Important information
Pre-Departure 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). You can also book a private transfer from Nairobi to Arusha with us. Please inquire price from your Lion King contact.
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 straightforward. English is widely spoken and used for signs/directions
• Journey time from Arusha Airport to the center of town is approximately 30 minutes
• Journey time from Kilimanjaro Airport to the center of town is 60-90 minutes
• If you are arriving in 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!
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 (US dollars). Please note that Tanzania only accepts dollar bills printed in 2007 or after.
Online visas: https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/
• There are several online organizations that 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 applied for your visa yet, please ask your Lion King contact for our ‘e-visa application guidance’.
Mandatory Travel Insurance - now required for All Tourists visiting Zanzibar (this will incur an additional cost to your trip, so please read carefully)
Starting from October 1st, 2024, Zanzibar will require all foreign travelers to purchase mandatory travel insurance exclusively from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC). The cost is U$D 44 per visitor and is valid for 90 days. Infants aged 0-2 years are free of charge whilst children aged 3-17 years receive a 50% discount on the standard price. The mandatory coverage extends to health services, lost baggage, accidents, emergency evacuation, passport and document loss, and repatriation. Please visit our website for further information Mandatory additional Insurance for Zanzibar: What do I need to do?
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 Organization website for an up-to-date list. WHO Yellow Fever Information If you are transiting through a country that 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 travelers 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
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 safekeeping. Your policy should include:
• Full medical coverage
• Emergency medical air evacuation
• Repatriation cover
Money
The local currency is the Tanzanian Shillings. US Dollars are widely accepted. Tanzania only accepts USdollar bills printed from 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 and some ATMs in Arusha and Kilimanjaro Airport allow you to withdraw US Dollars. In Zanzibar, you will find a few ATMs in Stone Town. There is one ATMin 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.
If you wish to tip your guide, we recommend that you do this at the end of your safari. It is preferable to tip in US dollars. However, it is possible to tip in Tanzanian Shillings, Euros, or British Pounds (GBP).
Accommodation: Tipping in the accommodations 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.
Weather
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 colors and avoid white or bright colors that may distract the animals and dark colors like black and blue as these can attract tsetse flies. The best colors 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 offense.
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.
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).
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 jewelry/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 walk 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.
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, and/or sanitary pads in your rucksack, they can be donatedto 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
• 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! Travelers 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 traveling
• 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 behavior is impeded
• Respect local customs, traditions, and beliefs of the people in the different regions that youtravel 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
