Tanzania Travel Tips

From the snows of Mount Kilimanjaro, the vast plains of the Serengeti and the unique Ngorongoro Crater, to the barefoot luxury of its Indian Ocean islands, Tanzania offers some of the most wonderful locations in Africa.

Tanzania is home to one of Africa's most magnificent game reserves; the seemingly endless plains of the Serengeti, where one of the world's greatest natural spectacles, the annual migration of some two million wildebeest followed by their predators can be observed. The Serengeti holds some of the largest concentrations of lion, cheetah and leopard in Africa, and is probably the best game reserve on the continent to see these predators. Take a balloon trip across the Serengeti to get a birds eye view of the plains.

Close to the Serengeti is the Ngorongoro Crater, a microcosm of East African game and landscapes and, therefore, a photographer's paradise. It is the largest unbroken caldera in the world and, together with its 25,000 large mammals and 100 species of birds, many have described it as one of the wonders of the world.

The nearby Tarangire and Manyara National Parks hold a diverse range of flora and fauna. Manyara is famous for its tree climbing lions, its vast array of bird life (an estimated 350 species) and its widely contrasting landscapes. Tarangire is renowned for its dense wildlife population which is at its most spectacular between June and October, the dry period, when animals congregate at the river.

In the south of Tanzania lies an untouched and relatively unknown game reserve. Selous, is roughly the size of Switzerland and is an excellent park in which to see elephant. The Rufiji River flows through the reserve and during the rainy season it floods the park. This, and its remote location explain its isolation from human contact and the vast concentrations of game. The most popular way of viewing game is on guided walks and by boat.

Tanzania's parks can be explored from the privacy of your own Land Rover with driver/guide. Accommodation is in private mobile camps or permanent camps and lodges.

Both Zanzibar and the Tanzanian coast boast magnificent tropical palm fringed beaches. South of Dar es Salaam is one such location - Ras Kutani - a secluded paradise on its own private beach overlooking a peaceful lagoon, another luxury island lodge being Mnemba Island Lodge.

Zanzibar is a short flight from Dar es Salaam and is the perfect island on which to relax after a safari. Lapped by the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar offers superb diving and snorkeling and the chance to swim with dolphins. The unspoilt beaches and rustic chalets are the perfect cure to the stress of modern life - wake to fresh mangoes and other fruits, sunbathe, swim and relax during the day, and feast on fresh lobster at night. Zanzibar's stone town, with its maze of alleys and tucked away craftsmen is a fascinating place to explore. The history and cultures of this unique island have left their mark for all to experience. Of course no visit to Zanzibar would be complete without a spice tour of the island and a trip to the forests of the interior.

Tanzania and Zanzibar make an ideal 2 week destination, spend a week on safari, and then wind down on one of the most relaxing places on earth.

Passports and Visas

Travellers arriving in Africa are required to have permanent passports that will be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival and contain at least three pages for affixing visas and arrival stamps.

For most travellers visas may be purchased on arrival in Tanzania and Kenya.  Visas may also be purchased in advance which will save time on arrival.  Travellers visiting Tanzania and Kenya (and other African countries) will need to purchase a visa for each country.  Travellers staying less than 2 days in a country may qualify for a transit visa.  Generally, travellers arriving in one country, proceeding to another country and returning to the first country may re-enter on the original multiple entry visa unless they have returned to their home country. 

Packing

Recommended packing lists can be found below.  Each tour member is allowed one soft sided bag (as pictured below) and one day pack (with cameras, suntan lotion, etc.) while on safari.  The bag should not exceed 15 kgs.  Should internal flights be part of the itinerary, bag weights are strictly enforced.  When packing, think about the possibility that your international airline might delay your luggage and consider what you need in the event this happens.  Carry those items in your carry-on bag. Travellers arriving in Nairobi, Mombasa or Arusha can arrange to store extra bags when arriving and departing from the same location. It is important that travellers check with their airline for up to date information on what is allowed in carry-on luggage.

