Frequently Asked Questions

Registration | Accommodation | Visa | Immunizations and Required Vaccinations | Arusha, Tanzania

Local Transportation

I.1. How can I get to Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge from Kilimanjaro International Airport?

You will be collected at the airport and transferred to and from Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge by Safari Ventures. Safari Ventures’ drivers will meet you at the airport. Your transportation from Kilimanjaro International Airport is covered in the price of the Registration Fee for the conference.

Registration

II.1. What does the registration fee include?

The registration fee includes the entire conference program, transportation to/from Kilimanjaro International Airport and Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge, all lunches, cocktail receptions, and coffee/tea breaks during the conference beginning with the Dec. 3 opening, evening reception, and carbon offsets for the venue. If you are staying at Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge (the conference venue) your dinners and breakfasts are included in the room fee.

II.2. Does the registration fee include insurance?

Registration does not cover insurance. All conference participants are advised to purchase appropriate insurance plans for your travel for the duration of your stay in Arusha. The organizers accept no liability for personal injuries sustained, nor losses or damages to property belonging to the participants or accompanying persons during or after the conference.

II.3. Who is handling registration for the conference?

Registration for the 2008 Travelers’ Philanthropy conference is handled by CESD’s Whitney Cooper. If you are having any problems with registration please contact Whitney at wcooper@ecotourismcesd.org or 202-347-9203 ext 414.

II.4 Can I cancel my registration?

The cancellation fee is $50.00. Cancellation requests must be sent to Whitney Cooper: wcooper@ecotourismcesd.org as soon as possible. For cancellation requests received before November 19, 2008, a refund of the registration minus the cancellation fee will apply. Cancellation requests received after November 19, 2008 will not be refunded.

II.5. Where do I register once I get to the conference?

Registration will be available once you arrive at the conference. The details for payment are being reviewed. Please check the FAQ page again later for more details.

II.5. What language(s) will be used at the conference?

The official language of the 2008 Travelers’ Philanthropy conference is English. The conference organizers do not provide interpretation services.


Accommodation

III.1. What time can I check in to the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge?

You can check into Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge up to two days before the commencement of the conference.

III.2. Does the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge provide meals?

The room rates listed on this website and in the registration form all include breakfast and dinner.

III.3. Can I change my room reservation after I register?

You can change/cancel your room reservation up to one month before the commencement of the conference. After that if you want to cancel you will be charged a no show fee which is equivalent to the amount of the entire days rate.

III.4. How and when do I pay the full price of my accommodation?

Guests are adviced to make a 50% deposit after their first or second day of reservation to secure their booking, the other remained 50% can be paid on the guest’s arrival.


Visa

IV.1. Do I need a visa?

The following information is provided by the Embassy of Tanzania in Washington DC. However, it is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the High Commission for the United Republic of Tanzania for up-to-date information.

All persons from non-Commonwealth countries and the following Commonwealth countries (United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Bangledash, Pakistan, New Zealand, Nigeria, India, and South Africa) are required to have a valid visa unless their countries have agreements with Tanzania under which the visa requirement is waived (e.g. Ghana and Gambia).

No Visa is required for nationals of the following countries when the intended stay DOES NOT exceed 3 months: Namibia, Romania, Rwanda, Hong Kong and most commonwealth members states with the exception of those listed above. If you are traveling from any other country you will need a Visa. The Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania asks that you call them to find out if you should obtain a Visa if you are from a Commonwealth country.
Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in US: 212-972-9160 or 202-884-1080

Nationals of the following countries MUST have their request for Visas referred to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania:
Somalia, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Morocco, Tunisia, U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Nigeria and West African Nationals, all refugees, and all stateless persons.

Please see the United Republic Tanzania Embassy website to find out more details: http://www.tanzaniaembassy-us.org/tzevisa.html

IV.2. How do I apply for a Visa for Tanzania?

Visas may be obtained from any Tanzanian diplomatic mission abroad. Visitors may also obtain visas upon arrival at any point of entry in Tanzania, IT IS ADVISABLE TO SECURE VISAS BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR TRIP
You must apply for a Tanzanian Visa at the Tanzanian Embassy or Tanzanian Consulate in your host country. Please contact your Tanzanian Embassy or consulate before continuing in making your plans to visit Tanzania.

For persons residing in the United States Your Visa form should be submitted/mailed to one of the following:
THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS,
201 EAST 42ND STREET, SUITE 1700,
NEW YORK, NY, 10017
TEL. 212-972-9160 ; FAX 212-682-5232.

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA,
2139 R STREET, NW,
WASHINGTON DC, 20008.
TEL 202-884-1080 OR 202-939-6125.
FAX 202-797-7408.

These Visas should be submitted with the following:
- Your passport that is valid for at least six months during time of travel
- Two (2) recently taken passport size photographs
- A sufficiently stamped self-addressed envelope to facilitate return of passport by the most secured mail (a courier company is preferable, e.g. UPS, FedEx, etc.).
- You must also provide proof of travel plans to and from Tanzania (ex. Flight itinerary, ticket, tour operator package receipts)
- Letter of invitation to the Travelers’ Philanthropy Conference

IV.3. What is the Cost of a Visa for Tanzania?

Cost for US Passport holders is USD 100.00 for twelve (12) months multiple entry. An extra USD 20.00 is charged for rush service which takes 3 working days. The duration to remain in the country is determined by immigration officer a the port of entry.

Cost for non-US passport holders is USD 50.00 for single entry, and USD 100.00 for double entry.
Payments for Visas are by money order made payable to Tanzania Embassy. Walk-in applicants can pay by cash or money order.

Information provided by http://www.tanzaniaembassy-us.org/visa/visa.html

IV.4. How long does it take to process a visa application?

