Important information
Which Airport should I fly to?
• Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is the closest International Airport to Arusha
• Arusha Municipal Airport (ARK) is on the outskirts of Arusha but only operates domestic
flights e.g. Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Serengeti
• Other options include flying to Dar es Salaam and then catching a domestic flight to
Kilimanjaro or Arusha. You can also fly to Nairobi (Kenya). International flights to this
destination are often cheaper. You can then fly from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro or take a bus
from Nairobi Airport to Arusha (approximately 7 hours)
Arrival & Accommodation
• You will be collected from the airport by a Lion King representative and driven to your
accommodation in Arusha
• Your first night’s accommodation is normally on a Bed & Breakfast basis, as flight arrival
times vary greatly
On Arrival
Flying into Kilimanjaro (JRO) & Arusha (ARK) Airports is quite straight forward. English is widely
spoken and used for signs / directions
• Journey time from Arusha Airport to the centre of town is approximately 30 minutes
• Journey time from Kilimanjaro Airport to the centre of town is 60-90 minutes
• If you are arriving into Kilimanjaro on an international flight, clearing immigration can be a
lengthy process (60-90 minutes if the flights are busy)
Flight Information
• We advise that you arrive in Arusha at least 1 day before your safari begins
• Return flights can be booked for the late afternoon / evening of the final day of your Safari.
However, please check your plans with your safari consultant. We want to make sure
you can be at the airport in plenty of time for your flight.
Passports
• Please check with the relevant Embassy in your country for up-to-date visa and passport
information.
• Make sure your passport is not going to expire within six months of your trip (i.e. if your
trip is in September make sure your passport is valid until at least March of the following
year) and that it has at least 3 clear pages.
Visas
Most visitors need a visa to enter Tanzania. The majority of visitors can apply for an Ordinary
Tourist Visa (U$D 50). Visitors from the United States need to apply for a Multi-Entry Tourist Visa
(U$D 100). We do not know why!
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Visas
Visas can be obtained in advance online (recommended), or upon arrival. If you apply on arrival,
you have to complete a simple form and there may be additional queuing time. You pay the fee in
cash (U$ dollars). Please note that Tanzania only accepts dollar bills printed 2007 or after.
Online visas: https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/
• There are a number of online organisations who will apply for your visa on your behalf.
They charge an additional fee to do this. We recommend that you use the official website,
listed above.
• We recommend you allow at least 15 days for the visa to be processed. If you do not
receive the visa before you travel you will have to apply on arrival and pay the fee again.
If you have not received it already, please ask your Lion King contact for our
‘e-visa application guidance’.
Vaccinations & Health
You will require vaccinations for your trip. As we are not medically trained, we are unable to give
detailed advice on vaccination requirements. We recommend that you consult your doctor or a
travel clinic at least 3 months before you travel.
The following vaccinations are normally recommended for Tanzania:
Covid (2 doses), Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Yellow Fever*, Malaria **
* Yellow Fever is compulsory when you are entering Tanzania from a country that has Yellow
Fever. Vaccination certificates are often checked at immigration. If you are entering Tanzania
from a country that does not have Yellow Fever, vaccination is not needed. Please visit the World
Health Organisation website for an up to date list. WHO Yellow Fever Information If you are
transiting through a country which has Yellow Fever e.g. Ethiopia & Kenya, vaccination is not
needed, as long as your transit is LESS THAN 12 HRS
** Malaria. In some of the areas we visit there is a small risk of contracting Malaria. You must be
aware that whatever malaria tablets you are taking (if any), they only offer partial protection. They
must be coupled with your own physical efforts against being bitten - which is the best prevention.
Malaria carrying mosquitoes come out at sunset so from this time you should wear long sleeves
and trousers. Exposed skin, especially ankles, should have insect repellent containing Deet or
Picaridin applied to them.
COVID-19 Entry Requirements
• All travellers are advised to be fully vaccinated against COVID (this is not compulsory, and
you will not be asked to show proof of vaccination)
• You may have your temperature checked upon arrival
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Travel Insurance
It is essential that you have extensive travel insurance to cover you for the duration of your trip. It
is also wise to leave a copy of your insurance policy with a friend or relative for safe keeping. Your
policy should include:
• Full medical coverage
• Emergency medical air evacuation
• Repatriation cover
Money
The local currency is Tanzanian Shillings. US Dollars are widely accepted. Tanzania only accepts US
dollar bills printed 2007 onwards.
