From The Serengeti To Zanzibar

This is a grade 4 walking and sightseeing holiday where you can expect full and half days of walking in spectacular scenery. Full days will be up to 5 hours of walking whereas half days will be up to 3 hours.  The paths we take are generally good wide paths and dirt tracks and occasionally we will venture through vegetation. Most of the walks will be in the Usambara Mountains where you will see spectacular views from the cliffs to the plain below.  We will also climb the ridge near Mount Kingwengwei. This is the highest point reached on the holiday at 1893m. Ascents and descents will be up to 600m. You’ll get to experience the natural beauty of the countryside, visit waterfalls and hopefully have some fantastic once in a life time wildlife opportunities. This is an adventurous holiday where the itinerary takes you off the beaten track. You’ll explore lesser known destinations, therefore local conditions, facilities and transport may be more basic. The itinerary may require modifications at short notice, meaning the potential for more travelling and possibly on poor roads. However, the experience and stories to tell will be worth it!

This holiday is operated at our grade 4 walking category and entails some reasonably energetic days, although the daily walking time will be less than five hours. Some days will be spent leisurely walking around areas of special or historical interest, other days will include game drives and game walks within National Parks. We shall walk on fixed trails, some of which are undulating and uneven under foot. The walking on this tour can be fairly demanding depending on the season. This holiday is for the traveller with a sense of adventure and a passion for wildlife.

All local transport costs in conjunction with the advertised activity programme are included in the holiday cost. There may be occasions where additional visits or excursions are added to enrich your experience, these will be paid for locally by you if you choose to participate. Local transport can be a mix of private hire coaches, taxis, local buses and ferries depending on the itinerary.

A range of local excursions and activities may be available to book at your destination through a local operator. We have no involvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will be with the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions.

All organised excursions mentioned in the itinerary are included in the holiday cost. 

There is very little additional cost to be paid locally in regards to the noted itinerary, however if you wish to take any optional excursions, or visit sites not mentioned, these will be at your own expense. It can be difficult to estimate an allowance for spending money as individuals will spend different amounts.

However about £200-£250 for the trip should be sufficient for lunches, drinks, any optional excursions. Please also see our section on tipping which will be in addition to this. Hotel drinks, particularly imported spirits can be more expensive, but local spirits, beers, ciders and African wines are very good value for money. You will need to allow extra for souvenirs and gifts. Major purchases can often be charged to a credit card account.

US Dollars  are also widely accepted. A small amount of Tanzanian Shilling (Tsh) may be useful for local markets. However, Tanzanian Shilling can only be exchanged in the country.  

Ramblers Walking Holidays will make a small tip contribution on your behalf to the hotels, drivers and local guides. However should you wish to contribute further, you may like to consider an allowance of $10 per day.  Tipping in Tanzania is at your discretion; however tips have become heavily relied upon and have become a major part of the locals’ daily income. There will be a driver and guide accompanying you throughout the tour and other junior members of staff or locals along the way may wish to assist you at times and will be expecting a tip for doing so. If you are willing to give them a small sum for their assistance, this will certainly smooth the way during your journey through Tanzania and such gestures will be very welcome. 

A small tip is usually required for the use of porters, and for any drinks and meals you purchase yourself.

Your tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible.

Each evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. This will be your opportunity to discuss the details and ensure the planned activities suit your walking ability. If you have concerns on clothing or equipment, this can be discussed then also. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know.

Flights are from London Heathrow to Kilimanjaro Airport and return from Dar es Salaam Airport via Amsterdam both ways with KLM.

For our international flight with KLM the baggage allowance is one bag each weighing 23kgs. But please note that the baggage allowance is usually a combined weight 20 kg on the internal flights. This is usually a combined weight to cover your hand luggage and checked in baggage. Please use soft bags  as they are easier to stack in the vehicles than hard cases.

If you are joining and leaving abroad, it is assumed, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will meet the party at the hotel in Moshi and depart in Dar es Salaam. If this is not your intention, please let us know in writing at least 5 weeks before departure.

On this holiday we will be travelling in 7 seat 4x4 Landcruisers or 9 seat mini vans with pop-up roof for the game drive proportion of the holiday. We will travel in a 25 seat Toyota Coaster or similar for the rest of the holiday. 

