renew it. That requires two passport photos, your latest passport and payment for the renewal fee.
If you are getting a US passport for the first time, or if your old one expired more than eight years ago, you will need to prove the following:
Proof of citizenship A birth certificate is usually required. This must be issued by a health department and it must have a raised seal. If you cannot obtain the required birth certificate, a notarized affidavit of your birth is sometimes acceptable. You may also need to present a form of identification with a physical description on it, such as a driver’s license.
Two passport photos They must be front view; full face; 2" x 2"; in front of a light, neutral background. You may obtain the photos at any Kinko’s, many camera studios, or the government center where you will apply for your passport.
Passport fee The recent must be paid by check or money order; cash is not accepted. In addition, there is a local issuing office fee of approximately $10.
Where do I apply? Check the Government Pages of your telephone book to determine the most convenient location for you. Please call their phone numbers to learn specific hours and their process for application.
Be sure to specify your departure date on your application form in order to get expedited treatment, since passports are usually processed according to departure date, not the date they are received by the office. Loss or theft of a valid passport is a very serious matter and should be reported in writing immediately to Passport Services, Department of State, Washington, DC, or to the nearest passport agency. If your passport is lost or stolen abroad, tell your driver guide immediately and we will report it to the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy.
TANZANIAN VISA
Requirements United States citizens need a tourist visa to enter Tanzania. You will receive a tourist visa that is good for multiple entry into the country. It is valid for only a certain period of time. The cost of the visa is currently $100 US for US passport holders and $50 for non-US passport holders. The visa will be stamped at the border crossing, whether you are traveling by land or air or boat. Please bring the appropriate amount of cash in US dollars to pay for your visa in Tanzania. If you have requested VIP Meet and Greet service from Unique Safaris at Kilimanjaro International Airport, then the cost of your visa is pre-paid with your safari, as well as a special security fee for an officer to process your passport on your behalf. You will not need to wait on any lines if you have VIP service; you can hand your passport to our specially appointed security officer and proceed to pick up your luggage. The officer will return your passport with the visa already provided.
A yellow fever vaccination is currently not required to enter Tanzania unless you are traveling from a yellow fever-infected county. A list of these countries is provided by CDC and by the Tanzanian Embassy in D.C. Because Kenya and Ethiopia are Yellow Fever infected, you will need to show proof of Yellow Fever vaccination if you have been in either of these countries, even if just at the airport for a change of flights. We would recommend that you consider having the Yellow Fever vaccination just in case the Immigration rules change without notice. If you are required to have the vaccine and don’t have proof of the vaccine, then you cannot enter Tanzania unless you agree to have the vaccine administered at the airport, at the cost of $50.
HEALTH
The information provided on health may sound ominous. It is not. You are under no serious health risk, especially if you take some simple precautions and receive individual advice/approval from your physician.
General Health Precautions for Travelers
Before you leave for an extended vacation, especially one to an international destination, you should consult your physician. Make the doctor’s appointment for as soon as possible and no less than 8 weeks before your departure. You will need some prescriptions, inoculations and perhaps some special advice that relates to your own physical condition. If you haven’t had a physical examination recently, you should definitely plan to get one. Discuss your itinerary and describe your planned activities with your doctor if you have any questions about your fitness.
It is important that your doctor have specific, current information about the health conditions in the country you will be visiting. This is why is it preferable to receive more detailed information from the Travel Clinics, as well as your immunization schedule. In addition to getting specific inoculations and drugs, it is a good idea to bring along some general medicines as well, which is best decided by your physician. I recommend putting together a small first aid kit containing some prescribed medications and some over the counter supplies. Some recommendations to discuss with your physician:
a broad-spectrum antibiotic is advisable. Be sure to know if any of your antibiotics will cause hypersensitivity to the sun, however.
pain reliever (just in case!)
antihistamine, especially if you have specific allergies
diarrhea medicine, both over the counter and prescription.
allergy medication for rashes or itches
bug juice
Important If you have any medical condition that requires special care or medications, inform us so we can alert the driver-guides. Be sure to bring enough of the prescription medications that you are currently taking. When you pack, make certain that you have all your medications in your carry-on luggage. Never pack any of your medications in your checked luggage! Just in case luggage is lost. It is also a good idea to carry a written copy of the prescriptions for any medication you may need, given in its chemical name rather than a brand name. It is easy and very inexpensive to get medications in a city in Tanzania.
