Travel Requirements and helpful suggestions for the Andrew Connally School of Preaching (ACSOP) in Arusha, Tanzania

Tickets, Visas, and Passports... Oh my

When traveling to Arusha you will need to book your tickets for Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Ticket prices vary dramatically due to the large tourism industry in the area. Ticket prices generally range from $1300.00 -$2300.00.

A passport with at least six months remaining until expiration from the day you leave Tanzania is required. If you do not have a passport contact your local post office for the nearest passport center. Applications and instructions can be found at https://www.usps.com/international/passports.htm

You will now need to purchase an e-visabefore your trip. This may take a couple of weeks so don’t wait until the last minute. You can do so here: https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/

You will be applying for a “MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA” because Americans are not eligible for “Ordinary” visas. In order to apply for this visa, you will need to provide:

•Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);

•100 USD Visa fee;

•A covering letter of the host Institution detailing the reasons and frequency of Visits(we will provide this to you)

When paperwork asks for your contact or address in Tanzania, use this info:

Charles H. Mwanga, Phone +255.746.12000ACSOP –Box 14041 Arusha, Tanzania(Kisongo Village)

Food, Lodging, Shots, and Moolah

Our guests may choose to stay in rooms provided at the ACSOP. A donation of $5per person, per day covers the room, utilities, cleaning, laundry, and security expense. Wireless internet is slow, but available.

Alternately, guests may choose to stay in our hospitality house (formerly the home of the Staffords). Since there are no longer missionaries living full-time in that house, then we need to ask for a donation of $20per person, per day to help with the expenses of the house (utilities, cleaning, laundry, and security).

Generally, guests are on their own for breakfast. Our school lounge has a microwave, small refrigerator, coffee maker, dishes and silverware, and the guest house has a fully stocked kitchen. There are supermarkets nearby.

Lunch and dinner plans vary from day-to-day and can include eating with the students, eating out or having a snack in your room. If you are staying in the guesthouse, then you might choose to contract Agnes to cook lunch for you during your stay (Charles can help you with facilitating that arrangement).

It is important to remember NOT to drink the tap water. We will make arrangements for bottled water to be available. Some restaurants have ice available.However, ask one of the missionaries if it is a safe location before ordering.

How much money you need while here is a personal preference. It is best to bring $100 bills or $50 bills as the exchange rate is better. All bills need to be clean and dated within the last few years. If you contact your bank ahead of time they can arrange the needed currency. Souvenirs are readily available and vary in price from a $1.00 book mark to an $800,000.00 piece of Tanzanite. The current exchange rate is around 2,200 Tsh (Tanzania Shillings) = $1.00. The average visitor can easily stay 10-14days with $600-$700. More is necessary if planning to go on safari at one of the local game parks.(We will be glad to arrange one of these for your group with a trusted local safari company if you will let us know ahead of time).

When you are a few months away from traveling to Tanzania it is a good idea to go ahead and get your immunizations. Don’t wait until the last minute as some immunizations require more than one dose with time in between doses. You can check the CDC website for the latest vaccine recommendations: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/tanzania.

It is generally recommended that visitors take a malaria prophylaxis. See your family doctor for the best meds to suit your personal needs. Make sure the meds are for the East Africa region.

Courtesy Call

Clothing - As a guest teacher we ask that you dress neatly in casual clothes, ties and jackets are not required. The same applies while visiting area congregations. You are welcome to wear a tie/jacket, however, khaki’s and a nice pullover or button down shirt are the norm. Women need to wear a skirt and blouse or a dress (below the knees when sitting down) to any religious activity. To wear pants, or shorts, is highly offensive and will be a distraction to the local people. Outside of religious activities modest clothing, including pants, is acceptable.

Electricity - If bringing any electronics please note that Tanzania’s current is 220v/50hz. Most modern computer power cords are both 110v and 220v and can be used with a plug adaptor. However, check your power cord rating to determine if a converter is required. Converters can be purchased at Wal-Mart, Target, etc. Make sure that the converter you purchase can sustain the amount of power required to run the appliance. Never tax the converter for more than 80% of its rated usage. For example, a 1200 watt hair dryer needs a converter that can handle 1500 watts or more. NOTE: A transformer/converter and a plug adaptor are NOT the same thing!An adaptor only makes the plug fit the socket; it does nothing to the electricity flowing through it.

Luggage Space -As a courtesy you might be asked to bring items in your suitcase for the ACSOP or one of the missionaries. While most things missionaries need are now available in the country, many imported items are very expensive and there are some personal “likes” that are not available. Almost all airlines allow for two, 50lb bags (some allow3 for missionaries). If your stay is short, perhaps you could pack one suitcase for yourself and allow one suitcase for mission items. It is the cheapest way for us to receive goods and is more appreciated than you could ever imagine.

More questions? Feel free to contact us:

Daniel Gaines – daniel-gaines@hotmail.com

270-202-4962