OUR COVID-19 POLICY AND UPDATES

TANZANIA IS OPEN FOR TOURISM! WE ARE READY TO RECEIVE YOU!

Current Covid Entry Requirements for Tanzania (Last update: January 23, 2023)

1. It is recommended all travellers are vaccinated against COVID-19

   2. Travelers are no longer required to present either vaccination certifivate or -ve COVID-19 PCR test

   3. Travelers may be subjected to random COVID testing on arrival (free of charge)

Our Commitment To Our Guests

Above all, Urth Expedition 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 Urth Expedition, we have been reviewing every element of the Urth Expedition guest experience to ensure that our guests can feel 100% reassured when they are traveling with us.

Please note:

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, Urth Expedition suggests that guests check with their insurance companies for all related travel cover, including flights and any additional accommodation outside of your Urth Expedition tour.

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?

No

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)

USA: World Nomad

UK: Allianz Assistance (Q&A)

UK: Staysure (Q&A)

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 bringing a soft luggage bag. Please note that luggage will be regularly wiped and cleaned, so we'd recommend not getting anything too delicate or which may stain easily.

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:

• 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.

• Once guests exit the arrivals terminal, they will be met by our safari representative.

ON SAFARI WITH Urth Expedition

WHEN AND WHERE WILL GUESTS BE ASKED TO WEAR MASKS?

• All guests must wear masks in public places, including airport grounds, at park gates, and on domestic flights.

• If guests want to explore a village, town, or city, we recommend wearing a mask.

• If guests wish to do so, they can remove masks inside our vehicle, on game drives, and at camps.

WILL STAFF BE WEARING MASKS AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT?

We are aware of the negative effects of wearing masks for too long. Therefore, we want to ensure we look after staff welfare and maintain sensible safety measures. Using a common-sense 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 our driver guide will have the option to remove theirs.

• While in camp, staff, attending to guests, will adhere to social distancing (2 meters or far as possible)

• Back-of-house staff will adhere to social distance with other staff members and will not unnecessarily wear masks.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I CONTRACT COVID-19 WHILE ON SAFARI WITH URTH EXPEDITION?

All our guests are covered for medical evacuation (amref) and will be transferred to a specialist center which has been implemented to arrange to test and identify appropriate health support.

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 that you can feel at ease about future travel plans.

☎️ By Telephone/WhatsApp

USA: +1 512-787-4628

Tanzania: +255 758 358 892

Email: info@urthsafari.com

 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS- COVID

USA Entry Requirements (updated 1/27)

• A negative PCR OR ANTIGEN test within three days of flight to the USA.

• If previously tested positive within three months of travel & cleared to end isolation, one can provide previous positive results + letter from a doctor stating cleared to travel. Results+Letter referred to as “documentation of recovery” (applies even when vaccinated).

• Always check airline rules (KLM requires both PCR and antigen)

Kenya

Updated 1/27

• A negative PCR test is required within 96 hours of arrival.

• Travelers must complete two forms within 96hrs before arrival.

  • Obtain 2 QR codes (1 from each form/website linked below)

  • Travelers Health Surveillance Form

• Trusted Travel Site Testing Form

• Proof of negative PCR is required within 96 hours of exit/transfer.

  • Complete both forms/obtain 2 QR codes (same sites as arrival) for the exit.

Tanzania

Updated 1/27

• Negative test results and certificates are not required for any travelers, but you must adhere to airline requirements

• Arrival Declaration Form (filling out in advance is optional – provided on plane)

• Health Surveillance Form (filling out in advance is optional – provided on aircraft)

• A negative test result within 14 days is required to enter Mahale National Park to protect the primates

• Exit requirements are dependent upon the airline/next destination

South Africa

Updated 1/27

• A negative PCR test is required within 72 hours of arrival.

  • A certified DR/LAB must conduct the test, and the results must have the name and signature of dr/lab that performed the test.

  • Bring along multiple printed copies of results.

• All travelers are required to download the COVID Alert SA application on their mobile phones.

• Must complete the following for arrival

  • South Africa Arrival Health Screen form (complete online only within 48 hrs of arrival)

  • South Africa Domestic Travel Health Form (if flying within the country)

  • Fed Airline Required Form all flights (for Federal Airlines flights)

• A negative PCR test is required within 72 hours of departure.

  • You will not be able to enter Dubai if you have been in South Africa within 14 days of departure to Dubai. This includes transiting in other countries within 14 days before traveling to Dubai.

• Travelers are required to fill out the Departing South Africa Form before exiting.

TREND’S WE’VE NOTICED

Our key partners in Africa have been proactive in their approach to COVID-19 with improved health and safety guidelines designed to keep you safe when you do make it back out on safari. We’ll be able to share a specific list of safety precautions for the airlines you’ll be flying and the properties you’ll be visiting once we begin working on an itinerary for you. In the meantime, here are a few trends we’ve noticed:

• Safety protocols are created with careful consideration and consolidation of the World Health Organization recommendations, Centers for Disease Control, Would Tourism Organization, the International Air Transport Association, and health professionals with safari knowledge.

