FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Because we have the knowledge, experience & commitment to make your safari a lifetime experience! Comments from our past clients bear us witness. Please have a look at “Our Mission” and “Our Team” on our website.

To confirm the reservation, we will require a 50 % deposit based on the total amount of the booking. Full payment is required for bookings made 45 days before arrival. Payment shall be made by bank transfer to our company bank account or by wire transfer net of bank fees or by using our online credit card payment gateway.

See our terms & conditions for further information.

It is better to book as far in advance as possible to ensure availability at the time you wish to travel, especially during peak seasons – June to Oct and Christmas/New Year.

In view of the current trend of COVID 19 globally, the Government of Mainland Tanzania is updating its Travel Advisory No. 11 of 8 th September, 2022 to Version No. 12, effective from 12th January 2023 as follows (see also: https://www.ca.tzembassy.go.tz/resources/view/travel-advisory-no-12-of-12th-january-2023): 

• All travelers entering or transiting URT through land borders, sea ports or airports are advised to be fully vaccinated as per approved schedule of primary vaccination against COVID 19 in their respective countries.
• All travelers entering or transiting URT Mainland through land borders, sea/lake ports or airports are not required to present a COVID – 19 vaccination certificate or RT-PCR certificate or perform Rapid Antigen Test on arrival unless stated otherwise by conveyance to be used or country of their final destination. However, for surveillance purposes Port
  Health Officials may at any time perform COVID-1 9 Rapid Antigen Test free of Charge for randomly selected travelers during arrival at points of entry.
• On arrival, thermal and physical screening will be done. Passengers found to be symptomatic during screening will be immediately isolated and handled as per health protocol.
• All travelers departing from Tanzania should seek information prior to departure from their travel agents regarding COVID-1 9 requirements of their country of destination or conveyance to be used.
• For travelers departing from Tanzania whom conveyances and destination countries requires RT- PCR certificates, test will be done at designated places at their own cost of TZS 1 15,000 (50 USD) or perform Rapid Antigen Test before departure at their own costs ofTZS 23,000 (10 USD).
• All travelers should self-monitor their health post arrival and shall report to their nearest health facility or call Toll Free Health Emergency Number: 199 for Tanzania Mainland.

Please contact your airline in advance for information on the applicable boarding regulations regarding Covid-19.

Please note that this information can change quickly, and this information does not claim to be complete and correct. Please inform yourself as well.

Visas are required to enter all 3 East African Countries – Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. They can either be obtained in advance through the various Embassies/High Commissions, Visa Services abroad, at the airports or other ports/borders of entry or over the Electronic Visa/Permit Application System. Passports should be valid for at least six months after the visa is issued and / or the date of entry, and at least one blank visa page is required. 

For Tanzania: Single-entry tourist visa on arrival: US$50 (the exception is US citizens who must pay US$100).

Citizens of some listed countries cannot get visas on arrival, so it is advisable to enquire with us when booking your safari. 

Entry Requirements and Visa Information for Tanzania, click “Immigration Service” on the top menu: 

https://immigration.go.tz/

Link for electronic visa application for Tanzania:

https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/

We use 7-seater custom safari minibuses with pop-up roof ideal for game viewing and sightseeing. The buses are fitted with HF long range radios for easy communication and are well maintained to provide maximum level of comfort and safety. In addition to the above, all our vehicles are fully equipped with cool-boxes and first aid kits. 

All our safari drivers are trained tour guides, friendly, experienced, knowledgeable and are committed to customer satisfaction. Past client references confirm this. 

No. International transportation to and from East Africa is not included. If you need assistance with booking international flights, please contact us.

Please see our Terms & Conditions.

Most of our safaris are run privately with a minimum of two persons booking. We recommend not more than 6 persons for maximum comfort and guaranteed window seats. Single travelers can join a tour or ask us for a tailor-made safari.

This is a single traveler fee charged by hotels, lodges, and camps. Our accommodation prices are specified per person, based on double occupancy. If a double room is occupied by one person, a surcharge will apply.

We cannot guarantee this because the animals are in their natural environment. However, you won’t be disappointed with our well-designed itineraries and selected locations.

Yes, we’re doing that! Please inform us in advance so that we can coordinate with the lodges and camps concerned

We cannot guarantee that wheelchair facilities will be available, but some of the properties we use have these facilities. Please contact us with your specific requirements.