Climate

It is important that tour members understand the climates of the places they will visit.  Some people expect that all of Africa is always hot and are quite surprised at the cold temperatures on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater.

Back Up Copies

Tour members should make copies of their passports, visas (if purchased in advance), itineraries, emergency contact numbers names of prescription medication and other important information and carry the back up copies in a separate place or have a travelling companion carry them. 

Arriving in Africa

Airports

Most airports in Africa are smaller than those in other continents and may not offer the same services found at home.  Many do not have jet ways.

Immigration

Travellers arriving from overseas must comply with immigration formalities on arrival.  Travellers going between African countries (such as Kenya and Tanzania) need to complete immigration formalities.  Landing cards are generally provided by the airline in advance and must be completed for each traveller. 

Customs

On arrival, travellers must also pass through customs.  Tourists generally are not questioned, however, customs officials have the right to inspect all luggage.  Patience and courtesy are important.

Arrival Delays

Should events such as missed or delayed flights mean that a tour member will arrive late, the traveller or agent should contact either Alpha Travel or the local tour operator as soon as possible so arrangements can be made to join the tour member with their trip.  Any additional costs must, however, be borne by the tour member or airline.

Lost Luggage

Should a tour member arrive without their luggage, a report must be filed with the airline before leaving the airport.  If the bag has been locked, it is important that keys and combinations be left with the airline so they can open and clear it with customs.  Once luggage has been located, we will work with the airline to help the bag catch up with the tour member.  Should there be any costs for forwarding luggage, the tour member must meet those costs and recover them from their insurance or airline.

Health, Safety and Security

Health

To help overcome the effects of long flights, we suggest drinking a lot of fluids including juice and bottled water.  Should you feel ill during your trip, let your driver-guide or local representative know. 

Safety and Security in Cities

If you are staying in a town or city during your trip, you should ask for advice from the local representative or hotel staff concerning safe places to visit.  Walking at night is not recommended.  Taxis should be arranged by the hotel and a price agreed before starting the trip. We suggest you do not wear expensive jewellery at any time during your trip.

Safety and Security on Safari

During the safari, the driver-guide will offer instructions concerning safety.  This includes advising tour members when it is safe to exit the vehicle.  At lodges and camps, the staff will often escort guests to and from the rooms to ensure safety.  Remember that wild animals can be dangerous.

Inoculations, Malaria Prevention and Other Illnesses

All travellers should consult their doctors before travel and get advice as to the appropriate medications and inoculations for their safari.  It is important that travellers take their medications as instructed for the full duration indicated. Please note that Yellow Fever Inoculations are required for Tanzania.

The Sun

You should not underestimate the dangers of the equatorial sun.  Hats, sun screen and sun glasses are strongly recommended. 

Money and Tipping

What to Carry

Our tour packages generally include most costs.  The exception is beverages, laundry and items of a personal nature such as cigarettes.  Tips to the hotel staff, camp crews and driver-guides are also not included.  How much to carry depends on individual tastes and needs.  Someone who likes champagne and cognac will certainly need to bring more money than someone content with a bottle of water and a slice of lime.  The same is true with gift purchases.  Some travellers may be happy with a few small carved animals where others might purchase gemstones or large intricate carvings.  The amount you carry depends on what you feel you will purchase. It is best that you bring a mix of smaller and larger notes.  Many places offer a better rate of exchange for larger bills, but sometimes lodges cannot change larger bills and can only deal with smaller notes.  US Dollars are the most commonly accepted currency however you can also choose to pay with other major currencies.  Visa fees are always payable in US dollars when purchased on arrival. Though travellers’ cheques offer security, they are not accepted by all establishments and many businesses impose fees for accepting them.  Visa and MasterCard are accepted in many locations, but you may be charged a fee.  ATMs are available in most larger towns and cities.  Your bank may charge a fee for using an international ATM.  Money is issued in local currency from ATMs. 