If you wish to organise your own flights from a non-UK or provincial airport or travel by rail or car to your holiday destination, 'land only' reductions are often available. Please contact us for details.

Before finalising any independent travel arrangements, please check with us first - especially if doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended date of travel. If you do intend to join your holiday locally please do tell us at least 14 weeks in advance.

If you are joining and leaving your holiday overseas we assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday at your hotel.

Although airport transfers are not included for those making their own independent travel arrangements, if you wish to join the group at the overseas airport, depending on your flight arrival time, you may be able to be included on the group's transfer. Please contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details. 

Please note that your flight must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight to be able to join the group transfer. We also need your flight number, arrival time and departure point so that the group leader is able to meet up with you.

Regional Flights (R3). We offer regional flight options on this holiday and there will be one or two transfer vehicles between the airport and hotel to minimise any waiting time at the overseas airport on the outward or return journeys.

For all those booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday, details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days prior to departure.

To ensure that we can accurately administer your holiday arrangements, please confirm that the personal details we hold for you are up to date and that you have provided the information we need to secure your holiday travel and accommodation arrangements. Please check your passport details, date of birth and any other important details necessary for us to properly manage your holiday booking. You can view and update information already provided, and add details not yet asked for, by using the Manage My Booking facility on our website www.ramblersholidays.co.uk, or by calling our Sales and Reservations team on +44 (0)1707 331133. When you receive your booking confirmation please check the details as soon as possible.

It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country.

Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements.

General travel and destination advice for UK nationals is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at www.fco.gov.uk/travel and at www.gov.uk/travelaware.

All British passport holders need a tourist visa to enter Tanzania. Tanzania has introduced an ‘e-visas’ system through which applications can be submitted and approved online in advance of travel. It is no longer possible to get a visa from the Tanzanian High Commission in London.

It is also possible to get a tourist visa for a single entry on arrival at main ports of entry to Tanzania, subject to the fulfilment of all immigration requirements. You may be asked to provide proof of your return journey. You will not be able to get a multiple entry visa on arrival.

For further information about eVisa's, please read the following guidelines:  https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/guidelines

You will require an "Ordinary (single entry) Visa"

An online application for an Ordinary Visa should be accompanied with the following;

• Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page); - which you must upload a copy of at the final stage of the online application. 
• Return ticket of the flight (not mandatory); If you can proceed with your application without a copy of your return ticket, then great, but if you cannot proceed without uploading a copy then please contact RWH Travel to request a PDF copy of your flight eticket. 
• Dully filled in declaration form - please click here to download a copy of our help sheet:  https://www.ramblersholidays.co.uk/uploadDocuments/Tanzania%20Visa%20help%20form%202019-2020.pdf 
• 50 USD visa fee, will be payable on the final stage of the application.

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of your visa application. 

Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous state within Tanzania, you will therefore not need a separate visa to enter, you will only need to show your passport on arrival. 

The above information is provided by the Tanzania High Commission and was current on the date that this document was published: please therefore refer to the high commission website to get the most up to date information. We have tried to include all of the relevant information to enable you to obtain your visa, however if there is any further information that you require please check the official website or contact the high commission directly.

Passport, visa and health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP, or can be obtained from the Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA). In addition, general travel advice is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at www.fco.gov.uk/travel.

This holiday is mostly on a half board basis; with ten lunches also included. Breakfasts and dinners will be taken at the lodges and camps, and lunches will usually be a picnic.

The hotel(s) listed within this document are examples of standard only. Whilst we strive to deliver the hotel(s) listed within this Holiday Information Sheet, there will be times throughout the year when they change. If this occurs, we will advise you as such. From time to time hotels will change near to departure and you will not be advised until after arriving into the destination. We always aim to provide a replacement of similar standard and location, although we cannot guarantee similar facilities such as pool or bar.

Lightweight waterproof walking boots with a good moulded sole (such as Vibram or similar) and a deep tread and which provide ankle support are strongly recommended and may be essential for some walks. 

Outdoor activities are always safer and more enjoyable if you are prepared.

