Loading...
AS OF JUNE 2020 TANZANIA HAS BEEN OPEN FOR TOURISM! WE ARE READY TO RECEIVE YOU!
——————————————————
As we are all aware, the Coronavirus crisis is having a significant global impact on travel. In response to these concerns, we want to provide you with a few updates on the measures implemented to ensure that our guests are able to enjoy the exceptional beauty of Tanzania’s wilderness safely and without worries.
Please see here the Tanzania National Standard Operating Procedures for the Management of COVID-19.
Our Commitment To Our Guests
Above all, XA Travels 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 Travels 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 XA Travels, we have been reviewing every element of the XA Travels guest experience to ensure that our guests can feel 100% reassured when they are traveling with us.
Updated Cancellation Policy:
We share our guests’ concerns about upcoming travel. As such, we have created a revised cancellation and rebooking policy until the situation has stabilized. It is our every intention to monitor the situation as it unfolds in Tanzania and to update our terms and conditions accordingly. We are committed to maintaining as much flexibility as possible whilst we navigate our way through these very trying times.
Please note that our version of tourism is about connecting worlds and changing lives. A cancelled trip has a massive social and environmental impact all the way down the supply chain. It limits community and concession revenue, and hurts the efforts underway to protect ecosystems. While elevated levels of travel clearly help XA Travels, it also provides huge support to our communities, our wild spaces and the Tanzanian government. Delay is clearly better than cancellation for all of our key stakeholders, so delaying rather than cancelling a booking helps the local communities, the wildlife, our staff and our industry partners.
You now have the flexibility to rebook for when you can look forward to your trip without fear for your health and safety. You may apply the full value of what you have paid toward future travel.
*These amendments shall be implemented and will remain in effect until such time that the worldwide travel restrictions are lifted and COVID19-related concerns are resolved.
Confirmed bookings:
Existing bookings may be postponed without penalty for any available dates within 12 months of your original travel date or until 31 December 2021 (whichever is longer).
Amendments to the travel dates can be made up until 15 days prior to the expected arrival. For the new booking dates, standard cancellation policies will apply. Final payments are determined by the actual travel date.
Where 2020 bookings are postponed to the same season in 2021, 2020 rates will be honored.
When new travel dates fall into a different season, whether 2020 or 2021, the new season rates will apply.
If you are not yet sure of a new travel date, you are free to provide a tentative date and we can confirm the exact date at your earliest convenience.
Should you decide to cancel fully and not opt to travel by 31 December 2021, our regular cancellation policy will apply.
Please note:
Postponing your safari means that you will get to enjoy the full XA Travels experience at another time – without any change fees. We encourage guests who plan to defer their tour to get in touch as soon as possible, as tours later in the 2020 season are booking up fast. Please note that the terms and conditions in effect at the time of your new departure date will apply.
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, XA Travels suggests that guests check with their insurance companies for all related travel cover including flights and any additional accommodation outside of your XA Travels tour.
We will continue to monitor this changing situation and we will follow the advice issued by national and international bodies. The above may be adjusted at any time, and if there are any changes, we will let you know.
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/
DO I NEED TO HAVE PROOF OF A NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST BEFORE DEPARTURE?
The latest Tanzania Travel Advisory has stated that:
There will be enhanced screening for Covid-19 infection upon arrival
There will be no mandatory quarantine on arrival
Tanzania does not require a negative Covid-19 test but some countries of origin or airlines require one as a condition for travelling. All passengers from countries or travelling with airlines that require a negative Covid-19 test will be required to show this before boarding the aircraft. It is not a requirement to show a Covid-19 test upon entering Tanzania.
Anyone with symptoms and signs related to Covid-19 infection will undergo enhanced screening and may be tested via RT-PCR upon arrival. Further information can be found on the MoHCDGEC website.
Guests are encouraged to observe adherence to infection prevention measures, such as good hygiene, wearing a mask and keeping a physical distance from others.
The following international airlines are currently flying to Kilimanjaro Airport:
Airlines requiring a Covid-19 test:
- Emirates
- Kenya Airways
Airlines that don't require a Covid-19 test:
- Ethiopian Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- KLM
*Subject to change. Please check directly with 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)
UK: Allianz Assistance (Q&A)
UK: Staysure (Q&A)
Travel insurance provider battleface have recently joined Atta. Battleface covers travellers to destinations in Africa, including regions under FCDO and government essential travel advisories. This includes 24/7 access to on-the-ground field agents who can assist with emergencies, which include COVID-19 medical expenses for those 59 and under, coverage for medical evacuation and accidents, adventure sport and travel to isolated places.
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 that you bring a soft luggage bag. Please note however that luggage will be regularly wiped and cleaned so we’d recommend not bringing 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. Locals, residents and the first flurry of tourists have been arriving since the borders opened in June and the measures in place appear to be working well. These measures include:
Guests must wear their masks throughout the airport grounds
Guests must adhere to socials distancing measures of 1 meter
There are hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the airports for guests to use
Guests will be asked to fill in a form regarding their recent travel history
Guests will have their temperature taken at immigration
Once guests exit the arrivals terminal they will be met by our safari representative
ON SAFARI WITH XA Travels
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 any domestic flights.
If guests want to explore a village, town or city we recommend that they wear a mask.
If guests wish to do so they can remove masks whilst inside a vehicle, and 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 and we therefore want to ensure we are looking after staff welfare as well as maintaining 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.
Whilst in camp, staff attending to guests will adhere to social distancing (2 meters as far as possible)
Back-of-house staff will adhere to social distancing with other staff members and will not wear masks unnecessarily
WHAT HAPPENS IF I CONTRACT COVID-19 WHILST ON SAFARI WITH XA T?
All our guests are covered for medical evacuation (amref) and will be transferred to a specialist center which has been implemented to arrange testing and identify appropriate health support.
WHAT PRECAUTIONS ARE BEING PUT INTO PLACE FOR PEOPLE VISITING THE CHIMPS IN MAHALE?
There have always been comprehensive measures in place to protect the chimps from human viruses but there are now a few extra procedures for any guests able to visit the chimps this season:
Guests will be briefed not to touch anything in the forest with their bare hands.
Guests must keep a distance of 10 meters from the chimps
Before each chimp trek guests will have their temperature taken
Any guests with the signs of a cold will not be able to visit the chimps
If you have any questions, just fill in the contact form, and we will answer you shortly.
