Get your PCR & Rapid COVID-19 test in Arusha, The Serengeti park, Zanzibar Island!

Since the 26th of January 2021, KLM requires a Rapid COVID-19 test as an extra obligation to the PCR test. This fast test needs to be taken no more than 4 hours before the flight. The rapid examination is performed on all airports that KLM operates from and to Kilimanjaro,  Zanzibar,  and Dar es Salaam.

The charge for this test is 25 USD per person/test, to be paid in cash at the airport. Reserve sufficient time for this test to anticipate any issues, and arrive at the airport at least five hours before departure.

Place where you can get a PCR test in Arusha city:

=> A PCR test can be taken in Mount Meru Regional Hospital, and in Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. (http://www.mtmerurrh.go.tz/)

Places where you can have a PCR test on the Island of Zanzibar

In Zanzibar island the Ministry of Health has currently selected three places for COVID-19 PCR tests:

=> Emergency Operation Centre in Lumumba

=> Global Hospital in Vuga and

=> North Valley Hospital in Nungwi

What is the cost of the COVID-19 test in Tanzania?

The cost of the test is 100 USD on Tanzania’s mainland.

In Zanzibar island, private hospitals charge 150 USD.

In the Serengeti national park, the costs are $100 for the test and $17 for the handling fee.

Where to get a PCR test in the Serengeti national park?

To be able to get the PCR test in the Serengeti park you have to register via the official government website here https://pimacovid.moh.go.tz/

After registering, a control number will be generated. The test fee is equivalent to 100$ in Tanzanian Shillings, following the directions given during the control is generated.

For getting a test in the Serengeti national park there is a small additional handling fee covering the extra cost of taking a test in the Serengeti national park. Handling fee must be paid via Vodacom M-Pesa, through pay ‘Number 5106362 Tanzania Association of Tour Operators’. Born Park Adventures can assist with this. The handling fee is roughly $17 US Dollars or 40,000 Tanzanian Shilling.

Go to the testing center in Seronera between 8 AM and 12 AM. No appointment needed.

The test will go to Dar es Salaam city for the physical examination. The results take up to 48 hours to be delivered to you via email and WhatsApp – like with tests taken in Arusha and Zanzibar.

How to take a PCR test in Arusha city and on the island of Zanzibar:

Since the 4th of January 2021 new rules have been implemented by the government of Tanzania.

You need to register on the government official test site: https://pimacovid.moh.go.tz, with your passport and telephone number. You should do this 5 days before you plan to take your test.

Choose a hospital, pay, and get tested.

Roughly, this is the procedure on arrival in the hospital:

Get in a line to pay for the test. Cash is preferred, although cards are accepted. Using cards to pay might cause some trouble or delay. After paying, you’ll receive a receipt, which is also a necessary document when leaving the country, so don’t lose it!

You’ll then proceed to another line. You’ll present your paid receipt and submit your personal information and flight details. In the third line, you will then declare how you want to get the results, on-line via WhatsApp or email or a printed copy. We suggest the latter since you will need a printed result to present at the airport.

You will then receive a control number, and when it’s your turn, you get tested. The samples are taken from your throat and nose.

How long does it take to get the result?

It will take up to 48 hours to get the results since the samples are sent to Dar es Salaam for testing. If your airline has strict regulations regarding the validity time of the certificate make sure you perform your sample taking in the morning – so it can be sent to Dar es Salaam the same day of the sample taking.

Will I get the results on time to comply with the requirements of the airline or the country I’m traveling to?

The date stated on your certificate is the date the test was performed in Dar es Salaam, not the date the sample was taken. So, in short, yes you can meet all requirements.