If you have any special condition or allergy that might require attention overseas, have your physician write a letter describing the nature of the condition and the treatment. Carry the letter with you. If you should happen to need medical care away from home, the temporary physician will be able to treat you more effectively.
HEALTH PRECAUTIONS FOR TANZANIA
You are under no serious health risk while traveling in East Africa, and by taking a few simple precautions, you should be as healthy as you are at home, perhaps, even more so.
Inoculations
You will get up to date information about requirements when you visit the Travel Clinic.
If your country of origin is the United States and you are traveling non-stop from the US or Europe to Tanzania, there may be no inoculations required, since yellow fever vaccine is usually only required if you are traveling between African countries. Requirements do change, however, depending upon medical alerts which may be issued, so you might want to receive the Yellow Fever vaccine anyway. Vaccination against meningococal meningitis is recommended however and consists of only one shot. It is also strongly recommended that you take an anti-malaria medication.
When vaccines are required, you will need to have proof in the form of an international vaccination certificate, which will be provided by the Travel Clinic. You should discuss the following recommendations with the Travel Clinic or your physician:
any required inoculations
meningococal meningitis
an updated tetanus/diphtheria shot
updated polio protection
hepatitis A
typhoid (oral vaccine)
malaria preventive
Malaria Prevention
General advice for travelers to Malaria-endemic areas
All travelers to malaria areas of the world are advised to use an appropriate drug regimen and personal protection measures to prevent malaria. Travelers should be informed that regardless of methods employed, malaria still might be contracted. The areas of Tanzania you are visiting are not particularly highly infested, however, it certainly does exist. Malaria symptoms can develop as early as eight days after initial exposure in a malaria-infested area and as late as several months after departure from an area, after preventative medication has been completed. Travelers should understand that malaria can be treated effectively early in the course of the disease, but delay of therapy can have serious or even fatal consequences. Individuals who have symptoms of malaria should seek prompt evaluation as soon as possible.
There are three different medications that are currently being prescribed to prevent malaria. They are Larium, Doxycycline and Malarone. Most doctors will recommend Larium, but Malarone is now proven to be a more effective preventive for the falciparum parasite, the most deadly form of malaria. Larium is a central nervous system medication and can cause a number of side effects that are most unpleasant. Doxycycline is an antibiotic and causes photosensitivity, which is a difficult side effect when you are climbing in high altitude or on safari in Africa! Malarone has become the malaria “drug of choice” in Southeast Asia and India for more than 15 years. Of the three medications, Malarone is the most expensive and some insurance companies do not want to pay for the drug. However, a physician at one of the Travel Clinics should be able to help you get the medication covered if you have any problems. Malarone basically has no side effects and should be strongly considered for your malaria preventative. Larium should be avoided if you:
are pregnant or want to be pregnant shortly after the trip. In fact women of childbearing age are encouraged to take contraceptive precautions while taking Larium and for two months after returning.
are taking beta-blockers or other cardiac medications
have a history of seizures
experience depression or anxiety
Everyone agrees, however, that the best way to avoid malaria is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes! The mosquito that carries malaria only feeds after dark (dusk to dawn), with 10 PM to 2 am being their most active time. Use insect repellent containing DEET at night for any parts of your body that are not covered by clothing or bedding.
Note: You will not be able to donate blood to the general population for at least 3 years after taking medication for malaria prevention. Please consider donating blood before your trip, if that is important to you.
More detailed information about medical conditions and the precautions that should be taken can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control, Division of Quarantine (404) 639-2572. Or you can call the CDC Malaria Hotline at (404) 332-4555. Another useful number is the CDC Travelers Health Line at (404) 332-4559.
