Useful Information for the Walking Safari

Arrival

Travel to Kilimanjaro Airport (depending on availability) will depart from Vienna Airport or another airport in Europe. To ensure all participants can fly together, we offer to organize flight bookings through a shared travel agency. If you would like to extend your stay and/or book a different return flight, please let us know. We will gladly assist you with the booking and obtain a quote from the travel agency. Participants booking their own flights will be responsible for any additional costs for extra transportation and/or accommodation if they do not arrive or depart at the same time as the group.

Electricity

230 volt mains voltage. A 3-pin (UK) adapter is required. However, there is no connection to the power grid during the first 7 days of the tour.

Food & Water

Matthew and his team will take care of water and food (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for you throughout the entire safari. You'll receive water already bottled in 1- or 1.5-liter bottles. However, it might be a good idea to carry some energy boosters like granola bars, dextrose, chewing gum, or nuts in your daypack.

Exchange money / currency

Currency: Tanzanian Shilling, exchange rate (October 2026): 1 EUR = 2950 TSH

The first camp is located in remote Maasai territory, in a very small village. Therefore, it's advisable to exchange your money for Tanzanian shillings in the city of Arusha, as there will be few opportunities to do so later. Your guide will be happy to show you where the bank/exchange office is.

Generally, €300-500 should be sufficient "pocket money" for the entire trip, though this naturally depends on individual needs. What might you need money for? Souvenirs, drinks (like cola or beer), and tips for the crew. There are also international ATMs in Arusha where you can withdraw cash.

Vaccination, malaria prophylaxis, travel medicine kit

Generally, everyone must decide about vaccinations for themselves and should ideally discuss this with their family doctor/pharmacist or a tropical medicine institute. Yellow fever vaccination: Proof of yellow fever vaccination is not generally required for entry into Tanzania, unless you are arriving from a "yellow fever risk area" and have a longer stay (12 hours) there. This includes Ethiopia and Kenya. In such cases, your transit time will be checked upon arrival. Please also consider potential flight delays and changes when calculating your transit time.

More information: https://crm.de/reiselaender/

Regarding malaria, insect repellent is advisable. During the dry season, conditions aren't ideal for mosquitoes, while more insects are to be expected during the rainy season. You can also decide whether to take malaria prophylaxis (e.g., Malarone) or bring emergency medication in case malaria develops (the incubation period is between 8 days and several months). Some travelers also swear by the homeopathic remedy "Malaria officinalis C 200," which is taken before the trip. In any case, we recommend seeking professional advice so you can make the right decision for yourself.

We always recommend packing a well-stocked travel first-aid kit. Matthew and his team are well-equipped, but every traveler usually knows best what they might need. Here are a few suggestions: plasters, antiseptic ointment, disinfectant, gastrointestinal medication, possibly anti-diarrheal medication, throat lozenges, painkillers (not aspirin), possibly antibiotics, and blood thinners for the flight if you suffer from varicose veins. Ultimately, make the decision that works best for you.

Costs / Included Services

The trip price will be agreed upon during registration. The minimum number of participants is 6 people per departure date. Once this number is reached, the trip costs are payable. If there are too few participants, the trip may be cancelled up to 4 weeks before departure. Alternatively, an additional payment from all participants is required. There are no fees for booking/communication. Unfortunately, payment by credit card is not possible.

Included in the tour price: All local transportation (shuttle, jeep safari, etc.), accommodation (tent and guesthouse) and full board during the safari (except in Arusha), entrance fees for national parks and nature reserves, local team (guides and support staff). What else should you expect to spend? Food at the airport, lunch in Arusha, spending money for souvenirs, extra drinks (one Coke or beer; water is provided), tips for the crew, vaccinations, and visa fees. Generally, €300-500 should be sufficient spending money for the entire trip, but this naturally depends on individual needs.

Mosquito net

All tents and guesthouse rooms are equipped with mosquito nets. An extra mosquito net is not necessary, but we recommend mosquito repellent spray.

Plastic ban from June 2019

From June 1, 2019, the use of plastic carrier bags is prohibited. If you are traveling to mainland Tanzania, you are not allowed to have any plastic bags in your luggage. The only exception is a zip-top freezer bag for toiletries in your hand luggage. Luggage will be inspected upon arrival, so expect longer waiting times.
The full government announcement addressed to all tourists in Tanzania can be found on our website: https://www.maasai-tours.com/tansania-verbannt-plastiktueten

Sun protection

Sunscreen with a high sun protection factor is definitely a good idea, even if the sky is cloudy. For daytime routes, thin, long-sleeved cotton shirts are also suitable as sun protection and insect repellent. Don't forget a hat!