If you have not travelled with us before the following list might be of use:

• Waterproof jacket (Goretex or similar) and trousers
• Lightweight quick-drying trousers
• Walking T-shirt/shirts
• Walking socks
• Fleece or jumper
• Sun hat, sunglasses, lip salve and sun block
• Warm hat and gloves (if appropriate)
• Swimwear (if appropriate)
• Day sack (this should be able to carry all you would need for the day's activity)
• Day sack liner
• Water bottle - at least 1 litre capacity (more than 1 bottle may be required)
• Basic first aid kit
• Lunchbox
• Walking poles (should you find them useful)
• Sit mat

This list is not exhaustive and every walker is different and may have their own preference.

For the game drive/walk section of the holiday we recommend you bring clothing that is in keeping with the natural environment; natural, earthy tones work best such as browns, khaki and beige. Bright colours can scare off game, as these are colours that are not ones that they are generally familiar with. For the evening and early morning game drives a fleece or jacket and long trousers are recommended as it can become chilly during these periods and the vehicle's that we travel in can be open to the elements.

Please refer to the details given about malaria precautions and the advice given on wearing long sleeve tops and long trousers and closed shoes.

We recommend that you bring a torch with you, which will be useful when staying at the tented camps, where light is usually solar powered and poor or no lighting will be available in the evenings.

Binoculars will also be useful for wildlife spotting whilst on the game drives.

Effective from the 1st June 2019, the government of Tanzania has prohibited plastic carrier bags from being imported, exported, manufactured, sold, stored, supplied or used in Mainland Tanzania.  However plastic or plastic packaging for medical services, industrial products, construction industry, agricultural, foodstuff, sanitary and waste management are not prohibited.  

Visitors to Tanzania are advised to avoid carrying plastic carrier bags or packing plastic bags or storing items in a plastic bag in your suitcase. A special desk will be designated at all entry points for surrender of plastic carrier bags that visitors may be bringing into Tanzania. Plastic carrier items known as “Ziploc Bags” that are specifically used to carry toiletries will be permitted as they are expected to remain in permanent possession of visitors and they are not expected to be disposed of in the country.

Documents and Information to take with you:

• Passport (make sure it's yours and valid)
• Your travel tickets or e-ticket itinerary
• Any visa or electronic travel authorisation (if required)
• Holiday money
• Credit or debit cards (and separate details of who to call if lost)
• Car parking ticket and car park directions (if prebooked)
• Coach or rail travel tickets (if prebooked)
• Your holiday Booking Confirmation document
• Your travel insurance details
• Alternative form of identification (such as a driving licence)
• Photocopy of the personal details pages of your passport
• A valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if relevant
• Details of any medical condition or allergy your holiday leader should know about

In Tanzania the electricity is supplied at 220-240V A/C. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need the standard British square pin variety. More information can be found at  https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/

An alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is filtered water from a refillable bottle containing its own water filter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from www.watertogo.eu. Just fill up from any water source and save the environment from disposable plastic bottles.

We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping the environment. Please go to their website at www.watertogo.eu and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a difference in the countries you visit on our holidays.

“The “Bradt” guide provides very well-researched and interesting background reading for both Tanzania and Zanzibar. Ramblers Worldwide Holidays have especially negotiated a 25% discount on all Bradt guides for you as a thank you for your custom  – so please go to the Bradt Guide website www.bradtguides.com and enter the code RWH25 when ordering to claim your discount.”

Tanzania National Tourist Board Website:
www.tanzaniatouristboard.com

Maps and guidebooks relating to the areas you will be walking in may be bought before your holiday from The Map Shop at www.themapshop.co.uk

Visit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination:

• Weather2 - www.myweather2.com
• BBC Weather - www.bbc.co.uk/weather

Health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP.

Don’t forget to exercise caution with what you eat to avoid upset stomachs and stay away from unpeeled fruit and vegetables, salad and do not have ice in your drinks. Hot, fresh cooked food, where possible, is best. 

Hand washing facilities may be poor or unavailable when travelling, we therefore strongly advise you to carry antibacterial sanitizing gel and / or hand wipes at all times and use to them regularly.

