TRAVELER'S GUIDE
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Preparing for Your Arrival in Tanzania
A visa is required to enter Tanzania, and you can easily apply for it online before your trip. We recommend allowing 2 to 3 weeks for processing, just to keep everything relaxed and stress free.
You can also choose to purchase your visa directly upon arrival at Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro Airport.
Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned entry date into Tanzania, so everything goes smoothly when you arrive.
VACCINATION AND HEALTH
There are no mandatory vaccinations required to enter Tanzania.
Before you travel, we recommend consulting your doctor or a travel health specialist for personalised advice, especially regarding malaria prevention and any vaccinations they may suggest for your wellbeing.
During your safari, simple precautions can help keep you comfortable and protected. We encourage guests to cover their legs, feet and arms from 6 pm onwards.
If you take prescription medications, please bring enough for your entire stay, along with copies of your prescriptions, so you can enjoy your holiday without any interruptions.
All of our lodges are equipped with a substantial first aid kit and the “flying doctors” insurance is mandatory during your stay. You are automatically signed up to it when you make a reservation with us.
PACKINGS SUGGESTION
To ensure comfortable travel on the small aircraft used for national park transfers, please keep your luggage to a maximum of 15 kilos per person. Soft bags are preferred, as they are easier to store on board.
Each lodge provides bath, pool and beach towels, as well as bathrobes, shower products and a hairdryer, so you can pack a little lighter.
Indoor slippers are not provided for sustainability reasons, as they must be discarded after each use and there are no suitable local suppliers.
For our safari camps
– Choose neutral, khaki-toned clothing and avoid bright or very dark colours, which are less suitable for wildlife environments.
– Ruaha, Nyerere and the Serengeti can be cool at times, so we recommend packing a mix of short sleeves and shorts for daytime, along with long sleeves, trousers and perhaps a fleece for morning walks and game drives.
– We strongly advise against wearing leopard print clothing or perfume while on safari, as both can disturb wildlife.
CHILD POLICY
For safety reasons and to ensure a peaceful experience for all guests, we welcome children from six years of age.
Each camp has a maximum of two children aged 6 to 11 at any one time. As the camps are unfenced, children must remain under the full supervision of a parent or guardian at all times.
At Siwandu, single beds can be added to the tents to create triple or quadruple setups, available for children under 18 years of age.
DIETARY RESTRICTIONS
If you have any dietary restrictions, allergies or follow a specific diet, please let us know when making your reservation, or at least one week before your arrival. This allows us to plan accordingly, as the supply of fresh produce for our camps is arranged in advance.
We are always happy to accommodate your needs and ensure your meals are both safe and enjoyable.
WIFI, TELEPHONE and power
All our lodges are equipped with wifi (both in the common areas and in the villas or tented suites)
Laba Jongomero and Laba Bush Manor do not receive any cellphone signal
Laba Siwandu picks up a weak signal in the reception area
Laba Fanjove also picks up a weak signal almost everywhere on the island
AIRTEL is the best network for signal
All our lodges have international outlets to charge your various devices
The electric current (240 VAC compatible with all international voltages) is powered entirely by solar panels in Fanjove. For Laba Siwandu, Laba Jongomero and Laba Bush Manor, it is powered by a mix of solar panels and generators.
You will have electricity at all times, night and day.
MONEY
The official currency of Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling (or shilingi in Swahili). One shilling is divided into 100 cents, known as senti, although these coins are no longer in circulation due to inflation.
For ease during your travels, we recommend using US Dollars in cash. While credit cards and traveller’s cheques are accepted in many establishments, they often come with additional transaction fees. ATMs are available in major towns and cities, but not in the national parks and game reserves where our camps are located.
Please note that US Dollar bills printed before 2006 are not accepted in Tanzania.
TIPPING
If you are travelling on an independent itinerary, the cost of your stay does not include gratuities. Tipping is entirely personal and should only be considered if you feel our team has gone above and beyond to make your experience special.
If you would like a guideline, we recommend between USD 10 and USD 15 per guest per day. Tanzanian salaries are modest, so any gesture of appreciation has a meaningful impact. We also suggest tipping your guide separately from the rest of the staff.
For Fanjove
Included in your stay
– Full room and board
– Boat transfers between Songo Songo and Fanjove Island
– Filtered water, tea and coffee
– Laundry service (please note we are unable to launder underwear, but washing powder is provided)
Not included
– Champagne
– Diving and fishing activities
– Conservation and concession fees
– Village fees
– Personal gratuities
– Medical evacuation insurance
Payment information
Final bills may be settled in US Dollars (post-2006 bills only), Tanzanian Shillings, Euros or Pounds Sterling.
We also accept Mastercard, Visa, Amex, JCB, PayPal and mobile payment services such as Mpesa and Airtel Money. A 3 percent surcharge applies to electronic payments.
Please note that Fanjove Island is remote. Once you leave Dar es Salaam, you will not have access to ATMs or banks. Each beach villa is equipped with an in-room safe for your personal belongings.
For Jongomero and Siwandu
Included in your stay
– Full room and board
– Three meals daily
– Private game drives
– Vehicle transfers to and from the nearest airstrip
– Filtered drinking water
– Local drinks
– Tea and coffee
– Laundry service (underwear cannot be laundered, but washing powder is provided)
Not included
– Champagne
– Reserve and park entry fees
– Conservation and concession fees
– Third-party activity park fees for fly camping
– Personal gratuities
– Medical evacuation insurance
Payment information
Final bills may be paid in US Dollars, Tanzanian Shillings, Euros or Pounds Sterling.
We accept Mastercard, Visa, Amex, JCB, PayPal and mobile payment options such as Mpesa and Airtel Money. A 3 percent surcharge applies.
All tents are fitted with a personal safe that guests can program themselves.
Check out time
Check-out time is at 12h00 for guests departing on the morning flight. If you wish to leave in the afternoon, please note that an additional night may need to be booked, or a late departure fee may apply. Our reservations team will be happy to advise you at the time of booking.