Travel Tips |

Travel tips

Buy your Flight Ticket
Before departure, you will be required to buy an appropriate flight ticket to and from your tour destination. Double check your flight departure and arrival day, time and flight number and ensure that we are supplied with these details well in advance. These details will be very important to facilitate your arrival meet and greet service.

Get reliable health and vaccination advice
All visitors to East Africa are required to produce health records. Its therefore very important for you to get health advice before you depart. Malaria is endemic to certain areas of Kenya, notably by the coastal region and western Kenya. However, visitors to Nairobi and the higher altitudes should also be taking prophylactic treatment. Treatment should start one week before entering the country and continue throughout the duration of the visit and for six weeks thereafter. Anti malaria tablets and any over the counter drugs can be purchased in chemists and pharmacies in major centers. Other medication should include panadol (or any other effective pain reliever as headaches can be caused by the glare of the sun and tiredness). Anti-diarrhea medication such as Imodium (loperamide), throat lozenges, band-aid, insect repellent and antibiotic cream for cuts and scratches. The appropriate tanning or sun-blocking lotion is also essential. Main towns have good hospital care and Nairobi has excellent medical facilities.

Before you leave
-Double-check your airline reservation; make sure there have been no changes.
-Get vaccinations six weeks in advance if possible, a Yellow Fever certificate is necessary when visiting Zanzibar (you don't need the actual shot) - be sure to ask for one at the travel clinic.
-Some clinics prescribe malaria prophylactic pills (e.g., Lariam) however, you will have less risk of side effects if you simply wear long sleeve shirts and pants at dusk - and use an insect repellent containing DEET (e.g., Off, Deep Woods).
-Fill personal prescriptions if necessary.
-Buy trip insurance (for international medical/dental) from an independent trip insurance agency; be sure to get trip cancellation and medical evacuation coverage.
- Make sure you have flight insurance coverage (for lost luggage, delay, or cancellation) many credit card companies offer flight insurance if you purchase your ticket with the card.
-Personal effects (clothes, camera, etc) are normally covered on your renter's or home insurance - they will not be covered by trip or flight insurance - be sure to verify that you have coverage.
-Get entry Visas at least one month in advance, ensure passport is updated and will not expire while you are overseas. US/UK/EU/Canadian citizens can purchase visas at the border or airport of most African countries, other nationalities should make sure they have their visas in advance.
-Make 2 copies of passports, visas, tickets & immunization records (hide one copy in suitcase somewhere and leave other copy with friend or relative to hold in case of emergency).
-Take about one hundred dollars in cash ($20 bills or smaller) for driver, guide, and porter tips, visa fees, airport tax, and mad money.
- You may want to rent a powerful zoom lens for safari photos, 300-500mm lens is standard when taking game viewing photographs (1000mm and tripod needed for good bird pictures), also a good pair of binoculars and/or good zoom digital video camera if you wish.

Tipping guidelines
-It is a common courtesy to tip your driver, guide, and porter when on safari. The following list is a guide - as always you should tip based on your satisfaction with service. All amounts per person, per day (per event):

Trip Valet: US$5 per day
Individual driver/guide: US$5-10 per day
Porters/waiters: US$1-2

-Mount Climbing rates: When climbing Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro there is at least one senior guide, a cook/junior guide, and an average of two porters per client. In a group of 8 it will be typical to have one senior guide, one cook, and 16 porters. Therefore, on a six-day ascent expect to pay $90 in tips per person - or more if you feel a particular person went above and beyond the call of duty. All amounts shared by group, per day:

Senior guide: US$20-30 per day
Junior guide/Cook: US$10 per day
Porter: US$5 per day

Packing: carryon bag
-At least one major credit card (ATM cards will work in most cities - but it's easier if connect your VISA/MC to your bank account for use in the automatic teller machine
-Money belt, or travel pouch (make sure the pouch hangs/clips inside your pants or shirt), do NOT use a fanny pack.
-Tickets, itinerary
-Immunization records (International Travel Immunization Record required for some countries)
-Passports/visas, plus copies of everything
-List of emergency contact numbers
-Sun Hat or cap, sunglasses, clip-ons for regular glasses
-Extra set of eyeglasses or contacts
-Pick up many rolls of film before even getting to the airport, the price of film increases dramatically at the airports and overseas.
-Bird or mammal field guides, Africa travel book
-Reading material
-Blow-up travel pillow (helps for sleeping during the flight)
-Earplugs & blinders (for sleeping on the overnight flights or anti-snoring during camping)

