OUR COVID-19 POLICY AND UPDATES
Current Covid Entry Requirements for Tanzania (Last update: July 1, 2022)
Visitors must complete a “Traveler’s Surveillance Form” at most 24 hours before arrival:
Mainland Tanzania: https://afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz/#/home
Zanzibar: https://healthtravelznz.mohz.go.tz/traveller/
Travelers entering Tanzania (and those in transit through land borders) who are:
Fully vaccinated, will be exempted from both RT PCR and Rapid Antigen Test requirements. Travelers will be required to present a valid vaccination certificate with QR code for verification upon arrival. The only accepted vaccines are AstraZeneca (SK Bioscience and Vaxzevria), Covaxin, Covishield, Covovax, Janssen, Moderna (Spikevax), Nuvaxovid (Novavax), Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty), Sinopharm and Sinovac.
Not fully vaccinated, unvaccinated and those not eligible for vaccination due to their country policy will be required to present a negative COVID-19 RT- PCR or NAATs certificate with QR code obtained within 72 hours before departure. If travelers originate from countries listed at www.moh.go.tz or at the Points of Entry will be tested for COVID 19 upon arrival using a Rapid Antigen Test at their own cost of 10 USD for Tanzania Mainland and 25 USD in Zanzibar. If found positive they will be tested with RT- PCR for confirmation, allowed to self-isolate and the results will be sent via email or any other means. Travelers are advised to pay for their rapid test online to avoid unnecessary queue upon arrival through an automatically generated control number obtained after filling the online Traveler’s Health Surveillance Form (see links above).
Our Commitment To Our Guests
Above all, Sababu Safaris is committed to the health and safety of our guests. We can assure you that we are doing everything in our power to manage the situation and ensure the health and safety of all our guests and staff. In order to do so, we have put in place our “stay safe” standard operating procedures in accordance with guidelines issued by international public health authorities including the CDC. This initiative is focused on enhanced camp and vehicle cleaning practices, social distancing and workplace protocols.
Because we only operate customized private tours with a limited amount of guests, we will be able to incorporate frequent cleaning and sanitizing into our daily routine. Each of our safari guides is equipped with disinfectant sprays, disposable paper towels for single-use, hand sanitizers for guest use, masks, as well as all of the latest emergency contact details. Due to the nature of private safaris in general, we generally do not visit enclosed places where large numbers of people are gathered.
While the safety of our staff and guests have always been the primary priority for Sababu Safaris, we have been reviewing every element of the Sababu Safaris guest experience to ensure that our guests can feel 100% reassured when they are traveling with us.
Updated Cancellation Policy:
We share our guests’ concerns about upcoming travel. As such, we have created a revised cancellation and rebooking policy until the situation has stabilized. It is our every intention to monitor the situation as it unfolds in Tanzania and to update our terms and conditions accordingly. We are committed to maintaining as much flexibility as possible whilst we navigate our way through these very trying times.
Please note that our version of tourism is about connecting worlds and changing lives. A cancelled trip has a massive social and environmental impact all the way down the supply chain. It limits community and concession revenue, and hurts the efforts underway to protect ecosystems. While elevated levels of travel clearly help Sababu Safaris, it also provides huge support to our communities, our wild spaces and the Tanzanian government. Delay is clearly better than cancellation for all of our key stakeholders, so delaying rather than cancelling a booking helps the local communities, the wildlife, our staff and our industry partners.
You now have the flexibility to rebook for when you can look forward to your trip without fear for your health and safety. You may apply the full value of what you have paid toward future travel.
*These amendments shall be implemented and will remain in effect until such time that the worldwide travel restrictions are lifted and COVID19-related concerns are resolved.
Confirmed bookings:
Existing bookings may be postponed without penalty for any available dates within 12 months of your original travel date.
Amendments to the travel dates can be made up until 15 days prior to the expected arrival. For the new booking dates, standard cancellation policies will apply. Final payments are determined by the actual travel date.
When new travel dates fall into a different season, the new season rates will apply.
If you are not yet sure of a new travel date, you are free to provide a tentative date and we can confirm the exact date at your earliest convenience.
Should you decide to cancel fully and not opt to travel by within 12 months, our regular cancellation policy will apply.
