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Fortes Africa will do its utmost to ensure that you have a wonderful holiday and see the best of Tanzania.
To enable you to enjoy your stay to the fullest, please review these suggestions and comments to assist you in preparing for your safari.
Things work at a different pace in Africa, and the most important thing to do when you get here is to relax. Nothing can be hurried, and it must be remembered that Tanzania is a less developed country. Airport control and border crossings all take time and cannot be rushed. When you get impatient or cross, it only aggravates the situation. Have all the documents you may need ready. Always smile, be polite, friendly, and relaxed.
Many roads in Tanzania are still dirt roads, which can be bumpy and dusty and can, in some places, be very slow going. As a result of poorly graded roads, punctures can happen, and guides will always appreciate understanding and help in these situations.
Visitors to Tanzania are required to have a valid passport and visa. Visas are obtainable from your nearest Tanzanian Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate. It would allow plenty of time to process your visa before departure. For some countries, visas are also obtainable upon arrival. However, it is usually best to check with the Tanzanian Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate before making definite plans.
Ethiopian Air, Qatar, RwandAir, Turkish Airlines, and KLM (with its affiliated airlines) fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport. There are, however, many more that fly into Dar Es Salaam and Nairobi. From these other regional airports, arranging local flights to Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport with local airlines is possible.
Consult your doctor or travel clinic before you journey to any country in East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Zanzibar). Ask about vaccinations, which ones you need, and which are advisable. All visitors to Tanzania need a valid international certificate for yellow fever.
Malaria prevention is advisable; use insect repellent, cover up at sundown, sleep under a mosquito net, and take anti-malarial prophylaxis as your doctor advises. You should start these before departure and continue a few weeks after your safari. Be informed about the possible side effects of the medicine. Based on our experiences in the field, we advise against Lariam (mefloquine) as prevention, as we see many serious side effects to this drug, including various degrees of mood disorders.
Packing a small first aid kit, all your prescription medicines, spare glasses, extra contact lenses, and solutions is also advisable. A lot of dust and glare on safari can affect sensitive eyes. Drink only bottled or boiled water.
If you plan on climbing either Mt Kilimanjaro or Mt Meru, ensure you are fully aware of the medical implications of climbing at higher altitudes.
Pack lightweight, washable clothes, plus a sweater for early morning game drives. It is advisable to bring a raincoat. The rainy seasons are unpredictable, and it is best to come prepared. In the evening, wearing light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and trousers is advisable to discourage mosquitoes. Also important are a sun hat, good sunglasses and sunscreen.
Every member of the safari must have a pair of binoculars. A good pair of binoculars will be well worth the investment.
Tanzania is a religiously diverse country, and concerning the people of this country, we advise on dressing accordingly. There are many Islamic people in Tanzania, and very revealing clothing is offensive. It is advisable, especially for women, to carry a wrap that can be used to cover up if necessary. On the beach and within the confines of beach hotels, regular swimwear (but not nudity) is acceptable.
If you are climbing Mt Kilimanjaro or Mt Meru, you should also contact the company you are climbing with. They can advise you on specific clothing required for a climb. It is essential to climb with a recognized company; your safety is important, and you have a better chance of summiting. There are several companies we recommend.
Tanzania is a generally safe and friendly country, but don’t invite temptation. Do not walk at night; order a taxi from your hotel or lodge. Do not carry valuables, cameras, or large amounts of cash. Ask at the reception of hotels and lodges whether they have safety deposit boxes and ask for a receipt. Keep your eye on your belongings, and beware of pickpockets. Leave any valuable items at home.
National parks and Conservation Areas are home to the beautiful wildlife of Tanzania. Please feel comfortable in these areas but respect the temperaments of the wildlife. Some of the wildlife is timid, and some can be aggressive. Please read the Tanzania National Parks Rules and Regulations and follow the rules. The rules were written by people who understand the wildlife and wish only to protect them and you.
Stay out of your vehicle in any wilderness area except designated areas such as picnic areas, campgrounds, or lodges. Read and follow signs posted in parks, campsites, and inns. Follow the suggestions of park and lodge employees who have experience in the areas where you are visiting. When in doubt, ask questions and follow the instructions of rangers and guides.
