Symposium Venue

Symposium venue and accommodation
The Symposium will take place at the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge just outside of Arusha: (www.thengurdotomountainlodge.com). Nestled between Mt Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro, Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge is located within a lush coffee plantation, 140 acres, with natural streams flowing through the property, from Mt Meru. This lodge is ideally located between Arusha town and Kilimanjaro International Airport, 27 km either way. The Victoria Conference Room can accommodate up to 600 people and has simultaneous translating facilities. A special price of USD80* per night on a single room bed and breakfast basis has been negotiated for participants of the Symposium.

Arusha is a small African town nestled in the shadow of Mount Meru with commanding views of the mighty Kilimanjaro. Although Dar es Salaam is larger, Arusha tends to be visited more by tourists as it is the gateway to the northern circuit. It is likely to be the start of your safari to the famous parks of northern Tanzania.

One of the most beautiful parks in Tanzania and located 32 km from Arusha is the Arusha National Park. Aside from the abundance of wildlife, fauna and flora there are three spectacular features; Momella Lakes, Meru Crater, and the Ngurdoto Crater. Both Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru can be seen from the park when the weather is fine.

Find out more about Arusha: http://tanzaniatouristboard.com/places_to_go/towns_and_cities/arusha

*Subject to change under unforeseen circumstances

Weather and Climate
The weather and climate in Arusha is moderately warm and humid. December - March is normally the hottest period of the year with average temperatures ranging between 22 0C and 27 0C. The rainy season in Tanzania is from mid-March to the end of June.

Local Currency and Exchange
The unit of currency is Tanzania Shillings (TZS). Foreign currency may be exchanged at commercial banks or bureaux de change. Bureaux de change are available at both the Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere and Kilimanjaro international airports. Some hotels may be offering this service as well. The exchange rate at the time of posting this information is about TZS 1,300 to 1 USD.

Credit Cardholders can have access to local currency 24 hours a day through CRDB, Backlays, Exim and Standard Chartered banks' Automatic Teller Machines (ATM). These banks will accept one or the other type of common credit cards (e.g. Visa, Master, etc.)

Electricity
220 volts, 50Hz

Visa requirements
Except for citizens of certain countries of the Commonwealth, most visitors entering Tanzania require visas. Participants are advised to obtain entry visas in advance from Tanzania High Commissions /Embassies in their respective countries. Entry visas can also be obtained on arrival at Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere (Dar es Salaam) and Kilimanjaro International Airports if so advised.

Vaccination and Health
Visitors from countries infected with cholera and yellow fever may be required to produce international certificates of vaccination. Other vaccinations that might be considered before you travel to Tanzania include typhoid, hepatitis A and B, meningitis, and tetanus.

Participants are advised to take personal health insurance and to bring their own medicines. It is also essential for visitors to take a course of anti-malaria tablets, commencing two weeks before travel.

For more information about health precautions in Tanzania please visit http://tanzaniatouristboard.com/plan_your_trip/
travel_information/health

International and Domestic Flights
A number of international air lines fly to Tanzania. These include British Airways with direct flights to Dar es Salaam from Heathrow three times a week (Tuesday, Friday and Sunday); KLM with daily flights from Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam; Swiss Air from Zurich to Dar es Salaam three times weekly (Monday, Wednesday & Friday); Air India to Dar es Salaam via Mumbai three times weekly (Monday, Wednesday & Friday); Emirates to Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro via Dubai daily; and Ethiopian to Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro via Addis Ababa daily.

Regional carriers into Tanzania include Air Tanzania, Ethiopian Airways, Kenya Airways, Precision Air and South African Airways. Domestic carriers to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) are mainly Air Tanzania and Precision Air.

International airports
Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere International Airport at Dar es Salaam (DAR) is about 10 km from the city centre and Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is about 40 km from Arusha city centre.