Travel Information

• Subdued safari colours such as khaki, green, beige and neutral colours (dark blue and black clothing is not practical during game drives but can be worn at the lodges & camps).
• Shirts with long sleeves for a chilly evening and even in summer as protection from the sun & mosquitoes.
• Golf-shirt/T shirts.
• Shorts or light skirts.
• Safari trousers for evenings and cooler days
• A fleece or thick sweater is recommended for early morning and evening game drives.
• Lightweight waterproof jacket.
• Swim and beachwear (swimming is available at each of the Elewana Collection of lodges and camps).
• Comfortable walking shoes (running/tennis shoes are fine).
• Jackets or ties are not required nor any special dress code when dining in lodges & restaurants.
• We suggest that ladies do not wear shorts above the knees or tops that shows bare shoulders in cities, particularly in Muslim areas. The same applies for public areas on the coast of Kenya and Zanzibar.
• Swimwear is fine on the beach or around the pool, but not appropriate in town. Topless sunbathing is prohibited.

• Sunblock with high SPF 30 or 50. Hat, moisturiser and lip-salve are all essentials.
• Personal toiletries – all our Elewana properties have their own range of complimentary shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and body lotion.
• Malaria tablets if applicable – please seek advice from your physician or local travel clinic.
• Basic medical kit containing plasters, travel sickness tablets, antiseptic cream, antihistamine cream, pain relieving tablets for headaches, indigestion tablets, eye drops, medication for upset stomachs, rehydration sachets and after-sun moisturiser. If you have any allergies i.e. insect stings, or an asthma condition, please make sure you bring enough of your required medication with you.
• Strong insect repellent.

A good quality pair of sunglasses (tinted fashion glasses are not good in strong light) If you wear contact lenses, bring enough solution & a pair of glasses in case your eyes get irritated.

• A good camera with zoom function. 300 mm lenses are adequate for wildlife photography.
• We recommend you bring plenty of memory cards/film and batteries.
• A dust proof bag ensures your camera is safe from the dust whilst on safari.
• A pair of binoculars will enhance your game viewing experience and although your guide will have pairs available to use, you may wish to bring your own. We recommend 8 x 40 as an appropriate specification.
• Please don’t forget to ask permission before taking a photograph of any East African resident. There could be a charge for this. Your guide can assist you, should you need assistance communicating this.
• A small flashlight – although flash-lights are available at each of the Elewana Collection of lodges and camps.

Tanzania has a generally comfortable tropical climate year-round, but there are significant regional variations. The coast & Zanzibar are warm & humid and can feel sticky throughout the rains. These rains throughout Tanzania are ‘the long rains’ from March to May and ‘the short rains’ from October to December. The northern national parks enjoy a more arid and warm climate. Note that due to the altitude it can be very cold at night at the Ngorongoro Crater during June & July. The coolest months in Tanzania are from June to September and the warmest are from December to February.

The local currency is the Tanzanian Shilling. You can change money at a bank which you will find at the major airports & towns. ATMs are available there too but note that you can only draw Tanzanian Shillings. Alternatively you can change money at Elewana’s Arusha Coffee Lodge.

US Dollars are widely accepted in sites frequented by tourists. We advise our guests to take spending money in the form of US Dollars cash, bring some small denominations too for tipping purposes. Note that USD bills must be newer than 2006. Credit cards are accepted at larger shops & restaurants but note that often a surcharge (approximately 5%) is levied. Note that Elewana does not apply this policy, there is no surcharge levied on any credit card payments.

Kenya no longer requires an entry Visa, instead all visitors are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization permit. All travellers, including infants and children (except citizens of Kenya and East African Community partner states) arriving in Kenya from 4th January 2024, are required to apply for ETA online via http://www.etakenya.go.ke prior to their arrival.

Please be advised of the below requirements for ETA applications:

REQUIREMENTS – ALL TRAVELLERS

• Valid passport (6 month validity from the date of arrival in Kenya, with a minimum of one blank page)
• Passport-style photo
• Contact information (home address, email address and phone number)
• Itinerary details
• Accommodation booking confirmation
• Credit card, debit card, Apple pay for payment of $34 per person

REQUIREMENTS – DEPENDING ON COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE / TRAVEL HISTORY

• Yellow Fever certificate (if arriving from a Yellow Fever endemic country)
• Additional vaccinations

Travellers are eligible to apply for ETAs within 3 months of their arrival date in Kenya. Following the application, a confirmation will be sent to the email address submitted in the application. Upon approval, the ETA will be sent to the same email address.

