Tanzania Practical Travel Information

Arriving in Northern Tanzania by Plane

The international airport in northern Tanzania where most safari and Mountain trekking begin is located in the Kilimanjaro region which is known as Kilimanjaro International Airport(JRO).

Here are some suggestions if you are flying to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

North America

At the moment, there are no direct flights from North America to Kilimanjaro International Airport(JRO) but you can travel with KLM transiting in Amsterdam. It is also possible to book flights to Istanbul and fly from there directly to Kilimanjaro Airport with Turkish Airlines.

South America

From Sao Paulo / Brazil you can fly via Amsterdam with KLM and from there, direct to Kilimanjaro Airport.

Europe

You can fly directly via Amsterdam with KLM, Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, or from Frankfurt with Condor (during high season). Other options are Qatar Airways via Doha and Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa.

Asia

If you are flying from/via Bangkok the best option is Ethiopian Airlines with a stopover in Addis Ababa to Kilimanjaro Airport. Also, you can fly via Nairobi with Kenya Airways.

From Shanghai, you may fly to Kilimanjaro airport with Qatar Airways via Doha.

Once you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport

You will be met by a Kilimanjaro Adventure Safari Club representative and drive straight to Arusha city where your accommodation will be arranged accordingly for overnight. The drive to Arusha city is only 1 hour.

If you would like to book your accommodation in Arusha or Moshi on your own, that’s fine. We will drive you straight to your hotel with a private transfer.

VISA & PASSPORTS
We recommend getting your visa online.   https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/
The Visa is valid for travel 90 days from the date of issue and  is subject to final approval at the border

American nationals who wish to visit Tanzania for tourism or holiday purposes are required to apply and pay for multiple visas)

Please print a hard copy of your e-visa to present on arrival.

Your passport will need to have at least 3 clear pages upon arrival.

LANGUAGE  
In Tanzania, Kiswahili is the official language but English is widely spoken.

Swahili, the national language, is a composite of several Bantu dialects and Arabic that originated along the East African coast and on the island of Zanzibar. Swahili is the lingua franca of the country, and virtually all Tanzanians speak it.

Some of the common phrases or words in Swahili are;

Welcome – Karibu

Hello (General greeting) – Habari or Jambo

How are you? Jambo

Reply to ‘How are you?’ Nzuri

What’s your name? Unaitwa nani?

Good morning – Habari ya Asubuhi

Good afternoon – Habari ya machine

Good evening – Habari ya jioni

Good night – usiku mwema

Goodbye – Kwaheri

Cheers! Good Health! – Maisha marefu

Slowly – pole pole

Sorry – pole

Please – samahani

Thank you – Asante

Help! – msaada

Congratulations! – Hongera

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

Dala-Dallas

Dala-dalas are small minibusses that operate in and between towns as well as rural areas. Prices are fixed from 400 TZS to 1000 TZS for town rides. Dala-days make a lot of stops and are never full, there is always some space to squeeze in. The route is painted on the front and back of the dala-dala and also shouted by the conductor.

Boda Bodas

Boda bodas are motorcycle taxis and the most common transportation for locals besides the dala-dalas.

Taxis

Taxis are a very convenient way for town rides starting from 4000 TZS (2 USD). Please negotiate the price beforehand as taxis in Tanzania have no meters.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND FILMING

Please ask beforehand if you want to photograph or film people, and accept it, if they reject (e.g. for religious reasons). The Maasai on the way to the Serengeti, in general, might charge a small fee for taking a picture of them. Please ask for the price as well. Pictures and videos of border stations, military, and police posts as well as government buildings are not allowed.

MONEY ISSUES:
Tanzania Shilling. Available notes are 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10,000 and coins are 50, 100, 200 & 500.

Major Credit Cards are accepted in most of the larger hotels and restaurants in Tanzania.
shops?

ATMs are available in major towns. Please check with your bank to confirm that you have access to this service in Tanzania.  We recommend some sort of backup funds in case an ATM is out of service when you need it or bring more than one just in case one fails.

