Latest Covid Entry Requirements Rwanda

Last update: October 2022

Looking for the latest covid entry requirements to Rwanda? Shadows of Africa has got you covered. With our team living on the ground, we are always aware of the LATEST latest covid entry requirements. For a quick overview, see below. Our safari experts are ready to give you tailored advice.

Latest Covid entry requirement summary:

• Covid-19 testing is no longer a requirement prior to boarding a flight to Rwanda. However, regular Covid-19 testing is encouraged.
• The Passenger Locator Form is no longer a requirement before departure
• An additional Covid test is no longer required upon arrival at Kigali International Airport
• Certain meeting venues and national parks require Covid-19 tests. Testing is available at health facilities and other designated sites for 5,000 RWF (or US$5) for rapid antigen tests, and 50,000 RWF (or US$50) for PCR tests (required for all visits to primates in Volcanoes, Nyungwe and Gishwati-Mukura National Parks). Rwandan citizens pay a subsidized cost for PCR tests of 30,000 RWF (or US$30)
• A Covid test is no longer a requirement to depart Rwanda by air. However, Covid testing (at own cost) is available for all travelers whose final destination requires one at health centers and other designated sites

The Rwandan government is taking the safety and health of travelers seriously and has implemented regulations that will help make it possible for everyone to enjoy a safe safari, as well as protect the endangered primates. Rwanda has been lucky enough to be a safe destination to visit and these new measures will ensure it will continue to be so.

Note: Tourists are required to take a PCR test 72 hours prior to visiting a national park (except for Akagera). Tourists visiting Akagera are required to take a rapid antigen test, available at numerous walk-in clinics in Kigali (RWF 10,000). No tourist will be admitted to any national park without a valid negative test result.

If you want to plan a safe and responsible trip to Rwanda - don’t hesitate to contact us to start planning & dreaming.

For the full document please click this link: Latest Rwanda Travel Advisory

Latest Covid Entry Requirements Tanzania

Last update: September 2022

Looking for the LATEST COVID ENTRY REQUIREMENTS to TANZANIA? Shadows of Africa has got you covered. With our team living on the ground, we are always aware of the LATEST COVID ENTRY REQUIREMENTS. For a quick overview, see below. Our safari experts are ready to give you tailored advice.

Latest Covid entry requirement summary:

• Vaccinated travelers no longer need a PCR Test. Travelers will be required to present a valid vaccination certificate with a QR code for verification upon arrival. The only accepted vaccines are those that have been approved by the URT and the World Health Organization.
• Passengers not fully vaccinated, unvaccinated, and those not eligible for vaccination due to their country’s policy will be required to present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR or NAATs certificate with QR code obtained within 72 hours before departure
• Not fully vaccinated, unvaccinated and those not eligible for vaccination due to their country policies and have no negative COVID-19 RT- PCR certificate will be tested for COVID 19 upon arrival using a Rapid Antigen Test at their own cost.

Please be reminded to check the regulation of any country you might be transiting in.

Children aged 12 years and below, travelers in transit and aircraft crew are exempted from both RT-PCR certificate and COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test.

The Tanzanian government is taking the safety and health of our travelers seriously and has implemented regulations that will help make it possible for everyone to enjoy a safe safari. Tanzania has been lucky enough to be a safe destination to visit and these new measures will ensure it will continue to be so.

If you want to plan a safe and responsible trip to Tanzania - don’t hesitate to contact us to start planning & dreaming.

For the full document please click this link: Full Tanzanian Travel Advisory

Saadani - Perfect for a Short Safari from Zanzibar

The only place in east Africa, where the beach literally meets the bush is Saadani national park in Tanzania. You can have an early morning swim, go for a game drive after breakfast, and sip on a cocktail while observing the fishermen preparing for the night out on the sea. A fantastic blend of leisure, pleasure, and action!

While relaxing on the beach don’t act surprised, when animals come for a drink in the nearby waterhole. Or when they just stroll past your towels, checking your reaction carefully with the corner of the eye.