Tipping

Service staff in Africa depend on tips as part of their livelihood.  However, we recommend that tipping be based on the quality of service provided.  As a guideline, hotel porters get about $1 per bag carried each way.  Restaurant staff might be tipped $1 per person per meal.  Bar waiters at 10% - 15% value of the beverages purchased.  Transfer drivers at $2 per person per transfer.  Camp staff at $8 - $10 per day in camp to be split between the camp crew.  Driver-guides are with you the most and can average $5 - $8 per day.  Special activities such as mountain climbing have their own tipping structure.

Other Information

Electric Current

Africa uses 240 volt electric current.  Plugs may vary from the UK standard square pin to European standard round pin.  Some lodges generate their own electricity and may not generate 24 hours per day.  The electric current is subject to voltage fluctuation and power cuts are possible, even in larger cities. 

Water

We do not suggest drinking tap water.  Bottled water is provided by most hotels and lodges at a modest cost.  Water cuts and limitations are possible at lodges, hotels and camps.

Food

You should feel confident in eating the meals at the restaurants and hotels that are included in your travel package.  Your guide or local representative can give you advice if you are dining on your own.  We can assist with special dietary requests given advance notice.

Conservation During Travel - Our Suggestions

Naturally, any excursion in Africa is bound to have an impact on the continent’s natural and cultural surrounding.  The ARP Group work with Suppliers in a continuing effort to reduce the impact our safaris have.  We make the following recommendations to our tour participants:

Packaging

When packing, leave any unnecessary packaging home.

Water

There are times when water is in short supply.  Please limit your use of water at hotels, lodges and camps by avoiding wastage where possible.  If towels can be reused, hang them back on the towel rack.  

Electricity

Much of the electricity in the bush is generated by the lodge or camp.  Using electricity sparingly will reduce the amount of fuel burned by the generators.

Food

There is a good chance that you will encounter a few buffets during your safari.  Travellers can help reduce waste by taking smaller portions and going back for more (you are always welcome to return as many times as you would like). 

During Game Drives

In many cases, the driver-guide will switch off the engine while people are observing wildlife on game drives.  This is both to create a quieter environment for observation and to save fuel.  The driver-guide will obey park regulations including those concerning off-road driving.  Though there are a few places where vehicles may drive off road, these are usually regulated and may depend on weather conditions.  Tour members are asked not to pressure driver-guides to violate these regulations.

Litter

We request that litter is never thrown from vehicles.  This includes bits of food such as banana peels.  Also, at picnic sites, all litter should be collected and placed in bins provided.  If there is no bin, the litter should be carried to the next lodge where the drive-guide will dispose of it.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle operated by Alpha Travel and its Suppliers.  Smokers will have opportunities for breaks during their trip, but it is imperative that no lit matches or cigarettes be left behind.  An accidental brush fire in the bush could cause grave damage to the environment and wildlife.

Photography

Our safaris often provide amazing opportunities for photographers to capture some remarkable images.  We ask tour members to respect the privacy of people they encounter during their trip.   In some places, it is permitted to take photographs of people in tribal drive such as organised visits to Maasai villages.  In some cases, a “negotiation” of a small fee is required before you can take photographs.  Always negotiate before taking the photos.  The driver-guides will be happy to assist.

Cultural Considerations

Where possible, we try to reduce the impact of visitors on local cultures and customs. 

Children

Many visitors like to bring gifts for the local children.  It is more than likely that children will be encountered during the trip and that they will look to visitors to share gifts with them.  Confectionery is not a good idea.  Gifts such as school supplies or clothes are much better options. We also suggest that gifts and donations be made through local schools and orphanages.  This gives tour members a chance to help the local community without reinforcing the culture of begging.  Ranger Safaris (in Tanzania) and Pollman’s Tours and Safaris (in Kenya) have contacts with excellent organisations that can make sure the children with the most need get the benefit of visitors’ generosity. 

Street Beggars

We do not recommend that tour members give anything to street beggars and street children encountered in the towns and cities. 

Dress Codes

Our holidays are generally relaxed experiences with casual dress codes.  There are a few places where cultural considerations might dictate conservative dress.  This is especially true in Zanzibar and Mombasa.  Here, shorts and swimming attire should not be worn outside of the grounds of the hotel or resort.  Some lodges and luxury camps request that guests wear “smart casual” attire at evening meals. 

