EXPLORE CHAGGA CULTURE AT MATERUNI VILLAGE

                                                A VIEW POINT AT MATERUNI VILLAGE

         EXPLORING THE AREA AROUND THE VILLAGE NEAR THE BORDER WITH KINAPA

                                 HAPPY MOMENT WITH THE KIDS AT THE VILLAGE

                            EXPERIENCE HOW COFFEE IS LOCALLY PROCESSED

                                                COFFEE PROCESSING ON PROGRESS

                                                HEADING TO MNAMBE WATERFALLS

                                    MNAMBE WATERFALLS AT MATERUNI VILLAGE

                                 LEARN & EXPERIENCE THE CHAGGA LOCAL BREW

GUIDE TO TRAVEL IN TANZANIA

Tanzania is filled with adventure, from the unforgettable thrill of seeing the Big Five on safari to its dramatic landscapes, sun-drenched beaches, captivating people, intriguing cultures, sumptuous food and vibrant music. There is so much to see and do, and a great number of exceptional destinations to choose from.

Adding to the thrill of the adventure is the sense of mystique that still permeates this vast country, which its untouched wild places. Tanzania is a land of magic and mystery, but it is also a quintessentially modern country. Stretches of pristine wilderness where rural people still live out the traditions of old are interspersed with vibrant, bustling cities and the most up to date facilities. At Nungunungu, we help you make sense of the many contradictions that Tanzania offers with tips about travel on this extraordinary country.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

African hospitality is legendary and travellers are warmly welcomed. However, as always when travelling, it is wise to take basic security precautions. Make sure you carry a record of your passport number, airline tickets, traveller's cheques and credit card numbers, and ensure that these items are kept in a safe place. Make use of hotel safe for expensive items and never leave baggage or personal items unattended in public. Do not walk or park in isolated spots after dark. If in doubt, ask your hotel concierge about the safety of the locations you want to visit.

TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN

Tanzania offers wonderful value for families, with many lodges and camps running specialised children's programmes.For safety reasons, children five years and younger are generally not allowed on game drives. Please note that there may be different age limits for walking safaris and adventure activities. Our travel experts can advise you of these and recommend the best family travel options.

CURRENCY

As certain African currencies are difficult to exchange outside their country of origin, it is advisable to only change money as required. Most international airports have banks where money can be changed, and facilities are usually available at hotels and safari lodges. Most major credit cards are widely accepted, although not at remote bush lodges. As exchange rates fluctuate, it is a good idea for you to check with your local bank or business media before departure. ATMs are available across Tanzania. Should you bring cash, we recommend that it be US dollars in notes of $50 and less. One dollar notes are very handy for tipping.

DRESS CODE

You will require comfortable, casual and semi-casual clothes for a trip to Tanzania. Bright colours are not suitable for game viewing, and game drives are conducted in the early morning and late afternoon, which can be cold, especially in winter. Light cotton trousers or shorts and shirts (both long and short sleeved), comfortable walking shoes, windbreaker, sunhat and fleece are all useful. For winter, pack a warm jacket. In the cities, evening wear in most restaurants is smart-casual and few, if any, will require a tie or jacket.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Most Tanzanians who have been regularly exposed to tourists do not mind being photographed, but it is always polite to ask for permission, particularly if you are taking a photo of a women. Some tribes in rural areas, particularly the Maasai, may resent being photographed without permission. Many African countries also have restrictions on where you can take photos, and it is safer not to take shots of airports, military installations, border posts, bridges and railways stations.
Film and memory cards are generally available in bigger towns and cities, but it is important to check expiry dates and bear in mind that these may have been stored in areas with high heat and humidity. For best results, it is probably safer to bring your own supplies.

BEGGARS AND HAWKERS

Poverty is a reality in parts of Africa and you should be prepared to encounter a number of beggars and hawkers. Although it may be difficult to resist, please don't hand out money, sweets or other goods to children on the streets. Should you want to make a contribution, consider donating to a community centre, school or other local programme that is able to make a difference in a sustainable manner.

HOW WE PLAN YOUR SAFARI

At Nungunungu, the unforgettable adventures that we create for you explore the continent’s wilderness places and natural highlights. Each safari is tailor-made just for you, ensuring that your trip meets and exceeds your expectations. The in-depth knowledge and experience of our experts is at your disposal to plan a journey that is individualized according to your tastes and interests.

Meticulously planned, our trips are all about making dreams come true (even the impossible ones). Our experts take your travel wishes and use their destination knowledge, broad network of contacts and first-hand experiences to turn them into journeys that explore the heart and soul of Africa.

STEP1:CONTACT US

Before we can plan your great adventure, we want to hear about you. It doesn't matter how much or how little you know about Africa/Tanzania. Simply tell us your interests and we'll match them with the ideal things to see and do.
There's something for everyone - wildlife enthusiasts will be delighted by Africa's many Big Five safari areas. History buffs will be spoiled for choice on among the rich reminders of the past on the island  of Zanzibar.
All you need to do to begin planning your African adventure is fill in our inquiry form. To make it easier for you, we have made a few suggestions that might describe what you want to do while you're in Africa. If none of these is quite what you're looking for, simply fill in what you're interested in under the additional comments field. You can also add your budget and travel dates, if you know these already. Don't worry, you can be as specific or as vague as you want - it's up to us to take your information and create the ideal itinerary for you.If you don't like filling in forms, you're also welcome to phone us +255 758 920991 or send us an email. No matter which way you contact us frankmgoya@gmail.com   we promise we'll get back to you within 24 hours.