Visiting Saadani is also a great way to combine your Zanzibari vacation with a thrill of a real safari. Give it a day and have a lifetime memory! Departing from Kendwa daily early in the morning, a two hours long boat ride will bring you to the shores of the Saadani national park. Daily flights from Zanzibar are also available. A fantastic day in the bush, supported by a picnic lunch somewhere in the middle of nowhere and finished with an invigorating swim in the ocean - certainly something to consider!

What to expect on your short safari in Saadani?

A 1.100 km² of grassland, mainly plains, in-between acacia thickets, semi-arid land. Beautiful palm-fringed beaches continue through mangroves that form a kind of border into the wilderness.
Usually, you can expect to see giraffes, buffaloes, elephants, reedbucks, waterbucks, hartebeest, wildebeest, vervet monkeys, yellow baboons, red duikers, the endangered Roosevelt’s sable, many different bird species, and much more. For example, green turtles, since this is their major breeding site in Tanzania. Or hippos and crocodiles, especially if you opt for a boat trip on the river Wami.

When to visit Saadani National Park?

A visit is always a good idea, except perhaps in April and May, when the weather is really wet - this is the peak season for the rain. But immediately after, in June, July, and August, when there is still much water in the hollows on the plains and the animals linger around, the sights are amazing. Just as beautiful in January or February. Visiting from September to December won’t leave you short of experiences, spotting animals will just need a little more effort from your guides.

Expert tip for your short safari from Zanzibar

Saadani National park offers an insight into different habitats and therefore puts a variety of wildlife on display. Avoid the heavy rainy months of April and May, the rest of the year is great for visiting . Combine it with beach holidays, either on definitely underrated Tanzania’s mainland coast or on the famous Zanzibar.

Safari Tents & Tented Lodges or Camping - Everything You Should Know!

Safari tents - Tented lodges or Camping - Everything you need to know before your safari!

Have you ever imagined falling asleep to the sounds of lions and elephants? Wondered what it was like to spend the night in a tent, with only the canvas wall between you and the Serengeti plains? Or have you just started planning your first African safari and are wondering if these tents are safe at all. Then this article is for you!

Expert tip: Absolutely DO stay in a tented camp

Shadows’s number one tip for an unforgettable safari is: Spend at least one night in a tented camp during your trip! There is nothing so uniquely African as spending the night in a tented camp. It is a memory that will certainly stay with you. Unlike in a brick and mortar lodge - you get to smell, hear and feel the wilderness: there is simply nothing quite like it!

One thing to understand and keep in mind is that there are no fences. So yes, the animals might actually wander straight into camp and if you are lucky even straight up to your tent. This of course requires some basic safety measurements. After dark, you will be walked to your tent by an askari - watchman. And if you need to leave your tent after dark there will be a walkie-talkie or whistle provided inside the tent. If you are planning to travel with kids - you need to be aware that kids cannot wander the campsite alone and should be watched at all times. Upon arrival, the camp team will always give you a safety briefing. Having said all this: serious incidents are extremely rare. So if you follow the basic safety instructions it is perfectly safe to stay in a tented camp/lodge.

Roughing it or Luxury?

Some people imagine a very basic tent, cold showers, and a true back-to-basics experience. Others envision outdoor showers, lush surroundings, and a once-in-a-lifetime cushy experience. The funny thing is: it could be either or all of the above! One thing all of these accommodation types have in common is that they offer a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

To make things confusing there are three types of “tented” accommodations possible during your safari in Tanzania. When organizing your safari it is important to understand the lingo, so you know what you are in for. Something else to keep in mind is that it is NOT all in the name. There are many distinct mid-range camps using the term "luxury", whereas the uber-luxury properties like to call themselves things like "barefoot" and "rustic". But, we’re here to help to untangle any confusion that might occur!

