Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why should I travel with TATU Adventures?First and foremost, all of the profits from your travels with TATU Adventures are directly re-invested into TATU Project’s community development work. We tailor authentic travel experiences that allow conscious travellers to immerse themselves into Tanzania’s culture and enjoy its natural wonders while simultaneously contributing to the sustainable development of the local communities of Msitu wa Tembo and Londoto, just one hour away from Moshi. It is our priority to contribute to the development of Responsible Tourism in Northern Tanzania. We accomplish this in many ways, including but not limited to:
- Offering highly personalized travel packages at a fair price
- Ensuring that our visitors have more meaningful connections with locals and gain insight into our work
- Carefully planning and evaluating the trips that we offer and keeping our tour group sizes to a minimum
- Guaranteeing fair treatment and wages to our employees and advocating the same for all those in our supply chain
- Providing our travelers with comprehensive responsible tourism guidelines in advance of their trips (html link to guidelines page)
- Offering trainings sessions to our team of local guides that cover topics such as responsible tourism, sustainability, first aid and local flora and fauna.
Here are 10 tips on how you can have a positive impact during your travels!
- Learn a few local phrases.
- Help preserve natural environments.
- Use public transportation or walk/bike.
- Purchase local goods directly from the source.
- Respect cultural resources.
- Inform yourself about the destination’s current health situation and access to emergency and consular services.
- Take time to understand the customs, norms and traditions.
- Familiarize yourself with the local laws.
- Reduce your energy and water use.
- Reflect on your trip after you return home.
A trip to Tanzania requires a certain tolerance regarding the partly deficient infrastructure. This is not always accurately reflected in the costs of specific travel activities, which can still be high in relation to the quality offered.
The accommodations that we have selected are the best available in their respective price range. Water and electricity cuts happen occasionally, but the accommodations are all clean and safe.
Tanzania has a reasonable network of roads (although in varying condition) connecting all major towns. Most major roads are paved, while minor roads are usually rough and can become impassable to all except 4-wheel-drive vehicles during the long rainy season from March to May.
Of course, it is our and our partners’ goal to meet all program points as specified in your itinerary and we do our utmost to make your trip pleasant and enjoyable.
In case there are any necessary changes during your journey due to organizational, weather-related or other reasons, we ask for your understanding. We recommend travelers remain patient, tolerant and flexible in any situation. Tanzania is different than the Western world, but this is exactly what makes traveling here so interesting and exciting. If you are willing and happy to accept these differences, we encourage you to begin your adventure in Tanzania. We are sure you will experience an extraordinary and unforgettable journey!
4. What should I bring?General Recommended Items
Below is a list of general items that TATU Adventures highly suggests bringing with you, regardless of what kind of adventure you are embarking on.
- Sunblock and lip balm, SPF 30+
- Tropical strength mosquito repellant
- Hand sanitizer
- First-Aid kit (band-aids, ibuprofen…)
- Toiletries
- Any regular medication
- Face cloth & lightweight / quick dry towel
- Swimwear
- Small backpack
- Luggage locks
- Penknife
- Money belt
- US cash (we do not recommend travelers checks as they are hard to use)
- Waterproof liners / dry bags to keep clothes dry
- Ziploc bags for electronics and toiletries
- Camera / video camera / extra camera batteries & memory cards
- Binoculars (optional – some will be provided during safari)
- Travel adapter (a power strip with multiple outlets is suggested)
- Wildlife guides
- Snacks
On Safari
Below is a list of items TATU Adventures recommends bringing on a camping safari. Every safari, and every traveler’s needs are different, however these are things we’ve found useful, from our experience traveling in Tanzania. As the car roof will be open during game drives, it is important that you bring sun block and protective clothing. Although each car has a general first-aid kit, we recommend that you bring your own medical supplies.
There are no luggage weight restrictions on safari, however please try to limit how much you bring with you. Excess luggage is placed on the roof of the car, and high luggage piles may limit your game viewing. You will be able to leave excess luggage in Moshi. We recommend that you keep a small day pack in the car.
General safari clothing & items:
- Lightweight trousers and long-sleeved shirts in neutral, bush colors for protection from the sun (and mosquitos!)
- Sweater or fleece and pants for cold temperatures experienced at night (can be very cold whilst camping on the crater rim)
- A wide-brimmed sun hat
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Glasses (for those who usually wear contact lenses, as these may become uncomfortable due to the dust)
- Visine (for dust)
- Hand wipes (for dust)
- Comfortable, lightweight but sturdy walking shoes or boots
- Socks
- Walking sandals
On Kilimanjaro
Good equipment is very important for a safe and enjoyable climb. The following are lists of items that TATU Adventures recommends, but may not be all-inclusive. For the Kilimanjaro climb, there is the option of hiring extra equipment here in Moshi, but we recommend you at least bring good quality waterproof walking books that have been worn-in!
