tanzania Covid-19 travel advisory

International Flight

Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), located less than 50 minutes drive from Arusha and Moshi towns in northern Tanzania, is served by international carriers including KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines which also fly to Dar es Salaam. Visitors to the southern parks, the beaches and Zanzibar may use a number of international airlines that service Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) formerly Dar es Salaam International Airport.

Zanzibar is now a major destination and is also served by international air carriers. Visitors combining Kenya and Tanzania and arriving via Nairobi may use Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) where there are daily flights connecting to Kilimanjaro (JRO), Dar es Salaam (JNIA) and Zanzibar. And for visitors preferring to travel overland from Nairobi to northern Tanzania game parks, Leopard Tours would be pleased to arrange a suitable road transfer for them.

Domestic Flight

There are daily scheduled flights linking key tourist gateways to various destinations and popular locations in Tanzania, including the game parks and the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. Leopard Tours has agreements with local air transportation companies, operating charter and scheduled flights, to guard against unnecessary price fluctuations. Most game parks and towns have air strips accessible by smaller planes.

PASSPORTS & VISA

All visitors to Tanzania require a return or onward ticket and a valid passport with an entry or re-entry visa, duly endorsed. Visas are not required for visitors from some member countries of Commonwealth and other specified countries. Visas can be applied online or obtained from any Tanzania Diplomatic Mission or Consulate abroad, and at main entry points including international airports, sea ports and border posts.

HEALTH

Visitors originating from or transiting through countries endemic with yellow fever are required to produce valid yellow fever vaccination certificates at entry points. Visitors are advised to take anti-malaria tablets and make use of mosquito nets and insect sprays where provided. Visitors are also advised to obtain travel insurance that would cover medical expenses among many other things.

CUSTOMS

Personal effects including binoculars, cameras, film, may be imported (temporarily) free of duty. A custom bond may be demanded from visitors bringing in professional video/filming equipment, radios, tape recorders and musical instruments to ensure the goods are re- exported. Firearms require a special permit that should be obtained in advance. Visitors buying local handicrafts must keep cash sales receipts and ownership certificates for wildlife trophies for presentation to Customs officials on departure.

CURRENCY

The unit of currency is the Tanzania Shilling which is divided into 100 cents. Visitors can bring with them any amount of foreign currency but it is against the law to import or export Tanzania currency. Foreign currency in cash or in travelers cheques may be exchanged at the commercial banks, authorised dealers, or at the bureaux de change operating at the international airports, major towns and border posts.

DEPARTURES

An airport tax of USD 30 is levied on all visitors departing the country by air. In most instances, this fee is included in passenger’s airline ticket. Baggage is weighed at check-in counters and may be inspected by Customs. Airport departure tax for domestic flights is about USD 6. All taxes are subject to change. There is no departure tax when traveling by road.

LUGGAGE

Safari vehicles and small aircraft provide limited space for luggage. It is therefore recommended to travel with light soft-sided bags since bulky suitcases will overload and might not be taken on board.

CLIMATE

Situated on the east coast of Africa just south of the Equator, Tanzania enjoys a tropical climate constantly warm throughout the year, humid at the coast, fresh and bracing in the highlands, and tempered by Indian Ocean breezes on the islands. In the northern highlands around Arusha, Ngorongoro, Mt Kilimanjaro and Usambara, and in the southern highlands around Iringa and Mbeya area, the climate is temperate and cooler between June and September. The warmest period is between October and February.

Twice yearly rainy seasons, short rains from November to January and  long rains between March and May, bring the vital green seasons to the bush and help to maintain the abundant wildlife and big game for which Tanzania is justly world famous.

CLOTHING

Light tropical clothes, especially cotton slacks, shirts and skirts are most suitable. Some warm clothing is needed in the higher altitude areas around Usambara, Ngorongoro Crater, Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha and the southern highlands – especially in the evening and early morning. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended on safari and guests are advised to carry some insect repellents and sunscreens. In Zanzibar visitors are requested to dress modestly; swim suits, mini skirts and other revealing clothing should not be worn outside hotels, beaches and resorts.

SOUVENIRS

Tanzania offers a myriad of opportunities for souvenirs, including rare gemstones like Tanzanite. Tanzanite, the native gemstone of Tanzania, is sold in most gemstone shops alongside other locally mined stones like Ruby, Rhodolite and Tourmaline. Tanzanite was named after Tanzania, and was first discovered in 1967, in Arusha which, to date, remains the only commercially viable source in the world. Local curios like the bold Makonde carvings, Tinga Tinga works, batiks and the famous miniature Zanzibar chests are available at very reasonable prices.

