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FAQ
Q. What are the best ways to get to Tanzania?
If you are coming from North America or Europe, we recommend flying with KLM to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Although KLM is slightly more expensive than British Airways, British Airways flies to Dar es Salaam and Nairobi only. Kilimanjaro Airport is a 45minutes drive from Arusha while Dar es Salaam and Nairobi are a one hour flight or several hours' bus ride from Arusha. If planning a visit to Zanzibar or Pemba during your Tanzania holiday, consider flying into Dar es Salaam and then flying to Kilimanjaro for your safari and climb.
Q. Does Africa Joy Tours help me book flights?
Africa Joy Tours books Domestic and International flights including bus shuttles. Tickets will be e-mailed to you or you will be given an e-ticket number so you may collect your tickets at the airport Africa Joy Tours can also book flights going to and coming from other African destinations. For flights originating outside Africa, we recommend calling the airline directly as fares is usually lower.
Q. Who will pay for airport taxes?
Airport taxes are not included in the price of internal Tanzania flights. Be sure to bring extra US dollars with you to pay airport taxes which range from US $5 to US $25 per flight.
Q. Does Africa Joy Tours recommend flying to Nairobi?
Flying to Nairobi is often less expensive than flying to either Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam so if your trip includes Northern Tanzania only, it may save you money to fly into Nairobi. However, flights from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro are pricey and may not justify the cost savings. If your trip includes Zanzibar, consider flying into and out of Dar es Salaam. Please note that travelers transiting through Nairobi must now show proof of Yellow Fever vaccination when they arrive in Tanzania.
Q. What is the best month to go on safari?
There are two factors to consider when choosing a time to visit Tanzania, the wildlife and the crowds. For the best wildlife safari, visit Tanzania during the dry seasons of December through February, and July through September. To avoid the crowds, visit in May, June or November.
Q. What are the most seasons like in Tanzania?
Late March through late May represents the period of long rains in Tanzania. This is usually not an ideal time to plan a safari because of the potential for sudden downpours. Directly after the long rains, however, is a wonderful time to visit Tanzania's national parks due to the abundance of wildflowers and vegetation. It is also a wonderful time to go on safari because the level of dust and the number of tourists is minimal.
July through October is Tanzania's dry season and also the high season for tourism. This is the best time to view wildlife as grasses are virtually nonexistent. It is usually very dusty and can be cold at higher elevations such as Ngorongoro Crater. Tanzania's short rains occur from late October through mid December. This is a low season for tourism in Tanzania. December through March is Tanzania's "summer" and many tourists visit during late December and January for optimal game viewing.
Q. What immunizations does Africa Joy Tours recommend?
These are the recommended immunizations:
Typhoid: Typhoid vaccination is good for three years. This inoculation consists of two shots given four weeks apart or four tablets taken orally, one pill every other day over the course of six days. The pills must be refrigerated.
Hepatitis A: Should be taken just prior to departure as immunity becomes less effective with time.
Hepatitis B: Is a viral disease transmitted mainly through blood or sexual contact. Vaccination lasts forever and is recommended by the CDC for long-term travelers to Africa who will have contact with the local population. Ideally the vaccine is administered over a six-month period.
Meningitis: The vaccine for meningitis is called Menamune. It can cost up to $100 at clinics that don't administer it frequently, or as a little as a third of that cost elsewhere. You may want to shop around. While this disease occurs only sporadically, it is fatal unless treated immediately.
Yellow Fever: Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is required for travelers arriving from or transiting through most African countries. Travelers arriving with KLM from Amsterdam or British Airways from London (direct flight) do not need to show proof of Yellow Fever vaccination.
Malaria: The most common anti-malarial drug in the US is Mefloquine (Lariam). The prescribed dosage is one tablet (250mg) per week. It can cause side effects such as upset stomach or nightmares and is not recommended for people suffering from and on medication for epilepsy or schizophrenia. It is not recommended for people on medication with beta-blockers, commonly prescribed for high blood pressure or heart disease. Please consult your physician before taking Lariam. Other drugs are available, though their effectiveness varies.
Q. What are the Big Five?
The Big Five were originally the animals most sought after by hunters. They were the fiercest animals, the animals that hunted the hunters. They include rhino, elephant, lion, leopard and cape buffalo and today are the animals that tourists most want to see when visiting Tanzania's national parks. You can see all five of these animals during a visit to Northern Tanzania.
Q. What is the wildebeest migration?
The wildebeest migration is the annual movement of 1.2 million wildebeest and zebra between Tanzania's Serengeti National Park and Kenya's Maasai Mara National Park. The migration is usually in the Serengeti from late December until late August, making these months the best for wildlife viewing in the Serengeti. The best months to view the migration are generally January through March when the migration is in larger herds. The highlight of the migration occurs during a two week period in February when the wildebeest give birth to 8,000 babies daily.
Q. What is a bush walk?
A. A bush walk is a nature walk or walking safari inside or near a national park. We can tailor a bush walk to your interests. If you are a bird lover, we can arrange a bird walk. If you want to be near big game on foot, we can arrange a bush walk in a national park. (These walks require an armed guard.) A bush walk can be a leisurely stroll or strenuous hike and ranges in length from thirty minutes to six hours.
Climbing:
Marangu Route 6Days/5Nights
Machame Route 7 Days/6 Nights
Umbwe Route 6 Days 5 Nights
Lemosho Route 8 Days/8 Nights
Rongai Route 7 Days/ 6 Nights
Shira Route 7 Days / 6 Nights
Mt. Meru & Kilimanjaro Packages
Budget Safari:
3 days Ngorongoro Crater
3 days Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara
4 days Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire
5 days Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti
6 days Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti
7 days Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tarangire
7 days Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti
Lodge Safaris:
Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar
8 days Safari and Zanzibar
11 days honeymoon package
13 days Greater northern Circuit Safari
16 days luxury Safari and Zanzibar
17 days Serengeti, Selous, Zanzibar
18 days Kilimanjaro, Safari and Zanzibar
New!! Tanzania Culture Itinerary -14 days