Taste of Tanzania

International flights to/from the destination your trip starts and ends in are not included in the cost of the trip, and must be purchased separately. You can book these independently if you want to shop around for the best quote, or through your travel agent.

Any flights you take during your Contiki are included in the cost of your trip. On certain African trips we use planes to get you from A to B as quickly as possible, and all of this is included. 
 
You have an included airport transfer from the airport to your start hotel if you are arriving on the day the trip starts or if you have booked a pre night with Contiki at the start hotel. If your arrival flight is delayed, don’t worry, the transfer reps will keep track of flight times. However, if your flight has been cancelled at short notice or you missed a connecting flight and are arriving on a different flight at a different time then we cannot offer a new arrival pick-up. You can easily catch a taxi to the start hotel at your own expense from the airport and claim back on your travel insurance.

Depending on your nationality, you may require visas to enter certain African countries. You are fully responsible for obtaining all necessary visas prior to the departure of your trip. Contiki is not legally permitted to knowingly allow anybody who does not have a valid visa (if required) to join a trip. Visa & other entry & exit conditions such as currency, arrival/ departure taxes, customs & quarantine regulations change regularly, so make sure you stay up-to-date before you travel. It is also essential that you have any necessary vaccinations & comply with all laws of the countries visited.

Luggage restrictions are due to limited space in safari vehicles – Baggage restrictions of one soft-sided bag (duffle bag or similar) with a maximum weight of 15kg (44lbs) plus one piece of small day pack per person. No hard-sided suitcases are permitted, and weight is strictly enforced.

A pair of binoculars is crucial for any safari and your most important tool for wildlife viewing. It is highly recommended to bring a pair with you.

There will be clean drinking water available at your accommodation, and we recommend bringing a refillable water bottle. Kenya and Tanzania have both banned single use plastics, so please don’t bring any single use food packaging or water bottles with you into these countries. You can order a Contiki travel-friendly foldable waterbottle with built-in filtration system before your trip for just US$15 including free worldwide shipping, from contiki.com/waterbottle

People are at the heart of everything we do, and our team is what makes our trips the best. Our worldwide On-Road Team, locally based staff & network of Local Guides are all extensively trained & widely travelled, & are the best in the business. But we know it’s not just about training, it’s about passion & our team have it in their blood. 
Your Trip Manager is like your walking, talking guidebook – just for you. They plan your itinerary every day, organise your food and accomodation and book your Free Time Add ons, and because they know everything about where you’re going, you will too. Your Drivers are the experts on getting you from A to B efficiently and safely in Africa. They know their way around like the back of their hands & they’ll drop you at your door & unload your bags for you. Local Guides provide specialist knowledge when you need it, like when you’re on a safari, and will always help you avoid the tourist traps.

How much spending money you’ll need will depend on the duration of the trip and how much you anticipate spending on personal expenses like alcohol or shopping. Before you travel, it’s also a good idea to read up on and get an idea of the Free Time Add-Ons you think you’ll want to do on trip, as these will form part of your overall budget. We’d advise doing some research on your chosen destinations beforehand, looking at things like:
 
- Cost of a local lunch
 
- Cost of a local dinner
 
- Cost of a local taxi
 
- Cost of entry to a sightseeing spot
 
The currency in Kenya and Tanzania is Shillings, however almost all tourist activities & meals are charged in US$. Therefore you must bring US$ in cash when on the trip. This is also in case card machines stop working (this is Africa!). Visas are also paid for in cash on arrival. 

In all areas of the service industry in Africa, whether it’s restaurants, bars, hotels or taxis, it’s common practice to tip if you feel that the service received has been excellent. The same goes for your Contiki team; if you feel that their service has been exceptional then feel free to tip them. Our travellers often ask what to tip, we suggest 3.00 US$ per person per day. Remember that tipping (& how much you tip) is optional - it’s entirely up to you.

There will be WiFi at some lodges and most hotels, but when you’re staying in safari camps you may be off-grid. But when you’re this close to nature, camping under starswept skies, a mobile detox isn’t such a bad thing. You’ll still be able to upload your best snaps as you travel. 

We believe that travelling sustainably and consciously, matters. Contiki Cares is our commitment to protecting the communities we visit, the wildlife we interact with, and the planet we all share. Our founding partner, the TreadRight Foundation was established 10 years ago as a not-for-profit organisation focused on promoting sustainable tourism within The Travel Corporation’s family of brands. From a giraffe centre in Nairobi and an elephant orphanage in Kenya to a community visit in Shanga, we make sure our African experiences give something back to this incredible continent.