Useful information
Useful information about the Walking Safari
Getting there
Arrival is from Vienna Airport or elsewhere in Europe to Kilimanjaro Airport (depending on availability). So that all participants can fly together in one plane, we offer to organize the flight booking through a joint travel agency. If you would like to extend and/or book another return flight, please let us know. We are also happy to help with the booking and determine the offer with the travel agency. Self-bookers bear any additional costs for extra transport and/or overnight stays if they do not arrive or depart at the same time as the group.
Electricity
230 volt mains voltage. A 3 pin (UK) adapter is required. During the first 7 days of the tour, however, there is no connection to the electricity grid.
Food & water
Lemayan and his team will take care of water and food (morning, noon & evening) for you throughout the safari. You can get the water already filled in 1 or 1.5 liter bottles. However, it might not do any harm to have muesli bars, dextrose, chewing gum or nuts with you in your daypack as energy boosters during the day.
Change money / currency
Currency: Tanzanian shilling , Conversion rate (January 2023): 1 EUR = 2530 TSH
The first camp is already in the remote Maasai country, a very small village. It is therefore advisable to change money to Tanzanian shillings in the city of Arusha, as there is little opportunity to do so later. Your guide will be happy to show you where the bank/exchange office is.
In general, 300-500 EUR "pocket money" should be sufficient for the entire trip, this of course depends on the individual. What could you need money for? For souvenirs, if you want to buy a drink (coke, beer) and a tip for the crew. In Arusha there are also international ATMs where you can withdraw money.
Vaccination, malaria prophylaxis, first-aid kit
In general, everyone has to decide for themselves on the subject of "vaccination" and preferably clarify this with their family doctor/pharmacy or with the tropical institute. Yellow fever vaccination: When entering Tanzania, it is generally not mandatory to present a yellow fever vaccination unless you are traveling from a "yellow fever risk area" and are staying there for a longer period (12 hours). This includes Ethiopia and Kenya. Then, upon entry, the transit time will be asked and checked. Please also consider possible flight delays and postponements when considering the transit time.
Regarding malaria, a bug spray is advisable. It is not the ideal condition for mosquitoes in the dry seasons, with more insects to be expected in the rainy seasons. You can also decide whether you are already taking malaria prophylaxis (e.g. Malarone) or whether you should take an emergency medication with you in case malaria breaks out (the incubation period is between 8 days and several months). Some travelers also swear by the homeopathic globules "malaria officinalis c 200", which is taken before the trip. In any case, we recommend that you seek professional advice so that you can make the right decision for you.
We always recommend a good first-aid kit. Lemayan and his team are well equipped, but every traveler usually knows better what they might need for themselves. A few points of reference: Band-aids, wound ointment, disinfectant, gastrointestinal medication, possibly diarrhea medication, sore throat tablets, painkillers (no aspirin), possibly antibiotics, blood thinners for the flight if you suffer from varicose veins. But make a decision here that suits you.
Costs / included services
The travel price is agreed in the registration. The minimum number of participants is 6 people per appointment. As soon as this number of participants is reached, the travel expenses have to be paid. If the number of bookings is too low, the trip can be canceled up to 4 weeks before departure. Alternatively, an additional payment is required from all participants (3-5 people: 200 EUR). No costs are charged for mediation / communication. Unfortunately, payment by credit card is not possible.
Services included in the travel price: All transport routes on site (shuttle, jeep safari, etc.), overnight stays (tent and guest house) and full board during the safari (except in Arusha), entrance fees/fees for national parks and nature reserves, local team (guides + service ). According to experience, what else is there? Meals at the airport, lunch in Arusha, pocket money for gifts, extra drinks (one coke or beer; water provided), tips for the crew, vaccinations, visa costs. In general, 300-500 EUR "pocket money" should be sufficient for the entire trip, this of course depends on each individual.
Mosquito net
All tents and also the rooms of the guest house are equipped with mosquito nets. An extra mosquito net is not necessary, but we recommend a mosquito spray.
Plastic ban from June 2019
From June 1, 2019 it is forbidden to use plastic carrier bags. If you travel to Tanzania (mainland), you are not allowed to have plastic bags in your luggage. The exception is a freezer bag with a zip closure, which you use for the toiletries in your hand luggage. Luggage will be checked upon entry. Expect longer waiting times here.