Types of Safari tents

Luxury Safari Tented camp

The best way to look at these is basically to see them as hotel rooms – but with canvas walls. You will find a fully comfortable bed, a shower, and a flush toilet all within canvas walls. These tented camps come in basic/budget versions and uber-luxury versions – with everything in-between. The main difference will be in the quality of amenities, furnishing, and location. The more basic camps will have hot water bucket showers, perhaps limited or no WIFI, and simple, yet tasty menus. The luxury versions will have spacious showers with running water, serve eggs benedict for breakfast, and beat out any hotel room for comfort.
A lot of the tented camps in the Serengeti are migration camps. This means the camps move depending on the location of the Great migration. For most camps this means they move twice a year. From December till March – you can find the camp in the South/Ndutu area of the Serengeti. From July till November, you can find the same tents & team in the Mara/Kogatende area in North Serengeti. The luxury camps sometimes move up to 5 times – to give their guests the best possible chance of seeing the migration.

Typical Tented camp

Dining area

Right in the nature

Luxury Safari Tented lodge

The difference between a luxury tented camp and a luxury tented lodge is mainly in the flooring. Whereas the tented camps are more mobile, the tented lodges are more permanent. They usually have flooring or are raised on stilts. The walls are still canvas – but this is where you will find the more plushy luxury experience.
There are some really unique experiences to be lived in this category. The outside bathtub in Mpingo Ridge is unforgettable, for example. And although often more luxurious: you are still only separated by thin canvas walls from all the wildlife action. You are - like in a classic tented camp - still right in the middle of nature.

A typical Tented lodge

Bathroom Tented lodge

Bedroom Tented lodge

Basic Camping

This option is great for budget-conscious travelers and adventures. Basic camping is what in Europe and America is meant by “camping”. You sleep in a small dome tent with a maximum of two people. If you book this with a tour operator the tent will be set up for you. Most companies provide field beds. It is very common for a cook to accompany you and prepare tasty fresh meals for you.
With basic camping, there are two options of campsites in Tanzania: inside and outside the parks. The campsites inside the national parks are managed by Tanapa. They offer shared showers – cold water only – and shared bathrooms. If you are lucky you have a private or almost private stay. But these campsites are meant to be shared and cannot be reserved privately. So, if you are traveling in high-season in popular parks like Serengeti, you are almost sure that you will find other travelers. Sometimes even big groups of 20 to 30 people in overlanders. The campsites are not fenced so just like in tented camps you will get wildlife right up to your tent.
Tanzania also offers a limited but often quite nice range of campsites outside the national parks. My favorite being Migombani camp. With a pool, hot showers, and views that are better than those from the luxury properties down the road: this place is a steal.

Budget tent

Sundowners

Campsites can have great facilities

Pricing

Safari Tented camps in the Serengeti start at around $100 to $120 per person full board and go up to $1200 per person per night. A nice midrange camp will be between $150 and $200 per person per night.

Tented lodges in the Serengeti range from around $300 to $1500 per person full board.

In general, accommodation in Africa does come with a larger price tag than you will find in for example Asia. A big part of this is the park fees. You will find most of the tented camps inside a national park. This means that, besides paying the actual accommodation, you will also need to pay concession fees. This is a fee that is on top of the entrance fee. For the Serengeti, the current price is $71 per person per night.

Pricing example

So to get the cost of a day + night on safari in a National Park you should count as follows:

1. Accommodation fee
2. 24 hour Park entrance fee
3. Concession fee

If you would be looking at a budget Tented camp at $150 per person per night the sum would look like this:

1. $150 pp accommodation fee
2. $82 entrance fee Serengeti
3. $71 concession fee

Total: $303 per person per night.

This does not include a guide and a car – or your transit fees in Ngorongoro, necessary to reach the Serengeti.

This is where & how you can save quite a bit when opting for public camping. The camping fee is $30 per person per night and you are exempt from concession fees.

The sum then looks like this:

1. $60 meals/gear
2. $82 entrance fee Serengeti
3. $36 camping fee Serengeti

Total: $181 per person per night.

A tent for everyone!

So, in short: there is a tented camp out there for everyone! With a wide range of different options, there is a fit for everyone’s taste and budget. Shadows Safari experts are ready to help you find the perfect tent for you!

Your Guide to Visit East Africa This Summer

Travelling to East Africa this summer - a great idea and a wise conclusion!

