Important Travel Tips

Important travel tip you should know about before you get out for East Africa Safaris, Tanzania includes Zanzibar, Kenya and Uganda. All visitors arriving in Tanzania, Kenya or in Uganda. must posses a valid passport. Citizens of some countries require visas. One should check with their nearest embassy, high commission of East African Countries, i.e. Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

Important travel tip you should know before you get out for East Africa Safaris, Tanzania includes Zanzibar, Kenya and Uganda

Information (VISA)
All visitors arriving in Tanzania, Kenya or in Uganda must posses a valid passport. Citizens of some countries require visas. One should check with their nearest embassy, high commission of East African Countries, i.e. Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

Customs:
Personal effects including cameras and film may be imported temporarily without a permit. A customs bond may be demanded from visitors bringing in filming equipment, radios, tape recorders and musical instruments to ensure that the goods are re-exported. Firearms require a special permit.

Currency:
Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda currencies based on shilling, which is divided into 100 cents. There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency that may be brought into Tanzania or Kenya or Uganda, and no currency declaration is required. But import and export of Tanzanian and Kenyan currency is illegal. Foreign currency in Cash or Traveler's cheques may be exchanged at banks, authorized dealers and at the bureau de change at the international airports, major towns and border posts.

Banks:
Tourist cities of East Africa i.e. Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Zanzibar and Moshi in Tanzania; Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu in Kenya; Kampala, Entebe and Jinja in Uganda and most other principal centers in these countries have banks with a Bureau de Change. Banking hours are from 08:30 hours to 15:00 hours Monday to Friday, also some open 08:30 hours to 11:00 hours on Saturdays.

Medicare Cafe:
Although malaria is generally rare in most highland areas of Africa, it is advisable to take precautions particularly when traveling in the Southern of the Sahara desert countries, the location of East African Countries. Take anti-malaria pills/dose at least 14 days before you get out for Africa. Malaria is endemic so prophylaxis should be taken before and after your visit according to your physician's prescription. Tap water is not safe to drink, pure drinking water is available such as principal hotels and supermarkets.

Guides:
Our experienced and trained hands picked staff are experts and ready to take you as far as your African travel dream. We work with a team of fluent speaking English, French, and Germany, Spanish, Italian. As the few number of those speaking other language than English is concerned, we highly recommend to be notified on time making your reservations.

Game Viewing:
The best times for game viewing are normally in the early morning or afternoon, as animals tend to hide up during the heat of mid-day

Laundry:
There are laundry facilities at practically all hotels; lodges and safari camps and laundry will often be returned on the same day.

Electricity Supply:
Tanzania and Kenya use the UK/European standard power supply of 220/240 voltages. If you want to use U.S. appliances you will need a voltage converter as well as a plug converter. However, we do suggest bringing with you battery-operated appliances if possible, though many hotels and lodges have 110 volts socket for electric razors for shavers.

Insurance:
We require that all clients arrange personal travel insurance to cover their medical, property, and other personal risks for the duration of their safaris.

Language:
The official languages of Tanzania are Kiswahili and English, and in Kenya and Uganda is English. Kiswahili is spoken and understood by the great majority of East African. There is a wide usage of and understanding of English language, particularly, in the town centers.

Shopping:
You will find woodcarvings, leather goods, batik, souvenirs, jewelry and precious stones in shops inside most hotels and lodges throughout the countries. Anything you purchase, remember to keep a receipt with you for presentation at customs.

Food & Drinks:
You need to let us know whether you are vegetarian on time of tour confirmation. Generally, the more expensive the hotel or restaurant, the better and safer the food will be. Our food menu range from local to International standard, prepared by well-trained chefs. We provide bottled water for the trips as it is generally recommended to drink only bottled water, which is readily available, everywhere. There are no restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks in East Africa. There are plenty of imported beers, wines and spirits in many places.

Clothing:
It never get really cold in Tanzania, Kenya or Uganda, so lightweight clothing is the normal. However in particular Arusha and Nairobi, they experience colder weather in months of June and July. On safari, short sleeve shirts/blouses, and shorts are ideal. A light jacket/sweater may be needed in the evening at higher altitudes. Sensible walking shoes, a hat to keep off the sun, and sunglasses are essential too. but pack a sweater, it can be cold in the evening/morning. If climbing, needless to say, warm clothing is essential.

Photograph:
When one takes a picture of the people, they feel offended. So it is extremely important to ask them before doing so. You can get your driver to ask for you. Plan to bring with you: Two cameras, and their accessories including, batteries, several speeds of film and dust-proof bags.

Tipping:
The recommended ones per day (from the whole group) are: For safaris: -Driver: 15USD, and a cook if camping: 7USD. For Climbing: - Chief guide: 15USD, each assistant guide: 8USD, and each porter: 6USD. Sure, you can pay more if you are particularly impressed and less if you are not.

Equipment:
Most of the following equipments are needed for your climbing, and some for safaris; and these include: Sleeping tent, mattresses, sleeping bag, water/wind proof jacket, warm jacket, rain clothes, sweater, warm trouser, long warm underwear, climbing boot, walking shoes (hiking), pairs of cotton socks, hiking short, a T-shirt, baseball cap, hat, gloves, water bottle (+3litres), flashlight, small bag, rucksack (for your belongings to be carried by porters), walking sticks, sun glasses, anti-diarrhea drug, anti-altitude drug, water filter/ iodine tablets, watch, camera/camcorder. We provide sleeping tents.

Security:
Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda are the safe East African countries. However, just as any other country, you have to be cautious of your surrounding. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry, walking in the dark, deserted lanes and streets. Keep an eye on your purses, wallets, handbags, and cameras. Never accept food or drinks from strangers. Hotels have security for visitors, which you can make use of