Northern Tanzania Circuit is a favoured route for holidaymakers and explorers...
British Airways fly direct to Dar es Salaam, from Heathrow, three times weekly. Other carriers operate to Tanzania via Europe. KLM, from Amsterdam, to Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro daily and Swiss, from Zurich, to Dar es Salaam five times a week. In addition, Emirates fly to Dar es Salaam via Dubai; Egyptian Air via Cairo; Ethiopian via Addis Ababa; Oman Air via Muscat; Qatar Airways via Doha; and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul.
Regional carriers onto Tanzania include Air Malawi, Air Uganda, Fly 540, Kenya Airways, South African Airways and Zambezi Airlines.
Domestic carriers such as Air Tanzania, Coastal Aviation, Flightlink, Precision Air, Regional Air Services, Safari Air link, Safari Plus and ZanAir link the major cities, with tourist attractions and game parks. Air Tanzania, Coastal Aviation, Precision and ZanAir fly between the mainland and Zanzibar.
International flights serve Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), 15 km from Dar es Salaam city and Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), 55 km from Arusha and 40 km from Moshi. Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) airport is 8 km from Stone Town.
Most visitors require visas with the exception of citizens of certain countries of the Commonwealth. It is advisable to obtain visitors visa in advance from Embassies and High Commissions as several airlines insist on them prior to departure. Visitors visas can however also be obtained on arrival at all points of entry. Requirement may change so you are advised to contact the appropriate diplomatic or consular authority before finalizing your travel arrangements. Although part of the union of Tanzania, Zanzibar remains independent. Therefore passports/Tanzania visas are required even for a day’s visit.
It is essential that all visitors take a course of anti-malaria tablets commencing two weeks before departure. The Health Departments of some countries also recommends vaccination against hepatitis A, polio and typhoid. Personal insurance is advised. Travelers arriving from, or via, countries where yellow fever is endemic will need a Certificate of Vaccination.
Please note the following applies for passengers traveling to Tanzania:
As Tanzania is a country at risk of being infected by yellow fever Health officials have instructed that from 14th January 2008 all HEALTH SURVEILLANCE DESKS inTanzania have been reinstalled in all borders, ports and international airports. From Monday 21st January 2008 all passengers travelling To Tanzania will be required to produce a valid yellow fever certificate upon arrival in any entry point in Tanzania.
The vaccination needs to be administered at least 10 days before travel to Tanzania. This will not be applicable for travelers coming directly from Europe to Kilimanjaro International Airport or Dar Es Salaam International Airport (now known as Julius Nyerere International Airport) on direct flights, such that they did not cross / transit through an endemic country they will not need Yellow Fever Vaccination. (It is recommend that yellow fever vaccination should be administered for self-protection against the risk of exposure to the disease, although it is not mandatory - suggested by WHO).
For all travelers coming from Europe via or transiting through an endemic country, e.g. via Nairobi or Addis Ababa, they will need a Yellow Fever Vaccination card. This also applies to passengers in transit in airports where there is a risk of yellow fever transmission, e.g. clients arriving on an international flight in Nairobi or Addis Ababa and connecting a regional flight within the airport to Kilimanjaro or Dar Es Salaam or Zanzibar.
Yellow Fever Endemic Zone in Africa includes Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote D'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Niger, Chad, Central African Republic, Togo, Benin, Sao Tome, and Principe, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, United Republic of Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Somali, Sudan and Equatorial Guinea.
Yellow Fever Endemic Zone in America includes Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Bolivia.
YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION ON ARRIVAL AT Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) & DAR ES SALAAM International Airport
Yellow fever vaccination is provided at Kilimanjaro and Dar Es Salaam airports at a cost of U.S.$ 50.00 per Passenger. This is for passengers who are required to hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate but have none on arrival in Tanzania.
ENTRY PROCEDURE
On arrival, international & regional passengers must first go to the health desk then to the Immigration desk; no passport will be accepted at immigration desk without a stamp from Health Desk.
Don’t forget the camera, camcorder and binoculars and take a torch for finding a way around your lodge/camp at night. Stock up with replacement batteries for all these goods. Take sun-glasses, hat, sun lotion, lip balm – and some insect repellant, it is better not to get stung even of you are taking anti-malaria tablets. Its best to take any medicines required for the duration of the visit. A spare pair of glasses or contact lenses also a good idea. Take plenty of memory cards for Digital Cameras, it is difficult to obtain outside the main centers. While traveler’s cheques can be exchanged in cities and towns, banking facilities in remote areas are restricted, so take plenty of cash.
