Dear friends, we would love to provide you a wide range of answers for the most frequently asked questions we have been getting over the years. If you have any further, please feel free to contact us via: Phone number: ( whatsApp +255 7555 49872) or Email: info@chiefstours.com.
We will be happy to give you all necessary information before your decision to traveling with us in your memorable trip to Tanzania. Below are FAQs divided into 3 categories: General information, Mountain Climbing and Safaris.
***
You will require a passport valid for at least six months after your date of entry. If you are arriving from a country in which Yellow Fever is endemic (such as Kenya), you will require an immunization certificate or health card.
Each traveller is responsible for sorting out their own passport and visa requirements, and we cannot offer much assistance in this matter. If you do not yet have a passport, apply for one early, as they can take some time to arrive. If you already have a passport, double check when it expires.
While Tanzania is a commonwealth country, UK citizens definitely do need a visa to enter. This is also true for citizens of South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, India, Nigeria and Canada. Visas usually cost in the neighborhood of $50 (around £40), but some visas from the US can cost $100. Tanzanian visas expire three months after they are issued so be careful not to apply too soon.
Visas can be purchased upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (IATA code: JRO), but you can expect long queues, and for the process to take an extra hour or more. The Tanzanian High Commission has stressed that they have the right to deny visas applied for on arrival. We have never had a report of this happening, but it is a danger best avoided.
For these reasons, we highly recommend that travellers get their visa in advance if at all possible. More information about applying for a Tanzanian visa in the UK can be found here. On the other hand, many US travellers prefer to avoid risking their passports in the mail, and other potential delays, by applying upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airports.
Tanzania is a safe country to travel in. Tanzanians are warm-hearted and generous people and are eager to help and assist visitors. As in all countries, a little common sense goes a long way and reasonable precautions should still be taken, such as locking valuables in the hotel safe, do not carry a lot of camera equipment especially in the major cities, do not wear too much jewel and do not carry too large amounts of cash with you, etc.
Chief’s Tours Guides will monitor your safety in cities and in the game areas. From time to time generalized travel statements are issued concerning travel conditions in the area. For the current Department of State announcements and Consular information see http://travel.state.gov/.
Chief’s Tours is located in the Kilimanjaro region where there is a great source of clean drinking water from the mountain. Although we always encourage our customers to reduce using plastic bottles by refilling yours with our boiled water (please ask if you require), it is still best to drink bottled water when travelling through Tanzania - numerous brands are widely available and served in all restaurants and lodges. You also can buy bigger sizes like 5-10-20liter. Steer clear of ice, raw vegetables, and salads when eating at street restaurants. High-end lodges and restaurants will clean their produce in an antiseptic solution, but to be on the safe side, fruit and vegetables should always be washed and peeled. Try to avoid eating in empty restaurants - the food may have been sitting out for some time - and order your meat well done. On the coast, seafood and fish are usually fresh, but make sure everything is well-cooked.
The food served in the safari camps/lodges varies, but is tasty and delicious. Gourmet cooks bake fresh bread, and produce soups, salads, and entrees that could easily grace tables at the top restaurants around the world. Meals are international in flavor with soups, salads, cold meats, pasta dishes, meat and fish dishes, and breads. Your day normally starts with tea and biscuits before your morning activity.
Returning to your lodge or camp late morning, brunch is enjoyed - cereals, fruit, bacon, eggs, sausage, and toast. Buffet lunches are typical with a warm dish such as stew served with salads, quiches and cold meats. Dinner consists of an appetizer followed by meat, fish and pasta dishes served with assorted vegetables and sauces. Dinner is followed by coffee/ tea, cheeses, and stunning desserts.
In Tanzania's towns and villages, the food is usually simpler. Nyama choma (grilled meat) is very popular and often served with sauce, rice, chips, or ugali (cornmeal). Indian cuisine is also widespread. The locally brewed beer is good, including Serengeti, Safari, Kilimanjaro, mbege (homebrew from the Chagga people originally from Kilimanjaro region) and banana beer; imported beers (e.g. Tusker from Kenya) and wine are also excellent.
Here are some recommended vaccination to travel to our country:
Please, consult your local immunization doctor before you travel abroad. You can also check up-to-date at the Center for Disease control and receive the guidelines.
