FAQ

VISA AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

All visitors require a visa except citizens of some Commonwealth countries and a few other nations. The cost of the entry visa varies according to your nationality. Visas can be obtained upon arrival at a cost of around 50$ to $100 USD, or issued by your nearest Tanzanian High Commission before departure.
 

DO I NEED SHOTS?

Shots are not required, but highly recommended for traveling . The cost of shots are about $200 for yellow fever shots, and $10 per pill for anti-malarial medication. We suggest taking these preventative measures to ensure that your travels are happy and healthy.

WILL WE BE SAFE FROM ANIMALS AND PEOPLE? 

Tanzania is a politically stable region . The people are extremely friendly and will be very curious to find out all about you. Wild animals can be dangerous and you should not wander off on your own at any point, especially at night. However most animals are rather frightened by humans and will flee instead of attacking unless cornered or provoked. Keep a sensible distance and treat them with respect. In addition, the animals are warded off by patrol guards, blinking lights, and other deterrents that keep you safe. 

ARE THERE BUGS AND SNAKES?

Yes, you are in the wildness . However, Matriarch Hill Safari accommodation are water tight, and are regularly checked for insects. Any issues that may arise will be swiftly taken care of by our guards and camp assistants. 
 

IS THE WATER SAFE?

Matriarch Hill Safari obtains water from National park certified locations and processes. We boil all drinking and cooking water for safe measure, and provide bottled water free of charge to all guests
 

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR ON SAFARI?

The weather on Safari is typically 80's and sunny during the days, and 50's at nights. This means to pack clothes for a hot days, and a cool nights. Rest assured your sleeping quarters will be comfortable.

TIPPING

Your guide and tracker are central to the success of your safari. You’ll have plenty of time to connect with them and, by the end of your trip, they might just be your new best friends. With guides, it’s customary to leave a tip on your departure. What you choose to leave is totally up to you. 

For lodge staff: A recommended tip of $10-15 per person at each location. Typically, there will be a collective box available for depositing these tips.

• For drivers: It is customary to offer a tip of $20-30 per person per day.

• For guides: It is recommended to provide a tip of $30-50 per person per day.

There is a lot that happens behind the scenes of your safari and it’s important to consider and acknowledge all the wonderful people who look after the lodge. From housekeepers, to wait staff, to chefs – they all deserve to be thanked appropriately!

CANCELLATIONS

Notification of cancellation must be made in writing to Matriarch Hill Safari. At the time we receive the cancellation, all moneys will be refunded less the following cancellation charges, deducted from the total land only price:

91 days or more before departure: Cancellation fees equal the amount of your deposit
90 to 61 days before departure: 50% of the package price is non-refundable
60 to 46 days before departure: 65% of the package price is non-refundable
45 days or less before departure: 100% of the package price is non-refundable

DEPOSITS

A Deposit of 20% is required to officially book and confirm the rooms and acquire all proper safari permits. This deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. Upon making an official reservation, you will be invoiced.

What is the current status of tourism in Tanzania?

Tanzania’s President John Magufuli declared that the country was open for tourism in May 2020. There are no travel restrictions for visitors who arrive from other countries, including no mandatory quarantines. However, thermal screening will be done at arrival points. Airlines have resumed flights in and out of Kilimanjaro Airport.

What precautions is the Tanzanian tourism industry taking during the pandemic?

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism published detailed standard operating procedures for tourism staff, airports, ships, accommodations, and tour operators.

These procedures outline common sense directives designed to reduce the risk of infection. These include the regular sanitizing of surfaces, washing hands, wearing PPE, and maintaining social distance. If a guest is found to be positive of COVID-19, arrangements will be made at the advice of the Rapid Response Team. Please read standard operating procedures the standard operating procedures to learn about the safeguards that are in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission while in country.

What is Matriarch hill safari doing to keep its clients safe from COVID-19?

Many operators, including Matriarch hill safari, were involved in the creation of the approved standard operating procedures. We believe in the new measures and will comply with them. Our mountain staff has been trained on COVID procedures based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidance and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) put forth by the Tanzanian government.

Below is a brief outline of the procedures.

1. Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Kilimanjaro National Park, and lodging, clients will be given a temperature check. Individuals showing signs or symptoms of COVID-19 will be directed to a medical team for further consultation.

2. Our mountain crew will wear masks when they are in vehicles, at the park gate, and while they are at camp. Hotel staff will wear masks when interacting with clients.

3. Our mountain crew and hotel staff will maintain a distance of at least three feet (one meter) from clients. However, in dealing with a medical emergency, it may be necessary to be in closer proximity.