Drinking or cleaning teeth in un-boiled water is not recommended.  Bottled pure water is inexpensive and widely available in shops, at hotels, and on the coach. Make sure you only buy sealed bottles.

For further advice please visit:

• The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) travel health website at www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
• The NHS 'Fit for travel' website at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
• The Foreign Office Travel Advice Website at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
• Or a local travel health clinic.

You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands.

You must be adequately insured to join our holidays. We do not insist that you insure with us but we require that you are adequately insured for the nature of your holiday. You will be unable to participate in our local walking and other activity programmes without being able to demonstrate that you have valid travel insurance.

Please ensure that as a minimum your travel insurance policy covers you for travel to your holiday destinations (country and geographical region) and for medical expenses, mountain rescue (including helicopter rescue) and emergency repatriation to your home country in the event of illness or injury. Your policy should also provide adequate cover for the activities, included and optional, you are likely to participate in during your holiday.

See our brochure or website for further advice regarding holiday insurance.

Whoever you insure with, please ensure that you take full details, and ideally the policy itself, with you on holiday and provide our tour leader with your insurer's name, the policy number and emergency assistance contact numbers.

Please note that it is very difficult to obtain travel insurance once your holiday arrangements have started.

The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office provides up to date information on security and local laws for travellers, together with current passport and visa information, at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Please take a few minutes to look at the current advice on your planned destination.

Please be aware of what's going on around you, take sensible precautions with your credit cards and passport and avoid displays of wealth such as wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Do not carry more cash on you than you will need for each day, and we recommend that a money belt is used.

We're committed to ethical tourism in all our destinations. Our holidays are designed for you to discover the essence of the country you are visiting. Travelling in small groups not only gives you an up close and personal experience of your destination, but minimises your impact on the immediate environment. We feel that the most important starting point to protect the environment is to be out in it. For more details visit our website.

Unlike many tour operators we have our own trust through which RWH Travel’s profits are channelled back into a variety of outdoor, walking-related or environmental conservation projects in the UK. The focus of the Trust’s financial support is Britain’s leading walking charity, The Ramblers, and their role in promoting the benefits and importance of walking to the British public. In addition the Trust welcomes applications for small grants from local organisations in the UK who need support for walking-orientated activities. This includes the establishment of footpaths and bridleways, funding for rebuilding bridges and renovating huts, as well as bursary funding for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for children who could not otherwise afford to do it. Please visit the ‘About Us’ section of our website and click on the Charitable Trust link for more details.

We appreciate that we are in a fortunate position to be able to use our profits to help make a difference to people's lives. Heart & Sole is a venture managed by our office staff, whose aim is to reach the heart of the communities in the countries we visit. Through Heart & Sole, we hope to make more of a long term, direct impact to these communities, particularly in less developed countries where even a small amount goes a long way. See our website for more information and details of some of the projects we support.

Heart & Sole is proud to support the New Generation Children Centre in Tanzania. During our stay in Moshi, our groups have the opportunity to visit the children's centre. This unique centre allows children (aged 3-9 years) to visit for free. It has been set up to support those children who live in extreme poverty, are orphans and or vulnerable. This  also helps children whose parents cannot afford the school fees for public education.

While our leader will have funds provided by RWH, if you wish to use any spare room in your suitcases then there are items the centre may need such as learning materials (exercise books, pencils, erasers, drawing books), teaching materials (plain paper, chalk, files for office, paper fastener),  cooking materials (oil, mais, sugar 15kg, rice, beans, firewood, vegetables, seeds) and other general items. If you have room in your suitcase and would like to take a few items with you, they will be much appreciated.

By travelling with us to Tanzania, in addition to experiencing the joy of visiting new places, you can help make a difference. For more information, please see our Heart & Sole page on our website at: www.ramblersholidays.co.uk/page/ramblersworldwideholidays_heart_and_sole.

Please do provide us with a mobile phone contact number. We will only use this to contact you with important information relating to your holiday arrangements. 

Do keep your mobile phones switched on and readily available when travelling to the airport or if delayed in transit so that we can contact you with any last minute information relating to your travel arrangements.  

As a matter of courtesy, please switch off your mobile phone during walks, or endeavour to minimise its use. Please also try to minimise the use of mobile devices during group meals.