Tanzania is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+3). Tanzania does not operate daylight saving time, hence there's no time difference between their summer and winter months.
The International Dialling Code for Tanzania is +255, followed by the applicable area codes (e.g. 22 for Dar es Salaam, or 27 for Arusha). Calling out from Tanzania, you dial 00 plus the relevant country code (44 for the UK, 1 for the USA).
The official unit of currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS), divided into 100 cents. Notes are issued as TSh10,000; 5000; 1000; 500; 200 and 100. Coins are issued as TSh100; 50; 20; 10, 5 and 1.
The tourism industry prices everything in US Dollars and they are the preferred unit of currency. Major currencies can be exchanged in the larger towns. Foreign exchange bureaux in the main towns usually offer a better rate on traveler's cheques than do the banks. ATMs are available in major cities only. Major lodges, some hotels and travel agents in urban areas accept credit cards, but these should not be relied on and can incur a 10% surcharge.
***
Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed anytime throughout the year. Most travelers prefer climbing during the dry seasons: December to March, June to October. Many consider the best months to climb Kilimanjaro to be January, February and September
The trek up Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb. You do not require any mountaineering equipment to reach the summit. In fact, anyone in good physical condition can reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. You should be able to run for at least half an hour without feeling shortness of breath. You should also be able to walk for at least 2 hours in hilly terrains without feeling overly exhausted. No one with a sore throat, cold or breathing problems should go beyond 3000m. Anyone with heart or lung problems should consult his/her physician before attempting to climb Mt Kilimanjaro.
Yes, all Tanzania National Park (TANAPA) fees are included in our Kilimanjaro price. Currently, the conservation fees at Kilimanjaro National Park are: US$70 per person per day and US$50 per person per night for camping. Crew entry fees and Tanzanian Forest Services Agency (TFS) fees (applicable for Rongai, Shira and Lemosho routes) are also included in our Kilimanjaro price.
Yes! The minimum age limit set by Kilimanjaro National Park for children trekking to Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro is 10 years old.
You can expect equatorial to arctic conditions on Mt Kilimanjaro. Depending on the route chosen, you will begin your trek in dry plains or tropical forests with average temperatures between 25⁰C and 30⁰C. You will then ascend through various terrains and weather zones to arrive at the permanently snow-capped summit. Expect rainfalls and sub-zero temperatures on your trek.
It depends on the route chosen, most trekkers take 4-6 days to reach the summit. The longer you spend on the mountain, the more time your body gets to acclimatize, the higher the chance you will succeed in reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro.
Please refer to Chief’s Tour Equipment Checklist for your information.
Yes, any excess luggage you do not need to carry with you on Mount Kilimanjaro can be left safely at our office. You should keep valuable items with you at all times.
Each porter can carry up to 20kg of luggage.
Our typical food on the mountain includes:
- BREAKFAST: Coffee,Tea, Porridge, Fruits, Fruit juice, Scrambled eggs/omelet, Sausage, Toast, Margarine, Honey and jam, etc.
- LUNCH: Tea, Coffee, Chips, Sandwiches, Biscuits, Pancakes with honey or jam, and fruits, other nutritious Tanzanian-styled meals, etc.
- DINNER: Soup, well-cooked meat or vegetarian meal (these include chicken/beef with rice, sliced fresh carrots and green beans, mashed potatoes, and salads), etc, fruits, and fruit juice, and a variety of hot drinks.
If you have any suggestions about meals, please do not hesitate to inform us and we will work on it as you prefer. Also please refer to pictures of our sample food.
Of course! We can cater for vegetarian, gluten-free, or any other special diets. Kindly let us know at the time of booking.
Since Chief's Tours operates private guided climbs, you will not be trekking with any strangers : )
Yes, 100%! Because we do not join groups together, you can choose to start your climb on any day you choose.
Before obtaining their license, all guides need to attend training provided by Kilimanjaro National Park – on both theory and practical components as well as First Aid. They will need to pass an exam before they can get their license. We would never consider anyone who is not certified. We always interview potential candidates before we would hire them. We would only use someone who is knowledgeable, has a good attitude and good English as an assistant guide. We reject a lot of candidates asking for a job because they do not meet our standards. Before we would promote someone as chief guide, he would need to have a lot of experience on the mountain and has many good feedbacks from clients. Still, we would retrain lead guides and let them know of clients’ feedback so they can keep improving.
