The safety and comfort of you and your family are our top priority. Whether on a safari adventure, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, or luxuriating on any African beach, Good Earth and its representatives are constantly planning for your well-being. Our many years of experience and local knowledge enables us to plan for and seamlessly implement any contingencies that may arise. Our North American and Tanzanian team members are more than happy to discuss any questions or concerns you may have concerning your safety and comfort while on safari. We encourage you to check out our travel tips page.
Here, you will find frequently asked questions, and if you would like us to assist you with planning your safari directly, you may call our customer service representatives.
Climate
Temperatures in Northern Tanzania range from 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Passports & Visas
Visitors must have a current passport that remains valid for at least six (6) months beyond their scheduled departure date. Most visitors require visas except citizens of certain Commonwealth countries. It is advisable to obtain your visas before your departure as several airlines insist on them before departure. However, they can also be obtained at the port of entry (i.e., Airports or border crossings).
Customs
Personal effects, including cameras and binoculars, may be brought in free of duty. A customs bond may be demanded from those bringing in video cameras, camcorders, radios, tape recorders, and musical instruments to ensure the goods can be re-exported. Firearms and pocket knives require special permits. There are duty-free allowances of 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, and one pint of spirits. Visitors buying local handicrafts must keep sales receipts for presentation to customs officials upon departure. There are duty-free allowances of 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, and one pint of spirits. Visitors buying local handicrafts must keep sales receipts for presentation to customs officials upon departure.
Currency
The currency unit in Tanzania and Kenya is the shilling, available in notes and coins. One shilling is divided into 100 cents. It is essential to know that importing/exporting Tanzanian and Kenyan currency is illegal. Foreign currency in cash or traveler’s checks may be exchanged at banks, authorized dealers, exchange bureaus found in cities and towns, international airports, and border posts.
Health & Immunization
Modern medical services are available in the big cities and towns. However, visitors are advised to bring their medicines with them. Visitors from countries infected with cholera and yellow fever must produce international vaccination certificates. Anti-malaria medication is strongly recommended when traveling to East Africa, with the recommendation that anti-malaria tablets be taken a few days before your arrival, during your stay, and for a short period after returning home.
Insurance
All clients must arrange for personal travel insurance to cover medical, property, and other personal risks for the duration of their safaris.
Language
The official languages of Tanzania are Kiswahili and English, and Kenya’s official language is English. Kiswahili is spoken and understood by the more significant majority of both nationals. There is wide usage and understanding of English, particularly in the town centers.
Members of the Good Earth team are fluent in English. Some of our members have a good command of spoken French and German. For those who speak other languages, we highly recommend that you notify us at least two months before your safari.
Security
We recommend being cautious of your surroundings. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry and walking in the dark, deserted lanes and streets. Keep an eye on your purses, wallets, handbags, and cameras. Never accept food or drinks from strangers.
Electricity
Tanzania and Kenya use the UK/European standard power supply of 220/240 volts. You will need a voltage and plug converter to use North American appliances. We suggest bringing battery-operated devices if possible.
Food & Drinks
Generally, the more expensive the hotel or restaurant, the better and safer the food will be. Our food ranges from local to international and is prepared by our skilled and trained chefs while camping.
It is recommended that visitors drink only bottled water which is readily available. Good Earth provides bottled water for all of our safaris and tours.
There are no restrictions on selling and consuming alcoholic drinks in East Africa. Many imported beers, wines, and spirits are available in many places.
Clothing
It does not get freezing in Tanzania and Kenya, so lightweight clothing is the norm. However, Arusha and Nairobi experience cooler weather in the months of June and July. On Safari, short sleeve shirts, blouses, and shorts are ideal. A light jacket or sweater may be needed at higher altitudes as it can be cold in the morning and evening. Essential too are sensible walking shoes, a hat to keep the sun off your head and sunglasses. Warm clothing is necessary if you are climbing.
Photography
East African people are offended if you take their photos without their permission, so it is essential to ask them before doing so. Feel free to ask your driver/guide to ask permission for you. If planning to bring a camera, do not forget to bring a memory card, batteries, and dustproof bags.
