We highly recommend that you purchase insurance for the following: trip cancellation, lost/stolen baggage, extended medical, and evacuation costs. An unforeseen illness or unexpected event may require you to cancel your trip. In order to protect yourself, your baggage, and/or personal property, a short-term traveler’s insurance package may be purchased through your travel/insurance agent who can advise you as to what is available and the costs. Shrike Safaris will not be responsible for any costs incurred by passengers for such occurrences and circumstances. We will do whatever is possible to help, but you are responsible for all expenses.

A yellow fever vaccination is only required to enter Tanzania if you are arriving from, or have transited through, a yellow fever endemic area in South America or Africa-including East African countries such as Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. This means that if your itinerary includes visits to both Kenya and Tanzania, you may be asked to show proof of yellow fever vaccination when entering either country. The CDC and WHO each provide a current list of all affected countries. If vaccination for yellow fever is necessary, you must carry an International Certificate of Vaccination provided by your physician; you may be denied entry without it. If your physician advises against receiving the vaccination because of your personal medical history, he or she can provide you with the necessary documentation for the country/countries you are visiting

Tanzania has a cash-based economy. Cash transactions can be made in either U.S. dollars or local currency. U.S. dollars should be recently issued bills in smaller denominations. Major credit cards are accepted on a very limited basis, mainly in the largest shops, hotels, and lodges. Access to ATM machines is available in large cities such as Mwanza, Arusha, and Dar es Salaam but limited in rural areas. However, Diners Club and American Express may not be accepted. Proof of identification may be required when paying by credit card, so be sure to carry some form of photo identification at all times.

Your passport needs to be valid for at least six (6) months after your journey ends and should have a minimum of two (2) blank visa pages for entry and exit stamps. A tourist visa is required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders for entry into Tanzania. There are currently two options available as outlined below. Shrike recommends an electronic visa (eVisa). Electronic Visa (eVisa). To apply for an eVisa, visit eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa. The current fee for a multiple-entry visa, which is valid for one year, is USD $100 for Americans and US Dollar 50 for Europeans (subject to change without notice). 
We recommend that you apply at least 30 days prior to your arrival date. In the section that asks for “Port Type” you can choose either Airports or Roads based upon the type of entry/exit in your specific itinerary. The specific ports of entry are not required fields and can be left blank. In the section that asks for “Company name/Organization Registration No.,” you can enter Shrike Company Limited. In the section that asks “Where are you going to stay?” chose the hotel and then list the name of the first hotel/ lodge on your itinerary. Read and follow all instructions carefully to ensure a smooth arrival in Tanzania. If you experience technical problems with the eVisa website, try again a few hours later or the following day. 
NOTE: Visas can be obtained on arrival in Tanzania, however, the Tanzanian government has implemented recent changes to the visa on arrival process that require applicants to wait in several different lines and can take in excess of two hours to complete.
If you are asked to provide contact information for your local tour operator, please use: 
SHRIKE COMPANY LIMITEDBlock M, Plot # 65MwanzaTanzania—East Africagro.sirafasekirhs%40ofni+255 688 613 152

Our partner iVisa offers easy, efficient U.S.passport and visa processing. Visit them online at https://www.ivisa.com/tanzania-visa. Service fees apply. Citizens of other countries should contact the appropriate consular office for entry requirements pertaining to their journey.

Visit https://tz.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/ for country-specific COVID-19 information, including up-to-date entry requirements for Tanzania or any onwards travel. Entry requirements for Tanzania can be sent to you with your final documents, as they are subject to change.

The government of Tanzania implemented a ban on plastic bags. The ban applies to “carrier and flat bags,” primarily targeting bags from shops and grocery stores, but also extending to duty-free bags and bubble wrap. If tourists have those types of bags visible while in the airport, they are likely to be confiscated. Bags designed for multiple uses, such as zippered cosmetic bags, are not included in the ban.

For keen photographers, we advise a minimum zoom of 300mm, a 70-300mm lens is recommended. Binoculars are also very useful on safari, especially for keen birders; a specification of 10 x 40 would be ideal. It is possible to rent a pair from The Safari Store.
The mains electricity supply is 220 to 250 volts, 50 cycles, and uses UK-style plugs. On safari, many lodges and tented camps operate their own generators which offer intermittent electricity. Short power cuts may be expected – rather than being a cause of frustration, this should be seen as part of the charm of the safari experience! We recommend taking a small flashlight. It is possible to charge cameras, phones, and tablets in all camps at some point during your stay. Hairdryers requiring extra power cannot be used in some camps and lodges.