To realize your great idea support your wise conclusion with updated information on pros, cons, and of course the latest Covid regulations. Daily updated and thoroughly checked information will surely help you to get an informed decision.
Pros surely include fewer visitors, curious animals, a higher standard of service for a lower price, easily maintained social distancing, and more profound contact with nature.
Cons may be different Covid protocols when entering each country.

1. Tanzania

The undisputed queen of African safaris, Tanzania, is home to the Wildebeest Migration for ten months of the year, it is where the World Heritage-listed Ngorongoro Crater shows off the unique wildlife, where Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest mountain protrudes from the average, and the gorgeous island paradise of Zanzibar is being caressed by the sea.
One of the advantages is "front row seats" for the great migration spectacle - dare to fight the croc for its bite? Pre-covid times witnessed rows and rows of cars waiting to catch a glimpse of nature's wonders, now great views are on display.

Covid-19 regulations:
All travellers are now required to show a negative PCR Covid-19 test certificate not older than 72 hours. Upon arrival, all travellers will be subjected to rapid Covid-19 testing. The cost of this test is 25 USD and will be paid by the traveller on location. You are required to fill in the health form, available online, before travelling.

2. Rwanda

This green heaven in the heart of Africa invites with its unparalleled treasures. Gorilla and chimpanzee trekkings are always on the top, you can spot all of the big five here, and don't forget the amazing birdlife as well.
Volcanoes national park, Akagera, Nyungwe, or the newest Gishwati Mukura national park all have lots to offer, Lake Kivu shares a different perspective, just as a visit to the sombre Rwanda Genocide Museum in Kigali.

Covid-19 regulations:
All arriving travellers are required to have a negative PCR Covid-19 test certificate conducted within 72 hours before departure. Before arrival, you are required to fill in the Public Health Passenger Locator Form online and attach the PCR certificate. All passengers are required to stay 24 hours in quarantine, while passengers from India are required to complete 7 days in mandatory quarantine upon arrival at a designated quarantine hotel at their own cost.
All travelers departing from Rwanda must test negative for Covid-19. A PCR test must be performed within 72 hours before departure. The Covid-19 test is not mandatory for accompanied children under 5 years.

3. Uganda

No country in Africa can offer quite what Uganda does: world-class gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, terrific game drives, all big five, bustling birdlife, and the majesty of the mighty Nile.
Winston Churchill fondly called Uganda The Pearl of Africa, and we certainly agree with that sentiment, adding our cognition - Uganda's wild charm and variety of activities make it a great place to plan a safari.

Covid-19 regulations:
Arriving passengers will be subject to temperature checks and will be screened for infectious diseases by the Port Health Authorities. If a passenger shows signs or symptoms of any infectious disease they will be taken by ambulance to a local isolation center to undergo a COVID-19 test at their own cost. Test results will be returned within 24 to 48 hours; passengers will be expected to remain at the isolation center until the test results are returned. Passengers coming from India or being there less than 14 days ago, are not permitted to enter Uganda. Passengers from certain countries will have to undergo PCR testing on the border /airport at their own costs.
Departing passengers are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate, issued no more than 120 hours before travel. The 120 hours begin on the day the sample is collected for testing.

4. Kenya

Often referred to as "Africa's safari capital", home to the world-famous Maasai Mara and hosting the famed Wildebeest Migration in August and September as well as boasting the best views of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Kenya is also an affordable and well-developed tourism market that is great for families or people traveling on a budget. Many different options to choose from in every rank, for every taste.

Covid-19 regulations:
All arriving passengers must take the PCR test 96 hours before departure from the first embarkation point and present the negative test. You must complete the “Travelers Health Surveillance Form” online before departure.
Currently, flights from the UK and India to Kenya are suspended until June 2021.
Passengers who have been to or transited through India in the past 14 days are not allowed to enter Kenya.

Covid-19 Test in Tanzania & Zanzibar

Getting a Covid-19 negative certificate for your return flight from Tanzania is a simple process. There are several locations in Tanzania where you can have a sample taken. All samples (except those, taken at Mount Meru Hospital in Arusha, which has its own lab) are sent to Dar es Salaam for processing in the national laboratory. The results will be delivered to you by email 48 hours after your sample has been taken.