DENTAL CHECK-UP
It is a good idea to see your dentist a month or two before departure. A broken or lost filling can be most annoying or uncomfortable. People tend not to enjoy going to their own dentist; you will surely want to avoid an African dentist. You might also want to talk to your dentist about purchasing a dental emergency kit. These kits usually contain temporary fillings, cements for crowns or caps and some toothache medication. Better to be very safe than sorry.
MEDICAL INSURANCE
Any additional expenses resulting from medical problems or emergencies are your own responsibility. Therefore, we suggest that you check with your insurance agent to make sure that your present health policies (medicine and hospital) cover you while traveling overseas. If they don’t you might want to take out a separate medical insurance policy that is especially designed for travelers. This is usually included in trip insurance policies. We can enroll you temporarily in the Flying Doctors Society, if you request this. This is an emergency health/evacuation service only to Nairobi. An emergency flight will transport you to Nairobi Hospital in case of an emergency, at no cost to you, but all medical care is at your expense. The cost of this service is $30 per person, but we recommend that you seek other more comprehensive evacuation insurance back to your country of residence. At this point, there are many reputable hospitals in Tanzania and transport to Nairobi is not necessary.
EYE GLASSES AND CONTACT LENSES
If you wear eyeglasses, take an extra pair along the trip. If you wear contact lenses, you may want to take an extra pair or a back-up pair of regular glasses. Wearers of soft contact lenses that need daily care should not hesitate to bring them. Most of the time the dust on the roads does not bother soft lens wearers. However, hard lenses seem more sensitive to the dust while traveling. In any event, bring along an ample supply of lens lubricant.
CHECKLIST:
HEALTH PRECAUTIONS
Consult your physician for individual health considerations and prescriptions
Consult a Travel Clinic for necessary and recommended inoculations
Get a malaria preventive (Let the doctor know if you are or will be pregnant)
Carry a letter from your physician if you have any medical conditions which may need treatment
Carry all medications on the plane with you. Do not pack any medications
Take out additional medical insurance (trip insurance) if your own policy does not cover you overseas
ITEMS TO TAKE
TRAVEL LIGHT
We can’t emphasize this enough. You will be surprised at how little you will need. A more complete list of what to pack is provided in a few pages. The weather can be variable, ranging from hot and dry (85-95 degrees) to quite cool in the evenings (55-70 degrees) during Tanzania summer months. Temperatures in Tanzania during their winter ranges between 60-80 degrees during the day and 50's in the evenings. Variations make it difficult to say for sure.
DOCUMENTS
You will need to bring your passport (which also contains your health certificate and visa), and you may want to bring this travel guide to refer to. DO NOT put any important documents in your check-through luggage! Keep all documents in your carry-on luggage.
LUGGAGE AND PACKING
International flights allow 2 checked bags each weighing no more than 50 pounds. We hope you don’t even come close to this limit! The airlines can charge $10 for every pound that you are over. Please, please, please, use soft-sided luggage and bring only one medium sized bag. All of the luggage will need to be placed in our vehicles and hard-sided luggage is not only heavy, but does not easily conform to smaller spaces.
Internal flights using smaller planes in Tanzania often have a stricter weight limit of 33 pounds for checked luggage. If you have any concerns, please contact us.
You will want one carry-on bag in your possession at all times. In this bag you will carry medications, tickets, passport and any reading or diversionary items for the plane. For those of you with extensive camera equipment, you will need an additional carry-on bag for all you cameras, lenses and film. The dimensions of the carry-on luggage should not exceed 21.5 inches in length, 15.5 inches in width and 6 inches in height and 22 pounds or 10 kilos weight.
CLOTHING
Once again, travel light. There will be almost daily opportunity for clothes to be laundered and there is little to no opportunity or need for fashion. Casual wash and wear clothing is most appropriate. During the day while on safari, the best clothing is shorts or jeans. Some people enjoy lightweight skirts. Lightweight cotton tops and T-shirts make up the usual clothing. Many people suggest khaki or neutral color clothing. They try to tell you that these colors least upset the animals and birds, but I am more convinced that those colors just hide the dirt the best! You will also want to bring one sweater or sweatshirt. You do not need to bring more than that since there is opportunity to purchase sweatshirts and T-shirts along the way. Many women also like to bring one dress, sun dress or skirt for the few occasions we are dining in a nice lodge. After weeks of grunge, it is nice to feel a little more special. You should also pack a bathing suit, as there are a few lodges with swimming pools.
