Getting visa via Tanzania and Kenya Embassys
 

Tanzania/Kenya trip 6/6 - 6/23. What is the turn around for getting your visas from Tanzania & Kenya Embassys in the US? We have 113 days until departure. Sounds like a lot until you throw in a couple of trips to Denver to visit my pregnant, with twins, daughter and a trip to Texas for my dear, dear brother-in-law's 80th birthday party and family reunion from 5/29 to 6/2. Plus we leave on 6/5 to drive to Birmingham, AL to drop off "my late in life child", a 13 year old mini-dachshund "Penny" with DH's family so that she does not go into depression while we are gone. We will leave from B'ham for JRO. Yes she has done this before. She has has flown around the world twice. as long as she is with "Mom" she is fine. Drat, wish I could have collected her air miles. ;-)

OAT strongly suggests that you use PVS International, which if we use them it will cost $600 for both DH and myself ($125 Kenya & $175 Tanzania each). Ouch!!! on top of the trip cost. I like lions, elephants and all big and little creatures & dearly love visiting and interacting with other cultures everywhere, but gee whiz, when you have already forked out $$$$ and have not gotten our shots, which need to be renewed. ;-( Taking them to the individual Embassys is not practical for us, since we live on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

I wish to thank all of you who have patiently replied to my questions about cameras, clothes, etc.

I have so enjoyed reading your reports and they have been such a help.
Linda

In four trips to these countries we simply waited until we arrived at the airports and forked over the visa fees and got the passports stamped upon arrival. It takes only seconds once you reach the head of the line and typically the lines aren't all that long.

I'm sure OAT is suggesting you get them in advance for THEIR convenience but the reality is you'll probably be stamped and ready to go before the luggage starts to arrive on the baggage carrousel.

Bill

We also had no trouble getting our visas for both countries at the airports on arrival last September/October. I think most of the people who post on this board have done it that way, rather than getting them in advance. Will you be arriving in both countries by air?

Arriving in Tz. via air and then Arusha via road to Nairobi. This is our trip, OAT "Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge & Luxury Tented". There are 4 of us who have traveled several many together.

My problem is that I do not want to pay for something I do not need. Not stingy, but I could spend the money on more tips,camera storage, etc.

If after Tanzania, transiting by road to Nairobi (long drive), you can get the Kenyan visa at the Namanga border. Have the application completed, with your USD$50 and passport to hand over to the agent.

Be sure you have two individual blank passport pages for each country's visa. If running out of pages, then you've got to send to the Passport office for them to add additional pages. This is free, but takes a few weeks to be returned to you.

OAT won't be too thrilled that they may have to wait a few extra minutes for this process, but the border personnel have to check everyone's passport whether they have visas or not.

I got mine ahead of time because I knew that after flying from Boston I might just be too tired and cranky to stand on one more line than absolutely necessary. As it turned ou, I arrived at Nairoi at a time that, sadly, the tourists were few, so there would not have been a line- only me.

Thanks Bill, MyDogKyle, sandi & Jess215 for your prompt replies.

We are going to get the Tz visa beforehand from the NYC Embassy, but wait on the Kenya visa until we cross the border.

If you're going to take the time in NYC to visit the Tanzania Office, might as well stop at the Kenyan Office.

Tanzania is on E.42nd St (Lex/3rd) and Kenya is at the UN, believe 48th St. (1st Ave). If you work in the city you can do the first one day and the other next. Check their hours, whether they'll turnaround in 1/day (sometimes they only issue in mornings). Verify whether payment can be cash or need to be money order.

Remember, you'll need passport size photos if obtaining in person. And, don't get them too far in advance, especially Kenya where it might expire before your trip.

Sorry sandi, I did not mean to mislead anyone. The Tz visa will be procured via FedEx of DHL.

Linda

You've got to stand in line at Kilimanjaro Airport, whether it's for the visa or immigration. I don't know that it's worth the expense of using PVS (I've used them), or whether you want to turn loose of your passport when it's so easy to get the visas at the airport. Fill out the form you're sent by OAT and have it with you. You won't need the photo if you get the visa in person at the airport. Just have your 2003 or later $100 bill (or two $50 bills) with you to purchase the visa. Kibo will wait for you. Usually, someone's case gets lost and they are the last ones out of the baggage claim area, anyway.

Sorry, when you said Embassy in NYC, thought you lived in the area. The Embassies of both countries are actually in Wash, DC. In NYC, with the UN located here, most countries have tourist/consulate offices (few actually embassies here).

If goint with the expense of using FedEx or DHL, you might as well, as ShayTay mentions, wait till you're in-country. You can obtain both when you arrive. Deplaning paxs who have visas or those who have to purchase have to queue up, both queues can be as long or short as the other. And, if on site, you save the cost of photos which you won't need if doing this in-person.

OAT will wait regardless.