Things to do before you travel

This information is very important. We advise you to read them and to have a copy available to you throughout your trip

PASSPORTS & VISA
All visitors to Tanzania must have a valid Passport (Usually the expiry date must be at least six months from the date of travel) and a valid visa with exception of those traveling from certain African countries and a few other countries. Visas can be obtained from any Tanzania Diplomatic. Mission or Consulate abroad, and at main entry
points including international airports, sea ports and border posts.

If you are arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport, without having arranged a visa in advance join the queue for
one of the visa counters. Pay for the visa – USD 100 per person for US nationals and USD 50 per person for
nationals of other countries (visa fees are payable in cash ONLY and US bills should not be older than
2009).Make sure that you get a receipt for this transaction – the receipt is yellowish- orange colour with a silver
seal sticker. Verify that the number on the receipt is the same as the one written on top of the visa stamp on your
passport.
DONT LET YOURSELF BE ASSISTED BY ANYBODY AT THE AIRPORT or be persuaded to give your visa
money to anyone apart from the staff at the counter.

However can now apply for an Online Visa by visiting the United Republic of Tanzania immigration website. To
apply your visa online visit the Tanzania Immigration website at the following
link:https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/

ARRIVAL
If you are arriving at either Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport, then airport transfers to and from
those airports are included in your trip if you have confirmed and paid for your transfer, we strongly suggest you to
email your flight ticket to your Tour Agent / Tour Consultant so we can arrange your transfers accordingly. Our
driver will display your name on an African Maharagwe signboard. These procedures ensure that you are picked
up by the correct driver, rather than by some of the airport taxi drivers who are looking for business.

It is very rare that our travelers experience problems on arrival, but it is very important that should any difficulties
be encountered, you follow the advice given below.

• • If you are unable, for any reason, to start your trip as scheduled, you must as soon as possible contact us
    through Tel:+255 786 814 864
  • If you have booked an airport transfer with African Maharagawe Safaris but on arrival at your airport are
    unable to identify the representative of your pre-booked airport transfer company within 30 minutes of clearing customs / immigration, you should contact us through Tel:+255 786 814 864 to advise us of this.
  • If you have booked your own airport transfer independently (i.e. not through African Maharagwe), and your
    driver cannot be found, you should first contact the transfer company to try and resolve the Issue, Note that
    in the event of any dispute, African Maharagwe will unfortunately not be responsible for any failure by an independently booked airport transfer. You will be responsible for joining the trip at the scheduled time.

HEALTH

Visitors originating from or transiting through countries endemic with yellow fever need to have valid vaccination certificates. Visitors arriving directly into Tanzania from let say Europe, the USA, Japan and other non-yellow fever areas are not required to produce vaccination certificates to gain entry. Visitors are advised to take anti-malaria tablets and make use of mosquito nets and insect sprays where provided. Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is recommended before travel See our

COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines

for our Guest and Staff. We strongly advise you to consult with your doctor or travel clinic well in advance, (and as a minimum, at least one month) before your departure. This is because some inoculations/medications must be taken well before your trip.

Please note the following specific points, relevant to your health during your stay here in Tanzania:

• Many areas in Tanzania attract mosquitoes and anti-malarial measures must be taken, in accordance with
  advice received from your doctor/travel clinic. Use insect repellent (though this is not always effective
  against all insects) sleep under insect nets where these are provided.
• People who suffer from back pain should seriously consider whether a safari is the right holiday for them. A safari necessarily requires many hours of travel, much of it on rough roads. For example, Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha, Arusha to Tarangire, Tarangire to Manyara and the road to Ngorongoro Gate are all on paved roads, but any time spent travelling in the Serengeti will be on rough roads for hours. Although our vehicles are as comfortable as they can be, passengers who are liable to back pain may experience severe discomfort and should satisfy themselves as to the suitability of a safari (and take medical advice if appropriate) before booking.
• Please bring any tablets required for water purification, although bottled water is cheap, widely available
  and recommended. The local tap water should not be consumed.
• Ensure that you keep properly hydrated during your safari, avoiding too many diuretics (eg. coffee, tea,
  alcohol) as these tend to dehydrate. We advise that you should drink a minimum of two liters of water, per
  day while you are on safari.
• Bring any medication required to combat diarrhea, as this is common when travelling
• Please bring a travel first-aid kit with you, including sanitizing hand-gel/hand-wipes

CURRENCY
The unit of currency is the Tanzania Shilling (TShs). Visitors can bring with them any amount of foreign currency but it is against the law to import or export Tanzania Currency. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted in Tanzania, albeit usually with a 5% surcharge, but note that American Express and Diners’ Club cards are not accepted.

In certain places, such as Masai villages, cash will be the only acceptable method of payment for souvenirs etc. Please have a reasonable amount of money with you to cover incidental and regular travel expenses (souvenirs, tips, meals if not included, alcohol drinks, etc.). We shall not be responsible for your failure to cover any expenses of that nature for whatever reason.