LANGUAGE

The national language is Kiswahili but English is widely spoken and is the language of the tourist trade and other international businesses. Leopard Tours, however, boasts of a number of multi-lingual operations staff and driver-guides.

AIR TRAVEL

Several international airlines operate in and out of Tanzania through Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar International Airports. Travel within the country is by Precision Air, Regional Air, Air Excel, Coastal Aviation, Auric Air, As Salaam Air, and the national airline, Air Tanzania.

FLYING DOCTOR MEMBERSHIP

A temporary AMREF Flying Doctors membership is recommended to cover air medical evacuation to Nairobi. Participation fees are USD 5 for air ambulance coverage of Tanzania mainland, Zanzibar and Kenya (AREA 1), and USD 9 for air ambulance coverage of Tanzania mainland, Zanzibar, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi (AREA 2), all valid for a period of up to 30 days.

TIME

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

ELECTRICITY

215 – 230 Volts, 50 Cycles AC

The best time to visit Tanzania is during the Dry season, from late June to October, when wildlife viewing is generally at its best. The wildebeest migration in the Serengeti is usually during June and July and the time to see the wildebeest calving is late January to February. The southern and western circuit parks are best visited during the Dry season (June to October), unlike the more popular northern circuit parks that can be visited year-round.

Staying Safe on Wildlife Viewing Activities

Your safari guide will ensure your safety at all times – always listen carefully to the instructions and follow the park rules. When on a self-drive safari, never leave your car outside of designated areas and never approach animals too close.

Wildlife viewing is generally very safe in our opinion. A professional guide will ensure your safety on a guided safari. Self-drive safaris are safe as well, as long as you treat animals with respect and follow all park rules. It is extremely rare for incidents to occur. Below are some general safety guidelines and tips.

• Always follow your guide’s instructions and guidelines
• Always keep your voice down when close to animals
• Stay in the car during game drives except at designated areas where you are allowed to get out
• Don’t stand up in the car, hang out of the window or sit on the roof
• Don’t drive too close to animals if you are on a self-drive safari and back off if the animals seem disturbed
• Don’t drive between elephants in a herd, especially females and their young
• Stay together as a group close to your guide on a walking safari and always walk in single file
• Never run or jog in a wildlife area as it entices predators to attack
• Never walk between a hippo and water; it may panic and charge because its safety route to the water is blocked
• Never leave food in your tent; it will attract wildlife
• Cover your arms and legs in the evening and use insect repellent to protect against mosquitoes
• Wear a hat, use sunscreen and drink plenty of water
• Don’t wear bright and colorful clothes or too much perfume – especially on walking safaris
• In tsetse-fly areas it is recommended not to wear dark-colored clothing – such as black or dark blue – since it attracts these stinging flies
• Bring warm clothes for morning game drives in open vehicles.

Staying Safe in Cities and Towns

Most crime in Tanzania is in the cities (as is the case throughout the world). Petty theft and pickpocketing are quite common, but violent crime is very rare. You are unlikely to encounter any problems on a guided tour. Venturing out in the cities unguided is fine as long as you follow a few simple safety precautions: check with your hotel whether the area is safe to walk; only take a bit of cash with you; don’t display any valuables; don’t walk around after dark. For more safety tips that apply to African cities in general.

Travel in Africa is generally safe in our opinion. Especially if on an organized tour or safari. However, as is the case all over the world, there is an increased risk of crime in large cities and urban areas. Visitors on guided activities are mostly shielded from these risks and their guide will ensure their safety. When unguided, normal safety precautions should keep you safe. Below are some general tips:

• Ask at your hotel if it is safe to walk around the local area; when new in a place it’s always good to seek local advice on safety issues
• Don’t wear jewelry when walking in cities and leave all valuables in a safety deposit box at your hotel
• Avoid walking alone in a large, unfamiliar city
• Don’t walk around at night; take a taxi
• Avoid getting engaged with people approaching you in the street
• Be careful when drawing money from an ATM; go elsewhere if you suspect people hanging around
• Always lock your car doors and close windows when driving in busy towns
• Never leave a car unattended with valuables or luggage visible