There are bound to be questions when travelling. Information on everything from weather to internet connections can be found below.

• Book This Trip

  To help expedite your booking, please have the following information ready before you call us:

  • Tour Name and Departure Date Desired
  • Traveler Name(s): Please have first and last names as they appear on the passport or driver’s license.
  • Traveler’s Address(es)
  • Traveler’s Phone Number(s)
  • Emergency Contact Information: This would be a relative or friend whom we could contact during the tour in the event of an emergency. Please provide their name and phone number(s).
  • Interest in purchasing Tauck’s Travel Protection Product (see below).
  • Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
  • Interest in our specially negotiated airfares.

  For reservations, call 800-788-7885 or contact your travel agent to book today!
  
  Tauck Reservation Sales Counselors are available:

  Monday through Friday 6 am - 8 pm
  Saturday 9 am - 5 pm
  Sunday 12 pm - 5 pm (Eastern Time)

  Some additional questions you might have about booking this trip:

  Special Requests
  We will be happy to advise hotels of any special requests, provided we receive them at time of booking. We regret that requests cannot be guaranteed.

  Deposit Date
  Upon your request, we will hold space tentatively for you and give a “Deposit Due Date,” by which a deposit must be received or space is automatically released. Your deposit is $600 per person.

  Final Payment is due at Tauck’s Norwalk, CT office 60 days before departure. Any bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice.

  Final Documents, which may include airline tickets, when applicable, are sent by first class mail upon receipt of final payment. They include joining instructions, hotel lists, tour itinerary, clothing suggestions, luggage tags and other pertinent information. We recommend overnight mailing service for any reservation that is made within 30 days of the tour departure date to ensure timely delivery. The additional expense will be added to your tour cost.

• Inclusive Prices

  Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, special dinners, safari expenses and adventures, local guides, entertainment, land transportation, luggage handling, admission fees, the services of the hotel and restaurant staff, local guides and drivers and the Tauck Director are included. Transportation from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha Mountain Village is included, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of your tour. If you do not provide your flight arrival information at least 2 weeks prior to the tour departure date, or choose to transfer on your own, you are responsible for arranging and paying for your own transportation to Serena Mountain Village, which currently costs approximately $50 USD per vehicle. If you are delayed, and arrive in Tanzania after the group has left Arusha, you will require a transfer to meet up with the group at the Kikoti Tented Camp.  This transfer can be arranged by contacting Safari Legacy directly.  Please note that this transfer is the responsibility of the guests traveling and, therefore, must be paid directly to Safari Legacy at time of transfer.  Cost is approximately USD $500 per vehicle. Transportation to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania from Zanzibar is included on day 12, where a day room is reserved at the Serena Dar Es Salaam Hotel. Transfers from the Serena Dar Es Salaam Hotel to Julius Nuyere International Airport are included. Transportation to and from airports may be shared with other Tauck guests.
  
  Safari, Lodge and Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotels, safari lodges and tented safari camps with en suite facilities including showers, flush toilets and hot and cold running water. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ from place to place, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels.
  
  Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
  
  Tauck Director – Tanzania: Serengeti to Zanzibar is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the duration of the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
  
  Gratuities Included – All appropriate gratuities for camp staff and guides are included in the cost of the program.
  
  No Options Sold - Tauck Directors sometimes assist with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.

• On Tour Flights

  Airfare While on Tour - Three on-tour flight must be purchased through us as part of your tour package.

• Not Included

  Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from us for travel originating in the United States.
  
  Safari, Lodge or Hotel Accommodations Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, many quests prefer to secure lodge or hotel accommodations for the nights preceding or following their tour. As a service, we will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through us. Safari lodge and hotel accommodations will be added to the tour cost. Airport transfers are included for these bookings as described above in Inclusive Prices. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult Extend Your Trip in the Accommodations section above on this webpage and discuss it with your reservations sales consultant or travel agent when you book your tour.
  
  Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to the Tauck Travel Protection Product section below on this webpage for more information.

  Lost luggage is an unfortunate possibility in today's world of airline travel. We suggest that you:

  • Pack at least one change of clothing in your carry-on bag
  • Split your items between your suitcase and a traveling companion's suitcase
  • Do not pack any vital medications or valuables in your checked luggage
  • Confirm that your luggage is checked and tagged to your final destination at airport check-in
  • Place your luggage claim tags in a secure place for your flight
  • File a claim for any missing luggage immediately before leaving the baggage claim area
  • Secure a case number and contact information for follow-up communications
  • Make certain that the airline has your onward itinerary

  Your Tauck Director will assist you with airline and other carrier communications, but has no inside contacts to guarantee or expedite recovery of lost luggage. All recovery costs, including the communication costs, are your responsibility. Check your travel protection details for covered expenses.
  
