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IMPORTANT PRE-SAFARI AND ON SAFARI INFORMATION.

Visas:

Please be aware that with immediate effect Tanzania Immigration has changed the process of issuing visas on arrival. Clients arriving without a visa will now need to complete an online form which may take some minutes, queue to make the payment and then queue again to get the visa.

This process may take over two hours depending with the number of persons arriving at the same time.

We strongly recommend you apply the Visa online at https://visa.immigration.go.tz/ . It will take 2-3 weeks to get the visa.

We would prefer that you get the visa prior to arrival to avoid the long queueing. They are trying measure to make it quicker but until that happens, we feel the above recommendation is the best.

Kenya Visa can be applied online at http://evisa.go.ke . Kenyan Visa not available on arrival.

Vaccination:

Visitors should have an International Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever. These must be issued at least 10 days before departure.

Some nationals are exmpted from Yellow fever, contacts us to find out if you need a yellow fever certificate. If you are doing a cross country safari you will be required the certificate even if your nation is exempted.

Anti-malaria tablets are recommended to be taken a few days prior to arrival, during your stay and for a period after returning. Malaria is one of the largest health risks to visitors, and locals, and we strongly recommend all guests take the full, prescribed dosage of medication. It also helps to keep your arms and legs covered, particularly at dusk and dawn, and to use DEET (N, N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) based mosquito repellent.

If you suffer from sensitive digestion you might wish to bring upset stomach medication such as Imodium or Kaopectate. Changes in food, water, etc. can cause minor upsets in some people and most over the counter medications are normally adequate.

Baggage allowance:

Baggage is restricted to 20kg per person on the domestic flights within East Africa and 15kgs for chartered flights on safari destinations. Soft-sided luggage or duffels are preferable to hard luggage for storage on safari vehicles and on aircraft used within Africa.

Large suitcases of dimensions greater than 24″ x 17″x 7″ are impossible to store in vehicles and on aircraft and should not be used. (Baggage and personal effects are at owner’s risk throughout the tour and baggage insurance for members is strongly recommended). Please avoid hard sided suitcases.

Soft sided suitcases or duffle bags are perfect for a safari.

Money:

The currency of Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS) which is also used in Zanzibar. The currency for Kenya is shilling (KES) used in Kenya only.

You will be able to change foreign exchange at the bank at the airport and also at any other banks in the major towns (The rates in town are better).

The currency of preference is the US dollar (USD). We recommend you change enough money for smaller personal expenses such as shopping, meals and drinks in town restaurants and keep the rest in USD. Most tips, gifts, drinks, etc. can be paid for in dollars.

Please note that US$100 and US$50 bills printed in or before the year 2006 are no longer accepted as valid currency in in Zanzibar or Tanzania.

Credit cards are accepted at larger, upscale hotels and some restaurants (some impose a % as bank charges)

ATMs are only avaialble in major towns.

Tipping:

Tipping is a way of showing satisfaction with your safari guide and crew. Tipping is a sign of appreciation for good service and helps ensure continued good service for those who follow you. As with any tipping situation, if the service was of particularly high quality, we encourage you to give a generous tip; if the service did not meet your expectations, adjust the tip accordingly. Below is detailed information about tips and their distribution to help make the process simple and transparent.

Please note that all staff are paid a fair living wage so that no one relies on tips as their only source of income. However, tips provide valuable additional financial assistance to the crew and invaluable interpersonal benefits to all.

Each group of upto seven clients on a wildlife safari will share one vehicle with a driver/naturalist. Camping safaris also include 1 cook and 1 camping crew

We recommend the following tips for safari:

Driver/Naturalist: $35-40 per day per group in vehilce.

Tips for waiters in hotels and restaurants are normally included in the food and beverage charges. However, it is customary – provided that you have been given good service – to leave a little “extra”. Perhaps 5 % of the total bill.