Standard processing time for ETAs is three working days and the status of applications can be checked at any time on the ETA website using the ETA reference number.

We recommend making copies of all important travel documents. Should you lose a travel document, a copy will speed up the process of acquiring a replacement document. Leave one copy at home and put one copy in your main luggage.

In order to avoid any delays mid safari, we strongly advise that you also purchase your Tanzania visa online prior to arrival. Online visa applications can be completed 2 – 3 weeks before travel via https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/

If this is not possible, we will help you through the visa process at the border crossing – please make sure you bring US Dollars in cash in US $20 and US $50 bills to pay for your visa.

When applying for your visas in your home country you might be asked for means of financial support, please fill in “Pre-arranged by UK/US (or any other country) Operator.”

Note that obtaining the correct visa is every traveller’s own responsibility so we advise you strongly to check with your local Kenya and Tanzania Embassy for the latest regulations before arrival.

Please note that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your departure from Tanzania. You need at least 4 unused consecutive blank pages.

We recommend making copies of all important travel documents. Should you lose a travel document, a copy will speed up the process of acquiring a replacement document. Leave one copy at home and put one copy in your main luggage.

You might be asked to fill in an Immigration Form either in the plane just before arriving, or upon your arrival. When asked for a local address, please fill in:

SkySafari Sopa Plaza,
99 Serengeti Road,
Arusha,
Tanzania
Tel: +255 754 250 630

All passengers from countries or travelling with airlines that require a negative Covid-19 test will be required to show this on arrival into Tanzania. Health form will need to be completed on arrival into Tanzania. Screening for COVI D on arrival but NO quarantine. Travellers with symptoms may undergo testing.

When Zanzibar is your first entry point into Tanzania, you will have to either buy or show your Tanzanian visa upon arrival. If you are flying from mainland Tanzania to Zanzibar, you do not need another visa but you may have to show your passport upon arrival in Zanzibar.

We advise against drinking water from the faucets. Mineral water is available in all shops & restaurants and in all the Elewana lodges and vehicles. We recommend that you use mineral water too for brushing teeth. Life on safari can be tiring from time to time. A different climate, different food & water could lead to dehydration. From the day you set foot in Africa we would suggest that you drink more water than you are used to.

The sun close to the equator is strong so please wear a hat & apply sunscreen frequently.

Note that it’s obligatory to show a Yellow Fever Certificate upon entering Tanzania/Zanzibar if you have come from a Yellow Fever infected area. If you are travelling direct to Tanzania without passing through such areas, it’s advisable but not obligatory to have a Yellow Fever vaccination. If you can not have the Yellow Fever Vaccination for medical reasons, ensure that you carry a signed letter from your medical practitioner with you upon entering the country. It is every traveller’s own responsibility to obtain the correct vaccinations which will allow you entry into Tanzania – please check with your local travel clinic or physician for up-todate advice.

Please consult your physician or local travel clinic for an up-to-date list of required vaccinations for travelling to remote places in Tanzania.

If, despite taking recommended drugs, you feel unwell and feverish, seek medical advice.

Medical Evacuation insurance is included in all our Elewana safaris. Note that this insurance is not a complete Travel Insurance, it only covers medical evacuation in case of a medical emergency. It is a booking condition that all our guests have valid Travel Insurance, please check that you are covered for medical emergencies, curtailment of your trip due to unforeseen circumstances & loss of belongings. Ensure proper insurance for your camera/video equipment.

Electricity in Tanzania is 240 volts AC, 50 Hz. Plugs are UK Standard plugs (rectangular 3-pin). All Elewana properties have adaptors for your use in each room. Elewana Lodges run on either generator or solar power which allows for 24-hour electricity.

All Elewana properties have free Wifi internet access in the communal areas of the lodge. There are some restrictions to the speed in some areas but the download capacity is more than capable of managing email and social media access. The mobile phone network in Tanzania is extensive but in more remote areas, where you are on safari there is likely to be a weak signal.

Your SkySafari price includes tips for all staff during your trip.

Please give details of your flight leaving Tanzania to our SkySafari Representative. Reconfirming flights on your behalf is part of our service.

Please note that all wild animals can be dangerous and you should not wander off on your own whilst on safari. After dark you will be escorted to your room, please do not walk alone. Always listen to your guide and follow the instructions carefully. No animal is tame and must at all times be treated with respect and not approached unless with an authorized professional guide.

Kiswahili otherwise known as Swahili is the ‘lingua franca’ of East Africa, including Zanzibar. English is widely spoken in Tanzania, particularly in tourist centers, lodges and main cities.