• For a property to legally open in some countries, it must pass a rigorous process and site inspection by the Ministry of Health. Properties are reevaluated by the Ministry of Health every three months.

• Staff is required to have their temperatures taken and recorded every morning in line with government guidelines. Guests’ temperatures are also checked upon arrival and again daily.

• All vehicles are sanitized before and after each use, and drivers must wear appropriate protective gear.

• Where possible, properties are providing a private vehicle. In many cases, if a private vehicle is unavailable, the vehicle capacity is limited to provide sufficient distance between groups/couples. If a group traveling together is more than four passengers, guests can share the vehicle up to a standard six.

• All community-based activities are canceled for the foreseeable future to reduce unnecessary risk to guests, staff, and the local community.

• Staff are using gloves to handle luggage and wipe down handles with alcohol wipes before carefully placing luggage in guests’ rooms.

• Bottles of hand sanitizes are available in all public areas for guest use, all guest rooms, each member of staff, and all game activities and safari vehicles.

• At this time, communal dining is discontinued. All dining is now offered within your travel group and set apart from one another, staggered at different times and locations to limit exposure to other travelers. Meals will be served individually plated or as a table-sharing platter with bottles of water and wine left on your table for self-serving.

  
  
  SAFER ON SAFARI. OPEN-AIR BENEFIT

The allure of safari is in a far-away place in an exclusive setting, which makes it the perfect location for a socially distanced getaway. In addition, most safari properties have open-air walkways with rooms that are spaced well apart and allow for natural airflow.

WHAT IF PLANS CHANGE?

If you find yourself a few months out from your intended departure date and you are still not comfortable with the thought of traveling due to COVID-19, we will go above and beyond to help you postpone your trip. This is where the power of relationships comes into play. We will negotiate with our partners on your behalf to score the best possible outcome for you.

Should you choose to cancel your trip, our normal payment terms will apply:

Cancellation Penalties Per Person

90+ days prior to travel Deposit Paid (30% of land costs + 100% of internal

airfare)

61-89 days prior to travel 50%

0-60 days prior to travel 100%

New Flexible Booking Policy

UPDATED: April 6th, 2020

Our new policy allows for your FULL trip payments (including the deposit) to be applied to a future date for that trip, should you wish to postpone your travel plans at any time up to 60 days prior to the trip start date. The future date for your postponed travel should be within 12 months from the original trip start date.
- Bookings that have deposited (as per our T&C's 30% of the total booking value) are eligible to postpone travel arrangements for a period of 12 months from the date of first service provision BUT subject to 3rd party bookings terms and conditions.

- Increases in costs due to any government tax or policy changes are NOT covered

- Bookings 60 days out or less than 7 days of travel will be subject to normal cancellation terms

- It is imperative that guests take out the necessary insurances and note that non coronavirus cases will be subject to normal terms and conditions.

Travel Insurance FAQ’s

SHOULD I BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE?

For all trips booked with Urth Expedition it is required that the guest secure a travel insurance policy. When you secure that policy and what kind of policy you secure is somewhat more flexible.
There are many reason for you to secure a travel insurance policy, unrelated to COVID-9.

WILL TRAVEL INSURANCE COVER MEDICAL COSTS INCURRED IN RELATION TO COVID-19?

Some insurance companies are offering to cover medical costs for a person who contracts COVID-19 during their trip, or trip cancellation coverage for a person who contracts COVID-19 before their travels, however this is likely only to be the case with a policy that was purchased before COVID-19 became a known threat (January 22nd).

WILL TRAVEL INSURANCE COVER TRIP CANCELLATION IN RELATION TO COVID-19?

Fear of travel is never a covered reason for any type of coverage. In no instances can you get reimbursed for canceling your trip because you’re worried about how the COVID-19 outbreak may impact your travels. Some travel insurance will cover trips impacted by COVID-19 in other ways. See some policies below.

• Does your credit card’s travel insurance cover coronavirus cancellations? Here’s what American Express, Chase and others are telling customers

• Does Travel Insurance Cover the Coronavirus?

  One possible policy that could provide coverage for trip cancellation related to COVID-19 is a ‘Cancel for any reason’ (CFAR) policy.

  SHOULD I PURCHASE A ‘CANCEL FOR ANY REASON’ POLICY?

  This depends on a variety of factors. First, it’s important to know that most CFAR policies need to be purchased within 10 days of your first trip payment (sometimes 21 days). As well, be advised that these policies can be quite pricey and any refund provided will only be for a portion of your trip cost (up to about 75%). In addition, some CFAR policies have exclusions to their coverage and COVID-19, as a known pandemic, may fall under those exclusions. Find out all the information before you purchase any CFAR policy so that you can make an informed choice for yourself.