Camera(s):

Safaris offer an unparalleled opportunity for scenic and wildlife photography and cameras are strongly recommended. Most animal activity occurs during crepuscular hours (dusk and dawn) which provide excellent photography lighting. You may witness a kill or see a lioness introducing her cubs to the pride for the first time and you’ll probably want to have a camera handy for this breath-taking moment.

Don’t forget to bring your battery charger or spare batteries and adapter for all non UK plugs.

Climate & Weather:

The climate is hot and sometimes humid. From December to Mid-March, when the north-east monsoon blows, it is hot and humid. From Mid-March, April and May heavy rains occur with June to October being the coolest and driest period. The lesser rains fall in November. Temperatures sway between 25 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees Celsius and annual rainfall is about 20mm. Sometimes you may experience cold temperature of less than 15 degrees Celsius especially in higher grounds like the Ngorongoro highlands.

Clothing and miscellaneous items:

Light, neutral-coloured clothing is generally advised. Bright colours aren’t recommended on game drives and dark coloured clothing, particularly dark blues and black, tends to attract the diurnal (active during the day) tsetse flies more than light colours. It will get warm (or even hot!) during the day (low 30 C or high 80s F) and depending on time of year or your location, evenings can get downright chilly.
Safari dress code is casual and comfortable and modest. You may wish to bring something slightly nicer for dinners at the lodge but it should still be light weight and easy to pack.

Use of Plastic bags is strictly prohibited in East Africa countries. No one is allowed to produce, import, sell or use plastic bags and heavy fines and penalties are imposed.

Staying Healthy:

– Stay hydrated. Leadwood Holidays Ltd provides you with ample bottled water for your safari. You will also have bottled water for your room/tent. Parts of East Africa are arid and the sun gets very intense during the day. One of the best ways to help adjust to the new time zone and climate is to ensure you’re drinking enough water.

– What about when Mother Nature calls? Our drivers know and anticipate that you’ll need to take breaks. Just give them a bit of notice and they can find the nearest washroom.

– Only drink bottled water. Most of the time this will be easy to remember, and in all restaurants, etc. you will only be served bottled water. However, don’t forget to use it when brushing teeth and to try not to open your mouth in the shower.

– Stay shaded. East Africa is located near the Equator, and during the day you’ll notice the intensity of the African sun. A brimmed hat, sunglasses and sun block are essential in keeping the sun off you during the prime hours. Keeping limbs covered during this time of day is also advisable, especially if you burn easily. Please come with your Sun cream.

– Stay bite-free. When it comes to biting insects, the two main culprits are mosquitoes and tsetse flies. Mosquitoes carry the risk of malaria, so in addition to taking malaria tablets, it’s wise to ensure you keep yourself covered when they are most active – once the sun goes down.

Please also carry your anti-insects bites to smear especially at night and also make sure you put the mosquito net on before you sleep. All hotel bed must have one but in case please contact the reception they should provide one.

Electronics:

– East Africa uses the United Kingdom three pronged plug and 220V. Most chargers have converters so you will only need an adapter if you are travelling from a country that does not use the UK plug. It is not common for hotels but camps usually turn off the electricity during the day as most of them are using generators. Hours of electricity will be posted and you can charge all camera/phone/laptop batteries then.

– For cell/mobile phones frequency, all public operators use GSM 900/1800 MHz. Many phones are quad band, which covers all the main frequencies and will work in East Africa. There is good reception in most of the towns and at some of the hotels. Your driver will also be able to tell you where you can get good reception.

Us versus the Animals:

All animals in the national parks are wild animals. Meaning that they are untamed and un-controlled. While viewing wildlife there is a degree of danger as the behavior of wild animals cannot be guaranteed. However, most animals are frightened by the sight / smell of humans and rather than attack, will flee (unless cornered or provoked, and that includes violating the safe distance. Attacks on humans are very rare.

While on safari you will be accompanied by licensed guides who are well trained and with an amazing understanding of the wildlife with which they share their lives on a daily basis.

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING TO TOUR AND EXPLORE WITH US.

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