Tracks of Africa Safari Adventure

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO VISIT TANZANIA

PASSPORT
Foreigners entering Tanzania must have a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months following the date of travel.

ENTRY VISA
We advise our clients to obtain the tourist visa through the online website: https://visa.immigration.go.tz/ (apply at least 15/20 days before departure).
Alternatively, it is possible to obtain the visa at the airport of arrival with a payment of 50 USD per person, via credit or ATM card enabled with international payment circuits.

COMPULSORY INTERNATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE CERTIFICATION

Please note that from 15 May 2023, it is compulsory to take out an "International Health Insurance Certificate" prior to departure, both for Tanzania and Zanzibar, to cover medical expenses and any medical air repatriation (or transfer to another country) of the patient.

As of 1 October 2024, the Zanzibar Authorities also require all foreign visitors to acquire inbound travel insurance cover (priced at 44 USD per person, valid for 92 days) from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation. Its purchase is compulsory, even for travellers who already have or have taken out other travel insurance. This insurance applies exclusively to Zanzibar. It is not required, nor is it valid, for travellers to mainland Tanzania. For registration and detailed, up-to-date information, please visit: https://visitzanzibar.go.tz/

HEALTH INFORMATION

VACCINATIONS

No mandatory vaccinations are required in Tanzania. Yellow fever vaccination is required only if you reach Tanzania by land and from high-risk countries or if you reach it by air after a stopover that exceeds 12 hours at airports in high-risk countries. Hepatitis, typhoid and malaria prophylaxis are recommended. We therefore suggest that you consult your family doctor, although many vaccinations for Tanzania that are strongly recommended are probably avoidable with common sense behavior on the ground.

HEALTH INSURANCE

Tracks of Africa Safari Adventure includes in all its safari proposals AMREF Flying Doctors medical insurance, which covers only air-ambulance evacuation to hospitals in Nairobi, or the best in East Africa, in case of illness or accident in areas not covered by tourist hospitals. It does not cover any and further medical expenses. As of 15 May 2023, it is compulsory to take out health insurance before departure, both for Tanzania and Zanzibar, to cover medical expenses and possible medical air repatriation (or transfer to another country) of the patient.

As of 1 October 2024, the Zanzibar Authorities also require all foreign visitors to acquire inbound travel insurance cover (priced at 44 USD per person, valid for 92 days) from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation. Its purchase is compulsory, even for travellers who already have or have taken out other travel insurance. This insurance applies exclusively to Zanzibar. It is not required, nor is it valid, for travellers to mainland Tanzania. For registration and detailed, up-to-date information, please visit: https://visitzanzibar.go.tz/

HOW TO GET HERE

Our overland safaris, depart from the town of Arusha, we recommend using Arusha airport for domestic flights and Kilimanjaro airport for international flights.

ALLERGIES OR DIET RESTRICTIONS

When booking, if you have food intolerances please indicate any allergies or dietary restrictions.
We will provide this information in advance to all hotels/lodges/tented camps where you will be staying.

LANGUAGE

The official language of Tanzania is, along with English, Swahili.

CLIMATE

Tanzania has a dry tropical climate with two rainy seasons: a longer one from mid-March to May ("masika" in Swahili) and a shorter one from November to early December ("mvuli" in Swahili) and has regional variations mainly due to altitude. In the highlands, temperatures vary between 10 and 20°C during the cold and hot seasons, respectively. The rest of the country rarely has temperatures below 20°C. The hottest period is between November and February (25-31°C), while the coldest period is between May and August (15-20°C). Zanzibar's beaches have a typical tropical climate since they are located near the equator. The best times to visit Northern Tanzania are during the dry season, which runs from December to March and June to October, but the weather is, however, fantastic year-round. Especially the northern parks, even during the rainy season, offer good wildlife viewing, especially for birdwatching. In addition, the landscape is lush, the parks are less crowded with tourists, and rates are lower.

CURRENCY

The official currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). You can convert to local currency at banks; both dollars (not pre-2006) and euros are accepted or withdraw Tanzanian shillings at ATMs. Dollars are accepted at all lodges, and Euros are often accepted but at an unfavorable exchange rate. Credit cards can be used in international hotels, lodges and large stores in major cities, so for small purchases we recommend being in possession of the local currency. Tipping is not mandatory in Tanzania, but good custom is to consider a small amount for porters, guides and drivers. A little generosity will be welcomed!