We always boil and filter drinking water for our clients. Cooks always make sure the food is well cooked and the utensils are sterilized with clean hot water before they are used. The mess tent is cleaned on a daily basis. Mess tents are solely reserved for clients’ use and we do not allow porters to sleep in them.
Yes. The price also includes the salary of a porter to carry the oxygen tanks during your summit attempt.
Yes, portable toilets is available for rental at US$100/trip
For other equipment rentals, please kindly refer to Chief’s Tour Equipment Rental list
You will have one lead guide and an assistant guide for 2-3 climbers.
We use high-quality tents imported from the USA, Canada and Australia. We also provide foam mattresses designed for mountain excursions (not the thin yoga mat type).
You will have 4-6 porters per person for your group. This depends on your group size and the weight of your luggage.
The porters will carry all the tents, food, and the luggage that you do not require while hiking so you will only need to carry a day pack during the day.
All of our lead guides are trained and certified in the following areas: altitude sickness and recognizing symptoms in the early stages, emergency use of oxygen, wilderness first responder and performing CPR. Each guide carries a first aid kit which includes: paracetamol, Imodium, ibuprofen, rehydration salts, paraffin gauze, sterile swabs, bandages, plasters, cotton wools, latex gloves & tongs, antiseptic disinfectant, antimicrobial cream, antihistamine, Diamox, etc
We check in with the clients and crew daily at camp as they are equipped with mobile phones. Each ranger post also has radio communication.
Because you will have many guides and assistant guides, an assistant will take the ill person down while the rest of the group goes on. If the person is extremely sick then we call for a dispatch for stretcher – the rescue fee is included in your quote. But before reaching that point, our guides are very careful and they will monitor the health of everyone every day on the mountain to make sure that the sickness does not get to that point.
We would recommend that you carry no more than 10kg. The average is 7kg. You only need to carry the essentials (3L drinking water, valuables, camera, lunch/snacks, rain layer...). The rest of the items you can leave with porters to carry
Yes. In addition to paying a proper wage above minimum rate and supplying proper food and tents on the mountain, we also cover for any medical expenses in case of injury or illness arising from work.
Most certainly! Please ask. Chief’s Tours will be happy to answer you any kind of question!
***
Chief’s Tours driver will pick you up and transfer you to designation hotels. Picking up on arriving airport and dropping off is included on our package. We arrange also other group transport if required.
Tanzania safari wildlife safari prices depending on the number of people in each trip, how many days of safari and the level of comfort or luxury. Our packages covers:
We ensure everyone gets a window seat. All of our Safari vehicles are 4×4 Toyota Land Cruisers that takes 4 people, if 6 including a driver and a safari guide for the extended ones.
A wildlife guide, who is also your private driver, will accompany you. If you choose a camping safari, you will also travel with a chef, who will prepare all of your delicious meals while in the bush..
Pack packs with without flames is better and suitcases. Those luggage may be packed on back or in the roof rack of safari 20 Kg (44lbs) are maximum weight.
Typical day in a Safari starts early in the morning with breakfast, full-day game drive and dinner.
The vast majority of Tanzanians still live a lifestyle very close to their traditional lifestyles, and most local people are subsistence farmers.
Bright color clothes are not suitable for any game view. Take comfortable clothes and huts and sun for Tanzania safari.
The food depends on what kind of hotels and lodges you stay in, it can either be a 4 star or a 3-star quality. There are various lodges or tented camps that provide best meals and food for your Tanzania safari.
Of course, Chief’s Tours are happy to serve visitors with any kind of diet. Whether your meals are prepared by your private chef on a basic camping safari, or by the lodge or camp chef, given advance notice we can usually accommodate any special dietary needs. Be sure to discuss these with us early in the planning stages.
The process is conducted via email. We may be able to arrange telephones or video calls (Skype/WhatsApp/Messenger/Snapchat/LINE etc.). Documents will be scanned and sent to you via email.
We highly recommend these books:
Thank you for considering us. Let Chief's Tours guide you on your memorable trip to Tanzania!
Contact: +255 7555 49872 / + 255 676 549872
Email: info@chiefstours.com | Website: https://chiefstours.com/