Once the Tanzanian Embassy has received the necessary items to process, your visa processing will take a minimum of five (5) working days.
Information provided by http://www.tanzaniaembassy-us.org/visa/visa.html

IV.5. Do I need a transit visa to travel through Ethiopia and / or Kenya?

It is strongly advised that you check with your local Ethiopian or Kenyan Embassy to determine your visa requirement specific to the passport you carry for the most up-to-date information. The following information was confirmed through the Washington, DC embassies.

Ethiopia. Passengers in transit in Ethiopia with confirmed onward bookings (i.e. valid ticket) within 72 hours can receive a transit visa at the port of entry upon arrival (according to the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington, DC, a passport photo is not required). Alternatively, you can apply for a transit visa ahead of time at your local Ethiopian Embassy or Consular Office with the following documents: A valid passport, one recent passport-size photograph, a letter from his/her organization explaining the purpose of his/her travel, and a completed visa application form. A transit visa for US passport holders costs USD 40.00. Please contact the Embassy of Ethiopia or click here for more information.

Kenya. A transit visa is required for Kenya for a short stop up to 24 hours. It is recommended by the Embassy of Kenya to apply for a transit visa before arrival (this will require a valid passport, 2 passport size photos, duly complete application form, and payment for the visa). However, transit visas are also available at the port of entry upon arrival. If you choose to obtain your transit visa at the port of entry you do not need extra passport photos. Please note that nationals of most countries will require a transit visa. In some cases (refugee travel document holders and nationals of several countries) MUST apply for a transit visa before arrival. Please consult this list to see if you require a visa prior to arrival. Please note, no visa is required for direct transit passengers, i.e. those passengers not leaving the airport. A transit visa for Kenya costs USD 20.00. Please contact the Embassy of Kenya or click here for more information.

Immunizations and Required Vaccinations

Before visiting Tanzania, you may need to get more than the following vaccinations and medications for vaccine-preventable diseases and other diseases you might be at risk for at your destination. (Note: Your doctor or healthcare provider will determine what you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities.)

To have the most benefit, see a healthcare provider 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect and to start taking medicine to prevent malaria, if you need it. Even if you have less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still see a health-care provider for needed vaccines, anti-malaria drugs and other medications and information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling.
CDC recommends that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. Find a travel medicine clinic near you: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentTravelClinics.aspx . If you have a medical condition, you should also share your travel plans with any doctors you are currently seeing for other medical reasons.

V.1. Are there any required vaccinations before entering Tanzania?

Yellow fever vaccination is required only for persons from, or those who have visited yellow fever endemic countries within the last year. Please click here to find an authorized U.S. yellow fever vaccination clinic near you. Please check the CDC http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationTanzania.aspx website for information provided by CDC.

V.2. What immunizations are suggested for Tanzania?

It is strongly recommended that you check with your healthcare provider on your immunizations status. It is wise to be up-to-date on your tetanus, polio, diphtheria, typhoid, hepatitis A, and any other vaccinations your healthcare provider suggests. Immunization for cholera is no longer required for Tanzania but if you are planning to visit Zanzibar than it is wise to consider this.

Routine vaccines are recommended even if you do not travel. Although childhood diseases, such as measles, rarely occur in the United States, they are still common in many parts of the world. A traveler who is not vaccinated would be at risk for infection.
Routine vaccines, as they are often called, such as for influenza, chickenpox (or varicella), polio, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), and diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) are given at all stages of life; see the childhood and adolescent immunization schedule and routine adult immunization schedule.

V.3. Is malaria a problem in Tanzania?

YES! Most of Africa is very high risk for malaria. There is no vaccine against malaria, but there are ways to avoid it. There are several antimalarial drugs that can be taken to lower the risk of malaria. These drugs may cause side-effects and may not be suitable for some people. You should consult your healthcare for the advice for the best antimalarials to take. Please note that for some drugs to take effect, it must be taken for a period of time before arrival into the malarial affected zone.

As no malaria medication is 100% effective, the best way to avoid malaria is to prevent mosquito bites, especially between dusk and dawn. You should use DEET insect repellent, use a treated bed net, and wear long clothing to avoid mosquito bites.

Arusha, Tanzania – Other Tips

VI.1. What is the currency in Tanzania?

The currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling
Code: TZS
Symbol: TSh

VI.2. What is the Country Code for Tanzania?

255.

VI.3. Can I use my credit card at restaurants and shops in Tanzania?

Credit Cards can not be used at most shops and restaurants in Arusha and northern Tanzania. Arusha does have ATM’s that except VISA and Master Card. You will only receive Tanzanian Shillings. There are also many exchange bureaus in Arusha as well.

VI.4. Is smoking permitted in public places?

Smoking is permitted in public places and outside.

VI.5. Is it safe to drink tap water?

No, the tap water in Tanzania is not safe to drink. Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge however, will provide safe drinking water in coolers in the lobby as well as in your room.

VI.6. Do people tip in Tanzania?

Some places will include a service charge. If not 5 – 10% is appropriate.

VI.7. Is it cold in Arusha in December? What clothes should I bring?

October through March is the hottest time of the year, hovering at 30C during the day and about 25C in the night time. The climate is temperate in the northern national parks. The central plateau suffers a dry and arid climate with hot days and cool nights. Clothing appropriate to cold temperatures is required near the slopes of Kilimanjaro and Meru. Also note that it can get very cold at night on the Ngorongoro Crater and early morning game drives may be chilly before the sun comes up.

If you are planning to go on safari, you should plan on wearing light colored clothing and minimize distracting colors for best game viewing. It is important to stay protected from the sun and mosquitos so long clothing and lots of sunscreen and bug spray is recommended.