We strongly recommend that you take out all necessary travel insurance before you travel.

For tours on Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, we offer all our customers a free membership in the “Flying Doctors’ Society of Africa”. This means that in the event of a medical emergency or necessary evacuation, you will be flown to the nearest reputable hospital. However, this service only covers rescue, not further treatments in the hospital.

Tips are not included in the tour price and the amounts we suggest here are only a guideline based on our experience in Tanzania. Kedani East Africa Adventures does not restrict or oblige its customers to give tips. Of course, the services and friendship you receive will affect your decision in the end. Tips are an expression of individual satisfaction and are intended to show appreciation for a service received. If you have received a particularly good service, feel free to tip more – our staff will greatly appreciate it.

On a safari:

Safari driver/guide(s): $15-20 per day/car

Private cook (on a camping safari): $10-15 per day/car

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro/Meru:

Mountain guide: $20-$25 per day

Assistant guides: $15-$20 per day

Cook: $10-$15 per day

Porters: $6-$10 per day

Others:

People who carry the baggage: $1

Housekeeping: $2- $5 per day (depends on the hotel category too)

Most accommodations have a tip-box at the reception.

In restaurants, a tip is not expected but though anything from 5-10% will be greatly appreciated

All destinations we offer are considered safe and secure and are all well-established destinations and locations.

Tanzania / Kenya / Uganda: GMT +3 hours

English is spoken throughout East Africa. We have driver/guides that also speak German, French, Spanish and Italian and can be provided on request (inquiries please preferably by e-mail or WhatsApp)

While water in large cities is chlorinated and relatively potable, it is safer to drink sealed water in bottles. We do provide you with drinking water each day during the game drives/walking safaris as far as mentioned in the included services. Beyond these activities, you need to be self-sufficient.

The vaccination requirements change from time to time. We encourage you to consult your local doctor or health department for information on the latest health precautions. Vaccinations against yellow fever and cholera are currently recommended but not mandatory. As a precaution, we usually recommend taking antimalarial drugs before, during, and after your visit to East Africa.

If you are on prescription medication, please ensure you have adequate supplies for the duration of your stay and a copy of your prescription (s).

For wildlife photography, a 200 mm zoom lens is the smallest that you should use, A 300-400 zoom is preferable. For bird watching, a 500 mm or larger is necessary, and a wide-angle lens would be ideal for scenic shots. For action and underwater shots (films) a small action camera could be a good solution. Bring equipment for dealing with dust or humidity and enough back up memory cards – you may find these quite expensive and difficult to obtain locally.

If you are from the UK most likely not.

In Tanzania, the power plugs and sockets are of type D and G. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

In Kenya and Uganda, the power plugs and sockets are of type G. The standard voltage is 240 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

Tanzania has two international airports, one outside the commercial capital Dar es Salaam (airport code: DAR) and the other near Arusha (and Mount Kilimanjaro) called Kilimanjaro International Airport (airport code: JRO). Charter flights and some international operators fly direct to Zanzibar Island (airport code: ZNZ). Dar es Salaam airport is located 8 miles from the city center, Kilimanjaro airport (JRO) 31 miles from Arusha and Zanzibar Airport 5 miles from Kisauni.

There is an Airport tax of US $ 30 for international flights, which may be included in the price of the flight ticket (please confirm with the airline when purchasing your ticket).

Tanzania is located south of the equator and enjoys a tropical climate. There are two rainy seasons, generally the heaviest rains (called masika) usually fall from mid-March to May and there is a shorter rainy season (called mvuli) from November to mid-January. The dry season with cooler temperatures lasts from May to October

Bring light, washable clothing, a sweater for early morning game drives, and a sun hat and sunglasses. Long sleeves and pants made of light-colored fabrics work against insect bites. Short pants for women are acceptable (but not too short). In Zanzibar, however, you should think of respectful clothing – shoulders and knees should always be covered. On the beach and within the confines of beach hotels, normal swimwear is acceptable (but not nudity). You can buy clothes in Dar es Salaam or Arusha. When climbing Kilimanjaro or Meru, take thermal underwear, light outerwear for layers of clothing (onion principle/multi-layer principle), a sweater, a rain jacket, good socks and sturdy hiking boots with you. All equipment such as clothing, hiking boots, hiking sticks, drinking bottles, sleeping bags, sleeping mats and tents can be borrowed from us. The temperatures on Kilimanjaro could drop to -20 degrees.