Please note:
Postponing your safari means that you will get to enjoy the full Sababu Safaris experience at another time – without any change fees. We encourage guests who plan to defer their tour to get in touch as soon as possible, as tours in the 2022 season are booking up fast. Please note that the terms and conditions in effect at the time of your new departure date will apply.
We require all people traveling anywhere to have full travel insurance that will cover medical expenses, travel costs, and cancellation fees. We would of course assist in producing any required documentation as required for an insurance claim.
We advise checking with your insurance company if they have a Government Travel Advice Benefit (or similar) which you can add to your policy. In addition, Sababu Safaris suggests that guests check with their insurance companies for all related travel cover including flights and any additional accommodation outside of your Sababu Safaris tour.
We will continue to monitor this changing situation and we will follow the advice issued by national and international bodies. The above may be adjusted at any time, and if there are any changes, we will let you know.
Q&A
We thought we’d put together a Q&A to help answer any questions you may have regarding travel to Tanzania over the coming weeks and months. Our aim is to provide you with as much information and reassurance as possible, so please have a read and get in touch if there’s any further detail we can provide.
BEFORE ARRIVAL
SHOULD I GET A VISA IN ADVANCE?
It is possible to get a visa on arrival but we highly recommend getting one in advance: https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/. This will limit contact on arrival at the airport, and you will avoid long lines.
DO I NEED TO HAVE PROOF OF A NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST BEFORE DEPARTURE?
Only unvaccinated travelers are required to show proof of a negative PCR-COVID-19 Test taken no longer than 72 hours before departure.
WHICH AIRLINES ARE FLYING TO TANZANIA?
The following international airlines are currently flying to Tanzania (last updated on November 22, 2021).
*Subject to change. Please check directly with airlines.
Qatar Airways
Ethiopian Airlines
KLM
Turkish Airlines
Emirates
Swiss Air
Kenya Airways
Uganda Airlines
RwandAir
Oman Air
FlyAirlink
Mango Airlines
WHICH TRAVEL INSURANCE SHOULD I PICK?
A few insurers who we understand are providing a range of Covid-19 friendly travel arrangements, dependent on your needs and requirements, are as follows:
USA: Trawick International (Q&A)
USA: Generali (Q&A)
UK: Allianz Assistance (Q&A)
UK: Staysure (Q&A)
Travel insurance provider battleface have recently joined Atta. Battleface covers travellers to destinations in Africa, including regions under FCDO and government essential travel advisories. This includes 24/7 access to on-the-ground field agents who can assist with emergencies, which include COVID-19 medical expenses for those 59 and under, coverage for medical evacuation and accidents, adventure sport and travel to isolated places.
Here is also a list of independent travel insurance reviews.
WHAT LUGGAGE SHOULD I BRING?
If you are taking a domestic flight, we still recommend that you bring a soft luggage bag weighing no more than 20kg/44lbs.
ARRIVAL IN TANZANIA
WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN ARRIVING INTO TANZANIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS?
Tanzania’s international airports are well prepared for the arrival of visitors. These measures include:
There are hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the airports for guests to use
Guests will be asked to fill in a form regarding their recent travel history
Guests must show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test result
Once guests exit the arrivals terminal they will be met by our safari representative
ON SAFARI WITH SABABU SAFARIS
WHEN AND WHERE WILL GUESTS BE ASKED TO WEAR MASKS?
You are not required to wear a mask.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I CONTRACT COVID-19 WHILST ON SAFARI WITH SABABU SAFARIS?
All our guests are covered for medical evacuation (Amref) and will be transferred to a specialist center which has been implemented to arrange testing and identify appropriate health support.
WHAT PRECAUTIONS ARE BEING PUT INTO PLACE FOR PEOPLE VISITING THE CHIMPS IN MAHALE?
There have always been comprehensive measures in place to protect the chimps from human viruses but there are now a few extra procedures for any guests able to visit the chimps this season:
Guests will be briefed not to touch anything in the forest with their bare hands.
Guests must keep a distance of 10 meters from the chimps
Before each chimp trek guests will have their temperature taken
Any guests with the signs of a cold will not be able to visit the chimps
How To Contact Us
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if we can be of further assistance, or if you have specific bookings you wish to discuss.
If you have any concerns about your upcoming safari, please do not hesitate to contact us, so you can feel at ease about future travel plans.
☎️ By Telephone/WhatsApp
USA: +1 914-207-4426
Tanzania: +255 759 616 757
Email: [email protected]