F.A.Q. Ethiopia Tours & SafarisEthiopia Tours & Safaris

F.A.Q.

Why travel with Djoser to Kenya and Tanzania on the “Explore Tanzania” safari?

Djoser flies to Africa with reliable and comfortable airlines. The National Parks and reserves of northern Tanzania need little introduction to wildlife enthusiasts. The vast Serengeti National Park is arguably the finest reserve on the continent, home to millions of plains animals and a profusion of predators. The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world, while Tarangire National Park is well known for its dense elephant population and magnificent baobab trees. Add to this Mount Meru, Africa’s fifth highest mountain, at 14,980 feet, which dominates the horizon when visiting the bustling town of Arusha, the gateway to the reserves of northern Tanzania. Here we explore Africa's spectacular Rift Valley, with the wide open plains of East Africa stretching before us. This safari explores Africa's tribal people and its wildlife unchallenged in their diversity.

I will be joining an international group. Will I have problems with language?

The tours are conducted in English (only) by a local African guide making communications quite easy. You will join an international group of English-speaking travelers from Australia, England, Holland, Germany and North America. Fellow travelers will also come from sources other than Djoser.

Will I get to see the ‘big five’ on this tour?

The ‘big five’ (lion, elephant, rhinoceros, leopard and buffalo) can be seen year-round. In the dry season, from April until October, the wild animals are concentrated around the water pools, so they will be easy for you to photograph.

Are the entrance fees for the national parks included in the travel price?

Yes, the entrance fees for all National Parks on the itinerary are included in the trip price. All optional activities, unscheduled or optional national / game parks and other activities are at your own expense.

What is the best time to travel to Kenya and Tanzania?

The climate is generally sunny and pleasant, subtropical along the East Coast; sunny days and cool nights. Eastern plateau region has a dry, sunny climate in winter with maximum temperatures around 70o F and a minimum at night of around 40o F. The rainfall season is between November and March, though animals are easier to spot during the dry season.

What are the entry requirements for this trip?

All travelers will require a full valid passport, and it is your responsibility to ensure that you have valid visas for all countries visited on your holiday, and / or sufficient blank pages for any visas and for entry/departure stamps. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your holiday. If you have more then one passport, we recommend that you use one passport only for the entire journey. This will save problems and potential delays at border crossings. Requirements differ depending on your nationality - check with the appropriate embassies for details.

KENYA – Entry Requirements
A passport and visa ($70) are required. On the Kenya & Tanzania trip a double entry visa is required. Visas should be obtained in advance, although airport visas are available. Travelers who opt to obtain an airport visa should expect delays upon arrival. There is a fee for the visa, whether obtained in advance or at the airport. Evidence of yellow fever immunization may be requested.

Travelers may obtain the latest information on visas as well as any additional details regarding entry requirements from the Embassy of Kenya, 2249 R Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 387-6101, or the Kenyan Consulates General in Los Angeles and New York City. Persons outside the United States should contact the nearest Kenyan embassy or consulate.

TANZANIA - Entry Requirements
A passport and visa ($62.50) are required for travel to Tanzania. U.S. citizens with valid passports may obtain a visa prior to arrival. Contrary to embassy visa instructions that state that you need “proof of having sufficient funds to maintain the applicant while in Tanzania”, as of 6-15-05, according to the embassy and also according to our recommended visa service, this requirement is NOT necessary for tourist visas. The embassy uses the same instruction sheet for all kinds of visas and assured us that this is not necessary. U.S. passports should be valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date the visa is obtained, whether it is acquired beforehand or at the port of entry. Also, foreigners are required to show their passports when entering or exiting the islands of Unguja (more commonly known as, and hereafter referred to as, Zanzibar) and Pemba.

Detailed entry information may be obtained from the Tanzanian Embassy at 2139 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 939-6125; or the Tanzanian Permanent Mission to the United Nations at 205 East 42nd Street, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10017, telephone (212) 972-9160. Overseas, inquiries may be made at the nearest Tanzanian embassy or consulate.

You will need a passport and visas for both Kenya and Tanzania. Over the last couple of years there have been changes with embassies requiring fees and documentation requirements. Therefore we ask that you request your forms directly from the embassy so you can get the most up-to-date requirements.

If you need a passport or visa service to process your documents or need rush service, we recommend a service called It’s Easy, located in New York. You can check their website http://www.itseasypassport.com for passport and visa requirements and to download the current forms and rates and processing fees. Or you can call them to fax you forms if you do not have Internet. Please indicate you were referred by Djoser, Inc to get a 10% discount of the processing fee. They provide rush service for an additional fee.