  Personal Expenses such as phone calls, room service, alcoholic and other beverages not specifically included, laundry, dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, airport arrival and departure taxes, individual train and airport transfers (when applicable), and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
  
  Tauck Director Gratuities – The customary gratuity to the Tauck Director is not included. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.

• Tauck Travel Protection Product / If You Have To Cancel

  Tauck’s Guest Protection and Cancellation Fee Waiver
  
  Guests booking a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing cancellation protection from Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations.

  Tauck's Travel Protection is available to all travelers, with the exception of residents of Puerto Rico. Residents of Puerto Rico are eligible for some cancellation protection by purchasing Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver (see below).

  Tauck’s Guest Protection
  
  Under Tauck’s all-inclusive Guest Protection, you can cancel your tour for any reason up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost. The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost. The cost is $520 per person.
  
  In addition, Tauck’s Guest Protection provides comprehensive travelers’ insurance and 24-hour emergency assistance. Coverage for the following elements is provided by BerkelyCare, Ltd. and is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy:

  • Airfare Protection – Should you need to cancel or interrupt your tour for covered reasons, airfares and air penalties will be covered up to the original airfare cost.
  • Medical Protection – You are reimbursed for covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or ill during your trip (including pre-existing conditions if purchased at time of deposit).
  • Flying Doctor Service for Tanzania – In times of a medical emergency, the Flying Doctor Service provides a one-time air evacuation rescue to the nearest medical facility. During the evacuation you will be attended by an emergency physician and/or a critical care nurse, depending on clinical need.
  • Luggage Protection – You are reimbursed for lost, stolen, delayed or damaged luggage.

  This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Cost is not refundable under any circumstances. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.
  
  Tauck’s Cancellation Fee Waiver
  
  Should you have to cancel your tour for any reason, Tauck’s non-refundable Cancellation Fee Waiver waives all cancellation fees outlined (except in Extreme Circumstances*), provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. The cost is $400 per person.
  
  This Waiver is not insurance; it does not cover airline penalties, luggage damage, personal injury, or does not protect travel agent commissions. The advantage of this waiver is that you may cancel regardless of reason, without written notice. Should you wish protection beyond our Cancellation Fee Waiver, your travel agent will recommend insurance companies.
  
  Flying Doctor Service for Tanzania – For those guests traveling to Tanzania this waiver covers evacuation services provided by the Flying Doctor Service. In times of a medical emergency, the Flying Doctor Service provides a one-time air evacuation rescue to the nearest medical facility. During evacuation you will be attended by an emergency physician and / or a critical care nurse, depending on clinical need.
  
  This optional Cancellation Fee Waiver must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. It assures a full refund of land tour costs received by Tauck, except for the cost of the Cancellation Fee Waiver and any extra fees resulting from partial room cancellation.
  
  *Extreme Circumstances: In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.
  
  If You Have to Cancel
  
  Cancellations Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. Therefore, the following fees apply. Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office.
  
  Guests choosing to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection will incur cancellation penalties of
  $520 per person regardless of cancellation date prior to tour departure date.
  
  Guests choosing to purchase Tauck’s Cancellation Fee Waiver will incur cancellation penalties of $400 per person regardless of cancellation date prior to tour departure date.
  
  Guests choosing not to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

  60 days or more before departure

  $600 per person
  
  59-8 days before departure
  $1250 per person
  
  7-1 days before departure
  $2000 per person

  
  In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.
  
  Tour Interruption Fees – If you have to interrupt your tour en route, you may be entitled to a refund of land tour costs if it exceeds 24 hours; certain restrictions apply. Such refunds are based upon the number of overnights missed less $40 per day for unused transportation and other fixed expenses.
  
  Partial Room Cancellation – A person canceling or leaving a tour while a roommate remains constitutes a cancellation of one type of accommodation and rebooking of another type of accommodation. The price charged the remaining person is the new, higher price for the new accommodation.
  
  Click here to download our complete Description of Coverage.

