Pre-Departure Information | Egypt

Tanzania – Gameparks Safaris

Accommodation – Trips departing from Arusha, Tanzania
We depart from Kibo Palace Hotel
http://www.kibopalacehotel.com/
Old Moshi Road Arusha Tanzania
Tel: +255 27 254 4472 / 254 8887
+255 753 036 444
Fax: +255 27 254 8832
Email: info@kibopalacehotel.com
Rooms at the KIBO Place hotel are bookable on line from$100 per night

If you’d like a cheaper option nearby try the Outpost Lodge
http://www.outpost-lodge.com/accommodation/, which is a more rustic friendly option.
You can also be picked up from the Outpost Lodge

Airport pick up at Kilimanjaro Airport to your hotel – If you would like the security of an airport pickup provide us or Kibo Palace Hotel with your flight details at the time of booking – cost $US60 per taxi, payable to the hotel. As you exit customs your driver will have sign with your name on it

For your safety and convenience use this service. Make sure you reach the Planet counter ignoring taxi touts who will overcharge and may not know where you want to go.

Included in the trip price & Local Payment – The tour cost and local payment includes transport in a fully equipped expedition vehicle, road taxes and tolls, services of the driver-leader, use of camping equipment, campsite fees, entrance to gameparks as specified and three meals a day while on safari

Local Payment – Payable $US dollars cash. Please pay this to the driver on departure. Travellers cheques, cards, or other forms of payment are not accepted.

Not included in the trip price and local payment – The price does not include flights, visas, side trips and meals out

Buying your flight – when you buy your flight don’t go just on price alone, check conditions and flexibility. Take into consideration that you may be buying your flight well ahead of time and the nature of your trip you are doing. Its worthwhile paying more to have a flexible flight with a better airline that flies frequently to your destination.

Return flight – Although it is our intention to finish the trip on the finishing date, in case of delays en route you should allow a time at the end of the trip before you fly out.

Visas – Please see the Visa page. All visa prices are approximate and can change without notice.

Washing – Most of the time you can wash every day and at camp sites you can do your laundry or often have it done for you quite cheaply.

Drinking Water – Though we have drinking water on the truck to ensure you good health we advise you drink bottled water which is cheap and readily available.

Camping – Tents and roll mattresses are provided and the tents have sewn in floors and mosquito netting. You will need to bring a sleeping bag & sleep sheet. Campsites have basic ablution facilities.

Accommodation at the end of the trip – There are many hostels so no need to book. Your driver can help with this.

Time Zones – Tanzania is on East Africa time, 3 hours ahead of GMT

Language – English is the predominant second language and Swahili is the spoken language in Tanzania

Insurance
Deposit and balance & Insurance – Once you are booked, your deposit and balance (within two months of trip departure) is non refundable. Insure yourself when you book for the full time your away. You must have travel insurance. We only carry passengers on the understanding that, in most African countries through which we travel no passenger or vehicle liability is available. Take out insurance when you pay your deposit for the tour or for flights so that you are covered for cancellation. Make sure you bring your policy. If you travel without insurance and you have a problem you could incur massive bills. 

Medical coverage is the most  important part of your insurance, loss of belongings less so. For UK, Australian and NZ residents, we can point you in the right direction for insurance if you contact us. For other nations, it is best to search online – there are some good online insurance companies catering for US, Canadian and European residents.

Medical
Innoculations – You have to be vaccinated against Yellow Fever and will need an International Vaccination Certificate to prove this when we cross borders. It is also advisable to be vaccinated against Typhoid; Rabies; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Tetanus; Polio and Meningitis.

If possible start your vaccinations two months, but as late as two weeks before departure. Your doctor can also inoculate. Medical centres travel educated doctors can supply up-to-date medical advice and vaccinate you.

Malaria – There is malaria in the areas we visit. Malaria tablets offer only partial protection against malaria so avoid mosquito bites. Mosquitoes come out in the evening, wear long trouser and sleeves plus socks as mosquitoes tend to bite around the feet and ankles. Use insect repellent containing Deet. The use of repellents and covering up is as effective as the use of tablets, so by coupling both methods you should be malaria free. In Africa buy a can of fly/bug spray to clear your tent.

Medical Kits – We carry First Aid kits on board for emergency use only. However, the crew is not entitled to recommend or prescribe any medicine. We advise a health check with your doctor and dentist before you start your journey and that you carry your own medical kit with you. 

