Tanzania is wide open for safari travel however many people want to know more about the scene on the ground… from masks, to game drives and airport procedures our partner Nomad Safaris in Tanzania put together this Q&A to help answer questions regarding travel to Tanzania over the coming weeks and months.

 

Do clients need to have proof of a negative covid-19 test before departure? The Tanzania Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism has stated that ‘It is a must for airlines to ensure that all passengers and crew are screened for Coronavirus prior to boarding the flight’. Therefore we would advise that clients check directly with their airline to see what the requirements are. Clients are not being asked to send proof of a negative Covid-19 test to either Tanzanian authorities or safari operators.

 

What experience can clients expect when arriving into Tanzania? Tanzania’s international airports are well prepared for the arrival of visitors. Locals, residents and the first flurry of tourists have been arriving since the borders opened in June and the measures in place appear to be working well. These measures include:

 

• Guests must wear their masks throughout the airport grounds
• Guests must adhere to socials distancing measures of 1 meter
• 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 will have their temperature taken at immigration
• Travelers arriving to Tanzania must have a certificate that they are COVID-19 free. This certificate must be issued no more than 72 hours before they DEPART their home.
• Once guests exit the arrivals terminal they will be met by their safari representative
• Luggage will be disinfected before being put into the transfer or safari vehicle

 

What happens if you have a fever / temperature on arrival? According to Tanzania’s Ministry of Health Protocol they will be taken to a holding facility within the Point of Entry for additional screening to ascertain if they have Covid-19 or any other disease. If Covid-19 is suspected, the Rapid Response Team will be called to collect a sample.

 

Is it necessary for arriving guests with a high body temperature to take a Covid-19 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test? Yes. To date there is no country that is an exception to this rule, but we will continue updating this mandate based on risk assessment.

 

Where do guests who have taken a Covid-19 PCR test wait for their results? If the assessment finds the visitor has mild symptoms, details of where they will go and contact details will be taken. They will be advised to self-isolate and to observe Infection Prevention Control measures. Details will be sent to a nearby district for follow-up. If the assessment finds the visitor has a moderate or severe case (criteria for assessment have been developed), then they will be sent to a designated health facility for further care.

 

What is the procedure that follows if a guest has tested positive? They will be advised to self-isolate. Depending on whether they have mild, moderate or severe symptoms, the decision-making process outlined above will be undertaken.

 

Is there a holding area at the airports where positive Covid-19 guests would have to wait? Yes.

 

When and where will clients be asked to wear masks?

 

• All guests must wear masks in public places including airport grounds, at park gates and on any domestic flights.
• If guests want to explore a village, town or city we recommend that they wear a mask.
• If guests wish to do so they can remove masks whilst inside a vehicle.
• If guests are in a shared game viewing vehicle it will be up to the individual guests whether they wear masks or not. For any guests who do not wish to wear a mask we recommend they get a private car and guide.

 

Will Nomad Tanzania camp staff be wearing masks and safety equipment? Using a commonsense approach, we have implemented the following measures within our Covid-19 protocols:

 

• If a guest asks the driver/guide to wear a mask then the guide will take regular breaks to get fresh air.
• On any transfers or game drives if guests have removed their masks then their driver / guide will have the option to remove theirs.
• Your guide will wear a mask on shared game drives; however it will be up to individual guests if they wish to wear a mask – we will not force any guests to do so.
• Whilst in camp, staff attending to guests will adhere to social distancing (2 meters as far as possible) and waiters will wear masks when serving guests.
• Back-of-house staff will adhere to social distancing with other staff members and will not wear masks unnecessarily.
• Housekeeping staff will wear Personal Protective Equipment when cleaning rooms.

 

What precautions are being put into place for people visiting the chimps? We’ve always had comprehensive measures in place to protect the chimps from human viruses but we’ve added 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

 

Can clients get a Covid-19 test done before returning home? Please let Ultimate Africa Safaris know is you require a Covid-19 test in order to be allowed back into your country of origin. We are identifying reliable testing centers and will work with you to help put arrangements in place where this is absolutely necessary.

 

What happens if a client contracts Covid-19 whilst on safari with Nomad? All our guests are covered for medical evacuation and will be transferred to a specialist center which has been implemented to arrange testing and identify appropriate health support.

 

Does the government have a list of designated hospitals that will deal with confirmed COovid-19 patients regionally? Yes, all referral hospitals are capable of handling patients. Each has trained personnel, and all the necessary equipment.

 

What is the correct way to dispose of masks and other protective gear that complies with the recommended national health and safety standards and environmental considerations? We advise that visitors deposit their masks and other PPE in areas that have been specifically designated for this purpose.

 

Stay well,

Ian Proctor
Ultimate Africa President
“I first visited Africa in the late 1980s. I came face to face with a wild elephant, and fell in love with being on safari! I made it my goal to create an African travel company that was all about authentic wildlife experiences. Many years later we are one of the top African travel companies in the Americas – known for arranging custom safaris to East and Southern Africa; personal trips, no cookie cutter stuff.”