FAQ

Question 1

Passport, visa & entry requirements

Accepted Answer

* In order to enter Tanzania, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
* We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
* U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa in order to enter Tanzania. While it is possible to obtain a visa at the border, we strongly recommend purchasing your visa in advance as wait times upon arrival can exceed two hours. You can purchase an electronic visa on the [Tanzanian Electronic Visa Portal website](https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/). You may also submit a request for a paper visa by visiting your local embassy, or purchase your visa in advance by using a visa provider, such as our partner, [VisaCentral](https://www.visacentral.com/goaheadtours). You will need to have your visa receipt with you upon arrival in Tanzania.
* If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
* You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by logging in to your online account and viewing the “Getting Ready” section.

Question 2

Tour pacing & mobility

Accepted Answer

* You will walk less than one hour daily across mostly flat terrain, including paved roads and unpaved trails.
* Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
* This tour also includes long, bumpy rides in safari vehicles. You should feel comfortable stepping up and down to get in and out of the vehicles, standing for long periods of time, and maintaining your balance while the vehicle is parked and in motion.
* Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
* If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Question 3

Transportation & arrival information

Accepted Answer

* Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Dar es Salaam. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
* Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
* A round-trip flight between Dar es Salaam and Stone Town is included in the price of your tour.
* During your game drives, you’ll travel in a specially equipped 4x4 safari Land Cruiser. The vehicle is open, allowing for panoramic views. Window seats are guaranteed for all travelers. Transfers between parks are long and cross bumpy terrain, so we recommend bringing a small pillow to ease the ride.

Question 4

Baggage allowance

Accepted Answer

* Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
* Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on safari vehicles.
* Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag. Safari luggage restrictions are strict and strongly enforced. It’s essential that your luggage meet the following requirements: 
* Your bag must be a soft, flexible duffel bag (absolutely no hard suitcases or bags with hard sides are permitted).
* Your bags can be no larger than 34” W x 17” H x 15” L.
* The total weight cannot exceed 44 pounds (including your camera equipment and carry-on bag).

Question 5

Clothing & packing tips

Accepted Answer

* Loose-fitting, layered clothing that can accommodate varying temperatures will be most comfortable. Quick-dry material is best for hot days outside, and a warmer layer may be needed for chilly evenings and early mornings.
* Wear muted colors for game drives. Bright clothing may scare animals away, and blue and black clothing attracts tsetse flies.
* Comfortable, closed-toe shoes, such as sneakers or lightweight hiking boots, are best for walking during the day.
* We recommended bringing a cushion or pillow to be comfortable in the safari vehicles during long transfers.
* Pack a swimsuit, as many of the hotels have pools that you are free to use at your leisure.
* Sun protection is very important. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a broad-brimmed hat to protect your face and the back of your neck from the sun.
* Occasional rain showers are common during certain seasons, so lightweight rainwear may be necessary depending on the timing of your trip.
* Mosquito repellent, binoculars, and a flashlight are highly recommended.
* A small bottle of hand sanitizer may be helpful when other facilities are not readily available while on the road.
* The Tanzanian government enforces a strict ban on plastic bags. As of June 1, 2019, it is illegal to use, sell, or carry plastic bags anywhere in the country under the law, and violators will face charges, including high fines or even imprisonment. Please bring reusable cloth bags if you plan to go shopping on tour, and do not pack any plastic bags, including small, resealable bags.

Question 6

Health

Accepted Answer

* At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at [cdc.gov](https://www.cdc.gov).
* Local governments may require proof of a yellow fever vaccination (often referred to as a yellow card) or a statement of medical exemption from the vaccine. This is only required of travelers arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever virus transmission (Please note: This does not include the U.S. or Canada). Visit [cdc.gov/yellowfever](https://www.cdc.gov/yellowfever) for more information.
* Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
* Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they’re cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
* Travelers should be prepared for exposure to the elements, including intense heat, sun, and rain.
* Bring a small first-aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, motion-sickness medication, and any prescription medications, in your carry-on bag.
* If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
* If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
* You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by logging in to your online account and viewing the “Getting Ready” section.