We suggest that you carry some US$ in cash, as it is possible to use US$ cash to buy things in many places; for tipping, and also to negotiate with locals while shopping. Please do not bring in any US bills dated before 2006, as they are not accepted by banks.

HEALTH
Please consult your doctor regarding health measures and vaccinations, as health and vaccination requirements can change at least 4 – 6 weeks before your intended departure, for the most updated information. The following information can be used as a guideline:

Anti-malaria:  precautions are highly recommended and Insect repellent is recommended for use in the evenings. Please consult your doctor or health professional so that they can prescribe the right anti-malarial medicine for you.

Yellow fever: Visitors from countries with yellow fever must also present a valid yellow fever vaccination upon arrival. If you are planning a trip to Zanzibar from the Tanzanian mainland, you must also have a valid Yellow Fever vaccination.

Water: Do not drink or brush your teeth with tap water. Bottled mineral water is available at hotels and lodges.  Drink plenty of water when staying outside in the sun, during the day.

WEATHER & CLOTHING
Tanzania enjoys a pleasant year-round climate.  Dress should be comfortable, casual clothing that is easy to care for, and earth colors are most practical. The climate is mainly characterized by warm days, but early mornings and evenings can be cool (especially if doing game drives in open vehicles and the Ngorongoro Crater can get quite cold in the mornings and evenings), so dress in layers. You may want to carry a sweater for the cooler nights.   If you plan to do a walking safari, make sure you have comfortable closed walking shoes.  Dining is usually smart casual. Allow for a more conservative dress when walking in towns.
In Zanzibar, when in public places (except in hotel and resort premises) please ensure you wear clothes that cover from shoulder to knee.

The sun is strong so sunblock is recommended.  A hat and sunglasses would also be a good idea.
Also, with the changing climate, you may even encounter some rain, so do carry something for this.  Most hotels have a laundry service; however, please check to ensure that it can be delivered before your check-out time.
Tanzania is too close to the Equator to experience summer and winter as most people are used to in Europe and Northern America. Instead, the seasons split into a dry and rainy season. The rainy season is divided into the short rains from November to December and the long rains from March to May.
December to February are the warmest months of the year, while March to early May often see rain.  June to August are usually the coldest months but most days have a clear sky and in September to October the days are usually warm, with short scattered rains usually falling around November. The coastal areas tend to be hotter and more humid than inland areas.

ELECTRICITY
Outside of the major towns electricity supplied in rural areas is provided by generators or solar cells. Most lodges and camps inside the parks are only able to provide lighting/power to guest rooms at set times in the morning and afternoon. Most lodges do not have in-room electrical sockets but charging facilities will be available, so please ask reception or your guide. Please bear in mind that solar power is weather dependent and at times insufficient sunshine may mean lighting is limited. When generators are running power will be available but in other instances, alternative lighting is normally provided e.g. storm lanterns or torches.

The electricity supply in Tanzania is 220-240 volts/AC50Hz. Plug sockets do vary and we advise visitors to take multi-adapters to cope with 3 square pin sockets (UK) and some places may use 2 round pin sockets (European). Some lodges and camps only have power in the early mornings and evenings.  Batteries may be recharged in camps and you can check with the camp staff on arrival.

COMMUNICATIONS:
If you plan to use the hotel’s telephone service, always check the rates with the hotel before making a call.  If you have a mobile phone with a roaming connection, please check with your service provider about coverage and charges or you could purchase a local SIM card (with a suitable phone) and use pre-paid top-up cards which are inexpensive and widely available.

Internet network is available through most of the tourist areas and Wi-Fi is available in many of the hotels, lodges, and camps. However, connections can be slow in some areas.

LOCAL TIME
Tanzania is three hours (+3) ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

LUGGAGE
Internal scheduled and charter aircraft flights have a baggage limit of 15kgs per person – including hand luggage. These regulations are rigorously enforced so please limit your luggage to the appropriate weight.  Please also take your luggage in soft-sided bags without wheels or rigid handles – ie kit bags or similar rather than rigid suitcases. Please note that international airlines do lose or mislay hold luggage depressingly frequently, and we strongly suggest that you take any essential items (such as a change of clothes/malaria tablets/medicines / etc) with you in hand luggage.