The unity of currency is Tanzania Shilling (TSH.) Important foreign currencies, in particular US dollars, EURO and British pounds, are accepted and converted at banks and exchange offices. Most of the banks in the major cities/towns have ATM facilities for international credit cards. Don’t change money in the streets no matter how favorable the rates appear.

220Volts (AC50Hz), but power failures, surges and dips are common. Bring a universal adaptor and a torch or headlamp.

It is recommended to take preventive measures (immunization) against Hepatitis, Polio, Typhoid, Yellow fever. Precautions against Malaria are equally important. Consult your Doctor before travelling. In addition, personal health insurance is advisable before departure. Carry Mosquito or Insect Repellent and the most important. Sleep under a mosquito net and take anti-malaria pills as advised by your doctor. Drink only bottled water, bottled & canned drinks and bring sunglasses and sun cream. If you want to go mountain climbing, don’t forget to consult your doctor about altitude sickness.

•  Travelers are required to complete an online Health Surveillance Form within 24 hours prior to arrival https://afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz/#/home . Travelers will then receive a Unique Health Code (UHC), which they will present to health officials upon arrival.
• All travelers are required to present a negative COVID-19 test certificate upon arrival. The test must be a Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test, with the sample collected within 72 hours before arrival in Tanzania. Travelers in transit more than 72 hours will be required to be re-tested by rapid test upon arrival in Tanzania. The rapid test cost is $25 per traveler.
• The Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children “Travel Advisory No. 7 of 4th of May 2021” has details on these requirements: https://www.moh.go.tz/en/announcements.
• All travelers entering Tanzania will be subject to enhanced screening for COVID-19, including through a rapid test. The rapid test cost is $25 per traveler.
• Please open the link and then you should find further information under the subject “News & Events” https://immigration.go.tz/
• Please note that this information can change quickly, and this information does not claim to be complete and correct. Please inform yourself as well.
• Please contact your airline in advance for information on the applicable boarding regulations regarding Covid-19

• Take out private travel insurance to cover loss of baggage or valuables, personal accidents, and medical expenses.

• Swahili and English. Languages such as French, Spanish, German, Italian, etc. are sometimes spoken in the main cities/towns

Plan to spend more time in fewer parks, you will see more and won’t return home exhausted. Be quiet and avoid distressing the wildlife, follow the instructions of rangers or guides.

Although they can be obtained on arrival at all international airports and borders, we recommend that you check with the Tanzanian embassy in your home country or a Tanzanian representative in your area to find out where you may also be able to acquire a visa before departure. The fees vary depending on the nationality. Alternatively, visas can be processed at any entry point in Tanzania e. g. at Dar es Salaam International Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport, Zanzibar International Airport, Namanga (Tanzania – Kenya Border Post to the North), Tunduma (Tanzania – Malawi Border post to the South), Taveta and Holili (Tanzania – Kenya Border post to the North East)

Entry Requirements and Visa Information for Tanzania: https://immigration.go.tz/index.php/en/services/visa-information

Link for electronic visa application for Tanzania:

 https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/

Protect your camera from dust and keep the equipment cool. 

Bring enough back up memory cards – you may find these quite expensive and difficult to obtain locally.  

Ask permission before photographing local people.

Photography of all military installations, government buildings and presidential convoys is highly prohibited. Enquire from your local Guide.

Tanzania is generally a safe country, but do not invite temptation and keep an eye on your belongings. Do not go for walks in towns/cities at night, do not carry cameras or large amount of money in hidden streets with you, beware of pickpockets, use hotel lockers to store valuables, and leave valuable jewelry at home.

Locally made products are mostly sold at reasonable prices. Ask your local Guide for the best deals on buying items for yourself or your friends like Batiks and Tingatinga paintings, Ebony carvings such as cutlery, bracelets, furniture or sculptures. Other souvenirs include Maasai belts, rings and necklaces made from multicolored pearls, kanga for women and jewels, including Tanzania’s special mineral, the tanzanite jewel, which can only be found in Arusha.

GMT+ 3hrs.