Language

Swahili, English. (No German tour guide!)

Team on site

Lemayan Ole Sitoy is the founder and owner of "Maasai Tours & Safaris," a professional tour operator in northern Tanzania. For 20 years, he and his team have been welcoming and guiding European guests through their homeland. The team is led by Matthew Ole Letyet, the head guide, and consists of guides, assistant guides, porters/helpers, a cook, and drivers. Great emphasis is placed on involving the local population when selecting the team.

Phone

Tanzania's country code: 00255 or +255

During the walking safari, there will be very little cell service for making regular phone calls. However, for emergencies, your guide Matthew and his team have a mobile phone and are prepared for all eventualities. In Arusha, you can also make calls via Skype at a call center. The cheapest option is to buy a prepaid mobile phone locally. Or you can simply take advantage of the "time out" and forgo regular contact with the "outside world." This is Africa!

Tip

Tipping is absolutely customary in Tanzania and is considered a fixed part of the payment. Depending on the scope and quality of the service provided, and also as a thank you for good service, the crew greatly appreciates a tip (approximately 10% of the tour price).

As a guideline, you can follow the average local tipping amounts (per group per day):

Main guide 15 Euros
Assistant guide 8 – 10 euros
Local guides 7 euros

Cook 10-12 euros
Helper/porter/waiter 5 euros
Safari driver 15 euros

The team usually consists of one main guide, one assistant guide, one cook, two porters/handymen, and two to three safari drivers for the national parks. Occasionally, local guides join the team for a few days at a time. It's best to give tips in the local currency, as some crew members rarely have access to exchange bureaus. The main guides and safari drivers can exchange euros or dollars.

Accidents/Illness

If something were to happen, you'd never be more than half a day away from a hospital during the entire safari. It can also be a good idea to take out travel cancellation and/or repatriation insurance. Many credit card companies, automobile clubs, and even the Pölzl travel agency offer such insurance.

Entry insurance (since October 1, 2026)

As with Zanzibar, this has also been the case since October 1, 2026. Mainland Tanzania Mandatory insurance is required. The specific type of insurance needed depends on the first point of entry.

· Entry into mainland Tanzania (e.g. Dar es Salaam): The insurance is with the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) to complete.

· Entry to Zanzibar: The insurance is with the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) to be completed.

The insurance premium is USD 44 per person. Insurance is free for children up to 2 years old, and for children up to 17 years old there is a 50% discount.

Travelers to mainland Tanzania should only purchase the new insurance through an official agency. Mandatory Inbound Travel Insurance Portal Purchase travel insurance from the National Insurance Corporation. It is recommended to buy the insurance before departure. This ensures that all necessary documents are available upon entry. Proof of insurance must be carried with you throughout your trip. (Source: ÖAMTC)

Visa

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will immediately proceed to the visa counter inside the terminal building. There you will need your visa application and passport. The application forms are available there. The visa costs USD 50 or EUR 50 (as of July 2026). Payment must be in USD 50 or EUR 50 bills, or can be made by card.

To make the laundry

There are no facilities for washing clothes on a walking safari. However, since personal hygiene options are also limited, this is irrelevant anyway :-) . As you only really need what you wear on safari, plus a second set of clothes for warm or cold weather, it's sufficient to reduce your gear to the bare essentials.

Weather

From June to October, it is generally dry and hot. These are the dry seasons, and daytime temperatures range between approximately 19°C and 32°C. However, it can still get quite cool at night and in the mornings (15°C), so you should pack appropriate clothing. From November to mid-December, there are occasional short rain showers. From March to May, there can be longer periods of rain, but the country is also very green during this time. Seasons can vary. A packing list with the most essential items will be provided separately in advance of your departure.

Important information about the partnership with GEA/Waldviertler

The Walking Safari is offered by Lemayan Ole Sitoy Maasai Tours & Safaris. GEA/Waldviertler serves solely as an advertising and communication platform to make this trip to our friends in Tanzania possible for all interested parties. For your convenience, we will put you in touch with the Pölzl travel agency for flight bookings. It is important to note that GEA and Waldviertler are NOT the tour operators and therefore cannot accept any liability for personal injury or property damage.

Time difference

The time difference is +1 hour (summer time) or +2 hours (winter time).

Tents, mattresses, sleeping bag

Matthew and his team provide enough tents and mattresses (foam or self-inflating camping mattresses). Please bring your own sleeping bag. Temperatures can drop to 10-15°C at night. Experience has shown that a thicker sleeping bag and a sleeping bag liner are often a good combination.

Melanie is always happy to answer any questions you may have:
E-mail: booking@maasai-tours.comor Tel.: +43 (0)676 4162830