Some safaris/air charters limit baggage to a 10-15 kilo maximum luggage per person.
Here's a list of what to pack when going on safari, it is best to pack it in a canvas holdall as space can be limited on some of the vehicles. It is also useful to take a small rucksack on the vehicle with you for carrying your camera, binoculars, spare film and any thing you might need whilst travelling in the vehicle. The lodges supply towels and toiletries so no need to pack them.
Feel free to add to the list.
English is widely spoken but a few words of Swahili are always appreciated.
The unit of currency is the Tanzania shilling which is divided into 100 cents. Most major currencies – particularly US dollars are accepted and may be converted at banks and bureau de change in the main towns and tourists areas. Do NOT change money in the street however favorable the rates appears. It should be noted that not all establishments accept credit cards and certain cards, particularly Dinners and American Express, are frequently refused even by major hotels. MasterCard and Visa are preferred but do note that credit card processing fees may be applicable.
Distances in Tanzania are vast, and traveling by road can be tiring. It is wise to spend enough time in fewer parks so if you have less time then we suggest that you choose to visit just a few of the popular national parks. You will see more and won’t feel too exhausted when you return home Keep your distance from animals to avoid distressing them. Always follow the instructions of your ranger or guide. Don’t leave your vehicle in the parks except in designated places. Keep to recognised tracks to avoid damaging vegetation.
It never gets really cold in Tanzania so lightweight clothing is the norm. On safari avoid brightly colored clothes, they may they alarm the animals. Browns, beiges and khaki are preferred. Shorts-sleeves shirts/blouses and shorts are ideal, but pack a sweater, it can be chilly in the early morning and in the evening. Wear a hat to avoid sun-stroke and don’t forget a swimsuit. Shoes should be sensible – walking through the bush is not like strolling through Hyde Park – and for climbing Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru take thermal underwear, a rain jacket, good socks and sturdy boots. Shorts for women are acceptable – but not too short. Women should carry a wrap to cover their legs in towns or villages as revealing clothes can close offence, especially in Zanzibar and other Muslim areas. On the beach, and within the confines of beach hotels, normal swimwear is acceptable but nudity certainly is not.
Not normally obligatory but a tip for exceptional service will be appreciated. We recommend the following as a guide to tipping: $20.00 to $25.00 per day for Driver-Guides, $2.00 per suitcase for Porters and $5.00 for Waiters/Waitresses per sitting (Lunch and/or Dinner)
Clothing should be light weight, loose-fitting and of "breathable" fabrics, such as cotton. For the daytime, shorts and T-shirts are most comfortable. While out in the bush you will find that neutral colors are best as they blend in with the natural surroundings and show the dust least. It is advised to avoid bright colors. The nights at the higher elevations like Ngorongoro gets to be quite cool, so you should also bring a sweater or a jacket.
You will find many different opinions of what is safe and what is not. We recommend local bottled mineral water to be drank for peace of mind.
You are strongly advised to have your own insurance to cover baggage, personal injury or accident and medical attention.
It is prohibited to take pictures of State house, airports, military installations, police stations, government facilities, any border post, soldiers or police or any person. Please always seek advice from your driver guide before taking pictures.
While on safari, make sure you have some way of protecting your camera from dust. As most of the safari game viewing takes place in the early morning and late afternoon, 100 or 200 ASA film is probably best to use. A telephoto or zoom lens is recommended.
Baggage should be kept to a minimum, one main lightweight bag with soft sides and one overnight bag are adequate. On flying safaris, baggage is limited to 15 Kgs.
As in most major international cities, sensible security measures should be observed. Keep a close watch on purses, handbags, wallets and cameras. Avoid wearing expensive or flashy jewelry. It is advisable to hire a taxi if you wish to move around at night and for your personal safety, avoid dark, deserted lanes and streets. If you are with our driver guides then it is best to leave the cameras and other equipment with him when you are walking around.
A temporary Flying Doctor Membership is recommended to cover air medical evacuation to Nairobi. Participation fee is US $25 for Northern Tanzania and US$ 50 for Southern Tanzania.
Tanzania has only one time zone. Local time is GMT+3 and Daylight Savings Time is not used.
Please be informed that ‘it is crime of significant gravity’ to carry/buy/travel with ANY Government trophies without documentation/permit(s) from relevant authorities. This includes bones, plants, animals skins, or anything pertaining to wildlife or nature. If carried by tourists who are on transit from other countries, appropriate permits has be carried as well. Failure to produce legal documentation can result in imprisonment and/or heavy fines. Tourists carrying trophies are advised to directly mail/ship their trophies bought from other countries directly to their home countries before coming to Tanzania or else the procedures for temporary import and export permits will be applicable for them to import in and export out of Tanzania.
