sandi

JazzDrew - You probably got hit with the new Security Tax (not a departure tax which is already included in your Intl ticket) when departing Tanzania. There was an earlier thread on this today - such tax going into effect 7/1/2005. The amount is USD$8.

As far as Yellow Fever - there hasn't been a case of Yellow Fever in the Masai Mara is years - if there had been then everyone traveling to Kenya on safari would require this. There may be an occasional outbreak of YF on border areas of both countries, but no YF inoculation is required of visitors from Western countries to either Kenya or Tanzania.

In fact for the short period of time that YF was required by Tanzania if arriving from Kenya (only by land, not if by air [sounds like the name of a restaurant here in NYC... oh, sorry "one if by land, two if by sea"]), it was interesting that people who were residents of Tanzania (citizens) were required to have YF inoc for travel to Zanzibar??? Duh? Made no sense all around. Even when they lifted the need for this inoculation (July 2004), Zanzibar was still trying to require it. They put a stop to that quickly. Welcome to Afee-kah!

It's just important to keep up with the latest health requirements regardless where you travel.

JazzDrew

Sandi - Yes, you are right. It was a security tax, not departure tax. Sorry for the confusion

Sarvowinner

We are traveling on to South Africa after Tanzania. SA requires YF as Tanzania is regaded as an "Endemic Area". Australia also requires it but only if you are entering Australia within 6 days of departing Tanzania.
Jazz Drew thanks for the warning about the surprise tax.
Sarvo

Sarvowinner

"regarded"

JazzDrew

I checked my notes concerning the Security tax in Tanzania and found this:

The tax was 10,000 Tanzanian Shillings, $8 US dollars or 6 euro. They accepted all these curriencies, although our problem was that they did not want to accept the coins. The only cash we had left was 2 Euro coins so they finally accepted them.

We had no idea that there would be a security tax until after we passed the first stage of security at Kilimanjaro airport near Arusha. The government had instituted the tax the day beore and a lady was walking up and down the line telling people about it. Seemed a bit strange, but we did recieve a reciept with an offical looking stamp.

Just be sure to have an extra $8 per person in cash before you leave!

Patty

Wow, you're getting jipped if you pay in TZS