• Additional Information

  Airline Security Measures -
  
  If you are traveling from the U.S., the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight program requires that your name, as it appears on your domestic or international airline ticket, must precisely match your name as it appears on the government-issued photo ID (i.e., passport or driver’s license) that you present during security screening. The ID name must also match any additional airline data, such as frequent-flyer information. For example, if you present your driver's license to security and it says John T. Smith, your ticket must also say John T. Smith, not John Thomas Smith, Jack Smith, or any other variant. Your date-of-birth and gender information provided to the airline must also match your passport.
  
  If you make your air travel arrangements through us, please ensure that the name you provide us precisely matches your name as shown on the identification you will use while traveling. If you make your own airline reservations, please ensure that the airline has the correct information.
  
  For more information on the Secure Flight program, please visit the TSA website by clicking here.
  
  If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S., you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.
  
  Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times.
  
  Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through us for travel originating in the United States. By using our air services, you agree that we, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, are acting only as your agent and are not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by us. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline only, even if purchased through us. We are not liable for, and do not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). We must handle ticketing for our special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Our air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a one of our tours. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air booking before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.
  
  Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – We pledge to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. We reserve the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by us. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of publication.
  
  Journey Start and End Times are provided at time of booking and are subject to change due to airline schedule changes. All booking agents and guests will be advised of such changes. When making flight arrangements, allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs. Each carrier and each airport has different rules regarding how early you must arrive for flight check in. Please contact your individual carrier for this information.
  
  Membership will be granted to all persons. We reserve the right to terminate the tour of any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
  
  Photography on Tour – Occasionally, we will use photographs and/or video taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for print, Internet and other media promotional purposes. If you prefer that your image not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

• Preparing to Go

  Travel Document Requirements –
  
  If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey for entry into Tanzania. Your passport must also contain two blank pages.

  We have collaborated with Pinnacle Travel Document Systems (TDS) to assist you in obtaining an entry visa for Tanzania. The visa fee, as well as any applicable consular fees and shipping fees, is not included in the tour cost, and payment should be mailed with the completed application directly to TDS. The amount of the visa fee is stated on the application.
  
  A TDS visa kit may be downloaded through the Pinnacle TDS website by clicking here. Visas for Tanzania cannot be processed more than 90 days prior to departure and the process does take several weeks to complete.
  
  It is very important to note that while we have an affiliation with TDS for processing visas, you are not required to process your visa through TDS, and may elect to choose other visa services or work directly through the a Tanzanian consulate or embassy.

  If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally , you should contact a consulate or embassy of Tanzania to determine if an entry visa is required.
  
  We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

  We recommend visas to be obtained in advance.  Although airport visas are available, due to inadequate staffing, delays of over an hour can be expected if you purchase your visa upon arrival in Tanzania.

  Travel with Children –

  Age Recommendations ― Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, we have a minimum recommended age for each journey to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.
  
  Babysitting ― Our journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. If you require babysitting services, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer on-site babysitting services; however, babysitting services may not be available at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.
  
  Safety and Welfare Responsibility ― We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling with us, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.
  
  Special Travel Documentation for Children
  Authorization for Travel
  
  If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a notarized note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.
  
  If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (parent deceased, sole custody, etc.), other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, or a death certificate, will be useful.
  
  Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, we require you to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information may be obtained from a country’s consulate or embassy.
  
  Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment
  
  In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child’s parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents (including other pertinent documents as cited above) authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.

  Children who are U.S. citizens must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the completion of the journey.

  We are not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by the improper documentation of any guest, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.
  
  Air Conditioning –  The hotels and safari vehicles are not air conditioned.
  
  ATM and Credit Cards ― We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing for this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be “suspicious” charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.

  Clothing and Packing - Your African safari is a very casual tour. Comfortable and casual clothing is recommended for both day and night. Formal and resort attire is not required.
  
  Generally, lightweight, cotton, short- and long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and shorts are sufficient. A light jacket, fleece, or windbreaker, as well as layers of clothing, are suggested for cooler temperatures during early morning game drives and evenings. A bandana or cotton scarf will always comes in handy.
  
  While on safari it is recommended you wear natural earth-colored clothing, such as khakis, tans, browns, and greens, as well as comfortable walking shoes. Bright colors and whites are not advised, and army camouflage uniforms or army hats are forbidden. Blue and black are not suggested, as these colors attract both the sun and Tsetse flies. It is also a good idea to bring a swimsuit, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and lip protection.
  