You can find the full government release addressed to all Tanzania tourists on our website: https://www.maasai-tours.com/tanzania-bant-plastiktueten
Sun protection
Sun protection with a high sun protection factor definitely makes sense. Even if the sky should be cloudy. For the routes during the day, thin, long-sleeved cotton shirts are also suitable as sun protection and protection against insects. Don't forget your hat!
Language
Kiswahili, English. (No German tour guide!)
Team on site
Lemayan Ole Sitoy is the Principal Tour Guide, Founder and Owner of Maasai Tours & Safaris, a professional tour operator in Northern Tanzania. He and his team have been welcoming and guiding European guests through their home country for 10 years. The team consists of guides, assistant guides, porters/helpers, a cook and drivers. When selecting the team, great importance is attached to involving the local population.
Phone
Country code Tanzania: 00255 or +255
During the walking safari there will be little network to make a regular phone call. For emergencies, however, the tour guide Lemayan and his team have a mobile phone and are prepared for all eventualities. In Arusha you can then also make calls in a call shop via Skype. The cheapest option is to buy a prepaid mobile phone locally. Or you simply use the "time out" and do without regular contact with the "outside world". This is Africa!
Tip
Tips are absolutely common in Africa and are seen as a fixed part of the salary. Depending on the scope and quality of the service provided and also as a thank you for good service, the crew is very happy about it (approx. 10% of the travel price).
As a recommendation, you can stick to the average local tips (per group per day):
Main guide 15 euros
Assistant guide 8-10 euros
Local guides 7 euros
Cook 10 – 12 euros
Helper/porter/waiter 5 euros
Safari driver 15 euros
The team usually consists of 1 main guide, 1 assistant guide, 1 cook, 2 helpers/porters and 2-3 safari drivers for the national parks. From time to time, local guides join the team to provide support on a daily basis. It is best to give tips in local currency as some of the crew rarely go to exchange offices. Main guides and safari drivers have the option of changing euros or dollars.
Accidents/illness
If something should really happen, you are no more than half a day away from a hospital on the entire safari. It can also make sense to take out travel cancellation or repatriation insurance. Many credit card providers, automobile clubs and also the Pölzl travel agency offer such insurance.
Visa
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will come to the visa desk right inside the airport building. There you need the visa application and the passport. The application forms are there. The visa costs 50 USD (as of July 2019). It must be a $50 bill. Please change before departure.
Laundry services
There is no possibility to do laundry on the Walking Safari. But since there are only limited possibilities for personal hygiene, this is obsolete anyway :-) . Since on safari you only really need what you are wearing plus a second set for warm or cold, it is sufficient to reduce your equipment to the essentials.
Weather
June to October is generally dry and hot. These are the dry seasons and the daytime temperatures are between approx. 19°C and 32°C. However, it can get quite chilly at night and in the morning (15°C), so you should pack suitable clothing. From November to mid-December there are always shorter rain showers. From March to May there can be longer rains, but the country is also very green during this time. Seasons may vary. A packing list with the most necessary things is available separately from these tips in good time before departure.
Important information about the partnership with GEA/Waldviertler
The Walking Safari is offered by Lemayan Ole Sitoy Maasai Tours & Safaris. GEA/Waldviertler serves as a pure advertising and communication platform to enable all interested parties to visit our friends in Tanzania. For the sake of simplicity, we establish contact with the travel agency Pölzl for the flight bookings. It is important to know that GEA or Waldviertler do NOT act as organizers and therefore cannot accept any liability for personal injury or damage to property.
Time shift
The time difference is +1 hours (summer time) or +2 hours (winter time).
Tents, mattresses, sleeping bag
Lemayan and his team provide enough tents and mattresses (foam or self-inflating camping mattresses). Please bring your own sleeping bag. At night it can be 10-15°C degrees. Experience has shown that a thicker sleeping bag and a hut sleeping bag are often a good combination.
If you have any questions, Melanie is always at your disposal:
E-mail: booking@maasai-tours.com or phone: +43 (0)676 4162830