Our New Operating Standard Procedures (COVID-19).
Based on the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism National Standard Operating Procedures for management of the COVID-19 threat. These are the rules put in place to continue operations while at the same time protecting visitors.
The items include:
- Thermal screening for arriving passengers.
- All contact surfaces are cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis.
- Our Staff members will wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when attending to guests and servicing guest areas. This doesn't mean you will been served or guided by guides or staff with full-on medical officers gears, or star wars like gears........NO NO NO...They will have gloves, masks and use hand sanitizers frequently.
- Hand washing and sanitizing facilities will be provided to guests and staff.
- Our Staff members will maintain a distance from one another and from guests at all times.
- Our staff on Mount Kilimanjaro are required to take extra precautions when packing, transporting, and preparing food and equipment for climbers. PPE will be worn by staff when interacting with guests. The number of staff who interact with guests and the frequency of those interactions will also be limited accordingly.
- Meals can also be eaten in the sleeping tent versus the community mess tent if desired.
- For clients who would like to follow social distancing with other climbers, we offer single tents on the mountain and single rooms on safari or in town.
As long as our clients feel comfortable to travel here, we are prepared to serve them. We believe that the new standard operating procedures will be effective in minimizing the risk of infections on the mountain and during the safari.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of tourism in Tanzania?
Tanzania’s President declared that the country was open for tourism. There are no longer any travel restrictions for visitors who arrive from other countries, including no mandatory quarantines. However, thermal screening will be done at arrival points. Airlines have resumed flights in and out of Kilimanjaro Airport.
What precautions is the Tanzanian tourism industry taking during the pandemic?
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism published new standard operating procedures for tourism staff, airports, ships, accommodations, and tour operators. These procedures outline common sense directives designed to reduce the risk of infection. These include the regular sanitizing of surfaces, washing hands, wearing PPE, and maintaining social distance. If a guest is found to be positive of COVID-19, arrangements will be made at the advice of the Rapid Response Team.
What are we doing to keep our clients safe from COVID-19?
Many operators, including Bantu Pori Journeys, were involved in the creation of the approved standard operating procedures. We believe in the new measures and will comply with them. All equipment will be disinfected prior to use. Our staff will wear PPE when in close proximity to our clients. The number of crew members who interact with a client and handle a client’s belongings will be limited. In addition, we have additional opportunities to maintain social distance on the mountain by offering single tents and rooms for single travelers, and serving meals in separate tents if desired.
What do I need to do if I decide to postpone my trip?
Clients may defer their climbs up to one year from the original date. Email us at office@bantupori.com and let us know you intend to defer your trip. You do not need to tell us the new date at this time. There is no fee to reschedule as long as we are notified 30 days or more prior to your trip start date. If we are notified within 30 days of your trip start date, there will be a $200 fee per person to reschedule.
What should I do if I want to go on my scheduled trip?
Unless you told us you wanted to defer your trip, we have you scheduled on your original date. But we would appreciate that you confirm your intent if we have not discussed it already. We want to make sure everything is in place for your Kilimanjaro expedition and Tanzanian safari. Note that balance payments are due 30 days before the trip start date.
What is the outlook of the pandemic in Tanzania today?
The official numbers state that there are approximately 500 cases and 21 deaths. However, similar to many countries, there has not been widespread testing. In short, the data must be taken with a grain of salt. We will continue to monitor the situation on the ground.
Are you taking new bookings for climbs and safaris?
Yes, we continue to book clients for trips in 2020 and 2021.