 Packing and Other Travel Tips

Assuming that you intend to travel on safari during your stay in Africa, you should make every effort to pack your belongings into one soft sided bag and one ‘carry on’ style bag for cameras, valuables and day trips. There are space limitations in your safari vehicle and if applicable travel on small aircraft limits you to 15 kilograms (33 pounds). If you plan on doing a lot of souvenir shopping, you might consider carrying another bag tucked in your suitcase to help judge your limits. Important - For persons crossing the Atlantic Ocean from North America and connecting in Europe to Africa, International air carriers limit carry on bags to one and checked bags to two per passenger. Persons departing from Europe have weight restrictions on bags as well, varying with the carrier. If you are doing a lot of travelling and need to carry more than the suggested items, keep in mind that you may be required to leave them at the town hotel.

Laundry service in Africa is often a bargain. Our camping in Tanzania includes reasonable laundry service.

MEN’S CLOTHING (suggestions)

•  1 pair of comfortable shoes that would be appropriate for a nice restaurant

•  1 pair of sturdy shoes or boots for hiking*

•  1 pair of sandals

•  3-4 pair of socks

•  1 nicer long slacks for use in restaurants

•  1-2 pair of long casual trousers

•  1-2 pair of shorts

•  1-2 belts

•  1-2 swimming suits

•  3-4 pair underwear

•  3-4 golf/tee shirts

•  2 long sleeve casual shirts

•  1 dress shirt (tie optional depending on if you think you

    might visit a better restaurant)

•  1 sweater or light jacket

•  1 rain poncho

•  1-2 hats (VERY IMPORTANT FOR SUN PROTECTION)*

•  1 pair sunglasses*

•  Prescription glasses if used with back-up pair suggested (note: contact lenses are difficult to use on safari due to the high amount of dust.)

WOMEN’S CLOTHING (suggestions)

•  1 pair of comfortable shoes that would be appropriate for a nice restaurant

•  1 pair of sturdy shoes or boots for hiking*

•  1 pair of sandals

•  3-4 pair of socks

•  1-2 pair of panty hose

•  1 nicer skirt for use in restaurants

•  1-2 pair of long casual trousers

•  1-2 pair of shorts

•  1-2 belts

•  1-2 swimming suit

•  3-4 pair underwear

•  1 bra (recommended during game drives over bumpy roads)

•  3-4 casual short sleeve blouses

•  2 long sleeve casual blouses

•  1 sweater or light jacket

•  1 rain poncho

•  1-2 hats (VERY IMPORTANT FOR SUN PROTECTION)*

•  1 pair sunglasses*

•  Prescription glasses if used with back-up pair suggested (note: contact lenses are difficult to use on safari due to the high amount of dust.)

TOILETRIES

You should bring a tooth brush, tooth paste, razor, shaving cream and other toiletries with you as those available in Africa are expensive and often not of good quality.

•  Insect repellent with Deet.*

•  Sun screen with high level of protection*

•  Common drugs such as aspirin, cough drops, Pepto Bismol, Imodium, etc.

•  Vitamins that you might normally take

* These items are very strongly suggested.

MEDICATIONS

Do not forget to visit your doctor before you travel. You will probably receive inoculations and preventative medication for malaria. Make sure you bring these and a good supply of any medications you take on a regular basis with you. Make a list of any medications, including their strengths, and carry the list in a separate place in the event your bag gets lost. If you suffer from motion sickness, do not forget to use your preferred medication – patch or tablets.

ACCESSORIES

Some other things you might consider for your trip:

•  binoculars

•  water bottle

•  pens, paper, journal

•  a good novel or two

•  Zip-Lock type bags to keep the dust and moisture out of belongings and keep your wet swimsuit in

•  Money belt or similar. The best is a pouch that fits in the front inside your shirt or trousers.

Your bag should be soft sided similar to the one pictured here

African Safari Consultants
1042 Willow Creek Road # A101 - 240
Prescott, AZ 86301