You should purchase travel insurance to cover baggage or valuables in case of loss or theft. Purchasing emergency medical evacuation insurance is recommended in the event of an accident or medical emergency. There are many affordable and reputable companies available on the internet that can provide coverage. Trip cancellation insurance is essential if you cannot travel due to illness. Most policies also offer cancellation in the event of illness of a family member.
In addition, Flying Doctor membership (AMREF) is included in every quotation for a safari and self-drive; this is non-negotiable, even if the client has adequate coverage. In our experience, this is the most efficient and quickest way to get to a reliable medical facility in an unforeseen emergency.
The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling. You can exchange all major currencies (US dollars, euros, and GB pounds) at banks and exchange bureaus. You can also take out shillings from ATMs in larger towns. However, the ATMs are only sometimes reliable. Credit cards are now more widely accepted in Tanzania. Credit cards still need better exchange rates or additional charges to cover processing fees. For any credit card transaction, surcharges vary between 5 and 7 percent. Payments using traveler’s cheques are accepted, but there are also often surcharges.
For cash US dollars, many places, including banks and exchange bureaus, only accept notes in the year 2000. This is due to a suspicion that notes before this time are counterfeit. Denominations smaller than $50 or $100 also have lower exchange rates. Please change money only in banks and known exchange bureaus; do not change money on the streets.
Depending on the type of safari you are booking, most costs are included in your trip. Below are some of the things that you may need to pay for:
Although tipping is optional and totally up to your discretion, it is a safari tradition. Many lodges have a staff tip box; staff members receiving tips left in the tip box vary from lodge to lodge; you can check with the lodge reception about their policy.
Protect your camera from dust and keep the film equipment cool. It is courteous to ask people for permission before you take their photo. We discourage you from paying to take pictures of people.
Even though English is widely spoken in Tanzania, Kiswahili is the national language, and a few words are always highly appreciated. Kiswahili phrasebooks are readily available in bookstores in many countries and Tanzania.
Tanzania is south of the equator, so the climate is stable throughout the year. Global warming and the changing environment have also affected the climate in Tanzania, making the seasons less predictable. Generally, we have two rainy seasons and two dry seasons. The ‘short rains’ are usually from November to December, and the ‘long rains’ are generally from March to May.
Tanzania is a large country, and the weather does vary from region to region. The weather is hot and humid all year round in the coastal areas of Dar Es Salaam and Zanzibar. Temperatures on Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru drop to below freezing.
Please find below the average temperature in Arusha.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celcius | 32 | 32 | 28 | 22 | 20 | 20 |
| Fahrenheit | 89.6 | 89.6 | 82.4 | 71.6 | 68 | 68 |
| Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celcius | 26 | 28 | 30 | 27 | 22 | 28 |
| Fahrenheit | 78.8 | 82.4 | 86 | 80.6 | 71.6 | 82.4 |
Tanzania’s power voltage is 240 with British-style plugs (square 3 pins). Power failures, surges, and troughs are still widespread in Tanzania. Bringing a universal adapter and a torch (flashlight) or headlamp is recommended.
Power for charging batteries and other electronic equipment is available in most lodges.
Tanzania is + 3 GMT.
This means the local time is three hours ahead of GMT, six hours ahead of New York, and eleven hours ahead of Los Angeles. Tanzania does not observe daylight saving time, so the difference changes by one hour in the European and North American summers.
The tourist areas and hotels will sell various souvenirs and jewellry. Feel free to haggle at roadside stalls (if you have one - your driver/ guide will be able to advise you where to shop and reasonable prices).
Be careful when buying gemstones such as Tanzanite. They are widely available at souvenir shops, but buy gemstones with a recognized dealer. There are several shops we recommend.
We realise many of our clients are experienced in travelling and driving in Africa, but we would like to share our thoughts about taking children on safari. Like young wildlife, our children are considered prey by the wildlife we want to introduce them to.
Most importantly, plan your safari so you can enjoy your time with your children and not be distracted by potential dangers or hassles.
Fortes Africa acts only as an agent of the passenger in all matters relating to tours. It accepts no responsibility for any personal illness, injury, accident, death, delay, loss, damage, or irregularity of any kind that may be occasioned because of any act or omission beyond its control, including, without limitation, any act of negligence or breach of contract of any third party such as a hotel or airline, which is to or does supply any goods or services. Please also see our Liability Waiver.
