Flight
Things to keep in mind: - There are no direct flights from USA to Tanzania. The quickest route is 1 stop via Delta airlines with a layover in Amsterdam. - Please account for travel duration AND time zone difference (8 hours ahead of EST). So this means if you'd like to arrive on Tuesday, you need to leave Monday. ** Currently flights that leave Monday, June 7th (arriving Tuesday) are $200 cheaper than Tuesday, June 8th flights (arriving Wednesday). *** Wedding weekend itinerary starts on Thursday, June 10th
Hotel
This is where the wedding will take place! **Room booking instructions below** There are 25 rooms being held for wedding guests at the rates below: Double executive room (sea view): $120 breakfast included Double executive room (non sea view): $110 breakfast included Double sea-facing suite: $240 breakfast included Double non Sea-facing Suite: $200 breakfast included ** Single occupancy rates are lower **Please account for everyone who will be staying in the room when booking. Children under 6 do not count. To Book please email: reception@hotelslipway.com and put "Sydaiya Wedding" as the subject. In the email state what your room selection and dates. Thank you!
Hotel
Golden Tulip is another hotel with comparable prices (slightly lower I think, breakfast included). It is a 7min drive from the wedding venue and within 10 minutes of all activities. I do not have rooms reserved but it seems there is a fair amount of availability for June. Booking the sooner, the better is best! ** There are 2 Golden Tulip Hotels in Tanzania. Golden Tulip Dar es Salaam is the one you want Golden Tulip City Center is NOT the one you want. ** You must account for everyone who will stay in the room when booking. Children under 6 do not count.
House Or Rental
There are plenty Airbnb options available! Please keep your search within Masaki, Msasani & Oyster bay to keep a convenient proximity to the wedding venue and activities. ** Airbnbs are a more spacious and cost effective option but you will have to consider navigating around town. There is only one safe form of transportation which is uber/bolt, however it comes with it's own set of challenges here! But doable. Please find more info in the section labeled Uber/Bolt.
Travel Note
Uber & Bolt are the safest forms of transportation around Dar. Things to know: -Only order the car option -Pay in cash after every ride (if you have it setup with your debit card please change that feature in your app once you arrive) - The process is not seamless like it is in the US. Once you order, the driver will want to call you to confirm your pickup location, and where you are going) this may not be possible because you do not have a local number. Some may cancel, but some will still come. - Some drivers speak little to no English - A lot of drivers do not know how to use the maps/navigation. They go by their own knowledge. - Dar es Salaam is only recently developing proper addresses, most places still don't have them. Use the name of the places you are/going i.e. Pick up: search on app "Woodberry Cafe", drop off "Hotel Slipway" - Masaki is the upscale and more developed area, so more places will be on google. - Keep small bills for rides! They will often "not have change"
Travel Note
US passport holders require a tourist visa to enter Tanzania, please apply at the link provided. The cost is $100. It's good for a year if you decide you want to come back and visit againnn! :) **Jamaicans, and most Caribbean passport holders do not need a visa to enter. So if you have one of those, you're good to go! For Americans: The visa type is called a Multi-entry visa (you will be prompted to this selection on the website). It takes about 15 mins to fill out. (you will need a separate passport sized photo to submit. CVS, Walgreens etc do them for a few dollars) In addition you will need your return ticket and accommodations info. You pay with a card online and you will receive the e visa in about 3 days. Doing this in May is perfectly fine.
Travel Note
Here is some information that will help ensure your safe and enjoyable stay in Tanzania! 1) The national language in TZ is Kiswahili and English, however a good amount of people speak very little to no English at all. Please be prepared for, and patient with, the language barrier. **At hotels and other tourist areas they speak good English. In Masaki in general English is spoken at a higher rate. 2)You must get Malaria pills from your doctor before you get here and take them for the duration of your stay. Malaria is NO joke!! Please also have mosquito repellant and wear it when you go out in the evening. 3) Most of the roads in Masaki are paved, you may find a few dirt roads here and there however. You will not find sidewalks anywhere! So please do not go on random walks. Drivers tend to drive fast and close. 4) The power in TZ can still be unstable. If it does go off, it will come back on within a 1min or so as there will be a backup generator wherever you stay.
Travel Note
Money 1) A lot of places in Masaki take visa/mastercard. However due to faulty internet connections sometimes the machines are down. Please make sure to have cash on you as well. 2) You can exchange your cash at the airport (for a higher rate). You can withdraw cash at ATM, high fees ($10-20 per transaction depending on your bank) I'd advise taking out a large amount at once. 3) The Tanzanian currency is called a Tanzanian Shilling or T Shilling (Tzs). It is a very large quantity currency, don't let this throw you if an uber ride costs 4,000tzs thats actually cheap and only 1.72 USD! There are 4 bills: 10,000 - 5,000 - 2,000 - 1,000 the coins are 500 - 200 - 100 -50. I'd suggest downloading the currency exchange app called "Xe" (blue & white symbol) so that you can have a clear idea of what you're spending (saving really! You'll see :) 4) Tipping is very minimal here and not required. 1- 5,000 per bill (5,000 for a large bill with 4+ ppl) No tip for ubers. Please do not over tip.
Travel Note
Appearance: Tanzania is a somewhat conservative country. Equally Muslim and Christian. Clothing: Women tend to wear loose fitting clothing. It is totally ok to wear shorts at the hotels, and beach. However if you wear short shorts at the grocery store you may get looks. Anything is permitted at the Club! Jewelry: Please limit bright shiny metal jewelry (except at the WEDDING!!!) Wearing 1 piece is ok, but more than that will just draw attention to you. Beaded/ wooden jewelry can be worn in abundance. And LASTLY!!! The alcohol portions in cocktails or rocks drinks are VERY tiny compared to what you're used to. I'd advise ordering a double dose in your cocktail. For instance "may I have a pina coloda, double rum please" Just trust me on this! haha (Non mixed, straight drinks i.e. whiskey on the rocks I'd suggest a triple!) Ok thats it!!!! Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!