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Tanzania Travel Tips |
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MONEY and Tipping
The currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling – TZS or /= It comes in denominations of: 10,000; 5,000; 2,000 1,000; and 500 notes Which currency to bring US dollars are preferred and almost anything in Tanzania can be purchased with US currency. Bring plenty of small notes for tips and incidentals but fifties and hundreds get a better rate of exchange and most of the time make sure you have new Dollars notes of year 2000 and above as old one’s are sometimes a problem Cash is the easiest, but less secure, so it is advisable to bring a mixture of traveller’s cheques and cash.
Bring your proof of purchase papers when bringing travelers cheques, as banks often want to see these. Credit cards are not widely accepted in Tanzania and there are often additional charges and high rates of exchange associated with their use. Getting a cash advance on a credit card is nearly impossible and there are few, if any, ATM machines. Do not rely on credit cards for anything other than an extreme emergency back up. Bring enough $US cash or traveller’s cheques with you.
What to spend it on Depending on your type of safari, most things are included in your trip. Below are some of the things that you may need money for:
TIPPING Although tipping is optional and totally up to your personal discretion, it is a safari tradition. Our staffs are well paid but they do appreciate reward for excellent service. Typically, individual camp-crew members receive US$ 10 per day from the group. Safari guides typically receive between US$ 40-120 per day from the group, but it entirely depending on the level of satisfaction. If there is a lodge stay included in your safari you may want to consult the lodge for the tipping guidelines. Many lodges have a staff tip box. Your guide can advise you, but generally, a few dollars go a long way
Passports, visas & paperwork: International visitors require a passport that is valid for at least six months, together with onward travel documents. Passports should have a minimum of 2 clean pages per country visited, for visas and entry/exit stamps (some visas take up a full page). In Tanzania there is a possibility of obtaining visas at entry points like Airports and Boarders at the price of roughly $ 100. But Ecological Wilderness Adventures advice to obtain it from your countries. All passport holders should verify with their relevant consulate concerning visa entry requirements. If you are extending your journey to other countries, please establish entry requirements for those countries as well. Please ensure that you have all the necessary visas prior to departure (unless available on entry). Keep copies of your documents and vital information as well as a few passport photos in your luggage, and leave a few with friends at home (passport, insurance docs, bank and credit card details, traveler’s cheque numbers, 24 hour emergency contact number, contact details of relatives or friends). Airport departure taxes: Most African airports charge departure taxes, most often payable in US$ (cash). The amounts vary from US$3 to US$50 per person. Ask your agent/operator for details.
HEALTH, SAFETY AND INSURANCE
Image of Africa safety.
Africa is no different to the rest of the world. If you plan to spend time in a city, take precautions as you would in your home country
Our final comment regarding safety: You will spend most of your African holiday in a relatively remote and wild area that are safe and enjoyable places.
Insurance: Travel insurance is vital for travel anywhere in the world. Make sure your insurance package includes cancellation or curtailment of the safari, emergency evacuation expenses, medical expenses, and repatriation expenses, damage/theft/loss of personal baggage, money and goods.
Health Malaria: Is not to be taken lightly. It is a potentially fatal disease transmitted by the female anopheles mosquito. Certain factors influence the risk of contracting malaria. For example low-lying equatorial swamp will be high-risk all year through, a dry Montana plateau set at subtropical latitude will probably carry no risk at all, and places falling between these extremes often show a marked seasonal pattern – medium to high risk in the wet summer months, low to no risk in the dry winter. Remote areas tend to be lower risk as there are fewer people to act as vectors for malaria. Our rule of thumb is to take malaria prophylaxis when in doubt. Ask your doctor for his advice. You can also lessen the risk by avoiding being bitten. Wear long sleeves, trousers and socks and douse any exposed skin with a good mosquito repellent shortly before it gets dark (the anopheles mosquito is active at dawn and dusk), and always sleep under a net when provided. Should you experience any combination of headache, fever, nausea, flu-like aches or disorientation within three months of returning home, get yourself tested immediately – malaria responds best to treatment when detected early.
Sunburn: The African sun is very strong and harmful. Use lots of sun block and a hat particularly if you are on foot, in a boat, or in an open vehicle. That tan may look good for a few days after you get back from safari, but skin cancer is a high risk for everybody – especially fair-skinned people.
Water: It is very important that you drink plenty of water to limit the effects of dehydration, especially during the warmer months. Note that tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages act as diuretics and can actually contribute to dehydration. Ask your lodge manager if tap water is safe to drink. Most lodges provide bottled water.
Bugs: You will probably be bitten by lots of bugs and get lots of itchy swellings (tsetse flies in certain areas are the worst culprits). A good anti-histamine cream usually reduces swelling and itchiness. Check your body for ticks after every bush walk and at least once a day even if you are not walking. Make sure you have a vaccination certificate for yellow fever.
Baggage list & Packing list Each client is limited to 44 pounds (20 kilos) baggage on the aircraft. Your baggage should be packed in soft duffel bags to fit into the small luggage compartments of the aircraft and vehicles used within Tanzania.
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