Hiking clothing & equipment:
- T-shirts and short pants / tracksuit pants
- Waterproof & windproof jacket and pants (mainly used in rainforest areas)
- Sturdy hiking boots
- 4 or more pairs of socks
- Thermal long johns (3 pairs)
- Day pack (at least 30L capacity) and a larger waterproof pack for porters
- Sleeping bag
- Sun hat (peak caps do not offer enough protection)
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Adjustable walking poles
- Waterproof liners /dry bags to keep clothes dry
- Non-plastic water bottle (should be able to carry at least 3 liters – a Camelback may be helpful)
- Head torch with extra batteries
Summit clothing & equipment:
- Gore-Tex, Microtex or K-Tech Trilaminate jacket
- Gore-Tex, Microtex or K-Tech pants
- Gore-Tex gloves and thermal glove liners
- Insulated jacket and pants
- Head cover (fleece balaclava or beanie)
- Thermal socks
- Boot gaiters
- Leather or thermal boots
- Thermal flask (to stop water from freezing)
Suggested medication for a climb:
- Altitude sickness pills
- Ibuprofen / headache medication
- Nausea tablets
- Cold and flu medication
- Gel for muscular sprains
- Band-Aids / blister pads
A few climbing tips
- Drink at least to three litres of water a day.
- Use a thermal flask on summit night; other bottles will freeze.
- Take snacks like energy bars, drink mixes, etc.
- Symptoms of altitude sickness can be reduced by using medication.
- Nausea and headache pills should be kept handy on summit night.
- High factor lip balm and sunblock are essential.
- All clothing must be protected with sack-liners to avoid getting wet, especially through rainforests.
- New boots should be walked-in beforehand; this helps avoid blisters.
- Move as lightly as possible, do not carry unnecessary weight.
- Thermal glove liners allow easier camera handling on summit.
- Be sure to bring spare batteries for camera and headlamp on summit.
Tanzania’s currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). A Visa or Mastercard is essential for accessing money from ATMs, which can be widely found in major towns. It is also possible to exchange all the major currencies in exchange bureaus in major towns as well. When carrying USD with you from abroad, make sure to check the dates on the USD bills, as bills dated prior to 2006 are not accepted anywhere.
6. What is the tipping procedure?Tipping is usually not usually practiced in small, local establishments, especially in rural areas. In major towns and in places frequented by travelers, tips are expected. On treks and safaris, it is common to tip guides, drivers and porters.
For Safaris, we have the tipping guidelines below (all shown in US dollars). The following recommendations are per group, not per person:
- Guide – $20 per day
- Cook – $15 per day
For Kilimanjaro we have the tipping guidelines below (all shown in US dollars). The following recommendations are per group, not per climber:
- Per main guide – $20 per day
- Per assistant guide – $15 per day
- Cook – $10 – $15 per day
- Per porter – $5 – $10 per day
For further information, we recommend visiting the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project website https://kiliporters.org/get-involved/tipping-recommendations
7. Do I need a visa?Most travelers need a visa, which requires a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months’ validity) and a return ticket. Most nationalities can obtain a tourist’s visa upon arrival at the airport in Tanzania for USD 50 (USD 100 for U.S. citizens). This visa is valid for up to 3 months. Please use the link below to see whether you are exempt from obtaining a visa.
As fees and policies can change, we highly recommend that you contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements.
The closest airport is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). It is about 1 hour away from Moshi. It is also possible to fly into Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport) and then take a 6-hour bus ride to Moshi. This would require a transit visa. If arriving from Dar es Salaam, it is a 1 hour flight or a 10-hour bus ride.
We are happy to arrange airport transfers.
9. What health precautions should I take before traveling to Tanzania?All travelers should visit either their personal physician or a travel health clinic 6 to 8 weeks before departure.
Vaccinations
For travelers arriving directly from Europe and the United States there are currently no obligatory vaccinations, however some vaccinations are highly encouraged. For most travelers, it is advised to have the typhoid and hepatitis A vaccines, and to make sure you are up to date on all routine vaccinations. Other vaccines to consider include: Cholera; Diphtheria; Hepatitis B; Meningococcal Meningitis; Rabies; and Yellow Fever.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers over 1 year of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited more than 12 hours through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. This includes those transiting though Kenya.
There is also anecdotal evidence of travelers being asked to show a yellow fever vaccination certificate when arriving from Europe, the US or other countries with no risk of yellow fever. For this reason, many travelers prefer to have the certificate to avoid any complications when arriving in Tanzania.
For further information, we recommend visiting the ‘fit for travel’ website http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/africa/united-republic-of-tanzania.aspx
Malaria
Malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes and is endemic throughout most of Tanzania. The risk is diminished at altitudes above 2000m. All our accommodations provide mosquito nets. We advise you to use mosquito repellent and take care between sunset and sunrise. You should consult a physician about taking anti-malarial medication pre-departure.
Health insurance
You should be fully insured for medical emergencies, including repatriation. Be sure and check in advance whether your insurance policy covers hiking at high altitudes if you plan on climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru. Additionally, be aware if your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures. Most doctors in Tanzania expect payment in cash.
If you plan to travel in remote areas or go on safari, we highly recommend having temporary insurance with Amref Flying Doctors (www.flydoc.org), which provides air ambulance evacuation services.
10. Is it safe to travel in Tanzania?Tanzania is a safe travel destination worldwide. Nonetheless, it is important to take necessary precautions and use common sense.
11. What is the weather like?Tanzania lies just south of the equator and typically enjoys a tropical climate. In the high mountains (such as Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru) temperatures can descend to below freezing, especially at night.
In Northern Tanzania, from June to September the weather is cooler and dry. From October to February the weather is hot, with short rains beginning late October and ending in December. The heavy rains fall from March to May.
12. What are your Terms & Conditions?To learn more about our terms and conditions please download the following document TATU Adventures Terms & Conditions