  Game drives can be dusty, so wear something that can be washed while on safari. Clothes may be laundered at all camps for a nominal fee.
  
  A personal kit with medication for possible upset stomach, aspirin, and allergy medicine may also be useful. If you are taking prescription drugs, bring a prescription signed by your doctor in case you need an emergency refill while traveling. Insect repellent with DEET is a very important item to include in your kit. Pre-moistened towelettes, antibacterial lotion, and a flashlight will also be useful on your safari.
  
  Pack your medical kit in your carry-on bag along with an extra pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses and a change of clothes in case of luggage delay.
  
  For viewing wildlife, we recommend you bring a good pair of binoculars and your own photography supplies, such as plenty of film, batteries, a 200mm telephoto lens, lens cap, lens papers, UV filter and, for video-recording, an adequate supply of video cassettes.

  We suggest that you pack the following items your journey:

  • Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks, long and short-sleeved shirts
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
  • Swimwear
  • Gym wear
  • A light sweater or jacket for higher elevations or a breezy night
  • Binoculars (7x50 preferably)
  • Insect repellent
  • Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and/or plenty of film
  • Lightweight, comfortable, sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
  • Battery-operated travel alarm clock
  • Rain poncho and collapsible umbrella
  • Zipper-lock bags
  • Daypack for camera equipment
  • Sundries and toiletries that may be difficult to find en route
  • Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling

  Elevation - The maximum elevation on this tour is 8,000 ft (2,438 m).
  
  Health - All travelers to Africa should be in reasonably good health. While there is a not a significant amount of walking on this tour, it is challenging, as you cross over uneven terrain, frequently in warm weather and climb in and out of safari vehicles. On Day 11, you board a single or twin engine aircraft accommodating 13-18 guests for the flight to Arusha. We do not recommend this tour for those who require assistance walking or who travel with an oxygen tank.
  
  Roads in rural and wildlife areas are bumpy and dusty. Although we provide reliable and reasonably comfortable vehicles, they are not air conditioned and travel throughout this region is often slow, especially in wilderness areas.
  
  We regret that we cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you require such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will help you.
  
  If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

  Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

  VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

  Some of the countries visited on this itinerary may require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against certain diseases in order to enter the country.  These requirements are subject to frequent change as outbreaks occur and subside in different areas, and it is therefore crucial that you obtain the very latest information on entry requirements as you prepare for your journey.

  For the most current information, please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by clicking here and the World Health Organization (WHO) by clicking here. You may also wish to visit the web sites for the embassies of the countries you will be visiting.  Besides providing details on vaccination requirements, these sites can also provide information on vaccinations that may be recommended (but aren’t required) and other potential health issues for which no vaccines are available.

  Any decisions relating to your health, of course, should not be based solely on information provided by a web site.  It is critically important that you consult with your personal physician prior to your journey to obtain any required vaccinations and to review any optional recommendations offered by the CDC or other sources.

  Please be sure to discuss your journey with your physician at least four to six weeks in advance of your departure, as certain vaccinations take time to become fully effective.  Also, be certain to ask your physician for proof of any vaccinations you receive, and to pack this proof along with your other travel documents in your carry-on luggage (not in your checked luggage).

  Researching and complying with vaccination entry requirements for the countries visited on this itinerary is the responsibility of the traveler and not Tauck. Tauck is therefore not responsible for any expenses incurred or disruptions to travel caused by improper or incomplete vaccinations, or by the failure to provide proof of required vaccinations. 

  If you do not obtain the necessary vaccinations and proper documentation, you may be denied entry into one or more countries, or temporarily quarantined until the necessary vaccinations are administered, or until proper documentation is provided. 

  Luggage Restrictions:
  
  Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour
  
  Strict limitations on our on-tour flights require you to check only one piece of soft-sided luggage weighing no more than 33 lbs (14.97 kg). This weight limit includes all camera equipment. Soft-sided luggage is required to ensure your piece fits into irregularly shaped luggage compartments.
  
  To help with your packing, we will provide you with a duffel bag that has been specially designed to provide more than adequate space for essential items needed while on safari on days 6-10. Please pack light and bring ONLY the Tauck-issued duffel bag with you on safari.
  
  In addition, you are limited to one soft-sided, carry-on bag per person not to exceed 15 lbs.(6.8 kg) that is no larger than an average knapsack.
  