Internal scheduled and charter aircraft flights within East Africa, each passenger is limited to a maximum baggage weight of 33 pounds (15 kilograms) - including hand luggage. These regulations are rigorously enforced so please limit your luggage to the appropriate weight. Please also take your luggage in soft-sided bags or duffels without wheels or rigid handles - i.e kit bags or similar rather than rigid suitcases. Dimensions should not exceed 23 inches (58 centimeters) long x 13 inches (33 centimeters) high x 10 inches (25 centimeters) wide. Please note that the international airlines do lose or mislay hold luggage depressingly frequently, and we strongly suggest that you take any essential items (such as a change of clothes/malaria tablets/medicines, etc) with you in hand luggage. 

Choose comfortable and casual clothing in natural, "breathable" fabrics and versatile styles that can be layered, as temperatures may vary considerably in the course of the day. For game viewing, wear neutral colors (though not camouflage, which is illegal in most national parks and reserves). Black, navy, or other dark colors tend to attract insects specifically tsetse fly. Smart casual attire is appropriate for evenings. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for those planning bush walks or walking safaris. Guests intending to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru should pack thermal underwear, light layers, a sweater, a warm jacket, good socks, and sturdy boots. Formal clothing is not necessary. 
CLOTHING
● Comfortable walking shoes with traction● Polo shirts, casual short—sleeve shirts, or blouses● A pair of rubber beach sandals to use as slippers. ● Long sleeve shirts or blouses● Walking shorts ● Casual slacks 

If you are traveling during Africa's winter months of mid—May through early September, bring warm clothing—a heavy sweater, hat, gloves, lined jacket to protect against chilly early morning and evening temperatures. A lined jacket is needed year—round when visiting the Ngorongoro Crater. 
●  Swimwear/cover-up ● Personal garments● Sunglasses/ Sunblock● Brimmed hat for sun protection ● SocksOther Recommended Items● Sports bra for women for bumpy roads ● Prescriptions and medications (in their original bottles and/or packaging)● Insect repellent with a high % of DEET to protect you against mosquitos and tsetse flies*● Extra eyeglasses/contact lenses● Charging cables for electronics● Global travel adapter ● Simple first—aid kit● Smartphone ● Sleepwear 
OPTIONAL ITEMS
● Small LED flashlight● Lightweight binoculars● Foldable walking stick● Small daypack or fanny pack● Low-suds detergent for washing small items of personal laundry● Inflatable pillow or stadium cushion can make bumpy roads more comfortable

NOTE: Many properties provide insect repellent in rooms/tents. However, you may wish to bring your own preferred brand. Laundry Service is available at most hotels, lodges, and camps. Because some laundries in Tanzania do not accept any underclothing, be prepared to wash your own smalls. Laundry techniques may not be suitable for delicate and/or synthetic fabrics. Check costs and return times before using these services

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view) there are many guide books that have been written about Tanzania by non-Tanzanians. This has caused the problem of reporting and publishing information that is not often accurate.
Most people who write guide books have their own “personal points of view” that may or may have much to do with Tanzanian reality. Some guide books push the “accepted norm” that Tanzania is “cheap” and that is just not the case. In some cases, it is cheap (compared to what?) and on the other hand, is not. This causes problems for locals because most of the travelers use the guide books as “travel bibles” and often demand ridiculously low prices for certain products or services. This often creates problems with the tour operators that have to “compete by lowering prices” as opposed to competing with better services. We feel most guide books are helpful and have generally good information.

Gratuities for most services during your trip are covered in the overall cost. We are often asked, however, whether it is appropriate to tip your local safari/ mountain guide and safari leader and what a reasonable amount might be. While we have considered including such gratuities in the overall trip cost, we always come back to the belief that recognizing excellent service is a personal matter. If you feel your safari guide has provided an exceptional adventure experience, gratuities are encouraged and welcomed—at the end of the trip. A minimum gratuity on a 7—Day Safari is US Dollar 140 per guest (about $ 20 per day) while on a 7—Day Kilimanjaro Trek is US Dollar 130 per guest per day. The gratuity is then divided among your mountain guides and the trekking crew (porters, chefs, drivers, etc.).