Packing: medicines
-Basic stuff (band aids, gauze, tape, first-aid cream, Betadine, pick up a kit from EMS, LLBean, or wherever)
-Swiss army knife (do not take in carryon, it will be confiscated at airport security)
-Antibacterial hand gel (very useful when water is scarce)
vPersonal prescription medications (whatever you need)
-Pepto-bismol tablets, chewable (important)
-Imodium A-D or other diarrhoea medicine
-If you wear contact lenses, bring eye medicine (Neosporin eye drops)
-Tylenol, aspirin, Advil or other painkiller
-Benadryl pills or other antihistamine
-Cold/flu medicine (important)
-Mosquito repellent (DEET 35% concentration DeetPlus, Repel or Deep Woods, to spray on skin)
-Sunscreen, aloe vera gel
-Mount Climbing: Glucose tablets (critical for the final summit push on Kilimanjaro and Kenya) and recommended prescribed medicines: dysentery antibiotic pills (Cipro), altitude pills for Kilimanjaro (Diamox).

Packing: toiletry bag
-Manual shaver & extra blades
-Deodorant stick (not aerosol)
-Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss
-Shampoo and hair conditioner (in small leak proof bottles)
-Bar soap with soap bag/container
-Chapstick for dry lips
-Disposable contact lenses
-Vitamins
-For camping and mount climbing - Toilet paper and quick-drying camping towel

Packing: clothes
Clothing is a matter of taste, and laundry service is provided at all hotels/lodges during the safari (not on Kilimanjaro), Days are warm and nights are cool so dress accordingly. If you wish to purchase some special "safari" clothes, here is a recommended list:

- Wear tan, beige or light sage green clothing (these colours hide dust, don't look dirty).
-Women will want to have at least one long casual skirt (cotton/canvas/khaki or whatever is easy-care in hot weather) to wear during day-tour trips, out of respect for local culture.
-Teva sandals are all around great footwear, or tennis shoes are okay for beach and bush, however you just don't want them to be brand new white.
-Use packing plastic smush bags to store sweaters/fleece, bulky clothing (these seal out the extra air and make sweaters more compact).
-3 pairs of pants (2 for the field, 1 for evening) pants can be the kind that zipper off into shorts (such as Expeditio), or blue jeans.
-Long casual khaki button-down dress or skirt (okay for day wear & evening in the bush or lodge, can be brought in lieu of the 1 or 2 pairs of pants mentioned above).
-3 shirts (stone/light moss/sage-colored, not white colored) (2 for the field, 1 for evening)
-2 under T-shirts, 7 pairs underwear, 7 pairs khaki-color cotton socks (enough for about 1-3 weeks in the field, can wash these out).
-Shoes (brown color to match evening dress or casual khaki dress)
-Fleece jacket for early morning/sunset game drives
Bathing suit, bikini, swim goggles (white water rafting, swim at hotel/resort)

Packing: mountain climbing
-Hiking boots (required), should be waterproof and reasonably warm (Kili has snow at the summit but crampons or specialized boots are not necessary)
-Warm hat, gloves, for freezing temperature
- Rainproof shell (top and bottom) - wear over fleece jacket at top of mountain for extra warmth
-Long underwear, sock liners (4 pair)
- Sub-zero weather sleeping bag, camp pillow
-Flashlight (or head lamp)
- Playing cards
-Granola or energy bars for snacking on the trail

Safety
Remove your watch and jewellery in big cities to avoid being a target. Never wear an external money pouch or use a wallet in your pocket or have a loose backpack. Keep things inside your clothing and out of sight. Nairobi is like any major city in the world be it New York, London or Paris. Take care of your valuables concealing jewellery and watches and hold handbags tightly when walking on streets. Gold neck chains can be snatched with ease and its not advisable to wear them. Keep valuables in the hotels safe. Do not leave money, passport, jewellery or watches in the rooms or tent; you carry them with you at all times. Be careful late at night in town or whilst on a lonely beach. Africa is a wonderful place, but as in any poor economy, there are those hungry enough to steal for their dinner.

Currency and banking
The amount of money in any currency brought into the country is not limited. Only change your money at the hotels, in official banks and bureau de change. Travelers checks, US Dollars, and major credit cards are widely acceptable. However, you should change some small amount into local currency to use for tipping and buying curios. The currency in Kenya is the Kenya shillings and is divided into 100 cents.