What should I bring with me on this tour?

Most people make the mistake of taking along too much clothing. Take along comfortable, casual and semi-casual, “wash & wear” clothes. There will be opportunities to wash clothing OR have it washed along the way. Bright colours and white are not suitable for game viewing. Please also avoid clothing resembling army uniforms (i.e. army jackets, caps, and trousers). Please dress appropriately when crossing borders (no bare feet, bare chests, no bikini tops, no sunglasses or hats), when visiting markets, villages, and towns and when traveling in the vehicle.

The list below is purely a guideline: 1 pair of smart/casual trousers 3 pairs of shorts 7 shirts/T-shirts (any combination) 1 light cotton dress for the ladies 2 fleeces /sweatshirts for the cool evenings 1 wind-breaker / water-proof jacket 1 warm jacket 1 pair of walking/running shoes 1 pair of sandals/ reef shoes (useful for showers) Underwear and socks 1 bathing suit 1 sun hat/visor 1 towel 1 litre water bottle (essential) 1 flashlight with batteries (essential) Toilet paper Bath soap Toothbrush/toothpaste Shampoo & conditioner Deodorant Comb/brush Razor & blades (preferably battery-operated shaver) Suntan lotion/sun block Lip balm Hand cream & moisturizing cream Insect repellent Tissues or disposable moist tissues (e.g. Wet Ones) Detergent Plastic bags (to pack wet/dirty clothing) Sunglasses Glasses (if worn) – some people have trouble with contact lenses & dust Pen for immigration formalities Notebook

PERSONAL MEDICAL KIT We suggest that you take along the following: Plasters/band aids Aspirins/paracetamol Anti-diarrhea pills (consult your pharmacist for advice) Throat lozenges Antiseptic cream Insect repellent Anti-malaria tablets Insect repellent (Jungle Formula) Fungal infection powder Oral rehydration powder (e.g. Cera-lite, etc.) Eye drops Sunscreen Moisturizer Any other medicines & toiletries you regularly use (e.g. tampons or condoms)

Can I recharge the batteries for my digital camera or video camera during this tour?

At most places where you camp out you can recharge your batteries for a fee at the reception or at a nearby lodge. Please remember that taking photos of people can sometimes cause great offense and permission should be asked beforehand. In addition to this, some African governments do not allow photos to be taken at any government, police or army post, borders, bridges or military roadblocks. If in doubt, ask your guide.

Is it possible to extend this tour?

If you would like an extension (early arrival or later departure from the destination country) you can request an extension when you book for $100 per flight extension. When you book your trip you can request a layover at the city en route to the destination. The layover cost is $150 for the flight deviation. Djoser will book these flights subject to availability. Please let us know when you book how many nights and where you wish to extend or layover. Neither hotels nor airport transfers are provided for layovers and extensions for this tour.

What are the accommodations like?

Hotels, lodges or chalets will be simple, clean basic traveler’s accommodations. In some cases bath facilities may be on a sharing basis.

Use the following link to view some of our accommodations: http://www.djoserusa.com/hotels

What is the transportation like on this trip?

All of our Adventure vehicles are custom built to suit the African terrain. We use Mercedes Benz or MAN, with large glass windows for game and scenery viewing, which, when open, give the feeling of being in an open vehicle. The interior is spacious with forward facing coach-style seating. There is ample space inside the vehicle to store your daypack. The large enclosed storage area of the vehicle holds the camping gear and luggage, with separate sections for the food. The vehicle has a large water tank and a fully-equipped field kitchen, with fold-down tables. There are two safes on board, one for passengers and one for vehicular documents. Long-range fuel and water tanks keep us self-sufficient. We may use smaller vehicles in the event of smaller groups.

Use the following link to view slides of the transportation we use: http://www.djoserusa.com/transportation

How is the food organized during the safaris?

Your guides will make every effort to prepare nutritious and filling meals. In Africa, especially in the more remote areas, availability of foods and fresh products are often limited. This may result in the duplication of ingredients and meals. The vehicle will be well-stocked with staple foods at the beginning of the trip. We try to maintain as much variety throughout the expedition as possible, restocking from stores and markets along the way. While making no special provisions for vegetarians, we have found in the past that there are ample choices available. Our guides are also trained to cater for vegetarians.
You will be expected to purchase all of your own drinks. Beer, cool drinks, bottled water, local wine and spirits, etc. are usually readily available at reasonable prices. Bottled water is normally available in most large towns. Discuss this in detail with your guide, as this could affect your health.
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