There are 4 easy steps - below you will find more information per step:

• Register online
• Pay
• Take Sample / Swab
• Get the result

Registration for your Covid-19 PCR test

In both, Tanzania and Zanzibar, tests must be registered and paid for in advance. Online registration for a test in the mainland of Tanzania can be done via this link: https://pimacovid.moh.go.tz
For a test on Zanzibar go to this link: https://zanzibarcovidtesting.co.tz

It is best to register 5 days in advance - with your phone number and passport in hand.

Pay

It is best to pay for a test in advance to a “wakala” based on the control number that you received by telephone or email during registration. The payment can also be made in the hospital itself, but the process will take longer. There are many officially registered “mobile money” or “wakala” points in Tanzania. Your Shadows of Africa guide will assist you, making a short stop of about 10 minutes during your safari to complete the payment. Cash payment is preferred.

After payment you will receive proof of payment, which is also a necessary document when leaving the country, so don't lose it!

Taking a Covid-19 PCR test in Arusha

In Arusha, it is best to have a test taken at Mount Meru Regional Hospital or Arusha Lutheran Medical Center. The Mount Meru Hospital has its own lab, which means that the tests do not have to be taken to Dar Es Salaam. This means that results can be expected as early as 24 hours after taking the sample.

Taking a Covid-19 PCR test in Zanzibar

The Zanzibar Ministry of Health has currently designated three sites for Covid PCR testing:
Emergency Operation Center in Lumumba
Global Hospital in Vuga
North Valley Hospital in Nungwi

Taking a Covid-19 PCR test in the Serengeti

There is even a test site in the Serengeti - this is located at the airport in Seronera; so in the heart of the Serengeti! Your guide will take you to the special testing station in the morning and then you can continue on a safari. With a test in the Serengeti, you can combine the pleasant with the necessary.

Sample taking

When you arrive at your test location, you register and show your proof of payment, and provide your personal and flight details. You should bring your passport. You will then be given a control number and when it’s your turn, your sample will be taken. The samples are taken from both, the nose and the throat.

Test results

It takes up to 48 hours to get the results as the samples are sent to Dar es Salaam for testing (except at Mount Meru Hospital). If your airline has strict rules regarding the validity of the certificate, make sure you take your sample in the morning so that it can be sent to Dar es Salaam the same day as the collection. The date printed on your certificate is the date the certificate is issued, not the date the sample was taken. At the airport, you will occasionally be asked for a printed version of the test - so ask your hotel if they can print it for you.

In short, you can meet all requirements.

Latest update / Rapid test before departure

Since January 26, 2021, KLM requires a Rapid Covid-19 test as an additional requirement to the PCR test. This rapid test must be taken no later than 4 hours before departure. Rapid tests are performed at all airports KLM flies to and from: Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, and Dar es Salaam.
The cost for this test is USD 25 per person per test and is payable in cash at the airport. Allow enough time for this test to avoid any problems and arrive at the airport at least five hours before departure.

If you fly with KLM, you must do this rapid test in addition to a classic PCR test - and you must therefore have a Covid-19 negative certificate + the rapid test before you can board. This is no longer applicable to passengers who only transfer in the Netherlands.

What Camera to Bring on Safari

If you are wondering what camera gear to pack for your safari experience, look no further! Here is the comprehensive list of all the camera equipment and accessories you will need for your safari.

This photography gear list is brought to you by our resident photographer Giulia Cimarosti, safari specialist at Shadows of Africa and professional photographer. Guilia also leads groups on our special photographic safaris in Tanzania.
Generally speaking, depending on the device you use you can expect different results. Let’s go through some options:

Mobile Photography on Safari

You don’t have to own super pricey, professional equipment, however, it’s quite safe to say that using a mobile phone to take photos during your safari won’t make good close-up images of the wildlife possible, no matter the phone’s model or quality.

Mobile phones tend to have very poor zooming capabilities, however, they can be great for African sunsets, photographing a herd in the landscape, and of course to take the occasional short video for social media, when a curious cheetah decides to climb on the vehicle!

Keep in mind though that during your safari you won’t always get very close to the animals, so the best way to frame the subject is to use a zoom-telephoto lens on an actual camera.