TRAVEL AND MEDICAL INSURANCE
Please ensure you have sufficient travel insurance and that you travel with the necessary Insurance documents.

In addition, Kilimanjaro Adventure Safari Club has partnered with AMREF flying doctors and can offer emergency medical evacuation insurance. (Insurance is for evacuation only)

TIPPING:

Below is a simple guideline for tipping:

  • Safari guide(s) – USD 20 per day per client.
  • Mountain Guide USD 30 per day
  • Assistant Mountain Guide – USD 20 per day.
  • Mountain cook(chef) USD 25 per day
  • Mountain climbing Porters – USD 20 per day.
  • Mountain Crew – USD 20 per day to be shared.
  • Tented camp, lodge, or hotel staff(we recommend Tip Box) as it gets shared by all the staff even those who are working in the back area.
  • Luggage porters USD 2.
  • Airport transfer drivers $10 per car

FOOD
The food served at all safari lodges and tented camps in our portfolio is of the highest quality. At certain lodges, gourmet cooks bake fresh bread and produce soups, salads, and entrées that could easily grace tables at top restaurants around the world.
Meals are international in flavor with soups, salads, cold meats, pasta dishes, meat and fish dishes, bread, and other starch.
We prefer to use camps and lodges that opt for good, wholesome home-style cooking at elegantly set dining tables (sometimes under the stars, sometimes under thatch or canvas) where guests can discuss and debate the day’s events with their guides and fellow guests.

Here are the usual food selections for a safari:
We offer vegan, vegetarian, regular, and gluten-free food as well. For other dietary requirements, simply tell us in advance. We are happy to work out something and happy to keep your tummy happy.

  • Breakfast or brunch: You can expect anything from omelets to quiches with a variety of salads. Continental breakfast is also typically served with toast, sausage, pastries, charcuterie, cold meat, coffee, and tea. Cereals, fruits, bread, eggs, and cheese are also very common.
  • Lunch: More often than not, lunches are served picnic-style in the middle of your game drive. Sometimes, guides/drivers also take you back to the lodge or camp for a hearty meal before going on an afternoon or sundowner game drive. Food is usually composed of sandwiches and fruits.
  • High tea: Before setting off to your late afternoon game drive, afternoon snacks will be provided. Freshly roasted peanuts or cashews, cakes, sandwiches, biscuits, quiches, and tarts are usual.
  • Sundowners: On your final game drive of the day, you will be enjoying alcoholic beverages (think wine and beer) with snacks such as nuts, dried fruits, and savories as you watch the sunset across the wildlife-ridden fields.
  • Dinner: Prepared at the lodge or camp, dinner is usually served in three courses: soup, mains, and pudding. Butternut soup, vegetable curry, and fruit pudding is a very common combo, but of course, there will be a variety during your stay ranging from meat, fish, and pasta dishes served with assorted vegetables and sauces.
  • Drinks: For the drinks, it could be anything from water to coffee and tea to wine and beer. Filtered water is typically available but if it’s not, the camp or lodge will either tell you in advance or provide water for you to drink each day.

SECURITY: 
Tanzania is no different from any other destination in the world. Common sense should prevail and precautions should be taken as in any major city.  Use hotel and lodge safety deposit boxes where possible.   If walking in towns or cities only carry small amounts of cash and do not wear obvious jewelry or display expensive possessions. Rather than walking in cities at night, we recommend that you ask the hotel to arrange a taxi.

GENERAL:
If you visit a village where there are children, we ask you not to give them sweets. If you wish to give them something, we suggest items like stationery, books, clothing, etc. and we can help guide you on how to distribute them. We are “guests” in the National Parks. The wild animals have the right of way all the time. It is important to respect them and not try to touch them or make any noise to attract their attention.

Smoking in enclosed areas and public places including restaurants is prohibited.

All the information contained in these pages is intended for guidance only and is believed to be correct at the time of writing.