STEP2:PLANNING YOUR ITINERARY

Once you've told us a little about what you like, we'll put together a suggested itinerary that takes your interests into account. We'll send it to you so you can look through it and read the information about the places that you will stay and their attractions. If there's anything you're not sure about, simply ask us. Our experts are happy to share their first-hand knowledge about any place you want to see. Simply tell us what you like and what you don't, and we'll adjust your itinerary until you're completely happy.

STEP3:MAKING YOUR BOOKING

Once you are completely satisfied with our suggestions, you can give us the go-ahead to book your trip. And that's the last time that you'll need to worry about any aspect of your journey. We'll take care of everything, from booking hotel rooms to planning travel routes, organising transportation within Africa and providing guides who will take care of you on your adventure. All the logistics of travel will be taken care of seamlessly.
As you arrive at the airport, there will be a friendly face waiting to welcome you and escort you to your hotel. If you have a plane, we'll make sure you're there on time and that there's someone waiting for you at your destination. If you want to travel by road, we'll arrange a car and maps for you.

STEP4:ENJOY YOUR AFRICAN ADVENTURE

Depart on your unforgettable African journey safe in the knowledge that we are only a phone call away if there is anything you need. 

STEP5:START PLANNING YOUR NEXT TRIP

Now that you're addicted, it's time to begin planning your next adventure! Africa is such a vast continent, with so many different landscapes, attractions and things to do, that each trip is bound to be a fresh and exciting experience.

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

Wildlife conservation and ecotourism are vital for Africa's future and the prosperity of its people. It is estimated that, over the next decade, tourism will become the single biggest contributor to Southern African GDP, and the greatest creator of new and sustainable jobs on the subcontinent. At Nungunungu we believe that we can help to protect Africa's threatened ecosystems, endangered species and the precious diversity of its wilderness area through our model of low impact, high yield responsible adventure tourism. 

PRECIOUS NATURAL RESOURCE

Our core values have always been 'Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife, Care of the People'. We believe that the wild spaces of Africa are a precious resource and that the only way to sustain them is through realizing their true value. By placing an economic value on conservation and wilderness land, and ensuring that the local communities benefit from our activities, Nungunungu can guarantee that these wild areas have a future. However, we can only do this by engaging with those communities and through maintaining the value of Africa's wilderness regions by ensuring exceptional guest experiences. 
 

HELPING REALIZE OUR VISION

Our guests play a crucial part in helping us realise our vision. By travelling with us, you enable us to make many small but meaningful differences to the world that surrounds us. Whether it is coming face to face with a previously endangered rhino, shaking the proud hand of a local elder whose once destitute community now has a future or simply witnessing the sun rising once more over lands that have been restored to their natural splendour, our guests cannot fail to be touched by the contribution that they are making to Nungunungu's work in Africa's wide open spaces.

PREPARING FOR YOUR SAFARI

VISAS

The current cost of a visa for US and Irish citizens is US $100 per person.  Most other nationalities pay US $50 per person.  These are available at the point of entry but must be paid for in U.S. dollars cash.

Visas are also available from Tanzanian Embassies and Consulates in many countries.

If you are entering Tanzania through Nairobi you are also required to have a visa for Kenya which may be purchased on arrival or in advance from embassies.  There is a concessional “Transit Visa” rate for passengers simply transiting through Kenya.

DEPARTURE TAX

There is a departure tax on International flights of $30.00.  This will generally have been included and already paid in the price of your international ticket.

If your final departure is from Zanzibar, you will have to pay in U. S. Dollars cash on departure.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Check with your doctor to get the current recommendations and advice.

Anti malarial tablets are strongly recommended.

Although the Kilimanjaro climb is often described as available to any reasonably fit person, the combination of strenuous exercise, cold and high altitude can have adverse effects. If in doubt please consult your doctor in advance.

Tanzania requires that arriving persons carry proof of a valid yellow fever vaccination when they are arriving from an endemic area.  This includes those who have first visited Kenya which is considered endemic.  The vaccination must be administered 14 days before arrival.

CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

Clothes for safari should be light, comfortable and not too brightly coloured. There is little or no requirement for anything formal.  A light jacket or sweater may be needed in the evenings at higher altitudes such as the rim on the Ngorongoro Crater.  Comfortable walking shoes are an essential, as is a hat to keep off the sun.  Sunglasses and a spare pair of prescription glasses are also suggested. Don't forget a swimming costume for use at the lodge pools.

Most people bring binoculars and/or cameras and video equipment with plenty of tape or film. Zoom or telephoto lenses are likely to be useful. Film is also available at most lodges/camps but can be expensive.  Almost all lodges/camps have power points to facilitate charging of digital cameras and laptops.