Nairobi, Mombasa and other principal towns have banks with a bureau de change. Banking hours are 0900am to 3.00p.m, Monday to Friday and 9.00a.m to 11.00am on the first and last Saturday of the month. Banks at the Jomo Kenyatta international airport are open 24hours

Food and water
Standards of hygiene in hotels and lodges are high. Salads are safe at international hotels and lodges; Fruits you can peel are the safest to eat. Tap water in Nairobi is safe to drink, as it has been purified and filtered. Ice too is safe in Nairobi. However, outside Nairobi purchase mineral water or use filtered water found in carriers in most hotels and lodges. The local Kenyan beer is an ideal thirst quencher too.

Shopping and bargaining.
Shop hours are from 8.30am to 12.30pm and from 2.00pm to 5.00pm Mondays to Fridays and 8.30am to 12.30pm on Saturdays. Tourist shops usually remain open beyond these hours and through lunch hour. Bargaining is particularly used in markets and curio shops. Requesting for the final best price is almost expected and starts off knowing you are being charged tourist prices and end up paying what you think the item is worth to you. Do not purchase game skins, trophies or elephant hair bracelets. These items are prohibited as hunting was banned in 1976.

Photography
Ask for permission before photographing local people. Your driver/guide will assist you in this and will possibly help you agree on modeling fee. Do not take photographs of any official buildings such as airports; military installations, border posts or roadblocks. Wildlife can easily be photographed you just ask the driver to stop and ask any questions you may have about the animals, terrain, people and their culture. It is advisable to carry your cameras in dust-proof bags on safaris, especially in the dry season. Films are available in hotels and lodges but it is advisable to stock up in Nairobi as there is variety and are cheap.

Communications
Phones and fax facilities are available in Nairobi, Mombasa, Mount Kenya Safari Club, most lodges/Tented Camps and major towns. E-mail services can also be found from lodges and also hotel (ask at the reception).

Other important points
Please be punctual for all departures, game drive and schedules so as to make maximum use of your holiday time. Departure transfers for international flights are usually two and half-hours prior to flight times. Day rooms are reserved till 6.00pm.

African Sermon Safaris 2005 - 2008. All rights reserved © Copyright. Kenya House, Koinange Street,
P.O. Box 51322 - 00200, Nairobi, Kenya. Website: www.continentalsafaris.com tours@continentalsafaris.com Tel: +254 20 2244 068; Fax: +254 20 317 656; Mobile: +254 722 884 748

Tips for taking an African Safari Kenya, Travel Tips in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, Safari tips, Tour tips in Africa, Safari tips in Kenya and Tanzania

Tanzania Travel Information:
Tanzania's natural endowment as a wildlife safari destination is unrivalled. Wild animals roam in vast areas as God intended on that sixth day of the creation. These areas are designated as national parks and game reserves and have a high reputation for being uncrowded and unspoilt. The magnificent collection of game sanctuaries to the north of the country, near the border with Kenya, is referred to as The Northern Circuit. This is the most popular and accessible wildlife safari route in Tanzania. You can positively say that this is one of the finest game viewing areas anywhere in the world. The game aside, the spectacularly diverse cluster of eco-systems and habitats is a dazzling experience for many a visitor.

Below is some basic travel info for the visitor to Tanzania
Health
Visitors entering Tanzania from yellow fever infected areas require yellow fever international certificate of vaccination. Exemptions are made for visitors arriving from non-endemic areas such as Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. The northwestern forest region is considered a high-risk area for yellow fever. Malaria is common in Tanzania. Visitors are strongly advised to take anti-malaria medication commencing two weeks before travel.

It is recommended to take vaccinations against hepatitis A, polio and typhoid. HIV-AIDS is prevalent in the country and I cannot emphasize enough the need for protection measures. Some fresh water lakes and rivers carry the risk of Bilharzia and you are advised not to swim in such areas. Though proof of vaccination is not required, cholera is a risk throughout the country and precautions are necessary. Modern hospitals and chemists are available in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and other major urban centers.

Visas
All visitors require a visa except citizens of some African and commonwealth countries. It is advisable to obtain visa's in advance from Tanzania Embassies and High Commissions as some airlines may require it before allowing you to board. But you can also be issued with a visa on arrival at Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro international airports and at the Namanga Gate on the Kenya /Tanzania border. Passports must be valid for at least six months.

