SIZE:
Tanzania, the largest of the Eastern African Countries (Kenya and Uganda) boasts of a land area of 945,097 Square Kilometres (of which 25% is gazetted as protected areas). To bring your picture a little closer, Tanzania is four times larger than Great Britain, seven times larger than England, or a little larger than Texas.

CLIMATE AND TIME:
April & Mid – May = Long rains (Green Season)
June – Sept = Cool season
Nov – Dec = Short Rains
October – March = Hottest season
The range of Temperatures in Tanzania is fairly limited and always hot, running from 25 to 30 degrees C on the coast while the rest of the country apart from the highlands run from 22 to 27 degrees C.
Time = GMT + 3 hrs

CURRENCY:
Tanzania Shillings; however you are advised to carry American Dollars. Money changers do accept major convertible currencies including the EURO and the Japanese Yen. Travellers Cheques may be acceptable in some places, but not in the remote countryside, Major Credit Cards may also be acceptable in some large Hotels, however it is advisable to carry Cash US Dollars, which you will change on arrival. It is prohibited to export Tanzanian local currency abroad, your Tour leader will assist in the re-sale of local currency you will have remaining at the end of your Visit.

LANGUAGE:
Kiswahili & English

VISAS:
Entry Visas are required for all except citizens of the Commonwealth, Scandinavian countries and the Republic of Ireland. Before departure you are advised to double check with the Tanzanian Embassy in your home country, or any Tanzanian representative nearest to you, where you may also acquire a Visa. Fees vary depending on Nationality. Alternatively Visas can be processed at any entry point into Tanzania such as at Dar-es-salaam International Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport, Zanzibar International Airport, Namanga (Tanzania - Kenya Border Post to the North), Tunduma (Tanzania - Malawi Border post to the South), Taveta and Holili (Tanzania - Kenya Border post to the North East)

AIRLINES:
To begin safaris in Northern Tanzania, most visitors are advised to book with Airlines whose Arrivals & Departures are at KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (JRO) which is 45 minutes drive from Arusha town. See International Airlines such as AIR TANZANIA, KLM Royal Dutch with daily Flights out of Amsterdam into Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam, GULF AIR, KENYA AIRWAYS, ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES and Emirates. It is also possible to get flights arriving to Nairobi (Kenya) from where we can make arrangements to pick you up and transfer to Arusha, the starting point of your Tanzania Safari.

HEALTH:
You are advised to take Immunisation against hepatitis, Polio, Typhoid, Yellow fever, precautions against Malaria are equally important. Contact your Doctor before travelling. Also personal medical insurance is advisable before departure. Carry Mosquito or Insect Repellent.

ELECTRICITY:
240 Volts AC,50 –60hz

CLOTHING:
For safaris, especially in Northern Tanzania (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Tarangire and Arusha), during the day, light clothing is recommended with sturdy shoes and canvas hats. During the night in areas like Arusha and the Ngorongoro Highlands; where the altitude is between 1500 - 2500 Metres; a cardigan or pullover may be essential. In the same pack, remember your sun cream, lotions, sun glasses, a pair of binoculars, and a camera with rolls of film.

VISITOR'S BEHAVIOUR:
The protection of nature is everyone's concern; therefore try to avoid the following while on safari; Collecting or buying bones, skins, horns, teeth, feathers or shells of animals. While on the coast avoid carrying away starfish, corals and shells. These are all items that play a major role in our fragile ecosystem. Do not litter where others are expected to visit and obey the animal's right to live. Like wise the protection of Cultures is also everyone's concern. Your Tour Guide will know the local habits and customs, therefore it is always advisable to ask permission before taking any pictures of tribesmen. Photography of all military installations and presidential convoys is highly prohibited. Enquire from your local Guide.

SHOPPING AROUND:

Locally made products are widely sold at reasonable prices. Ask your local Guide for the best offer to buy your self or your friend items like; Batiks and Tingatinga paintings, Ebony carvings such as cutlery, bracelets, furniture and sculptures. Others include Maasai belts, rings and necklaces made of colourful beads, Khanga for women's wrap around and Jewels to include Tanzania's special Mineral - Tanzanite.

BIRD CHECKLISTS:

There are a number of different formats and presentations of bird checklists, and usually birders would arrange a checklist either alphabetically or taxonomically by order and bird family or species. Should you need a printable bird checklist, kindly let us know and will make a copy printable for you.

FIELD GUIDE BOOKS:
There are a number of Field guide books on the Birds of East Africa, however we highly recommend the newly published“ Birds of Eastern Africa – Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi“ By Terry Stevenson. And “Birds of Africa- South of the Sahara” by Ian Sinclair
The alternative guide should be “Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania“ by Dale Zimmerman
For the Mammals, The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals (Princeton Field Guides) would be recommended. This guidebook is simply one of the best regional mammal guidebooks in existence

RECOMMENDED SAFARI DURATION:
We recommend safari duration between 5 -7 days for short safaris and maximum 14 - 21 days programs. We do take Safaris for Individuals or Solo Travellers as well as large groups, however our Vehicle maximum seating capacity is 6 windows. However, we encourage Tailor-made itineraries for large groups and specialised programmes for Birders.
A detailed travel pack for the Country(s) you will be visiting will be sent to you upon confirmation of your Tour before departure.