A curious Meerkat family sunbathing in Tanzania, Africa

Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions about our Tanzania Tours & Safaris. Please browse the subject that interests you most and contact us here with any questions:

Is Tanzania a safe destination?
Tanzania has been a politically stable country since independence. While all travel has its inherent risks, our part of the world is generally safe and peaceful. You do need to use common sense and behave responsibly within the wildlife areas. While in the national parks wild animals have the right of way, remember we are in their environment and must never harass or disturb them. Be sure to read and abide by the rules of conduct within the national parks and other areas. Be aware and safeguard your valuables at all times especially when in cities and towns. Use the safes provided in hotels and lodges to ensure a pleasant travel experience. Travelers should remember that Tanzania is still a developing nation and sometimes things do not run as smoothly or on the same time schedule as they do in other parts of the world. If you have a positive attitude, good patience and a sense of humor your trip will be much more enjoyable than if you maintain unrealistic expectations for situations.

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Can I bring my children on safari?
A safari is a wonderful opportunity and generally speaking children ages five years and older enjoy the experience. If your children are flexible and adventurous then planning a family safari will certainly create lifetime memories. It’s important to take into consideration that due to the vast distances covered, our safaris entail long stretches in the cars which normally don’t “sit well” with children if you’ll excuse the pun. When children are included in a group we’ll work with you to put on extra stops, limit extremely long days in the vehicles and book lodges that have swimming pools. Tanzanians love children and you’ll be warmly welcomed wherever you go with young ones. It’s important to know that you should NEVER leave your children unattended at a lodge or camp or in any wild area. You are ultimately responsible for the well being of your children.

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What is the best way to get to Tanzania?
For safaris on the northern circuit it’s best to arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) located midway between the towns of Moshi and Arusha. Currently this airport is served daily from Europe by KLM and several times weekly by Ethiopian Airlines. KLM also routes via Nairobi (NBO), Kenya by partnering with Precision Air. Additional airlines such as British, Emirates and others fly into Dar es Salaam (DAR). Arriving via Dar may require an overnight stay and will require the additional expense of connecting with an internal flight on a small regional airline with luggage restrictions. Arriving overland from Nairobi on one of the daily scheduled tourist class shuttles is possible and recommended only for seasoned travelers. You will need to make your own International airline bookings, as that is not part of our service. We can assist you with booking a road transfer should you decide to take that route.

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Who will meet me at the airport?
When you book a safari with Paramount Safaris we will pick you up at your point of arrival in Arusha, northern Tanzania. In most instances the guide who will be with you throughout your safari will meet you on arrival but sometimes you may be met by another representative from Paramount Safaris.

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What is the time difference in Tanzania?
Tanzania is GMT +3 and does not observe daylight saving time. For further information go here. What travel documents do I need? A passport issued by your country of citizenship that is valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date is necessary for entrance to Tanzania. You will also need a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever and most visitors from Europe and America will require a visa.

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Do I need a visa?
Tanzania is the home of some of the most beautiful national parks in the world. If you are considering a visit for a holiday or to conduct business in Tanzania and Zanzibar, you will be required to obtain a visa through the Tanzanian Embassy in Washington, D.C. before your departure. Or you can pick one up on entry at Kilimanjaro International Airport, Dar es Salaam International Airport, or at the Namanga border crossing from Kenya.

To avoid the inconvenience of sometimes waiting in long lines at the airport, and possibly not receiving the visa in time, we advise our customers to obtain their visa stamp on their passports (the fee is the standard $100 US) before departure at our Paramount Safaris offices. We are located at 390 Bel Marin Keys Blvd, Novato, CA and are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm for your convenience. You can reach us at (510) 517-6047.

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Are there special health requirements when visiting Tanzania?
A person needs to be in reasonably good health to undertake the safari experience although it is not a rigorous endeavor. Currently proof of inoculation against yellow fever is required for entry to Tanzania and Zanzibar (you should have the yellow international health card duly filled in where you obtain the inoculation). You must have received this injection more than 10 days before entry. It’s a good idea to visit your healthcare provider for more information regarding other inoculations. Care must be taken regarding protection from contracting malaria. Again, consult with your health care provider. Do understand that there is no drug that will absolutely prevent you from contracting this mosquito-born disease; the most important thing you can do is to avoid being bitten during the evening, nighttime and very early morning hours. Covering up as much as possible, sleeping under a net where provided and using insect repellent on exposed areas helps accomplish this. Remember to stay well hydrated throughout your safari, this is very important. You must bring an adequate supply of any prescription medications with you. Keep this on your person during flights.

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How safe is the food and water?
We recommend you drink bottled or specially filtered water (where provided) throughout your safari and remember to drink at least one litre or more of water per day. The standard of food preparation at the hotels and lodges we use is very high resulting in a very low instance of food-associated problems. Some people do experience a period of adjustment to food they are not used to so be prepared by bringing antacids and over the counter medication for diarrhoea and remember to stay hydrated if you have problems.

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