Nationals of countries exempt from visa requirements will be issued with a free visitors pass at the same entry points. Those traveling to Zanzibar should be aware that the Islands are nominally independent and passports and Tanzania visas are required even for a days visit. Visa requirements however vary from time to time and you are advised to check on prevailing status well ahead of travel.

Peoples & Culture
Tanzania is made up of 100 or so tribal groups of mainly Bantu origin. None of these groups comprise more than 10% of the population and this perhaps contributes to the tranquility the country has experienced. The most numerous groups are the Sukuma of Lake Victoria, Chaaga of Mount Kilimanjaro, Nyamwenzi of Tabora, Hehe of Iringa and the Gogo of Dodoma.

Arab and Persian influence is strong in Zanzibar. The interaction of Arabs and Bantu Africans has resulted in the Swahili language now widely spoken in Eastern and Central Africa. Those in the know say that the purest Swahili dialect is spoken in Zanzibar. Swahili is now the Lingua Franca of Tanzania although English is widely understood in urban centers.

Make sure to experience the traditional food at the coast and Zanzibar. This is quite good and is based on seafood and rice dishes. Food in the mainland is generally a little bit stodgy and less exciting. The most popular drink is a very decent brew known as Safari Lager. Tanzania music and dance is popular throughout Eastern Africa and this attests to its quality. The lyrics are usually in Swahili. Get to listen to some of it and this may even help improve on your Swahili.

Communications
Telephone, fax, telegram, post and Internet services are available in urban centers and locations popular with tourists. Direct dialing to many countries is available at most hotels in urban areas. In rural areas international calling is through the operator. The country code for Tanzania is 255.

Mobile phones are based on GSM 900/1800 network. Coverage is however limited and you are advised to check beforehand whether your GSM phone has access if you are traveling outside the main urban centres. Mobile telephony operators include Celtel, Mobitel, Tritel, Vodacom and Zanzibar Telecom. You can obtain a GSM card that will allow you to make international calls to any country. E-mail is accessible at Internet cafes to be found in urban centres around the country.

Accommodation
You will find good quality accommodation within the main routes popular with business travelers and tourists. This includes Dar es Salaam, Moshi, Arusha and the northern game parks such as Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Manyara. In the parks, accommodation varies from 5 star lodges and tented camps at the upper end to basic camping at the lower end.

In Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar at the coast there is a wide range of accommodation to meet the needs of most travelers. Camping is however scarce outside the parks. Outside the main urban centres and tourist routes finding rated accommodation is a doubtful proposition. See our Tanzania Hotels & Lodges page to book accommodation for your business or leisure travel needs.

Money
The local currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (Tsh). Visitors can take in any amount of foreign currency, subject to declaration. Taking out of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared upon arrival. Import and export of Tanzanian currency is however prohibited. Major currencies such as US dollars and now the Euro and travelers cheques can be converted at major hotels, banks and forex bureaus in the main towns and tourist areas.

In Tanzania plastic is not highly rated and credit cards are not widely accepted. And when accepted the exchange rate is unfavorable. But it is still a good idea to carry your credit cards, as the conversion rate will not matter in case of urgent need. If saying at one of the bigger hotels, however, your card will very likely be honored. Do not be tempted to change money in the streets however favourable the exchange rate may appear.

Climate
Zanzibar and the coastal areas are hot and humid and average daily temperatures hover in the 30Â°C range. October to March is the hottest period. Sea breezes however temper the regions' climate and June to September is coolest with temperatures falling to 25Â°C. In the Kilimanjaro area, temperatures vary from 15Â°C in May-August period to 22Â°C over December - March. As you head to the peaks of Kilimanjaro, temperatures can drop to below freezing, especially at night.

The climate is temperate in the northern national parks. The central plateau suffers a dry and arid climate with hot days and cool nights. The highlands in the south and northeast are cool and temperate. For the country as a whole the hottest months are October to February. The long rains fall between March and May and the shorter wet season falls in November.

International Travel
Tanzania's international air gateways are at Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro (50 Km from Arusha). British Airways flies direct to Dar es Salaam from London, taking about 11 hours. A few European carriers fly to Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro via European hubs. Gulf Air and Emirates fly to Dar es Salaam using mid eastern connections. Other airlines flying to Tanzania include Air Tanzania - the national carrier, Air India, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM, South African Airways and Swiss.