Spending and Money 
Bring US$ cash in new notes from year 2006 onwards. Larger notes; US$50 & $100 give a better rate of exchange.

For general spending £20 ($30) a day is a good start. This depends on how much you drink, eat out and the souvenirs you buy.

Travellers cheques are hard to change in Africa

Credit cards – bring at least two credit/debit cards as one might be rejected by the cash machine. Tell your bank before you travel to stop them blocking your card. ATM machines are available in towns. Visa credit and debit cards are better than MasterCard/American Express/ Maestro/Cirrus for acceptability.

Security in General – Take a money belt that fits under your shirt. Do not wear a bum bag around your waist, or a money belt that hangs from your neck. In certain problem areas a passenger roster will be drawn up to guard the vehicle during the day. Don’t take non essential items of value. If you lose your passport or travellers cheques it is not always possible for the expedition to wait for you. We take no responsibility for such or for any belongings

On departure you can change excess left over currency for foreign money. 

Budget planner – Download this budget planner to help calculate the overall cost of your trip Budget planner 

Equipment

Discman/iPods/MP3’s & CD’s – An amplifier is provided in the rear of the truck for you to plug your Discmans/i-Pods into. Although the amp is powered off the truck, your Discman/iPod isn’t, so bring along extra batteries.

Photography – Authorities require that tourists do not take pictures of airports, railway stations or military installations. We are often in areas where locals are not used to being photographed and we ask you to show them every respect and courtesy.

Your Electrical Equipment – Mobiles, Cameras, Laptops – In most camps you can charge from the mains, so bring a travel adaptor plug, as outlet power points are mostly UK and Euro types. Most countries run on 220/240 volts. To increase your battery time get a spare battery. 

Mobile Phone – your phone can work abroad if you have roam facility.  Coverage is good but incoming calls cost a lot. You can buy a local number in when you arrive in Tnazania.

Maps – To have your own map to follow the trip, for East Africa Micheli or you can buy a map in the streets in Arusha of roadside hawkers

SAFARI SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

• Stay in the car during game drives except at designated areas where you are allowed to get out of the car.
• Never walk off far to pee behind a bush, just go straight behind the vehicle.
• Don’t stand up in the car, hang out of the window or sit on the roof.
• Don’t drive too close to animals if you are on a self-drive safari. Back off if the animals seem disturbed.
• Don’t drive between elephants, especially females and their young.
• Don’t talk or laugh too loud.
• Stay close to your guide and group on a walking safari.
• Watch where you put your feet while walking in the bush.
• Never run or jog in a wildlife area as it entices predators to attack. For the same reason, never run away from a predator when confronted. Instead ask your guide for help and instructions or slowly walk backwards while facing the predator.
• Never walk between a hippo and water. They will panic because their safety route to the water is blocked.
• While camping, or in a tented camp, never leave food in your tent; It will attract wildlife.
• Cover your arms and legs in the evening and use insect repellent to protect against mosquitoes. The repellant should contain at least 20-30% DEET.
• Wear a hat, use sunscreen, and drink plenty of water.
• Don’t wear too bright and colorful clothes or too much perfume. This is especially true for walking safaris and, to a lesser extent, for other wildlife viewing activities. In tsetse-fly areas it is recommended not to wear dark-colored clothing- like black or dark blue- since it attracts these stinging flies. Bring warm clothes for morning game drives in open vehicles during the cold months of June, July and August. 

Suggested list of clothing and equipment
The less you take the less you have to pack, wash, lug home and you’ll pick up extras along the way. There are lots of cheap second hand clothes in the markets. You’ll be travelling in the heat and camping in the cool, so bring clothes for all climates, rough stuff is best. 

Sleeping bag
Poncho or rain jacket
Medical kit – Bring your own simple kit
Re-hydration sachets available from any chemist
Insect repellent containing Deet e.g. Jungle Juice
Sun cream
Headache tablets
Plasters
Malaria tablets
Toiletries and showering gear – You can buy toiletries in Africa
Clothes
Socks
Shirts
Jeans/long trousers
Underwear
Sweatshirt/jumper
Shorts, T-shirts, swimsuit
Skirt
Sandals/flip flops/jandals/thongs
Walking shoes
Small day-pack or bag to carry your daily items
Hat and sunglasses
Camera (in a protective case), spare batteries and all the film you think necessary
Money belt or pouch to hold your passport
Vaccination book
Books, personal CD player and CD’s
Torch & spare batteries
The easiest and best way to travel lightly. Most people bring too much luggage.