Tipping
The recommended tips per day (from the whole group) are Driver: 20~30 USD per day; Safari Cook (if camping): 10~20 USD per day. For trekking, click here. Of course, you can pay more if you are particularly impressed or less if you are not.
Equipment
Most of the following equipment is needed for climbing and some safaris, which includes… sleeping tent, mattresses, sleeping bag, water/windproof jacket, warm jacket, rain clothes, sweater, warm trousers, long warm underwear, climbing boots, walking shoes (hiking), several pairs of cotton socks, hiking shorts, a tee-shirt, baseball cap, hat, gloves, water bottle (+3 quarts), flashlight, small bag, rucksack (for your belongings to be carried by porters), walking sticks, sunglasses, anti-diarrhea drug, anti-altitude drug, water filter and iodine tablets, watch, camera or camcorder. Please be advised that we provide sleeping tents and mattresses.
Miscellaneous
More information will be provided at a pre-departure briefing in our office before commencing your adventure.
Safari Packing List
Here are helpful lists to assist you with packing for a trip with Good Earth Tours and should get you thinking about what you’ll need to bring to maximize your experience.
Clothing List
- Long-sleeved lightweight shirts for protection from the sun
- Sweater or jacket and pants for cold temperatures at night
- Hat
- Bathing suit (if you stay in a lodge/hotel that has a swimming pool)
- Socks
- Belt
- Sandals for wear during safari
- Lightweight hiking shoes
- One nice pair of shoes
- Short pants
- Sunglasses
- Reading glasses (if you wear contacts, bring glasses as they can be very dusty)
- Remember to bring enough clothing for the entire safari as you may not have the opportunity to have them washed (however, most lodges do offer laundry service at extra cost)
Personal Items List
- Sunscreen
- Lip sun block
- Toiletries
- Ziploc bags for camera and toiletries
- Ibuprofen
- Bug repellant
Other Items
- Camera – a 300 mm lens is recommended
- Extra camera batteries
- Flashlight
- Binoculars (each of our vehicles has 1 – 2 binoculars)
- Locks for baggage
- Video camera
- Small gifts for Maasai children – pencils, pens
- Traveler’s checks or currency
- Wildlife guides
- Small day pack
- Money belt
- Snacks
Tipping Suggestion
It costs each trekker about $55/day to tip the entire climbing crew (i.e., leading guide, assistant guide(s), porters, and a cook), so for a 6-day trek, it would cost you about $330 for tipping and tipping is done at the end of the trip.
The recommended tips from a group (not for each climber) are as follows:
- Leading guide: $18/day
- Assistant guide: $14/day (for each assistant guide)
- Porters: $6/day (for each porter)
- Cook: $12/day
- Cook’s assistant/waiter: $6/day
The typical number of crews for a climb is as follows: *
- 1 climber: 1 Guide, 4 – 5 Porters, 1 Cook
- 2 climbers: 1 Guide, 1 Assistant Guide, 9 – 10 Porters, 1 Cook & 1 Cook’s assistant
- 3 climbers: 1 Guide, 1 Assistant Guide, 11 – 12 Porters, 1 Cook & 1 Cook’s assistant
- 4 climbers: 1 Guide, 1 Assistant Guides, 15 – 16 Porters, 1 Cook & 1 Cook’s assistant
- 5 climbers: 1 Guide, 2 Assistant Guides, 20 – 21 Porters, 1 Cook & 1 Cook’s assistant
- 6 climbers: 1 Guides, 2 Assistant Guides, 24 – 25 Porters, 1 Cook & 1 Cook’s assistant
* The above crew numbers are based on all routes except the Marangu route. On the Marangu route, we stay in huts, which means fewer porters as no tents need to be carried on that route. It results in an average number of 3 porters per climber on the Marangu route Versus 4- 5 porters per climber on other routes.
The above are just recommended tipping amounts and can be tipped more or less depending on how satisfied you were with the services provided by your climbing crew.
Our office staff will meet with your group at the end of the climb to get your feedback on how the trek went, and we always appreciate any suggestions that may improve our services. Also, if there were any problems with your climb, we ask you to mention this to the office staff and the booking agent who has handled your booking.
Our goal is to employ and keep the best staff and ensure our climbers have great memories of their climb, bringing them back and recommending us to others.