Flights & Visas

Flights to Tanzania & Kenya

From the Rest of the World
Several large carriers fly into Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Nairobi, Kenya - amongst them are Emirates Airlines, KLM, American Airlines and British Airways.  KLM also offers international flights direct to Zanzibar.

From the Rest of Africa
Tanzania and Kenya are served by Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Egypt Air, Air Malawi, South African Airways, and others.  Zanzibar has regular flights through Air Tanzania, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.

Domestic Flights
Precision Air, Coastal Aviation and Air Tanzania offer a range of scheduled flights between Zanzibar and Tanzania's main cities.
Kenya Airways and Air Kenya offer a range of scheduled flights between Kenya's main cities.

Visa Requirements

Please check with the Tanzanian or Kenyan High Commission in your country to find out whether or not you will require a visa for entry to Tanzania or Kenya.  In general, all visitors from non-Commonwealth countries are required to have a visa.  Citizens of the following Commonwealth countries are also required to have a visa: United Kingdom, Canada, Nigeria and India.

Check the Tanzania Government website http://www.tanzania.go.tz/immigrationf.html for contact details of your nearest Tanzanian High Commission and up to date information on visa requirements.  High Commissions with websites are listed below:

Australia http://www.tanzaniaconsul.com/

Germany http://tanzania-gov.de/

Japan http://www.tanzaniaembassy.or.jp/

Italy http://www.tanzania-gov.it/

South Africa http://www.tanzania.org.za/visas.htm

United Kingdom http://www.tanzania-online.gov.uk/visa/visa.html

USA http://www.tanzaniaembassy-usorg/

Check the Kenya Government website http://www.immigration.go.ke/visa.php for contact details of your nearest Kenyan High Commission and up to date information on visa requirements.

Australia http://www.kenya.asn.au

Canada http://www.kenyahighcommission.ca

United Kingdom http://www.kenyahighcommission.net/visas.html

USA http://www.kenyaembassy.com/visa.html

Medical & Insurance

Medical

If you are from a country affected by Yellow Fever, an International Certificate of Vaccination must be produced – this is particularly relevant for those travelling through or from neighbouring African countries.  Visitors from mainland Kenya or Tanzania to Zanzibar must produce an International Certificate of Vaccination.

The British High Commission recommends that all visitors are vaccinated against Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid.  Anti-malarial tablets are also recommended, with courses usually commencing two weeks prior to travel.  Please seek further medical advice from your General Practitioner or Travel Medical Centre.

Insurance

It is a requirement for all our Safaris that you take appropriate travel and medical insurance.  As a courtesy to guests on Hosted Safaris, we have included medical emergency air evacuation (by Flying Doctors) to Nairobi.

Divers: Due to the remote nature of the dive safari, you are required to have specific dive insurance that covers diving emergencies including evacuation and recompression chamber costs.

What to Pack

The following will give you an idea of some of the things you will need to bring.  You can download a comprehensive packing list here.

Essentials

Passport, Air tickets, Vaccination cards, money (clean US$ bills - mixed denomination) credit cards (mastercard/visa), traveller's cheques.

Clothing

Day - light clothing (long pants for walking in bush), sturdy walking or hiking shoes, wide brimmed hat, sunglasses.  Avoid brightly coloured clothes on safari as these may alarm animals – natural colours are preferable.

Night - casual wear with a light jacket for cool evenings (and mornings!), particularly at higher elevations.

Other - swimsuit for lounging by the pool or on the beach.

Equipment

Camera, film (if you use it), binoculars, battery chargers (110 to 240V transformer if required), flashlight.

Sundries

Sun block, sunglasses, sun hat, insect repellent, anti-malaria tablets, day pack (small backpack).

Need to Know

Currency 

Basic Unit of currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling and in Kenya is the Kenyan shilling

Exchange Rates in July 2007

Latest currency rates here

Major credit cards are accepted in larger hotels.  However, it is advisable to carry cash (both local Tanzanian or Kenyan Shillings and American Dollars) as most places do not take credit cards.  Major convertible currencies and traveller’s cheques can be exchanged in commercial banks or Foreign Exchange bureaus at international airports and major towns. 

Visitors may take any amount of foreign currency into the country but it is illegal to import or export Tanzanian or Kenyan currency.

Electricity                     

British style 3 square pin plug - 220/240 volts AC, 50 Hz.

General Security Matters

Tanzania is generally a safe and peaceful country.  However, as in any city, exercise caution when traveling around.  Avoid wearing flashy, expensive clothing and jewellery.

Languages

Swahili is the national language, with English being the second national language.  Most Tanzanians in major towns and areas frequented by visitors can converse in English.

Telephone

Telephones are available in major cities and towns for both local and international calls.

To call Tanzania ...

1.  Dial your international access code
2.  Dial country code: 255
3.  Dial relevant city code: Dar es Salaam - 51   /   Arusha - 57   /   Zanzibar - 54
4.  Dial relevant phone number

To call Kenya ...

1.  Dial your international access code
2.  Dial country code: 254
3.  Dial relevant city code: Nairobi - 20    /   Mombasa - 11
4.  Dial relevant phone number

Note: Connections can take a while to go through so please be patient.... however you might hang up and try again after 1 min of silence!!

REMEMBER:  If you are trying to call us we are also contactable on SKYPE... the free internet phone service - or any of the numbers on our contacts page.