4. It is mandatory for all clients to wear a mask when traveling in vehicles and when in public places. Clients are required to supply their own masks. Medical masks (KN95, N95, surgical masks) and non-medical face coverings (cloth mask, neck gaiter, Buff) are both sufficient.Clients are required to supply their own hand sanitizer.

5. They should carry hand sanitizer on their person at all times and use it often, especially after any contact with another person, before eating, and after using the toilet.

6. Participation in a trip is completely voluntary. Clients acknowledge that they may be exposed to COVID-19 during the course of the trip and that there is a risk of infection. All equipment will be disinfected prior to use. Our staff will wear PPE when in close proximity to our clients. The number of crew members who interact with a client and handle a client’s belongings will be limited.

In addition, we have additional opportunities to maintain social distance on the mountain, safari by offering single tents and rooms for single travelers, and serving meals in separate tents if desired

. What do I need to do if I decide to postpone my trip?

Clients may defer their climbs or safari up to 18th months from the original date. Email us at sophie@matriarchhillsafari.com and let us know you intend to defer your trip. There is no fee to reschedule a climb or safari as long as we are notified 30 days or more prior to your trip start date.

What should I do if I want to go on my scheduled trip?

Unless you told us you wanted to defer your trip, we have you scheduled on your original date. But we would appreciate that you confirm your intent if we have not discussed it already. We want to make sure everything is in place for your Kilimanjaro expedition and Tanzanian safari.

What is the outlook of the pandemic in Tanzania today?

On June 9, 2020, the President declared that the country was free of coronavirus. However, similar to many countries, there has not been widespread testing. In short, these claims must be taken with a grain of salt. But at this time East Africa as a whole and Tanzania do not appear to be hotspots. We will continue to monitor the situation on the ground.

Is there anything else I need to know about flying to Tanzania?

The US Government requires air passengers to get a viral test within the 3 days before their flight to the U.S. departs, and provide written documentation of their laboratory test result (paper or electronic copy) to the airline. Airlines must confirm the negative test result for all passengers before they board. If a passenger does not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery, or chooses not to take a test, the airline must deny boarding to the passenger. The Government of the Netherlands requires people travelling to the Netherlands from a high risk area outside of the EU to present TWO negative COVID-19 test results – a PCR test and a Rapid Test. The countries currently on the EU list of safe countries are Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and China. Those flying from these countries are not required to present a negative COVID-19 test result. However, this requirement applies to passengers traveling from the USA to the Netherlands to connect with a flight going to Kilimanjaro Airport. Many of our clients from the USA take KLM or Delta flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (airport code: JRO), which normally have a layover at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (airport code: AMS). These travelers must comply with this regulation or risk being forbidden to fly. Be sure to regularly check the regulations surrounding travel for your home country as well as for flight connections pertaining to your international travel. We cannot be responsible for clients who are not allowed to travel due to failure to comply with travel requirements

Can I get a COVID-19 test in Tanzania?

COVID-19 PCR testing is available in the two gateway cities from where we begin our Kilimanjaro climbs and safaris:

Moshi (Mawenzi Hospital, KCMC Hospital) and Arusha (Mount Meru Hospital, Arusha Lutheran Hospital, Fame Medical Health Center).

Testing is also available in the areas we visit during safaris: Mayara (Manyara Regional Hospital), Karatu (FAME Medical), Serengeti (Seronera Covd-19 Sample Collection Centre).

There is also a testing center in Zanzibar (Emergency Response Unit in Stone Town). PCR testing is considered the gold standard in COVID-19 detection. This test detects RNA or genetic material that is specific to the virus and can detect the virus within days of infection, even those who have no symptoms. Currently the turnaround time for results can be up to 48 hours.

However, on December 27, 2020, the Government Chief Medical Officer directed the health laboratory to improve the turnaround time to less than 24 hours. We will report if this occurs.

The cost is $100 (USD). The clinics are open from 9:00AM to 3:30PM on weekdays and from 10:00AM to 12:30PM on weekends.

To schedule a test, reservations must be made online at https://pimacovid.moh.go.tz/#/booking.

Here are some translations of a few questions on the form:

Tarehe ya kuzaliwa – birthdate

Mwisho wa safari – destination of travel

Tarehe ya kusafiri – date of travel

Our staff will help you get to the PCR test sites and obtain the lab results if you need assistance.

There is no publicly available COVID-19 Rapid Test in Tanzania. However, KLM staff are conducting Rapid Testing for its passengers only at JRO, DAR and ZNZ.

Should I get travel insurance?

Travel insurance is mandatory for participation on our trips. However, during this time it is even more important for you to obtain travel insurance soon after booking to protect you from unforeseen circumstance.