Policy

We recognize that the coronavirus presents new concerns about travelling internationally and Nature Odyssey has compiled the most current information about the virus to ensure an extra level of comfort for our guests. We are committed to providing safe and fulfilling safaris for our clients and our staff. The procedures take into account the specific environments of being on safari, the resources available  in Tanzania and our current knowledge of the virus and its transmission. Our procedures list the issues that have the greatest impact on reducing transmission. Protection from the coronavirus is equally incumbent on our staff and our guests to ensure the health of each other. Each safari will have one electronic thermometer to measure temperatures daily while on safari.

Procedures

Local training and education

All of our staff are receiving education about how the virus is transmitted and the adjustments required for personal interactions. We are teaching enhanced hygiene techniques including details about social distancing. Our staff are all informed and trained to avoid physical contact (handshaking, hugging and close contact). Staff who might not feel well will not be coming in to work, just as businesses in other countries are doing.

Protective masks

We are asking all of our guests to travel with masks. Nature Odyssey will also distribute extra masks to our guests. Your safari guide will have his own masks. Since all our safaris are private and vehicles have open roofs there is a more natural social distancing that happens during game drives thus we are committed to protecting our guests and staff.

Remember that a mask protects the people around you more than it protects yourself and we have a policy of respect for everyone’s health.

Hand sanitizing and disinfectants

Hand sanitizer will be provided in each vehicle on a daily basis. Your safari guide will disinfect door handles and windows on daily basis as part of our daily maintenance using Dettol which is basically the same product as Lysol. Each vehicle will also go out with 5 extra litres of water and liquid soap for additional hand washing before or after eating.

Remember that good hand hygiene is your greatest protection which will reduce transmission by almost 60%. Further the heat and humidity in Tanzania decreases the virus’ viability outside human body; i.e in the air and on surfaces.

Social distancing

The most important aspect of social distancing will be to minimize your contact with large numbers of people. Therefore, until there is an effective vaccine, Nature Odyssey encourages the use of smaller accommodations for the time being. This usually means one of the smaller tented properties. Our sales team can make recommendations for tented properties that we are confident are following our same guidelines. All of the major lodges are also developing covid 19 policies so we can continue to book any property but if you would feel more confident interacting with fewer people we believe you will enjoy the smaller more intimate accommodations.