Cameras and Lenses on Safari

If you want to take really good photos on your safari, make sure you bring your DSLR camera! A digital single-lens reflex camera will allow you to use manual settings, adapting them to the lighting situation, the distance to the subject and the effects you want to achieve.

Now you may be wondering what camera body is the best one, but the answer is not an easy one. There are cameras of all formats and brands, but they all have one thing in common: manual settings!

The thing you need to concentrate on when thinking about the right photography gear for safari photography is what lens - or better, lenses - to bring.

Zoom lenses

The must-have kind of lens for safari photography is zoom or telephoto. This is the kind of lens that allows you to zoom into the subject, making it appear closer. There are countless zoom lenses on the market, but make sure your telephoto lens has a focal length of at least 200 mm.

• Budget
  28-300 mm or 70-300 mm lenses are good budget options for beginners.
• Medium
  A 150-600 mm lens will allow you to shoot almost anything in daylight, taking your photography to the next level with a reasonable investment.
• Pro
  A 70-200 mm f/2,8 prime lens, although the focal length is not extreme, is an excellent lens that will not disappoint.
  There are other lenses such as 400 mm f/4 or even f/2,8 prime lenses which are top choices but at an extremely high price tag.

If there is a lens worth an investment when planning to go on a photographic safari, it has to be the zoom!

Medium and Wide Angle Lenses

Although zoom lenses are the first ones that come to mind when thinking about safari photography, a wide-angle lens also goes a long way when it comes to shooting the animals in their habitat, dramatic African skies and sunsets, and large herds moving during the Great Migration. Make sure you pack a wide to medium lens too!

• Budget
  The 18-55 mm “kit lens” that comes with most camera kits works perfectly for this kind of photo. As a budget option, any kit lens works perfectly, actually!

  Lenses in the 10-24 mm range are much wider - another good option that will allow you to take creative photographs during your safari.

• Medium
  A 15-30 mm f/2,8 wide lens is a high-quality choice for the landscape.
• Pro
  The 24-70 mm f/2,8 is a “classic”, very sharp lens that never disappoints, allowing you to shoot landscapes (or good quality files to stitch in panoramas later on) and zoom into the subject too.

Bear in mind that a good wide-angle lens also allows you to take wonderful nocturnal photos of the clear skies of the savannah.

Other accessories

Now that you know what to use to shoot your safari photographs, let’s think about the accessories you shouldn’t forget:

• Spare batteries. Although all our vehicles have charging stations to recharge your batteries during the game drives, having one or two extra batteries is always a good idea to keep shooting without a single worry!
• Memory cards. Believe it or not, I can guarantee you will find yourself shooting dozens and dozens of photos of the same animal or scene. It’s easy when you have lions posing for you, or a hunting scene taking place. So pack extra memory cards!
• Battery charger. There are regular battery chargers and also double battery chargers that work with USB and/or car power outlets. I like these, as you can charge 2 batteries at once.
• Protection for your camera gear. The savannah is dusty, and dust is the real enemy of cameras and their sensors. Try to keep everything protected from dust except what you are using. Camera bags or pouches/cloths will work great.
• Cleaning kit. A full kit includes the sensor cleaning kit and tools to remove dust and clean the camera. Try to keep everything clean by gently removing the dust every day after the game drives. Please note: the sensor tends to get dirty with all the dust of the safari, but at the same time cleaning the sensor is a very delicate task so don’t risk it if you are not sure how to do it!

Are you ready to embark on your photographic safari adventure? Please let us know if you need more suggestions and information about what camera gear to pack for your safari. We look forward to having you travel with us!