The amounts we suggest here are only a guideline based on our experience in Tanzania. Kedani East Africa Adventures does not restrict or oblige its customers to give tips. Of course, the services and friendship you receive will affect your decision in the end. Tips are an expression of individual satisfaction and are intended to show appreciation for a service received. If you have received a particularly good service, feel free to tip more – our staff will greatly appreciate it.

On a safari:

Safari driver/guide(s): $15-20 per day/car

Private cook (on a camping safari): $10-15 per day/car

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro/Meru:

Mountain guide: $20-$25 per day

Assistant guides: $15-$20 per day

Cook: $10-$15 per day

Porters: $6-$10 per day

Others:

People who carry the baggage: $1

Housekeeping: $2- $5 per day (depends on the hotel category too)

Most accommodations have a tip-box at the reception.

In restaurants, a tip is not expected but though anything from 5-10% will be greatly appreciated.

The protection of nature is everyone’s concern. Therefore, try to avoid the following while on safari. Collecting or buying bones, skins, horns, teeth or feathers of animals. While on the coast avoid taking starfish, corals, and shells with you. These are all things that play a major role in our fragile ecosystem. 

Do not litter where others are expected to visit and obey the animal’s right to live.

The import and export of plastic bags has been prohibited in Tanzania since June 1, 2019. Visitors are advised not to carry plastic bags in their suitcases or carry-on baggage excepted the required Ziploc bags, which are specifically used for the transportation of toiletries and other liquids up to 100 milliliters through airport security checks. These “Ziploc” bags must remain in the traveler’s permanent possession and may not be disposed of in Tanzania. Other plastic bags that are carried must be handed in by travelers at the airport.

Likewise, the protection of cultures is everyone’s concern. Your tour guide knows the local habits and customs. It is generally advisable to get permission before taking photos of locals or tribesmen.

If you are only spending a few days in a Tanzanian city, some short safari excursions can easily be modified from our suggested tours. Depending on the location where you are, it is possible to make excursions nearby. For example, in Dar es Salaam you can choose from destinations in the southern circuit, e.g. Mikumi, Nyerere (former Selous G.R.) or Saadani National Park. The easiest national park to reach on a day trip from Dar es Salaam is Mikumi N. P. or Saadani N. P.  But, of course, two or even three days would be better. Two or, better three days for Nyerere N. P. would work too. Close to Dar es Salaam you can visit the Pugu Hills, one of the oldest coastal forests in the world. Other southern circuit parks are Ruaha and the Udzungwa Mountains, which are a little further away.

If you stay in Arusha or Moshi, then Arusha National Park can be visited in one day or even Tarangire N.P, although two days would be better for Tarangire. In three days (or better four days including a chill out day) from Arusha, you could visit Tarangire N.P, Lake Manyara N.P. and Ngorongoro Crater. But with a few days more you can add the wonderful Serengeti N.P. These would be the most popular destinations on the Northern Circuit, but there is a lot more to see in the north!

Perhaps from Dodoma you would choose the Western circuit and in two or three days you could visit or the Gombe Stream N.P., Mahale N. P., Kitavi N. P., Kitulo N.P. or Rubondo Island N.P in Lake Victoria, which can more easily be reached from Arusha, but you will need one or two days more.

In this case (depending on your budget) you can choose a safari package from one of the safari circuits or even more than one or we can combine destinations from different circuits. But, for your comfort and to give you time to relax and really get to know an area, it may be the best to stick to one of the three major safari circuits.

All the destinations mentioned in the above paragraphs are available to you. With a little more time, you can combine game drives with tribal visits, walking or canoe safaris and even a hike in the mountains or a beach holiday. With its variety Tanzania is a great travel destination. There is a lot to do!

So, please tell us how much time you have, what your main targets are (animals, tribes, places) and what your budget is (from backpacking to mid-range to luxury, or a mix), and together we can plan a wonderful safari in Tanzania. When choosing your accommodation that fits your budget most people find mid-range a good choice, especially for the first and last night, because you will have better (and private) bathing options and a comfortable bed. So, you can start and end your holiday refreshed. During the week(s) you might want to experience the real African bush at a public camp site or backpacker lodge – you will meet lots of different people and nationalities and keep the budget low. Alternatively, Kedani East Africa Adventures has connections to many luxury lodges.

Talk to Kedani East Africa Adventures now, by sending an email or by using our contact form. You can contact us even via WhatsApp or we can arrange a skype session or a zoom session (or something similar).