Credit and Debit Cards
Visa cards are the most widely accepted. We recommend that you inform your bank that you will
be using your card abroad to avoid it being blocked.
Changing Money
The best way to obtain local currency is with a cash machine / ATM. It is possible to change
money in the banks, but this often takes a long time. There are a few Bureau de Changes in
Arusha. We advise that you bring any U$ dollars with you.
ATMs
These are available in Arusha, Kilimanjaro Airport and other big towns. They allow you to
withdraw local currency. On Zanzibar, you will find a few ATMs in Stone Town. There is one ATM
in each of the following towns: Nungwi, Paje and Dunga (if possible, do not rely on these as they
often run out of money quickly).
Tipping
There is a well- established culture of tipping in Tanzania.
Guides: If you feel you have received good service, a typical tip is U$D 15-20 per adult, per day.
The guides work extremely long hours and tips supplement their income significantly. Anything
you can afford is appreciated.
Accommodation: This is also discretionary. Most accommodations will have a tip box in
Reception. We recommend putting something in at the end of your stay, rather than giving
individuals money. Depending on the level of service, $10 per day (for a group of 2) is normal.
• If you wish to tip your guide, we recommend that you do this at the end of your safari
• It is preferable to tip is U$ dollars. However, it is possible to tip in Tanzanian Shillings,
Euros or British Pounds (GBP).
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Weather
The weather varies greatly, depending on where you are. Whatever time of year you come,
please bring some warm clothes! It gets really cold in some places because of the high altitude,
especially in June, July and August. It can also get very hot. We advise dressing in layers. Typically,
the long rains are March, April and May. The short rains are in November / December. Like many
places in the world, Tanzania is experiencing changes in weather patterns and it is becoming less
predictable.
Please visit the following websites for more detailed information:
Arusha Tarangire Serengeti Ngorongoro Manyara
What to Bring
Luggage
If possible, you should bring a duffel bag or soft-sided bag. These are easier to carry and pack
inside the safari vehicle. Ideally, the fabric should be hardy and waterproof and the bag should be
lockable. Put anything that is of any value in a separate day pack such as a backpack. Anything of
real sentimental or monetary value should ideally be left at home.
Clothes
Pack for hot days and cool nights. Tanzania can be hot and dusty by day but it is often cool and
crisp by night. Layers are ideal for safari days. Pack clothing that is able to keep you cool but
protect you from the sun and biting insects. Choose mid-tone colours and avoid white or bright
colours that may distract the animals and dark colours like black and blue as these can attract
tsetse flies. The best colours are the safari classics: olive, green and khaki. For evenings at lodges
you can stay in your casual gear as even the luxury lodges do not expect smart wear out in the
bush. Check the temperature before you travel to make sure you have clothing that is warm
enough for the season. It is always a good idea to bring a waterproof coat, whatever the season.
Tanzania is quite a conservative culture, so please avoid wearing ‘short’ shorts or low-cut tops.
These can attract unwanted attention and can sometimes cause offence.
Shoes
As you want to be careful not to over pack, you need to think carefully about what shoes to take.
As long as you are not going on a safari that requires a lot of walking, you will be fine with trainers
and some sports sandals (sandals are also great for walking around the camp at night). You may
also like to take flip flops for the showers.
Sun Protection
The African sun can be brutal so be sure to bring a good pair of sunglasses so you can protect your
eyes. You’ll also need a hat that shades your face and covers your ears and neck so you have
maximum sun protection. Of course, take plenty of high-protection sun cream and lip salve.
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First aid. This is a suggested list of first aid supplies:
• Antiseptic ointment
• Antihistamine cream & tablets
• Nurofen or equivalent painkiller
• Eye-drops
• Anti-diarrhoea treatment
• A couple of bandages
• Medication for personal allergies/asthma etc
• Insect repellent containing Deet or Picaridin
• Rehydration sachets / vitamin tablets
• Assorted plasters
Photography & Electrical Equipment
We recommend you bring:
• Strong bag/carry case to protect the camera - zip lock/plastic bags are useful for dusty
conditions
• Spare/extra batteries
• Memory/Storage media (2 x memory cards in case one gets corrupted)
• Binoculars. These will be essential when you are out spotting wildlife
Photography etiquette
It is forbidden in Tanzania to take photos of anything military. Bridges, border posts and airports
are also sensitive, so be careful or be prepared to have your film/camera confiscated. Please act
with discretion and respect when taking photos of people - it is always better to ask first before
you snap away!