Travelers should not rely on travelers’ cheques, as these are not accepted in Tanzania. US Dollars are always the best currency to carry and it is important that the bank notes you bring have been printed after the year 2009, as older notes are often not accepted. Foreign currency in cash be exchanged at the commercial banks, authorized dealers, or at the bureau de change. Operating at the international airports, major towns and border posts. If you are arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport ATMs are located outside the arrival exit door not inside the Airport.

CLIMATE
The climate is tropical. The coastal areas are hot and humid with an average day temperature of 30 degrees centigrade. The central plateau is dry and arid with hot days and cool nights. In the northwest highlands around
Arusha and Ngorongoro, the climate is temperate and cooler between June and September. The long rains are
from March to May and the short rains fall between October and December. The hottest months are between
October and February.

CLOTHING
Light tropical clothes, especially cotton slacks, shirts and skirts are most suitable. Some warm clothing is needed in the higher altitude areas around Ngorongoro Crater, Mt. Kilimanjaro and Arusha, especially in the evenings and
early in the morning. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended on safari. A sarong or shawl will also come
handy.

Visitors in Zanzibar are expected to dress modestly – avoid swim suits, miniskirts and other revealing clothing outside hotels, beaches and resorts. Travel Insurance

All travelers taking trips with us must have valid travel insurance, without exception, and no-one will be permitted to join any of our trips until we have had sight of your insurance certificate and taken note of the details. Please ensure that all members of your party are covered by insurance and that it includes medical cover and adequate cover for emergency rescue and repatriation. We would also recommend that your policy cover trip cancellation, personal liability, curtailment and loss of luggage/personal effects. If your travel insurance has been arranged in conjunction with your credit card provider, we will require proof of purchase of the cover. Please contact your bank/credit card provider for details of the participating insurer, together with the level of cover provided and the
emergency (24-hour) contact telephone number. If you are climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, your insurance package should cover high-altitude trekking (up to 6,000 m/ 19858 f) and helicopter evacuation.

FLYING DOCTOR INSUARANCE
Flying Doctor insurance covers the provision of light aircraft with qualified doctors, able to evacuate patients from
remote locations to hospital. However, this is not a substitute for your travel insurance and is only available in conjunction with that insurance. If you wish to take out this additional insurance, please let us know. We will need a copy of your passport, plus full details of your travel insurance company, including your policy number and their

24-hour contact telephone number. Bookings for ‘Flying Doctor Insurance’ should be made at the time of booking your trip.

TIME
Tanzania has only one time zone. Local time is GMT + 3 and Daylight Savings Time is not used.

Baloon Safari
Visitors may wish to take a balloon safari and these are available at Ndutu, Serengeti and Tarangire. Prices vary
and although the balloon safaris are not operated by African Maharagwe Safaris, we can book these for you.

Driver Guides
The success of the safari is greatly enhanced by your interaction with the Driver-guide as you will spend a great
deal of time with him/her. At African Maharagwe Safaris, we believe that we have the best, most knowledgeable,
most professional driver-guides in the business, will ensure that you see as much wildlife as possible, assist in
finding you the best photo-opportunities, drive you safely around the safari locations, be available to answer your
every query and generally to help you with any difficulties you encounter. We encourage you to use your driver-
guide as a ‘walking encyclopedia’: ask him not only about the wildlife, but also about Tanzanian culture, its
customs and its people. He will be proud and delighted to share his knowledge with you!

LAGGAGE
Safari vehicles and small aircraft provide limited space for luggage. It is therefore recommended to travel with light bags since bulky suitcases will overload and might not be taken on board. If you wish to leave some luggage behind before you go on your safari, you can leave it in storage with African Maharagwe safaris at our office, at no extra charge. This will be of particular benefit to those who are combining their safari with a trip to Zanzibar immediately afterwards or a Kilimanjaro climb.

SAFETY AND SECURITY
Safety advice is issued by most national governments and updated regularly and we would suggest that all travelers check the appropriate website for updates both prior to booking, and again prior to traveling African Maharagwe Safaris strongly advises all travelers to use a money belt or neck wallet for the safe keeping of cash, passport, airline tickets and any other valuables. Please leave other valuables, such as jewelry, at home. Most accommodations provide safety deposit boxes, an excellent way of storing your valuables. We also advise you to keep a photocopy of your passport, separate from your actual passport, when you travel.
African Maharagwe safaris reserves the right to make changes to, or even cancel, any part of the planned trip if in
their opinion safety and security concerns deem this necessary. Your driver–guide will accompany you throughout
your safari and it is important that you always follow his instructions, in the interests of safety.

As in all countries, taking photos of police stations, border crossings, immigration controls, army barracks, military
personnel or checkpoints, airports or political demonstrations is never a good idea, often illegal, and very likely to
land you in trouble with the authorities. Swimming, snorkeling and other water-based activities are always
undertaken at your own risk.