Everyone is requested to raise awareness to all visitors intending to visit Tanzania before and during their stay that departing from any exit port without appropriate trophy documentation will result in dire consequence with embarrassing result.
3 square pin plug outlets are the main source of electricity. Your appliances should therefore have plugs as per illustration. Therefore it is advisable to bring along a "multiple travel adapter". Always check your appliance voltage and if required then step up OR step down adapters should also be brought keeping in mind that our voltage is from 215 to 230.
Are you preparing to travel internationally and want to take items that require electricity? In most cases, you’ll need only an adapter plug; in some cases, a voltage converter or transformer, too.
Both types of devices are likely to need an adapter plug to work in 220V foreign outlets. Adapter plug chart below lists the most common ones.
Some devices of either type, however, are single-voltage rated and may require a voltage converter or a transformer in addition to an adapter plug. How do you know? First, read the device's power supply label.
The label on your device will indicate if a voltage converter or transformer is necessary. This may be: a) affixed directly to the back of the device; b) on the AC transformer box of the power supply lead; or c) molded into the plastic on the plug. It is often in very small print.
The INPUT line contains the key information—whether the voltage (V) is single, dual or multi. Examples:
Single-voltage device: INPUT AC120Vac 60Hz 200WDual-voltage devices use a slash to separate the 2 voltages (in this case, 120V/240V); multi-voltage items use a dash to indicate the range of voltages (in this case, 100—240V).
Items with a small voltage range (such as 100—120V) are considered single-voltage items since they will not accommodate a 220V power supply. For practical purposes, there is no difference between 100V and 120V or, for that matter, between 220V and 240V. These small ranges are designed to accommodate voltage fluctuations only.
Adapter PlugsAs the chart above indicates, unless you have a single-voltage device and you're traveling to a country with a 220-volt power supply, you need only an adapter plug.
Converter or Transformer?If your device is rated for a single voltage (such as 110V), and this is different than the power supply at your destination (such as 220V), you will need an adapter plug PLUS:
Good news: Many converters now operate as both a converter for high-watt electrical devices and a transformer for low-watt electronic devices.
Watts (W) is the amount of power a device uses. Low watts would range up to 25W or 50W, depending on the converter. This would be typical of small personal electronics. Electrical heating units will require a “high” setting as they may consume 1000W to 2000W.
USB Power SuppliesIf one or more of your devices is charged via a USB cable, be sure to grab the correct cable for your device. Connection type may be standard USB, mini USB, micro USB or brand proprietary. If you have multiple devices, you may think you can save space by taking only one USB wall charger (plus the right adapter plug). Check the OUTPUT on the USB wall chargers. If they are the same, you are in luck. If not, take the relevant charger for each device.
| Device and Type of Voltage (INPUT) | Power Supply in Destination Country | Adapter Plug Needed? | Converter Needed? | Transformer Needed? |
|
Any type, single: 110, 115, 120, 125V |
110-125V | Yes | No | No |
|
Electrical, single: 110, 115, 120, 125V |
220, 230, 240V | Yes | Yes, or a transformer | Yes, or a converter |
|
Electronic, single: 110, 115, 120, 125V |
220, 230, 240V | Yes | No | Yes |
|
Electrical, dual: 120/240V |
110, 220, 230, 240V | Yes | No | No |
|
Electronic, multi: 100-240V |
110, 220, 230, 240V | Yes | No | No |
Plastic Bag Ban with effect from 1st June 2019: - tourists, can face very heavy fines for using Plastic bags. Using, manufacture or importation of plastic bags, including garbage bags and shopping bags, is illegal. Convicted offenders, including tourists, can face very heavy fines, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. Learn more about the plastic bag ban. Visitors are advised to avoid packing any plastic bags in their suitcases or in carry-on hand luggage before flying to Tanzania. Items purchased at the airport before boarding the aircraft should be removed from plastic bags. Please check hand luggage before disembarking at entry points and any plastic bags should be left in the plane. Similarly the transparent "zip-lock" plastic bags that some airlines require passengers to use for keeping liquids, cosmetics, toiletries etc separately in hand luggage are also not permitted to be brought and should be removed and left on the plane before disembarking.
Tanzania has so much to offer a holidaymaker and intrepid explorer, boasting some of the most spectacular National Parks in the whole of Africa. Each park is different and there's much to explore.