Personal Information for Your Safari Booking

On the 1st of January 2021 TANAPA — the Tanzanian safari parks authority — has implemented new administration rules. The updated regulations require that a copy of the passport of every visitor is digitally registered before visiting. This regulation is aimed at minimizing corruption and increasing efficiency.
This requirement is at odds with European laws on privacy and personal data — which do not allow you to send full passport copies. But of course, we want to spare you administrative delays at the park entry. Who wants to be stuck right at the edge of a National Park waiting for paperwork - while you could already enjoy a game drive?
So, therefore, we ask only the demanded information - with unnecessary information blocked out, to spare you delays at the gate of your chosen safari park — while not jeopardizing your privacy.
Tanzanian authorities require the following information to be visible:

1. Passport number
2. Age (birthdate)
3. Name
4. Photo

You can make a standard copy at home and blacken all the additional data and then scan & send that in a pdf to us.
Alternatively, we recommend this app, that works on Android supported phones:
KopieID.
With this app you can take a photo of your identity document, cross out privacy-sensitive information. In the picture you can indicate who the copy is intended for and for what purpose. This text and the date are added on the copy as a watermark. You can now send the copy, print it or save it safely for later use. Saving the copy is only possible if you have crossed out something.

We want to thank you for your cooperation, and we are looking forward to welcoming you in Africa!

Get Your PCR & Rapid Covid Test in Arusha, Zanzibar and the Serengeti!

Latest update!

Since 26th of January 2021 KLM requires a Rapid Covid-19 test as an additional obligation to the PCR test. This rapid test must be taken no more than 4 hours before departure. Rapid testing is performed on all airports that KLM flies from and to: Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam.
The cost for this test is 25 USD per person/test. To be paid in cash at the airport.
Reserve enough time for this test to prevent any issues, and arrive at the airport at least five hours before departure.

Where to get a PCR test in Arusha

A PCR test can be taken in Mount Meru Regional Hospital

and in Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre

Where to get a PCR test on Zanzibar

The Ministry of Health Zanzibar has currently designated three locations for Covid PCR tests:
• Emergency Operation Centre in Lumumba
• Global Hospital in Vuga and
• North Valley Hospital in Nungwi

What's the cost

The cost of the test is 100 USD.
In Zanzibar private hospitals charge 150 USD.
In the Serengeti the cost are $100 for the test and $17 for the handling fee

Where to get a PCR test in the Serengeti

To be able to get the PCR test in the Serengeti you also have the register via the normal website: https://pimacovid.moh.go.tz
After registering, a control number will be generated. Pay the test fee, which is equivalent to 100$ in TZS, following the instructions provided when the control is generated.
For taking a test in the Serengeti there is a small extra handling fee covering the extra cost with taking a test in the Serengeti. Pay the handling fee via Mpesa, through Vodacom pay ‘Number 5106362 Tanzania Association of Tour Operators’. Shadows of Africa can assist with this. The handling fee is 40,000 TZS or roughly $17
Go to the Testing Center in Seronera between 8AM and 12AM. No appointment needed.
The test will travel to Dar es Salaam for the physical testing. The results take 48 hours to be delivered to you via email, WhatsApp - like with tests taken in Arusha & Zanzibar.

How to take a PCR test in Arusha or on Zanzibar

Since 4th of January 2021 new rules have been implemented by the Tanzanian government.
You need to register on the official test site: https://pimacovid.moh.go.tz, with your passport and telephone number. You should do this 5 days before you plan to take your test.

Choose a hospital, pay and get tested.
Roughly, this is the procedure on arrival in the hospital:
Get in a line to pay for the test. Cash is preferred, although cards are accepted. Using cards to pay might cause some trouble or delay. After paying, you'll receive a receipt, which is also a necessary document when leaving the country, so don't lose it!
You'll then proceed to another line. You'll present your paid receipt and submit your personal information and flight details. In the third line, you will then declare how you want to get the results, on-line via WhatsApp or email or a printed copy. We suggest the latter since you will need a printed result to present at the airport.
You will then receive a control number, and when it's your turn, you get tested. The samples are taken from your throat and nose.

How long does it take to get the result?

It will take up to 48 hours to get the results since the samples are sent to Dar es Salaam for testing. If your airline has strict regulations regarding the validity time of the certificate make sure you perform your sample taking in the morning - so it can be sent to Dar es Salaam the same day of the sample taking.

Will I get the results on time to comply with the requirements of the airline or the country I'm travelling to?

The date stated on your certificate is the date the test was performed in Dar es Salaam, not the date the sample was taken. So in short, yes you can meet all requirements