Detailed Trip Notes
Suitability
Suitability
We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
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Tour Itinerary
Swimming Opportunities
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Whether in swimming pools, rivers, lakes, the sea or the ocean, this icon indicates on which days you will have an opportunity to swim.
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Budgeting for your Tour
Budgeting for your tour
Serengeti Balloon Safari
During our stay in the Serengeti there is time to take a once-in-a-lifetime balloon flight over the Serengeti Plains. Flights cost US$499, depart each day at dawn and last approx. 1hr. Transport from/to our camp/lodge is included in the price, along with sparkling wine, a full English breakfast in the bush and a flight certificate. For every passenger flown, a royalty is paid to Tanzania National Parks which goes towards conservation funds. For more information, please go to ‘www.balloonsafaris.com’.
If you are interested in booking a space for this very popular excursion please contact Serengeti Balloons direct at balloons-reservations@habari.co.tz quoting your Tour Code and Departure Date. Payment will be taken in full at the time of booking and can be made by Visa or Mastercard (credit card) or bank transfer. Please note that this payment is fully refundable up to 7 days prior to the date of the flight. Please note that if your flight is cancelled by the balloon operator due to poor weather conditions, then your money will also be refunded in full.
It is also possible to book the balloon flight locally, athough this will be subject to availability.
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Other Sightseeing & Activites
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
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Excursion Prices
Lake Manyara NP - Optional walk $20
Serengeti - Serengeti Balloon Safari $499
Zanzibar- Half day Spice Island Tour US$23; Anglican cathedral and slave market US$5; Scuba diving (PADI registered dive centre) US$125 for two dives - you’ll need your diving certificates; Snorkelling trip $35, Sunset Dhow cruise $20
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Tipping
Local Crew: Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, the Tour Leaders may organise a group’s tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.
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Accordingly, you should allow US$30.
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Tour Leader: At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive.
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Foreign Exchange
Local Currency: Tanzanian Shilling.
Recommended Currency for Exchange: You should take a combination of Sterling and US Dollars cash for spending money. Please be aware that any notes issued before 2002 will not accepted.
Where to Exchange: ATM's, Banks or 'Forex' offices only in main towns/cities. Your Tour Leader will advise you on arrival.
Credit Card Acceptance: Credit cards are generally not accepted. VISA is more widely accepted than Mastercard
Travellers Cheques: Take some to act as reserve funds.
Additional Information: It is prohibited to export Tanzanian shillings.
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Up-to-date information on global exchange rates can be obtained at www.oanda.com
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Local Costs
| |
UK |
Tanzania |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
$1.00 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
$1.50 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
$1.00 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
$3.00 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
$12.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
$20.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
$20.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
UK, AUS, NZ, USA & CAN citizens will need an entry visa. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
The Tanzanian government says that all travellers to the country require a visa, but visas can be obtained on arrival. Explore recommends you acquire your visa before departure.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Vaccinations & Protection
We strongly recommend protection against yellow fever, malaria, hepatitis a, tetanus, typhoid and polio. Please note you will be required to produce a valid yellow fever certificate on arrival in Tanzania. This includes travellers coming from Europe via, or transiting through, an endemic country including the airports of Nairobi (Kenya) and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Travellers may also wish to take immunisation against meningococcal meningitis.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Lone Parents
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentation confirming that the individual has authority to travel with the minor. It is crucial that you contact the relevant country embassy for further information on exactly what may be required. These details can be found on the Foreign & Commonwealth Website under the appropriate country www.fco.gov.uk/travel
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Climate
The climate is tropical but varies greatly with altitude. Coastal areas are hot and humid, the central plateau dry and arid. It can be cold at night, particularly in June & July and at altitude. Generally the long rains arrive April/May and the short rains November/early December, although over recent years this pattern has become completely erratic
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
One main piece of baggage (a kitbag or holdall) plus daypack. Total allowance: 33lb/15kg maximum (due to weight restrictions on our truck). Please note that it is important to keep within these restrictions. The limit does not include your camera equipment.
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Clothing
Clothing should be lightweight. A waterproof is recommended for the wetter months (April to May and mid November to mid December). Although it has been known to rain through June, July and August on the plateau. Warm sweaters or fleeces are advisable for tours in July and August, especially at the Ngorongoro Crater, and for the evenings and on early morning game drives. Bring a swimming costume and a towel. A scarf is useful to protect you from dust on game drives. Bright clothes should be avoided for walking safaris. A laundry service is available in some of the accommodation, your tour leader will advise accordingly.
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Footwear
Lightweight safari boots or walking shoes/trainers and sandals for relaxing in. Bring a pair of light weight shoes/sandals that you can use when walking to get on and off the snorkelling vessels. Plastic sandals for beach may be useful due to sea urchins.
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Equipment
A water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen and sunblock. Binoculars are useful, as is a telephoto lens - for photographing game. Snorkel and mask may be useful for Zanzibar and, while normally available locally, you may prefer to bring your own.
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
Please note:
Zanzibar is a Muslim country and people may be offended by shorts or revealing dresses, which can attract unwelcome attention. Therefore you should dress with respect for local sensibilities. Women should also cover their heads when entering a sanctuary, though in general, mosques are forbidden to non-Muslims.
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General Information
Although some of the drives are long, bumpy and dusty, this adds to our adventure and the scenery and the wildlife we see more than make up for it.
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Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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