Nature Excursion Safaris

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT TRAVELLING TO TANZANIA

Visitor who booked his or her trip directly to Nature Excursion Safaris should book and buy international flight ticket by him/her self.
Below is some general information on travelling to Tanzania and what you can expect with Nature Excursion Safaris trip.

When to Travel in Tanzania:

Tanzania is a huge country with much regional variation in geography and climate plus two distinct rainy seasons, so the question of when to go depends on what it is that you want to experience.
The best time to go to Tanzania for the Serengeti Migration is between November and August but you will need to be in the right place at the right time. During November they will be moving south through Serengeti and spend Dec, Jan & Feb in the area of Ndutu, which is between Serengeti and Ngorongoro. In March they will start moving through southern, then to western before moving again to northern Serengeti by July to August.

General game viewing in the Serengeti and other parks is at its peak during the June to October, this time is dry season, or December to February however all around a year is the best time to do Safari. Mount Kilimanjaro is best climbed either between June and October or December to March, while the best time to visit Tanzanian coast, is anytime apart from the long rains in April&May.

Climate:

Tanzania has a pleasant tropical climate but has large regional climatic variations influenced by several factors, including altitude. Tanzania is too close to the equator to experience a real winter and summer.

There is however a dry and rain season. The long rain season will happen during April-May whilst the short rain season are common in November to December. For other months of the year it is mostly clear blue skies.
Temperatures in winter (June-August) will average around 20-25 degrees during the day, whilst in the summer (December-February) around 30-35 degrees. The coastal areas will have a higher humidity than inland and Mt Kilimanjaro will be much colder due to the altitude.

Electricity:

In Tanzania, the voltage is 230 and the frequency is 50 Hz. For charging cameras, phones etc, you will need a British plug adaptor, with the three rectangular blades. On Zanzibar, some European managed resorts, use the European plug. Power outages are common in Tanzania therefore it is worthwhile carrying a torch with you and always recharging appliances when the power is available.

Visa:

Travel to Tanzania, Tourist Visa is required. Visa can be prepared in advance through a Tanzania Embassy however upon arrival Visa at the airport is available also. This will cost USD$100 for an American passport and USD$50 for any other passport holders.

Currency and ATM Access:

The main currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling (Tsh). When carrying cash during your trip, we recommend you bring US dollars. The bills must be the updated design, issued in 2006 or later. Older notes printed before 2006 are not accepted in Tanzania or many other African countries. In major towns you will have access to ATMs however they can be unreliable if requiring large amounts. Most ATMs will only allow a maximum withdrawal amount of 400,000Tsh per transaction. Multiple transactions are allowed and based on your own bank’s daily withdrawal limits.

Most major credit cards are accepted in metropolitan Tanzania, and Visa and MasterCard are the most widely-accepted only in urban cities but with a hefty bank transaction fee and high exchange rate. Very few camps and lodges accept credit card.

Health & Vaccinations

It is important to visit your travel doctor before travelling to Africa, as there are a range of vaccinations he/she may recommend based on current information. Yellow Fever vaccination is required only if coming from a Yellow Fever infected country or passing through a Yellow Fever infected country on route and staying there for more than 12 hours. Other vaccinations that may be advisable are Hepatitis A/B, Tetanus, Typhoid and Cholera. Taking a malaria prophylactic is also recommended and your doctor can advise which type is best suited for you.

Travel Documents for Tanzania:

You should always keep copies of your travel documents with you while in Tanzania at least two of them. One in your checked luggage and one in your hand luggage. You should also keep digit copies of your passport pages and other travel documents on your smartphone or tablet. The most important document that you should always be prepared to show to immigration and customs officials is your passport and your stamped visa if applied prior to arrival. Other documents includes your return tickets, itinerary, medical insurance papers, next of kin details etc.

How To Dress While in Tanzania Safaris:

Bringing the right clothing and personal items on your Tanzania Safari, it will keeps you safe, comfortable, and will increases your enjoyment of the many adventurous activities available during your travels. Avoid bright colors, white and dark colors, and instead bring clothes of neutral colors, such as khaki, light bark or mid-tone brown, beige, olive and green, the typical colors used for safari clothing. Remember Camouflage or military clothing is not legal and not permitted in Tanzania for wear by

persons who are not members of the military. Remember a Safari hat, as well as a nice pair of

Sunglasses. Mosquitoes are a concern in Tanzania, as are tsetse flies, and you are best shielded against these insects by wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts, socks and shoes. Insect repellent is also highly recommended.

Wearing appropriate shoes for your Tanzania activities protect your feet from blisters, as well as thorns and stones. Because your safari activities vary in intensity and terrain, appropriate waterproof shoes are recommended dependent on your itinerary such as hiking boots or walking safari shoes for long hikes or on Tanzania game walks. Waterproof sneakers shoes are most appropriate for game drives only itineraries but we generally recommend walking shoes for utmost comfort due to the rugged ground exposure in Tanzania, and sandals for beach extensions. You may also want to bring a pair of lightweight flip-flops for in-room use including during showers. Some safari accommodations in Tanzania offer next day laundry services at a cost subject to appropriate weather conditions, so you do not need to bring a large quantity of clothing.

Guidance of Safari Luggage:

There is weight restriction on most internal flights within East Africa. 15 kilograms per person is only allowed, if exceeding limit you will be charged an additional fee for excess baggage. Most of the flights can be fully booked as the small to large aircrafts are allocated based passenger load for each sector, so to ensure that your excess baggage is allowed on your flight you should prepay the additional fee. Soft sided sturdy bags should be used and not hard sided luggage as your baggage will need to be easily loaded and maneuvered in a small luggage compartment during your air travel. For those who are their safari does not include any local fight, you are free to bring in additional luggage even more than

20kilogram in soft sturdy bags rather than hard sided suitcases.

Tipping

While on your safari and other activities in Africa, tipping is customary to your guides and crew. It is not must but very important. Suggested tipping amounts will be advised at time of booking.

Sample of Packing list.

Pairs of comfortable shorts, Pairs of cotton trousers, T-shirts, Long-sleeved shirts, Trouser khakis, Light cargo outdoor pants, Pairs of socks ,Undergarments that include pairs of cotton menswear,
Pairs of cotton womenswear for ladies, Sports bras, Warm flannel pajamas, Sweatshirt or fleece jacket for early morning and evening wear, Light sandals, Hiking Boots if your tour includes a hike.

Safari hat with a chin belt that withstands winds, a swimsuit for lodges and camps that has a pool
A very thin waterproof raincoat, especially if traveling to Tanzania during the rainy season. Lightweight shoes (sneakers or light hiking boots), Sunglasses, Flip flops or sandals for use around the camp or in the shower. Binocular recommended size is 8×42 or 10×50. And Good Camera.

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