Important Information
For Your Journey

Dear Customers, Partners, and our communities.

Our thoughts go out to those affected by the situation. We at Dolphin Safaris and Tours have been taking actions to ensure the protection of all stakeholders. We are meeting the minimum requirements as set down by the WHO, as well as additional measures relating to education and sanitisation procedures of all work spaces, vehicles and operating equipment.

Additionally, we are closely monitoring the safety of any destination, accommodation facility and place any of our guests will come into contact with, and assure all that we will not compromise either our guests or employees wellness.

We will monitor the situation frequently whilst adhering to advice from the authorities.

Yours at Dolphin, Fahim Bagha, General Manager.

The Government of Tanzania communicates daily about the rate of infection in the country of COVID-19. The number of confirmed cases continues to rise.

Entry and Exit Requirements:

•  The Government of Tanzania suspended all international scheduled and chartered passenger planes to Tanzania effective April 11.
• All travelers whether foreigners or returning residents arriving from COVID-19 most affected countries, will be subjected to mandatory isolation for 14 days at their own cost at designated facilities identified by the Government.
• Standards within the facilities have been reported as being very poor. Travelers entering the country should be aware of possible health risks posed by inadequate protocols and facilities within the quarantine locations.
• Passengers should fill in a Health Surveillance Form in the plane, or any other transport means and submit them to Port Health authorities upon arrival.
• All travelers arriving will be subjected to an intensive screening and where necessary COVID-19 rapid testing.
• All travelers will then be informed of the designated isolation facilities, costs and arrangements in place and access to those facilities.
• After 14 days quarantine, passengers who have not developed symptoms of COVID-19 may leave the facilities and will be required to register personal information for future tracking purposes.
• All people residing in Tanzania are advised to avoid non-essential travels to COVID-19 affected countries.

In case of any medical emergency while in the United Republic of Tanzania, please call the Health Emergency Number 199.

What procedures have been put in place at airports and other ports of entry?
Ports of entry are conducting screening and travelers with a fever are diverted to secondary for further examination.

The Tanzanian government has taken measures to curb the spread of coronavirus such as closing schools, colleges and universities, but has not taken the route favored by many of its neighbors by imposing a lockdown as it could badly affect people living on a hand-to-mouth basis.

Many country’s citizens do not require visas to enter Tanzania.  See list here.

Foreign nationals may apply for a visa online in advance of travel. Applicants may complete the e-visa application form and make payment online with a credit card or bank transfer at www.immigration.go.tz. If the e-visa is approved, the applicant will receive a “grant notice” via email. Present a copy of the grant notice to the Immigration Officer on arrival at the airport in Tanzania.

A passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond visa issuance and/or date of entry, and at least one blank visa page, is required. Visitors who enter on visas must present a roundtrip ticket and demonstrate they have sufficient funds for their stay.

Volunteer activity – even if the traveler is paying for the opportunity – is prohibited on a tourist visa. If you plan to engage in business or commercial transactions in Tanzania, please consult with the Embassy of Tanzania in your country of origin before applying for a visa.

Visit the Embassy of Tanzania website for the most current visa information. Read the page on visas and immigration to ensure you will have the correct status during your visit to Tanzania.

For information on obtaining a residence permit, please contact the Tanzanian Immigration Department’s Ministry for Home Affairs website or by telephone.

Dar es Salaam: +255 (0) 22 2850575/6
Zanzibar: +255 (0) 24 223 9148

Tanzania is a developing country with a fast growing population. Continuous improvements to infrastructure, sanitation and healthcare are made. It is strongly advised that visitors to the country adopt a conservative approach when considering their health issues. For detailed advice, see this health and travel guide.

Yellow fever vaccination is required for all travelers arriving from, or having transited through, countries where yellow fever is endemic. Direct arrivals from non-endemic countries, including all countries in Europe and North America, are usually not required to show a yellow fever vaccination certificate. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides additional information about recommended vaccines and medications for travelers going to Tanzania.

The CDC notes there are reports that unless a traveler has a medical exemption letter from a physician, some immigration officials require evidence of the vaccine for entry in Tanzania – particularly entry via Zanzibar – from all travelers. Travelers with neither the vaccine nor an exemption letter are usually allowed entry and directed to a health officer to obtain the vaccine. The CDC recommends that travelers staying for an extended time or those who will be heavily exposed to mosquitoes consider obtaining the vaccination before visiting Tanzania. 

MALARIA, a disease transmitted by mosquitoes is common. There are a number of recommended preventative oral medicines and it is best to speak to your local travel clinic / doctor a few weeks before arrival. Common sense helps reduce the chances of being bitten by mosquitoes such as the use of repellents and suitable clothing.

As a general rule, drink water from a sealed bottle or known source. In public food and produce markets, ensure fresh fruits and vegetables are washed thoroughly if they are to be consumed on site. Likewise, select only freshly cooked foods and not those that have been standing on display. Keep a small pack of wet wipes to clean hands and things such as bottle tops if not using a glass / mug.

What to pack and wear depends on where you’ll be going. In the coastal regions, temperatures are pretty constant throughout the day and night, and usually always warm to hot. On safari, temperatures can vary from very hot during the day, to chilly at night and the early mornings.

Tanzanians are conservative culturally with a strong Muslim population. Visitors are advised to respect local customs when in villages and towns.

For all areas: Sun hat, sunblock, sun glasses, walking shoes, sandals / flip flops, mosquito repellant, hand wipes, water bottle, day pack, light jacket, long trousers and long sleeve shirts for evening wear when mosquitoes are most often present. Plug adaptors (same system as UK, 3 prong, 220 volts), day pack, Kiswahili phrase book, swimming gear.

Safari: heavier jacket for early morning game drives and walks; perhaps sturdier walking shoes / boots; light coloured clothing as many insects such as tsetse flies and mosquitoes are attracted to darker colours, and importantly to blend in with nature; sweater, head torch / flashlight. Water Bottle – (plastic or steel), head torch,

Gadgets: Camera, battery bank, mobile phone (it is possible to get a local sim card for urban use, bear in mind that coverage in safari areas is very limited, as is WIFI).

Self-drive Safaris in Tanzania are a great way to explore this incredible country.

There are, however, due to poor roads within the National Parks as well as vehicle congestion, limitations on where private vehicles and drivers are able to go.

We strongly recommend calling us for advice and guidance.

PLASTIC BAG BAN

As of 1 June 2019 no plastic bags irrespective of thickness and weight are allowed to be brought into Tanzania.

This does not apply to the ziplock bags used as part of airport security.

Dolphin Tours and Safaris has long been at the forefront of sustainability and has eliminated wherever possible the use of plastics and non-eco friendly materials.