Tips for Travellers to East Africa
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS:
British Airways fly direct to Nairobi. from Heathrow daily, flying time is 9 hours, 40 Minutes. Other carriers operate to Tanzania & Uganda via Europe. KLM from Amsterdam to Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro, Swiss Air from Zurich to Dar es Salaam, Air India flies to Dar es Salaam via Mumbal, Emirates via Dubai and Ethiopian Airline via Addis Ababa. Gulf Air/Oman Air fly to Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar via Muscat.
Regional carriers into East Africa include Air Tanzania, Air Kenya, Kenya Airways, Precision Air and South African Airways. Domestic carriers; Air Tanzania, Coastal Aviation, Precision Air, Regional Air Services and Zan Air link the major cities tourist attractions and game parks in East Africa. Air Tanzania, Precision Air, Coastal Aviation and Zan Air fly between the Mainland of East Africa.
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS:
International flights serve:- Dar es Salaam 8 miles from the City Centre and Kilimanjaro (JRO) 31 miles from Arusha. Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) airport is 5 miles from Kisauni.JKIA is about 30mins drive from the Nairobi City center.Entebe International Airport
PASSPORTS AND VISAS:
Most visitors require visa with the exception of citizens of certain countries of the Commonwealth. It is advisable to obtain them in advance from Embassies and High
Commissions as several airlines insist on them prior to departure. They can also be obtained on arrival at the East African International Airports and Gates on the Tanzania/Kenya & Uganda boarder, Requirements may change, so you are advised to contact the appropriate Diplomatic or Consular Authority before finalizing your travel arrangements. Although part of the Union of Tanzania, Zanzibar remains independent, so passports & Tanzania visas are required even on a day’s visit.
IMMUNISATION AND HEALTH:
Visitors from countries infected
with Cholera and Yellow fever must produce international certificates of vaccination; this is particularly relevant for those traveling from neighbouring African countries,
The UK Department of Health recommends vaccinations against Hepatitis-A,Polio and typhoid. It is essential for visitors to take a course of anti-malaria tablets commencing two weeks before travel, Modern medical services are available in Dar es Salaam,Nairobi & Kampala and other major Centres. There are only a limited number of chemists out side major city centres, so visitors can are advised to bring their own medicines with them
WHAT TO TAKE:
Don’t forget the camera, camcorder and binoculars and take a torch for finding your way around your camp at night. Stock up with replacement batteries for all these goods. Take sunglasses, hat, sun lotion, lip balm and some insect repellant. It is better not to get stung even if you are taking ant-malaria tablets. It’s best to take any medicines required for the duration of the visit. A spare pair of glasses or contact lenses is also a good idea. Take plenty of films; it is difficult to obtain outside the main centres, while traveller’s cheques can be exchanged in cities and towns. Banking facilities in remote areas are restricted, so take plenty of cash.
TRAVEL LIGHT:
Some safari/air charters limit baggage to a 10- 15 kilo maximum.
LANGUAGE:
English is widely spoken but a few words of Swahili are appreciated.
CURRENCY:
The unit of currency is the Shilling, which is divided into cents. Visitors can take in any amount of foreign currency, no currency declaration is required, but Import and export of Tanzanian currency is illegal. Most major currencies particularly US Dollars and travellers’ cheques are accepted and are convertible at banks and bureau de Change in the main towns and tourist areas.
Credit cards are not widely accepted and carry poor exchange rates. Visitors will probably be expected to pay park entrance fees in foreign currency. DO NOT change money in the Street however favourable the rate appears.
ON SAFARI:
Distances East African Park are vast, and travel by road can be tiring, It is wise to spend more time in few parks. You wil see more and won’t return home exhausted, Keep your distance from animals and be quiet to avoid distressing them.
Always follow the instructions of your ranger or guide. Don’t leave your vehicle in the parks except in designated places. Keep to recognized tracks to avoid damaging vegetation.
WHAT TO WEAR:
It never gets really cold in East Africa, so light weight clothing is the norm. On safari avoid brightly coloured clothes they may alarm the animals. Browns, beiges and khaki are preferred. Short sleeve shirts/blouses and shorts are deal, but pack a sweater: it can be chilly in the early morning and in the Evening.
Wear a hat to avoid sunstroke and don’t forget a swimsuit. Shoes should be sensible – walking through the bush is not like strolling through Hyde park and for climbing Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru take thermal underwear, a rain jacket. good Socks and sturdy boots. Short for women are acceptable but not too short. Women should carry a wrap to cover their legs in towns or villages as revealing clothes can cause offence, especially in Zanzibar and other Muslim areas. On the beach, and within the confines of beach hotels, normal swimmer is acceptable but nudity certainly is not.
TIPPING:
Not normally obligatory but a tip for exceptional service – a maximum of 10% -will be appreciated. Tip USS1O – USS15 per day for drivers or tour guides but remember an
excessive tip can make it difficult for the next customer, AIRPORT TAX An airport tax of US$30 is levied, which may be included in the price of an air ticket.
Terrapin Safari 