CURRENCY
Tanzania's currency is interchangeable in Banks
and after hours in Bureaux de changes. We advise
you to change only the money that you will need.
Consult your Professional Guide for advice. Foreign
money should be carried in the form of travelers
cheques and cash.
As of Jan 2004, there are roughly 1050 shillings
to one U.S. dollar. Any Tanzanian shillings remaining
at the end of the trip may be exchanged back into
foreign currency.
Credit Cards, Travelers Checks, Banks
In a few places, credit cards may be used in Tanzania
to purchase goods, but do not rely on them. Personal
cheques may be used as well.
Banking hours in Arusha are Monday through Friday
8:30a 3.00 p.m.
Saturday from 8:30am to 11:30pm. Banks are closed
on Sunday.
N.B. Airport Taxes
There is no departure tax from Tanzania, as the
tax is now included in your plane ticket.
CUSTOMS
U.S. residents may bring home duty free, $400
worth of goods
acquired abroad, 100 cigars, and unlimited amount
of cigarettes and one quart of liquor. There is
no customs duty on a reasonable
amount of wood carvings and indigenous gemstones
over the $400
maximum so long as they are purchased for personal
use. However,
they must be declared at U.S. Customs inspection.
Under no circumstances should sheath knives be
taken on safari.
BAGGAGE
Restrictions:
From the U.S. to Africa, the baggage restriction
is one piece of soft
luggage of reasonable weight and one piece of
hand luggage per
person. However, from Africa to Europe, the restriction
is 50
pounds per person plus one piece of hand luggage.
You will be
charged excess rates for additional baggage.
Insurance:
While
every safety precaution is taken, Firelight Safaris
will not be responsible for damage or loss of
baggage at any time. Please
investigate personal baggage insurance and trip
cancellation insurance.
Cameras/Film:
Please carry film and camera equipment on your
person as there is a possibility of damage from
airport security devices (they differ from equipment
used in the U.S.).
Baggage on Safari:
Bring one piece of soft luggage per person for
your safari (no hard suitcases). Any excess luggage
will be stored in Arusha.
CLOTHING
On safari, the general rule of thumb is less is
better. The exception
to that rule is film.
Following are suggestions to take:
Shirts 3 Short sleeve, 2 long-sleeve
Pants 3 Pair shorts, 2 pair long pants
Jacket 1 lightweight windbreaker
Sweater 1 cotton
shoes 1 pair walking shoes/sneakers/sandal
Socks 2 pair
Underwear 2-3 pair
Bathing suit
Hat
Sunglasses, Sunscreen
Optional: Collared shirt, tie, slacks, shoes for
city.
Miscellaneous items: Binoculars (one pair per
viewer) is a must.
Camera/lenses (the bigger/longer the better)
Cash, credit cards
diary
Electric converter, maps
Playing cards pens/pencils
Reading material, video camera
Tickets, travelers checks
MEDICAL
It is important to consult your health department
for information on vaccinations needed.
Following
are telephone numbers for your convenience:
Chicago (312) 686-2150
Los Angeles (213) 215-2365
Miami (305) 526-2910
New York (718) 917-1685
San Francisco (415) 876-2872
Seattle (206) 442-4519
Yellow fever vaccinations are not required if
you are
traveling to Tanzania, only if you are traveling
on to South Africa or Kenya.
Tetanus booster is also recommended.
Anti-malaria medication should be taken on arrival
in Tanzania and up to departure. The recommended
medication is Malarone.
Take all personal medicines, including copies
of prescriptions.
Following
is a check list of possible items to take along:
Antihistamines, Band-Aids, Cotton-tipped swabs
Diarrhea medicine, Eye-drops, Indigestion remedy
Foot powder, Laxative Vitamins
Insect repellent, Nasal spray, Pain reliever
Motion sickness remedy, Thermometer, Skin cleanser
Sleeping pills
Handiwipes (moist towels) (glasses, lenses, medicines)
Tranquilizers
Salt tablets
Prescriptions (make sure you bring enough with
you)
Toiletries
SAFARI
RULES
Be on time. Be quiet when game viewing; the sounds
of the wild are as interesting as the sights.
Be considerate of others. Be polite. Open and
honest communication with your guide is always
helpful and appreciated.
PHOTOGRAPHY
35mm cameras-Double the amount of film you think
you will need. Our recommendation is 40 rolls
per 35mm camera. Use "Professional"
quality film. Take into consideration photographic
opportunities in low light (i.e. early morning,
early evening), or fast movement, and have appropriate
film. To photograph animals, long lenses (i.e.
200mm to 500mm) are strongly suggested.
Digital cameras-Suggest you bring along the capacity
for about 750 pictures.
Photo tips
1. Know your camera before going on safari. Take
owners manual with you, along with lens cleaning
tissue, dust spray, spare batteries for camera
and flash unit, small sturdy tripod.
2. When not taking pictures, keep camera in plastic
dust-proof bag.
3. Use film shield bags for airport X-ray machines
(essential for
any film 400ASA and over).
4. Keep exposed film where it will not be exposed
to excessive heat.
5. On safari, have camera ready at all times.
Pre-set speed and aperture to suit the light and
likely subject matter. Always advance film after
each frame taken. Wildlife photography is characterized
by the suddenness with which action happens.
GENERAL
INFORMATION
Climate
Located 3’ south of the equator, temperatures
in Northern Tanzania vary little year round. Typically,
they range from 55% - 65%F at night and between
75% - 90%F during the day. Since most of the trip
is conducted at elevations of 4,500' or more above
sea level, there is very little humidity.
Time
Tanzania's time zone: GMT plus 3 hours. Example:
8am in New York is 3pm same day in Tanzania.
Business Hours
Local business hours: generally, 8:30am to 5 PM;
businesses are closed Saturday afternoons and
Sunday
Electricity
Electric current: 220/240 volts. Bayonet-type
lamp sockets, two pin
round and three pin square plugs. Facilities for
charging video batteries are available in camp,
no extra equipment required.
Staff tips
Although based on your personal experiences, we
recommend as follows: $15 per client per day for
all the staff.
Language
Kiswahili is the language of the local population.