Most of the better hotels and lodges will spray rooms and provide mosquito nets, but do bring your own insect repellent sprays.

A flashlight is always useful.

There will be no television or radio in most places, so you might want to bring an iPod, little short-wave radio or Walkman if you want to keep up with world events or listen to some music.

Remember that safari vehicles and light aircraft have tight limits on the size and weight of luggage carried.  Depending on your itinerary, it may be possible to leave some luggage in your hotel in Arusha  for the duration of your safari.

For ease in loading luggage in both the safari vehicle and any light aircraft, soft sided bags are strongly suggested.  For participants in scheduled departures, soft sided bags are required.

INSURANCE

Nungunungu Tours require that all clients arrange personal travel insurance to cover their medical, property and other personal risks for the duration of their safari.

Temporary one month membership of AMREF's Flying Doctors' Society may be purchased with your safari arrangements.  This cover provides the services of light aircraft and skilled doctors for emergency treatment and evacuation to Nairobi during incidents resulting from accident or medical emergency in Kenya and Tanzania

This is supplementary to and not a replacement for a standard travel insurance policy.

GETTING TO TANZANIA

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

All our safaris in Northern Tanzania start and finish in Arusha.  Kilimanjaro International Airport is about 45 minutes drive from Arusha and receives daily KLM flights from Europe.

Since the KLM flights continue to Dar es Salaam, it is possible to arrange an itinerary with arrival into Kilimanjaro and departure from Dar or vise versa. This is particularly useful for those wishing to include a visit to Zanzibar or the Southern reserves in their schedule.

Arusha is a great deal closer to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, than it is to Dar es Salaam. The number of airlines and frequency of flights into Nairobi is much greater than those into Dar, and the prices more competitive. For these reasons, 80% of safari visitors to Northern Tanzania fly into Nairobi.

Some airlines, such as Kenya Airways, offer inexpensive add-on connections to Kilimanjaro which can be purchased with international flights.

We can book flights on Kenya Airways, KLM,  and British Airways , with connections as required.

There are several charter flights from Europe into Mombasa. These are mostly booked by tour operators running package tours but space may be available on a "seat only" basis.

NAIROBI TO ARUSHA SHUTTLE

There is an inexpensive shuttle bus running twice daily between Nairobi and Arusha which Nungunungu Tours can book on behalf of clients.
The shuttle bus from Nairobi has one early morning departure (08:00 AM) and one afternoon departure (14:00). The terminals are at Parkside in Nairobi and the Bella Luna Restaurant in Arusha. The journey takes at least 5 hours, dependent on road conditions and subject to formalities at the border crossing at Namanga.

NAIROBI TO ARUSHA

Clients do have the option of arranging private transportation with Nungunungu from Nairobi to Arusha and return at a supplementary charge.

NAIROBI TO ARUSHA FLIGHTS

There are several daily flights available from Nairobi’s two airports to Kilimanjaro airport.  Some of these flights have onward connections to Lake Manyara and Serengeti National Park.

INTERNAL FLIGHTS

ZanAir, Coastal Air, Regional Air Services, Air Excel and Precision Air run scheduled flights between Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Zanzibar and various other regional airports and airstrips. In the Northern area Regional Air Services and Air Excel have twice daily flights from Arusha visiting several game park airstrips and returning to Arusha.

In addition to the scheduled flights on light aircraft, there are charter airlines who can arrange flights between any of the destinations.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

SAFETY

Safety is an important area of concern for all travelers, particularly when considering a developing country. And so it should be, that’s why the team at Nungunungu take it just as seriously as you do.In addition, you can rest easy knowing that the Nungunungu team are in Tanzania offering support and ensuring the overall safety of tourists for the entire duration of their stay.
Tanzania is known for its political stability and the Tanzanian people for their hospitable and kind hearted nature, making it a wonderful country to travel. That said there is a certain degree of common sense required to ensure your have a safe and hassle free visit.
Here are a few pointers:
1. Don’t openly display cash, jewellery or other valuable items
2. Keep limited amounts of cash on you and carry it securely close to your body (money belts under loose fitting clothing are a great idea)
3. Lock your passport and other valuables in a hotel safe where possible
4. Keep your mobile phones and cameras in locked/zipped pockets (thieves are rife in some parts of town, and very good at what they do!)
5. Have a lock on your bags/backpacks (and use them)
6. Avoid giving money to beggars or street kids in the street (buy them some food or a juice from the local store instead or donate to a local NGO)
7. Never buy tickets or pay for safari adventures from touts at bus stations, do your research and book with reputable and trustworthy companies 
8. Ensure you keep your luggage close at hand and refuse ‘kind’ offerings to have it carried for you
9. Catch a Taxi after dark and never wait in the street on your own
10. Dressing conservatively will help reduce the risk of unwanted attention and show respect for the Tanzanian’ culture
11. Don’t accept drinks from strangers
Keep in mind that while Tanzania is generally a safe place to travel, it still remains a developing country with levels of desperation quite unlike that of the western world. Tourists are viewed as wealthy and so they need to be mindful of their actions (and their belongings).