FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TANZANIA
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This information is intended as a guideline only. It is accurate to the best of our knowledge.
Please note that we are providing links to external websites as guidelines for more information only.
Gecko Adventure is not responsible for the content thereof.
What are the Visa requirements for Tanzania?
Passports are required by all foreign visitors and must be valid for at least 6 months after the intended length of your trip.
It is essential to have at least two blank, consecutive pages for each country you will be visiting. This excludes Amendment and Endorsement pages.
This is serious , if you do not have the required blank pages, you could be denied boarding of your flight before you even start your trip!
Visas may be required for TANZANIA depending on the nationality of your passport. It is your responsibility to check the entry visa requirements with the individual embassy of each country you intend visiting prior to departure. Some visas are available upon arrival, however we do recommend where and if possible to obtain them prior to departure as there can be longs lines to get visas on arrival. If you are a parent / guardian travelling with a minor (aged 18 or younger), you must be in possession of a certified letter of consent from the non- accompanying parent or guardian.
Visa stamps in passports upon arrival in each country:
Please check the dates that the officials stamp in to your passports to make sure the allotted time for your stay is correct before you walk away from the counter. On occasion people have been given incorrect increments of time to stay in the country concerned creating a lot of unnecessary aggravation and inconvenience.
We also suggest that before you depart on any international trip that you take a photo of the information page of your passport as well as any visas on your cell phone and share with a family member or friend via text or email in case you lose your passport!
For more information please visit : travisa.com
What is the weather/climate like in Tanzania in winter and in summer?
TANZANIA has a tropical climate throughout the year. During the long rains which run from March through May the coastal areas tend to be very warm and very humid.
The short rains run from November through January. Coolest months? June through October Warmest months? December through March.
For more information please visit : weather.com
What is the currency and what credit cards can i use in Tanzania?
CURRENCY : The Tanzanian unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling – TZS or TSHS 1.00 TZS. 1.00 USD = 2,238.00 TZS (As of Aug 1st 2017)
CREDIT CARDS: Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted.
American Express – not so much! US dollars are widely accepted – however bills printed in and/or prior to 2006 are not! High denomination bills ($100 and $50 mainly ) can also be a problem so take a stash of ones and fives and tens just to be on the safe side. Traveler’s checks are NOT accepted as a method of payment in Tanzania.
For up to date rates of exchange click on the following link. www.xe.com
What if i have dietary requirements?
Most dietary requirements (kosher, vegetarian hindu etc) can be organized provided we request them well in advance. You must remember that many of the game lodges you may be visiting are literally in the middle of nowhere so if you are not very specific in advance you may just go hungry! You cannot just pop out to the nearest restaurant or 7-11 – you are in the African bush.
We need to know about allergies too – gluten -lactose – peanuts etc.
Please also let us know if anyone in your party will be celebrating a birthday or anniversary or any other special occasions!
What is the language in Tanzania?
Will i be able to do laundry during my Tanzania tour?
Laundry service is available at most hotels and lodges throughout TANZANIA. Prices will vary per hotel/lodge. However in most camps/game lodges throughout TANZANIA the washing is done by hand and sun-dried so please allow between 24-48 hours for completion
What are the luggage restrictions for a Tanzania safari?
Rule of thumb – if you want to see it again do not pack it in your checked bags!
Medications, eye glasses, sunglasses, wallets, passports, computers, iPads, cell phones, cameras, binoculars, jewellery etc should be carried with you at all times. And why are you taking that expensive jewellery with you anyway? Not a good idea! Do not take anything with you that is not replaceable or anything that you would be devastated to lose! Most airports today do offer plastic wrapping of bags for a small fee.
If you will be travelling in vehicles and small aircraft with limited luggage capacity, it is a requirement that you have a Soft Bag without Wheeels Maximum weight 15kg (33lbs). This weight allowance includes hand luggage. No Hard Suitcases will be allowed. ! Luggage restrictions vary between airlines / countries and aircraft. Please check with your travel consultant with regard to weight restrictions and quantity / size of bags permitted.
Should i take a camera? Should i take binoculars?