Electrical charging & power supply
All our safari vehicles have power / charging points. Please bring travel adaptors to ensure they
are suitable for your appliances / devices. Most accommodation uses the plug sockets as shown
below (Type G).
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Phones / Wi-Fi
• Most lodges and tented camps have Wi-Fi
• Some camp-sites have Wi-Fi, but this should not be relied upon
• The signal strength is variable at all locations and is often weak, especially in the
Serengeti. You may be able to check WhatsApp and Social Media, but you will not be
able to stream Netflix movies!
• It is possible to buy a SIM card with data that can be used during your safari. You will
need to purchase this in Arusha and it will need to be registered, using your passport. If
you want to use it in your phone, you will need to make sure the phone is unlocked.
Your safari consultant will be able to advise you further on this process
Binoculars
We advise that you bring your own binoculars. Lion King can provide binoculars on request, but
the regular exposure to dust means that the condition of the equipment is not as good as when
new.
Security
All towns and cities have their share of petty crime and sensible precautions need to be taken.
Wearing expensive looking jewellery/watches and carrying cameras, will draw unnecessary
attention. You may find a simple money belt is more discrete than a bag. Always be aware of your
surroundings and when approached by people you do not know, use your common sense. At night
in towns it's best to use a taxi, rather than walking around the streets. Single women in particular
need to be careful & we suggest that it is safer to be in a group.
Accommodations:
Most places will have a safe inside the room. If they do not, there is normally a safe at Reception.
Whilst theft from inside rooms is very rare, we do recommend that you use these to store
valuables.
Wild Animals at Tented Camps
Tented Camps are not fenced. Wild animals can and do wander through the Camps, sometimes
stopping to graze for a while. For many of our guests, this is one of the highlights of their safari!
The risk of you coming to any harm is minimal, but the following information may help you to feel
prepared.
• At every Tented Camp there are a number of Guards that patrol the Camp throughout the
day and night. You should not move between your tent and communal areas after dark
unless you are accompanied by a guard
• When you leave your tent, make sure you zip it up fully (cheeky baboons have been known
to sneak in and cause havoc!)
• Animals that might wander into camp include zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, hyena and very
occasionally, elephant and lion.
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Responsible Travel
Before you go
• Learn some of the local language and read up on the local history/culture before you go
• Why not pack some pens/pencils exercise books in your rucksack and they can be donated
to a local school or project while you're away. These items can also be purchased locally
and will help local businesses
• Lion King works with a local Maasai Women’s Group. To find out more, please visit our
website Maasai Women's Group
• Take a sturdy water bottle with you from home that you can re-use throughout your trip
• Plastic Bags: From 1st June 2019, most plastic bags are prohibited from being imported,
exported, manufactured, sold, stored, supplied and used in Mainland Tanzania. Visitors to
Tanzania are advised to avoid bringing plastic bags into Tanzania. This new initiative has
been introduced to protect the environment and keep our country clean and beautiful.
Please help us to do this! Travellers often use plastic bags to separate / organize certain
items in their luggage. You may choose to do this, but be prepared to answer questions if
your luggage is searched at Customs. You can explain that these bags are used in your
packing and will return to your home country with you when you leave (please make sure
they do!). If you meet a Customs Officer who does not accept this explanation, you may be
asked to pay a small fine (approximately U$D 15). Remove unnecessary packaging before
you leave home
While you're travelling
• Please don't waste water. It is a valuable and often scarce resource in many of the areas
we visit
• Never buy endangered species or endangered habitat products. Apart from the fact that
it’s illegal, it also encourages the trade to continue
• Buy locally made crafts and products helping to support the local economy
• Don't feel when bargaining that you have to get the cheapest price possible just for the
sake of it. Pay what the item is worth to you and don’t worry about what someone else has
paid
• Try the local food and drinks - this will help to support local farmers and food sellers
• Dispose of litter appropriately on your trip. This includes cigarette butts. Not only does
litter look unsightly but it can be lethal to wildlife
• When game viewing do not encourage your guides to get too close to the wildlife so that
their natural behaviour is impeded
• Respect local customs, traditions and beliefs of the people in the different regions that you
travel through
• Do not take photos of people, ritual events or special places unless you have asked first
• Dress appropriately according to local codes and show respect around religious festivals
Thank you for taking the time to read this information and we hope you have a
fabulous safari in Tanzania!