TELEPHONY AND INTERNET

Mobile network coverage is fairly widespread, except in some rural areas. We advise you, if you intend to make frequent calls abroad, to purchase SIM cards from local operators (Vodacom, Airtel...), because using your own card can be very expensive. Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere in the common areas of the accommodations, not always in the rooms/tents.

ELECTRICITY AND WATER

Electricity is 220/240 volts and in the tented camps is provided by generators. We recommend that you bring a universal adapter because wall sockets often have the three square holes, as in Britain. It is not recommended to drink water from the tap throughout Tanzania.

WHAT TO PACK IN A SUITCASE

A high-protection sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, a hat, wind scarf/pashmina, chapstick and moisturizer. Clothing: comfortable and casual clothing, soft colors such as beige, tan or army green are recommended. Light t-shirts and shirts, long and short pants, a sweater/fleece and a windproof jacket for cold mornings. Swimsuits in the case of facilities with a pool or for an extended stay at the beach. Comfortable hiking or sneakers. Medications: as a precaution, it is useful to bring general medications (an antipyretic, broad-spectrum antibiotic, intestinal disinfectant, eye drops), in addition to those you may be taking regularly. Camera: we recommend bringing a wide-angle lens (about 17-55 mm) for landscape images and a telephoto lens (in the 200-400 mm range) to capture animals in the distance. We also recommend, for photography and film enthusiasts, to always have enough memory-cards and spare batteries with them, given the difficulty in the area of finding technological equipment. Another useful item is a portable hair dryer, as not all facilities provide them to tourists.

IMPORTANT FOR SAFARI: Soft, space-saving suitcases and duffel bags are recommended to maximize space on the vehicle.
IMPORTANT FOR FLY SAFARI: On transfer flights to the parks, only one soft suitcase of 15 kg/33 lb per person is allowed.

PLASTIC AND WASTE

The use of all plastic bags, regardless of their thickness, is prohibited in Tanzania. Plastic items known as "Ziploc bags" that are specifically used to carry toiletries will be allowed as they should remain in the permanent possession of visitors and should not be disposed of in the country. We urge our clients to preserve their host environment for the duration of vacation, by not throwing any kind of waste outside, even the most mundane cigarette butt. The vehicle is equipped with a waste collector.

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT ACCEPTED

We accept payment by bank transfer in USD currency.

A non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. The deposit amount will be specified at the time of booking, however it is normally 20% of the tour price.

The remainder of the tour cost is payable on the date shown on your quotation, normally 60 days prior to departure. If the reservation is made after this date, the entire tour price must be paid at the time of confirmation.

INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE

Our tours include:

Taxes and entrance fees for parks (including Ngorongoro crater).
4WD Land Cruiser vehicle with raised safari roof, unlimited mileage and guide/driver (English, Italian, French and Spanish speaking).
Electric charging sockets on board, Wi-Fi, refrigerator and binoculars.
Full board in the proposed lodges, hotels and tented camps or similar category (excluding drinks unless otherwise indicated when booking).
On vehicle during safari snacks, water and soft drinks included.
AMREF Flying Doctors emergency evacuation insurance.

EXCLUDED FROM THE PACKAGE

Our tours do not include:

International and domestic flights (unless otherwise indicated when booking).
Meals and drinks outside the safari (unless otherwise indicated when booking).
Travel and personal accident insurance.
International visa for Tanzania, vaccinations, medications.
Optional excursions/activities not detailed in the itinerary.
Any additional services required.
Possible introduction of new or increased government taxes and fuel, cost of entrance fees to various sites of tourist interest, parks or wildlife reserves of which we are not aware at the time of processing the quotas.
Supplement during the Christmas and New Year period.

CANCELLING POLICY

All cancellations must be received in writing by Tracks of Africa Safari Adventure.

Unless otherwise specified in the quote, the following cancellation terms apply to the reservation:

Cancellations received between the date of booking and 61 days prior to departure will result in the loss of the deposit.
Cancellations received 60 and 46 days prior to departure will be subject to a cancellation charge of 25% of the tour price.
Cancellations received 45 and 29 days prior to departure will be subject to a cancellation charge of 50% of the tour price.
Cancellations received 28 and 15 days prior to departure will be subject to a cancellation charge of 75% of the tour price.
Cancellations received 14 days or less prior to departure will be subject to a forfeiture of the entire tour price.
In the PREMIUM category only, cancellations received 45 days or less prior to departure will be subject to a forfeiture of the entire tour price.

Frequently asked questions