Question 7

Cuisine

Accepted Answer

* Spicy foods are common in Tanzania, and many dishes are infused with coconut milk. Meals consist of maize, grilled meats, maize porridge, and local vegetables. Most restaurants offer curries and other South Asian cuisine brought over by Indian immigrants.

Question 8

Electricity & air conditioning

Accepted Answer

* Tanzania operates on 220-240 volts and uses a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
* We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
* Not all of the hotels on this tour will have air conditioning.
* Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
* Power outages are common. In some of the camps, power is turned off in the late afternoon as well as in the early morning.

Question 9

Connectivity

Accepted Answer

*   Wi-Fi is available in some hotels, though charges may apply.
*   There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches or safari vehicles.
*   Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Question 10

Time zones

Accepted Answer

* Tanzania is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and eight hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET). Tanzania does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
* From November through March, when it’s noon in New York, it’s 8pm on tour. From April through October, when it’s noon in New York, it’s 7pm on tour.

Question 11

Currency

Accepted Answer

* You’ll use the Tanzanian shilling on tour.
* Please note, travelers cannot export more than $5,000 in Tanzanian shillings from Tanzania.
* We recommend that you carry as little local cash as possible, as well as small amounts of U.S. dollars (only crisp bills printed in 2004 or later).
* Major North American credit cards are accepted but can be difficult to use in remote locations (Visa is the most widely accepted).
* International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
* We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Question 12

Tipping

Accepted Answer

- At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Driver Guide (and Tour Director if your group has one) a gratuity in US dollars.
- We recommend tipping $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Driver Guide and $2USD to $3USD per person per day for your Tour Director (if your group has one).
- If applicable, we also recommend tipping $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- You can also expect to be solicited for tips from the hospitality and restaurant staff that you encounter. Leaving as little as $1USD is greatly appreciated, although tipping is entirely at your discretion.

Question 13

Driver Guides & Tour Director

Accepted Answer

- For the duration of your tour you will be assigned to your own Driver Guide and their vehicle in groups of four-six. There will also be one Lead Driver Guide for the whole group.
- You will have the same Driver Guides throughout your journey of Tanzania.
- Your Driver Guide will provide commentary during your game drives which builds on each days activity of the course of your tour.
- The role of the Lead Driver Guide is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- You will also have a dedicated Tour Director in additional to your Driver Guides throughout the duration of your tour.

Question 14

Shopping

Accepted Answer

* You will have the opportunity to shop for local handicrafts, such as wood carvings and textiles, at outdoor markets and roadside stalls. Some lodges will have on-site boutiques as well.
* Prices at most markets are negotiable, so don't be afraid to bargain—it's a great way to strike up a conversation with a local.

Question 15

Items to give or trade

Accepted Answer

* Many Africans are fond of North American goods, and travelers often bring token items (such as T-shirts, baseball caps, pens, English-language books, small toys, and crayons for children) to offer as gifts or when bartering for souvenirs.
* Offering local children candy or gum is somewhat controversial because of their potential lack of access to dental care.
* Go Ahead Tours strongly recommends that you don’t bring any goods that will require batteries or chargers.

Tanzania & Zanzibar Convention

Take a walk on Tanzania’s wild side.

Your tour package includes

Included highlights

Itinerary

Overnight Flight

Day 1: Travel day

Dar es Salaam

Day 2: Arrival in Dar es Salaam

Flights

Add our airfare and you’ll get:

Weather

Stone Town, Tanzania

Mikumi, Tanzania

Iringa, Tanzania

Mwaya, Tanzania

FAQ

This tour has departed

This tour has departed

Tanzania & Zanzibar Convention

Take a walk on Tanzania’s wild side.

Your tour package includes

Included highlights

Itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Dar es Salaam1 night

Day 2: Arrival in Dar es Salaam

Flights

Add our airfare and you’ll get:

Weather

Stone Town, Tanzania

Mikumi, Tanzania

Iringa, Tanzania

Mwaya, Tanzania

FAQ

This tour has departed

This tour has departed

Overnight Flight

Dar es Salaam