Tanzania can also be reached through regional hubs at Nairobi and Johannesburg and to a lesser extent Addis Ababa. There are more flights into Nairobi than Kilimanjaro and a popular route for those heading for the northern parks is to fly into Nairobi and then connect to Arusha by
shuttle bus service. There is a ferry service between Mombasa in Kenya and Dar es Salaam. On Lake Tanganyika, a passenger service runs from Kigoma to Bujumbura in Burundi, Congo (DRC) and Mpulunga in Zambia.

The Tanzania - Zambia Railway Authority runs a passenger train service from Dar es Salaam to Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia. But note that you will need to change trains at the border. Tanzania has good road links to Kenya and Zambia. Road connections to Rwanda and Mozambique are poor and are adequate only for those traveling for adventure.

Local Travel
All the major towns in Tanzania are connected by tarmac all weather roads. But outside this network, quality deteriorates. You can enjoy speedy connections by bus or car to Arusha, Morogoro, Moshi, Lushoto, Tanga and Dar es Salaam. It is useful to find out first the quality of the roads and estimated travel time when traveling overland. Between Air Tanzania and Precision Air you will access the main internal routes. Check out our Tanzania Domestic Flights page to do your reservation for scheduled services. Charter flights are available mainly from Arusha, Mwanza, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar to other parts of the country.

Rental cars are reliably available from Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. See our Tanzania Car Rental page to do your reservation for a self-drive or chauffer driven vehicle. Rail service is available to the main towns except Arusha. Long haul bus service can connect you to the main towns in the country. It is advisable to find out beforehand if the quality of rail and long haul bus service is acceptable to you. For short haul travel, the popular way to get around is by means of dalla dalla (shared taxi).

Travel Insurance
Health and the usual travel insurance are recommended. Ensure your travel insurance includes emergency evacuation.

What to Wear
Tanzania never really gets cold and light clothing is recommended. Warmer clothing such as sweaters is however necessary to get you through the evenings and early mornings if you are heading for the highlands. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro of course requires special clothing and shoes.

On safari, bright coloured clothing may get you in trouble with wild animals. If you are wise you will pack brown, beige and khaki clothing. Short sleeve shirts, shorts and trouser for men are sufficient. For ladies, short sleeve blouses, slacks and skirts are ideal though in the national parks and touristy places such as Arusha and Dar es Salaam you may get along with shorts (not too short) and trousers.

At the coast and Zanzibar where Muslims are predominant women need to dress modestly so as not to offend local sensibilities. But swimwear is perfectly acceptable at beaches and hotel premises. Nudity is totally unacceptable in the whole country. It is advisable to travel light and
some safari and air charters have a baggage limit of 10-15 kilograms maximum.

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When Is A Good Time Of Year To Go on safari: The best time to go on safari?
You will hear varying ideas about the timing of your trip, but keep in mind that people travel year round to all the destinations on this website. Each season has its advantages, so if you have fixed dates for travel, chances are you will be able to have a great trip no matter where you are going. It is important to understand the seasonal trends and how they will affect your trip; but remember that weather is variable and so it is quite possible to go for days without rain during the peak of the rainy season, or have thundershowers in the middle of the dry season. The drier seasons are generally considered preferable for game viewing. Dry weather offers more reliable road conditions and in the winter months, milder daytime temperatures. Dry spells force game to congregate around the limited water sources, and sparser foliage makes the animals somewhat easier to Amani and see. While these are prime game viewing conditions, bear in mind that naturally, all properties enjoy their highest occupancy, and game reserves and parks endure more traffic, during these dry seasons. When considering smaller, more intimate, safari camps and lodges, it is necessary to book well in advance, particularly for travel from June through October.

EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA
The long rains are from early April through early June, and the short rains from late November through December. It is often less expensive to travel during these rainy seasons. Dry seasons offer excellent visibility and more reliable road conditions, and game tends to congregate around the limited water sources, making the animals easier to Amani. July and August are generally extremely busy in East Africa, offering comfortable temperatures in addition to being a popular time for travel worldwide, so be sure to book well in advance. December sees increased local tourism, so expect holiday surcharges and limited availability. In the Masai Mara and Serengeti, the movements of the migrating wildebeest contribute to the desirability of certain areas at certain times, and this might influence your itinerary, selections or costs.

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