Yes, You are going to a photographer’s paradise wherever you go in Africa so do take plenty of memory cards to record your trip. They will not always be readily available everywhere you go. So to avoid disappointment take a lot with you as well as spare batteries for flashes etc.
Yes, A good pair of strong binoculars is a must on safari, Especially if you are a keen birder or “twitcher”. Trust us, we know. For everything you need to know about buying cameras and binoculars we invite you to visit : http://www.bhphotovideo.com Or if you prefer to rent before you go: http://optics4rent.com/index.html Camera equipment and lenses are so heavy and are included in hand baggage allowances so for your convenience, there are certain game lodges that rent equipment for the period of your stay. Please contact one of our safari specialists for further information. We have provided these websites as guidelines for further information, Gecko Adventure is not responsible for the content thereof.
What is the electric current in Tanzania?
230/240 volts AC, 50 Hz. Plugs are square 3-pin. If you are taking electric hair styling tools in any shape or form flatirons, curling irons, hairdryers etc. or any other electrical appliances, you should make sure they are dual voltage and remember to change the voltage if necessary when you get to Tanzania or you can undoubtedly kiss them goodbye!
Due to their remote locations, many camps/game lodges in Tanzania generate their own electricity by means of generators. Generators run for about 6-7 hours per day providing power in the rooms for lighting and possibly ceiling fans. not all camps provide plug points in the rooms so if you have equipment that requires charging such as camera batteries the hotels/lodges will often have charging facilities in the main areas.
Sooooooooooo…………….you may as well face it ladies, you will be having some bad hair days as at most hotels/lodges no hair dryers, flat irons or the likes allowed!!!!! Just go with the flow and enjoy.
What time zone is Tanzania in?
Local time in Tanzania is GMT +3 Which means it is always 6 or 7 hours ahead of us in the eastern United States depending on the time of the year and daylight savings time.
So, if it is 9PM in Dar-Es-Salaam then it is 3PM the same day in New York! Hope this helps. Probably won’t – you will be more confused than ever and will more than likely call home and get it all mixed up!
The following link may help: worldclock.com
What are the tipping and gratuity guidelines for a Tanzania safari?
This is one of the questions we are asked most often prior to departure: How much should we tip? Gratuities are discretionary however in TANZANIA It is customary to tip 10% of the check at restaurants and to taxi drivers as well as local guides and drivers.
GAME RANGER/GUIDE USD 10 per person per day
GENERAL CAMP STAFF USD 5 per person per day
Do i need any vaccinations for Tanzania? Is Tanzania a malaria free area?
Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is required only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. This does not include the US. If you are traveling from a country other than the US, check this list to see if you may be required to get the yellow fever vaccine: Countries with risk of yellow fever virus (YFV) transmission.
Malaria: There is no formal requirement to take precautions against Malaria but it is highly recommended that you do.
Tips on avoiding Malaria : Take a prescription antimalarial drug. Use insect repellent liberally and wear long pants and sleeves to prevent mosquito bites. Sleep in air-conditioned or well-screened rooms or use bednets. To maximize the benefit of inoculations/immunizations we suggest you see a health-care provider at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect. Please consult with your physician for recommendations regarding all inoculations/immunizations. For more information please visit : CDC.gov and/or WHO.int/en/
What should i pack for a safari in Tanzania?
The other most frequently asked question. As a general guideline, comfortable casual wash and wear clothes are recommended. The less you take the better as most lodges and hotels do offer laundry service if you are staying at least two days. Muted colors such as stone, khaki, beige or brown are recommended when you are on safari.
Game drives in the early morning and evenings can be very cold especially in winter so you must pack accordingly.
“but we are going to africa- why would it be cold?” Trust us, we know! The key is to dress in layers in the early morning and strip down layer by layer as it gets warmer as the sun rises. Vice versa for evening game drives.
Clothing for Tanzania safari
READY TO PLAN YOUR TOUR? YES, I WANT TO PLAN
GECKO ADVENTURE TO TANZANIA
There are lots of tour operators organising trips to Tanzania. It can be hard to choose who to go with! We can assure you that when Gecko Adventure to Tanzania, you are travelling with friends. Whether you are interested in climbing Kilimanjaro, going on safari in one of many beautiful national parks, or snorkelling in Zanzibar, we’ve got you covered.
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