Frequently asked questions
Arrival
On arrival in Tanzania, get your visa (if not already purchased before), get your luggage and go through customs our driver will wait for you at the airport/harbour/busstaion and transfers you to your hotel.
Should your flight/boat/bus have once delay, the driver waits for you.
Shopping
In the tourism areas and hotels you can find a wide spectrum of offers.
Before you go on safari, or go to Kilimanjaro, our driver stops
at a supermarket where you can stock up with little things which you need during your trip.
Take photos
Bring enough films / cards with electronic chip and batteries.
Care to protect your camera against dust and cold.
If you like to take photos of locals, ask for permission before.
Money
Current currencies, like US dollar (higher bank notes have a better exchange rate, than, e.g., 1$ notes!) and euro, as well as traveler's checks
(worse exchange course - not easy to exchange), are accepted in the tourist centres
and can be exchanged in a bureau de change. Credit cards are accepted only partially and then with unfavorable course and high fees.
At some banks in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and on Zanzibar you can remove with your maestro card (in Arusha with the Barclays bank, FBME and Stanbic Bank) and your credit card Tanzania Shilling (Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar with the Barclays bank) in the ATM.
Presents
Please, do not distribute at random pens, money or sweets.
This promotes the begging in particular from children. Presents are also in Tanzania an expression of friendship, esteem or thanks.
Health
The yellow fever vaccination is with entry from a yellow fever area, or over Nairobi
and Addis Ababa mandatory. Though the malaria is spread in Tanzania, nevertheless, you can protect yourselves from it:
Use insect protection means, use insect repellant, carry after sundown possibly
bright and closed clothes, sleep under a mosquito net and
undergo the malaria prophylaxis recommended by your doctor.
From home you should bring drugs liable to prescription, spare glasses, contact lenses and contact lens solution, suntan lotion, insect repellant, cream for insect bites and a drug against failure.
Drink only boiled or bottled water and canned drinks.
Renounce ice cube and salad. Do not follow, besides, that AIDS
last in the important tourism areas a big problem explains.
Mountain sickness
To avoid mountain sickness, walk slowly.
Give your body enough time to adjust to the varying conditions.
Include in the climbing plan at least 5 or more overnight stays for the hike.
Find time and enjoy the beauty of the mountain.
Clothes
Wrap up light, washable clothes, moreover, a pullover and one light windbreaker for safari journeys in the early morning, distant solar hat, sunglasses and suntan lotion.
Long sleeves and bright trousers prevent insect bites. One can buy clothes also in Arusha and Dar es Salaam. Women cannot carry shorts (however much too short one!); in villages and towns women should wrap a cloth around her legs, because they can cause offence, particularly on Zanzibar and in Muslim areas. On the beach and on the area of beach hotels usual bath clothing is accepted.
For tours on Kilimanjaro and the Meru you had should bring warm underwear,
several layers of light clothes, pullovers, rain jacket, good socks and firm hiking shoes.
Climate
From June to October it is mostly dry during the day and hot, while the nights
and morning feel chilly; from November till the middle of December there is a small rainy season and a big one from March to May.
In the coastal regions all year round it is hot and and has high air humidity. On Kilimanjaro and the Meru the temperatures fall in between
under the freezing point.
Travelling with children
Tanzanians like children and are helpful particularly towards mothers. Special baby food (canned food, dry milk etc.) as well as Pampers (Attention: are imported from Saudi Arabia and are perfumed!) however, are only easily found in the big cities.
On safari
The distances in Tanzania are big, hence, the travelling by car or coach is rather tiresome. Plan longer stays at less places. In this manner you will see more and return not home exhausted.
Don't come too close to the animals and do not disturb them by unnecessary noise. Obey the instructions of the park guards and guides. Park your vehicle only at the places stated for it. Keep to the official ways, so that you cause no plant damages.
Safari vehicles
On our Safaris we us 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser or 4x4 Land Rover. Every car has a pop-up roof, so you will be able to observe the animals around you very well.
Tip: the street relations in Tanzania are not to be compared to those in Europe or America, therefore, it can come every now and then to smaller breakdowns, as for example a flat tyre, nevertheless it is repaired mostly fast by the experienced drivers.
Security
Tanzania is generally a sure country. Keep your property always close to you. Move at night not on foot through the towns - take a taxi. Do not carry around your camera open and don't carry big cash sums with yourselves, watch out for pickpockets. Use hotel safes for the keeping of your valuables and require a receipt. Leave all valuables and jewellery at home.
Language
Many locals, in particular in the tourist centres, speak English.
Nevertheless, a few lumps Swahili can help and are exceedingly estimated by the locals.
A few important words:
Pole pole: slowly
Asante: thank you
Caribou: please, welcome
Kwa heri: goodbye
Jambo or Habari: Hello
Answer to Habari: nzuri (gesprochen:nsuri)
Electricity
230 V; however, you should always expect with electricity failures as well as with too much or not enough power. Bring a universal adaptor or one an adaptor which is suitable for outlets in Great Britain, as well as a flashlight or forehead light.
Tips
The crew during your trip is trying to make your stay unforgettable in a good way. A tip for good service is very much appreciated and is not included in the travel prices.
Our recommendations are as follows (in each case per day, per group):
On safari:
Driver / guide: 15-20 US
Cook: 10-15 US
Kilimanjaro:
Main guide: 15-20 US
Assistant guide/ Cook: 10-15 US
Porters: 5-10 US
Meru:
Ranger: 15-20 US
Assistant guide/ Cook: 10-15 US
Porters: 5-10 US
On Zanzibar:
Driver for the transfer: 10 US
Assurance
We recommend a travel resignation assurance, as well as an assurance against the loss of luggage and valuables, as well as a health insurance.
Visa
With entry to Tanzania you are able on the border crossings (e.g., Namanga)
and airports (Kilimanjaro airport, Dar es Salaam) to purchase a tourist visa.
This costs currently for Germans, Austrians, Swiss, Dutchmen 50 US
per person and is valid for 3 months. Americans have to pay 100 US.
The passport must be valid after crossing the border another at least 6 months.
You need further information? Just write us an email and we provide any information you need.