Tanzania

Itineraries While we intend to adhere to the route described in your contract, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion, it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The contract is a general guide to the tour, region, and proposed itinerary any mention of specific wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be encountered, as we can never guarantee what mother nature has to offer us. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Accommodation If a hotel is unexpectedly fully booked, we will always contact you before booking an alternative. We will always offer alternatives to the same level and value for money. Kindly note that water scares in many parts of the world, so we always recommend taking short showers and reuse towels if possible.

Emergency Contact Should you need to contact Your Travel Nation during a situation of dire need. If you do not receive an immediate answer for any reason, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so we may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. We have an emergency line, which will connect you directly with our office.
+1 757 656 3391

Luggage You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. Your baggage should be restricted to one medium-sized rolling bag, duffle bag, or backpack, maximum 15kg, plus a daypack. Luggage limits on airlines are strictly enforced and space on vehicles is limited.

What to Pack? – Packing list
Documents:
• Flight info (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the immigration)
• Insurance info (With photocopies)
• Passport  (With photocopies)
• Required visas or vaccination certificates  (With photocopies)
• Copy of your contract

Essentials:
• Any medication you might need: This should include medication for possible common situations like headaches or diarrhea;
• Sunblock, sunglasses, hat, and lip balm.
• Your electronic devices and chargers.
For camera and lenses; we recommend bringing a wide lens (about 17-55mm) for those scenery pictures, and a telephoto lens (in the 200-400mm range) to catch animals at a distance; Renting a camera is not possible. Please ensure your camera equipment is appropriate for different weather conditions;
•  Clothes: Comfortable and casual clothing, with khaki, beige or green colors. You should pack T-shirts, shirts with long sleeves, jeans, a sweater and a jacket (for the cold mornings), swimwear (if the accommodation you selected has a pool or if you do a beach extension), and comfortable hiking shoes;
• Insect repellent;
• Refill water bottle;
• Adaptor for G Type Plugs.

Laundry Hand washing of clothes can be done at most of the hotels where you will stay. We recommend you bring a non-polluting/biodegradable soap, as well as a roll of simple string to act as a drying line for your clothes. If you arrive in the late afternoon, or if there is poor weather, it may not be possible for your clothes to completely dry. Your hotels may also have a laundry service available at an additional fee.

Visa & Entry requirements We recommend getting the visa before arrival, however, it is also still possible to apply for the visa on arrival, but it is a lot slower and will take some time once you have landed in the country. https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/
Do note the e-visa can take up to 3 weeks to be processed so if you will arrive soon we still recommend getting it on arrival. Also, if entry is an overland transfer between Maasai Mara and Serengeti (Isebania or Tarime border) it is still preferable to get the visa on arrival.
The visa costs $50 per person except for U.S Citizens who pay USD 100 per person. Some countries do require a referral visa in advance.
In any case, please do keep in mind your passport needs to have at least 6 months of validity after departure.

Insurance Travel insurance is highly recommended when traveling. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that we highly recommend good medical coverage and repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment, and loss of luggage and personal effects. We don’t issue any insurances; however, we recommend using www.worldnomads.com

Health We recommend you contact your family physician, or your local travel clinic for the most up-to-date health information at least three months before departure or in case of a last-minute tour, as soon as you confirm your travels. Travellers are also advised to carry a basic first-aid kit and hand sanitizers/antibacterial wipes on their travels. Medical facilities are basic throughout these countries. For your own safety, we strongly recommend that you advise your local guide of any medical condition that may affect you while travelling. Your local guide will be able to inform you of local health advisories (e.g. drinking water quality). Please ensure you have all the inoculations recommended by your doctor.

Allergies and dietary restrictions This is something we take very seriously. Upon booking with us, we will send you a form in which you will be able to indicate any dietary preference or restriction or any specific request you might have. We will then provide that information in advance to all the hotels.

Safety and Security Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, bank cards, cash, and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewelry at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes which are the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Possession and/or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land, but also puts the rest of your group at risk, and therefore shall not be allowed. Smoking marijuana and opium may be a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is unacceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, especially the local people who make the world the special place it is. Therefore, the exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our local guides have the right to expel any member of the group found using or in possession of drugs or if they procure prostitutes.

Photography and drone laws Please refrain from taking photos of police stations, airports, bus stations, immigration or border crossings, army barracks and personnel, or any government building. It is against the law and will result in the minimum of your film and camera being confiscated. The use of drones in national parks in Tanzania is prohibited.

Electricity The electric current in Tanzania operates at 220 volts. Electric plugs types come in at least four sizes and vary throughout the country, however, the two rounded pin standard plug is acceptable in most parts of the country. 3 pin square plugs are the most common.

Religion Tanzania is divided roughly into thirds between practitioners of folk religion, Christians, and Muslims (many of whom live on the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar). Currently, the largest religious denomination in Tanzania is Roman Catholic Christianity, followed by Protestant Christianity, Sunni Islam, and Shia Islam

Climate There are generally two rainy seasons - the short and the long rains. The short rains normally occur from late October through November and the long rains from late March through to late May. During the rainy season, it can be deceptively cold at times and evenings can be cool year-round, so ensure you have adequate warm clothing such as a fleece or warm sweater.

Best time to visit One of the best times to visit Tanzania is from July to September, during the country's dry season, which also coincides with the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra. The rainy seasons are also good times to travel, as there are fewer visitors and you can admire the striking emerald vegetation.

Plastic bags Plastic bags are banned from entering Tanzania. However, plastics carrier items known as “Ziplock bags” that are specifically used to carry toiletries will be permitted as they are expected to remain in the permanent possession of visitors and are not expected to be disposed of in the country.

Money and currency Tanzania uses the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS, or TSH). You can bring USD, Euros, or Pounds and exchange them at any bank or foreign exchange bureau in Arusha, Moshi, or Zanzibar. American Dollars that are series 1999 or earlier are not accepted and very difficult to change in Southern and Eastern Africa, because of past forgeries. Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping, and tipping. We always recommend carrying enough cash if you would like to pay for something in a remote place and the credit card machine cannot connect to any network. Please keep in mind that credit- or debit card payments may be subject to an extra charge, varying from 3.5% - 5%.

Dress code During the safari, we recommend you wear comfortable clothes in natural colors like beige, khaki, and green. Always bring a hat while on safari as it’s easy to catch a sunburn. During safaris, comfortable shoes like sports shoes are recommended. In the case of hiking, comfortable hiking shoes are recommended. In cities like Arusha, Moshi, Dar Es Salaam, and Stone Town, we advise you to wear modest clothing. At the beaches, swimwear is appropriate but once going into a village we always recommend you to cover up as the majority of the people on the coast are conservative.