FOOTWEAR
Comfort is the key. Some people prefer sneakers, others sandals and others still prefer lightweight hiking shoes as the thick soles protect against ground heat and the ankle height keeps out dust.
HEADGEAR
Do take along a hat for protection from the sun. Remember that you will be just south of the equator and the sun is quite intense. Many people prefer a soft cloth hat, since it can be folded and is less likely to blow off than a stiffer brimmed hat. Or you might prefer a scarf of bandanna.
CAMERAS AND FILM
A special section on photography can be provided upon request. But to summarize in advance, bring plenty of film, memory cards or batteries for digital cameras. You will have little opportunity to buy film in Tanzania and the price will be outrageous. How much film you bring depends upon two things, how avid a photographer you are and whether you will be shooting prints or slides. If you are shooting slides, you will want to bracket your shots (the camera takes 3 pictures instead of 1) and that will necessitate more film. I have shot as little as two rolls per day to as much as 20 rolls in one day, depending on what we encountered. As a general rule, you will want 80% of your film to be between ASA 64 and 200. The remainder will be ASA 400 film. You will definitely need exchangeable lenses. If you want to bring home good and interesting photos, you will need a minimum of a 300mm lens and a 400mm is much better. You will also need to bring lots of extra batteries. Some photographers bring a second camera body, in case our camera malfunctions. Many people are interested in taking video cameras, which is very feasible. However, you will need an adapter to be able to recharge the battery. Please let me know if you want to videotape and Unique Safaris will arrange for recharging batteries through the cigarette lighters in the vehicles.
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
The current in East Africa is 220 volts, 50 cycles, so if you have American electrical equipment you want to use (video camera, razor, hair dryer), be sure your equipment can be switched to 220 volts, or take along a transformer. Many electrical appliances now available in the US operate on dual voltage. In this case, you will not need a transformer. However, in either event, you will need an assortment of adapters to place onto your appliance plugs so that they will fit into the electrical sockets. You can purchase these adapters at any travel store. The most common adaptor plugs used in Tanzania are the large 3-prong and the 2-prong round plug.
CHECKLIST:
ITEMS TO TAKE ON SAFARI
small but powerful flashlight
binoculars for game viewing
hat, scarf or bandanna
suntan lotion, sunscreen and bug juice
premoistened face towels
facial tissues
adapter plugs (bring both African round 2-prong and African 3-prong flat adaptors)
spare pair of prescription glasses, contact lenses
camera, lenses, film, extra batteries
sunglasses
bathing suit
reading material (driver guides carry a nice selection of mammal/ bird guides, but you may want to carry your own, or purchase “The Safari Companion”, an mammal guide)
2 pairs of shoes (sneakers and sandals)
journal or notebook for recording your daily observations
basic first aid kit including Band-Aids, antiseptic ointments, headaches, stomachache medications, etc)
prescription medications
3-4 pairs of shorts
1-2 pair of pants
4-6 T-shirts
1-2 long sleeve shirts
1 sweater or sweat shirt
1 light weight jacket if you usually feel cold
NOTE: If you are staying in Loliondo, at Buffalo Tented Camp, please bring a warm fleece and silk underwear for the evenings. The hills in this area create cool and windy evenings and early mornings.
socks
underwear (women; be sure to pack a few sport bras, the roads get very bumpy)
1 dress
1 pair of pajamas
camera vest or jacket
NOTE: These items must be packed in your carry-on luggage:
passport, tickets and any travel guides you want to bring
money; cash is better than travelers checks, which are not always easy to cash
all medications
camera, lenses, film, batteries
extra glasses or contact lenses
anything else of value to you!