  Checked Luggage – General
  
  While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.
  
  Recently, airlines have adopted policies enforcing strict number, size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.
  
  Many carriers require that checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, we cannot be held liable for the accuracy of the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current number, weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage number, weight and size may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers. You may wish to consult the website, luggagelimits.com, by clicking here.
  
  We cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage number, weight and size policies.
  
  Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home!
  
  Carry-on Luggage - General
  
  Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.
  
  For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.
  
  

• Destination Information

  While in Africa…
  
  We ask all guests to follow common sense guidelines to protect the wildlife and natural resources. Game parks and reserves provide protected natural environments for wildlife and visitors. Game viewing is an important part of the African experience – it is important to avoid any interference or harmful contact with animals in their natural habitat.
  
  Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that guests refrain from cell phone usage during motor coach travel, group functions, sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually ample opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not affect others or the wildlife in the game reserves.
  
  Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine if your service extends to Tanzania.
  
  Currency and Exchange Rates – The local currency for Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling. If you are a U.S. resident you may also wish to carry some cash in small denominations of U.S. dollars for miscellaneous use when only a small amount of currency is required.  Bills should be crisp and of the newer variety (with the larger presidential portraits). Bills printed prior to 2005 may not be accepted.

  American Express, Diners Club, Visa, and MasterCard are all widely recognized credit cards and are accepted at most hotels, shops, and restaurants in East Africa.  Expect to pay surcharges of up to 10% for purchases made with credit cards in Tanzania. ATM machines are becoming increasingly popular; contact your bank in advance of departure to determine whether you will be able to use your card while visiting Tanzania.

  While ATM machines are becoming increasingly popular, they are not widely available in Tanzania at this time.  We suggest that you contact your bank in advanceof departure to make certain that you'll be able to use your card at locations abroad.   

  To obtain the most current exchange rates for all national currencies by checking your local newspaper or by logging on to oanda.com by clicking here.
  
  Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – Each country we visit has its own customs clearing process. You should familiarize yourself with Tanzania's specific required declarations before you travel. In general, you are not permitted to bring live plants, fresh fruits and other produce items into most countries. You may find additional information by visiting VisaHQ.com by clicking here.
  
  If you are a U.S. resident traveling internationally who will be returning to the U.S. at the end of the tour, you are entitled to a duty-free exemption based on the total value of merchandise purchase abroad, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the amount of alcohol that can be a part of this exemption. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the U.S. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs regulations as contained in their publication entitled Know Before You Go.
  
  If you are a resident of another country traveling internationally, please refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.
  
  Many countries levy Value Added Taxes (VAT) on consumer goods and services. (The tax rate may be higher for luxury items and lower for basic goods.) As a rule, if you are not a resident of the country (or of the country’s intergovernmental economic community, e.g., the European Union) in which the purchase is made, you may be entitled to a VAT refund and should inquire about the refund policy where you shop.
  
  Electrical Current – The electrical current in the lodges is 220-240v, 50Hz. Guests whose appliances do not meet this standard may need to bring an electrical converter, with adapter plug set, as few overnight properties have this equipment. The socket configurations vary between the two- and three-pronged varieties so please bring the entire set of adapters with you.
  
  All Serena Properties in Tanzania have power 24 hours a day. All camcorders and digital cameras can be re-charged at the guest’s convenience.
  
  Time Zones – Tanzania is 3 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the timeanddate.com by clicking here.
  
  Weather - East Africa is truly a year-round destination, as most frequently the climate features warm, bright days and cool, crisp nights. Daytime temperatures throughout the year typically range from 60 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, or 15.5 to 35 degrees Celsius. Evening temperatures can be cooler, ranging from 50 to 60 F, or 10 to 15.5 C.
  
  Late afternoon rains are customary in East Africa. The rainy seasons are March to May (the "long rains") and October to December (the "short rains"). During these times downpours occur mostly in the late afternoons, and are generally brief. October to December is preferred by some for smaller crowds, verdant scenery, and delightful temperatures.

  To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov, by clicking here.

  
  
  

  Average Temperature
  	Serengeti, Tanzania
  Month	Farenheit	Celsius
  January	82	28
  February	82	28
  March	81	27
  April	77	25
  May	75	24
  June	70	21
  July	70	21
  August	73	23
  September	77	25
  October	79	26
  November	81	27
  December	81	27