MONEY
CURRENCY
The basic unit of currency is the Tshilling. In 2007, one American dollar equals 1285 Tanzanian shillings. You can change money when you arrive in Tanzania. Unique will help you to do that. You do not need to change money at the airport; frequently the rate is better in town. Most likely, we will stop the first day in Arusha to exchange a significant amount of money. Many Tanzanians will accept American dollars and in fact, prefer them so you do not even need to change money.
Travelers Checks are becoming more and more difficult to cash in Tanzania. Banks will require that you have all of the original receipts of ALL the checks you purchased. If you do not show the full receipts, they will no longer cash your checks. It used to be possible to tip driver guides in traveler’s checks, but this is no longer true. Banks will not cash endorsed checks anymore. Most lodges will cash Traveler’s Checks in their gift shops, but we would like to caution you that this can change at any point.
No matter how you choose to bring money, do not leave any money in your rooms, vehicles or luggage at any time.
CREDIT CARDS
Credit cards are accepted in Tanzania and it is a good idea to bring one. However, you cannot be sure that the card will be accepted in any particular location. Therefore, it is preferable to carry an ample supply of currency. There is also a hefty service charge (5-7%) to use your card or obtain a cash advance, so it should be used when you have no other options.
HOW MUCH MONEY WILL YOU NEED?
The cost of almost everything is included in the safari price. You will need extra money to pay for any laundry, personal items, soft drinks or alcohol, tips for porters and the tip for your driver-guides at the end of the trip. We recommend planning to tip your driver guide $15-20 per day per client. If you have a small private group, you might want to consider a larger tip. You will see that the quality of your safari depends almost entirely on their ability to spot wildlife, to know the more unusual areas to visit and to cater to your individual needs and interests. We recommend tipping the camp staff $12-15 per day per client for the days in the mobile camp
INSURANCE
HEALTH, BAGGAGE, AND TRIP CANCELLATION
Should it become necessary for you to cancel your trip before departure or to discontinue your trip once it has begun, you will inevitably lose a significant portion of your investment, if not all of it. There is no refund provided for any cancellations made in less than 46 days prior to arrival. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you take out trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself. These companies offer cancellation, baggage insurance in the event of lost or delayed baggage and additional health insurance overseas.
There are an increasing number of options for trip and health insurance. Please consult your travel agent who secures your international airline ticket for the best recommendations. Many of our clients have used Travel Guard (www.travelguard.com) or have become a member of the Travelers Emergency Network (www.tenweb.com) and been pleased with these options. Remember that trip insurance must be purchased within two weeks of the purchase of your airline tickets.
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PART TWO: ON SAFARI
You don’t have to digest all of this at once, but you should read through it carefully at least once before you leave on your safari. Use Part Two as a reference during your journey. Read the appropriate sections when they are relevant. Included are descriptions of situations that you will probably never experience and procedures that you will never need to use, but are important for you to know about just the same.
TANZANIA – THE COUNTRY AND THE PEOPLE
Tanzania has been recognized as unique among African nations in its tolerance for tribal, religious and racial differences. There are over 132 distinct tribes in Tanzania and they are considered of equal value. Tanzanian’s have learned the value of respecting differences and living in peace. It is not to say that all tribes have affection for one another, but they have peacefully accepted these differences. Most Tanzanians have a hard time understanding the violence among other tribes on the African continent. You will be immediately impressed with the hospitality, warmth and interest the Tanzanian people display towards you. One client expressed “Tanzania is the one third world country I would visit over and over again. It was truly the most friendly place I have ever visited.”
Historically, the country achieved its independence in 1961, as part of the United Nations de-colonization initiative. Then known as Tanganyika, the country had been a German protectorate from 1884 until 1917 when the German colony was given to the British at the end of World War I. While the English settled and developed Tanzania, it was never on the scale of their activities or interest in Kenya. The advantage to this was that the Tanzanian people also did not receive the same psychological and cultural impact on their culture as did the Kenyans.
Upon achieving independence as Tanganyika in 1961, the first president, Julius Nyerere, established the country as a socialist economy. In 1964, the island of Zanzibar joined the mainland and the country officially became known as Tanzania. The union of the mainland and Zanzibar is a unique arrangement and leaves most Tanzanians with definite opinions about how the two governments should interact.