A Few Things To Know About Travel To East Africa
The East Africa Medical Assistance Foundation can direct you to the appropriate agencies for organizing a trip to East Africa. However, here a few things to know:
KILIMANJARO CHRISTIAN MEDICAL CENTER RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
KCMC is a 500-bed teaching hospital at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, and is the site of the first radiology residency in the country. The residency was founded in 1987 by Dr. Helmut Diefenthal and his wife, Rotraut Diefenthal. There are two-year residency programs for AMO physicians (assistant medical officers) and four-year residency programs for MD residents. The US does not have the equivalent of AMO physicians whose scope is broader than physician’s assistants, in addition, they function as physicians. The majority of our AMO graduates provide the only radiology expertise in their local hospitals, and the graduating MD radiology residents are becoming leaders in their field in Tanzania.
HOW DO I GET THERE?
There are international flights to the Kilimanjaro International Airport, including flights from Amsterdam. Some visitors have flown to Nairobi Kenya and taken land transportation, but we cannot recommend that route at this time. Volunteers are required to pay for their own flights.
ARE THERE VOLUNTEER FEES?
Yes, there are fees to participate in the EAMAF volunteer program at KCMC. Since EAMAF is registered as a not-for-profit with the US Internal Revenue Service, most travel, living expenses and related costs incurred by a volunteer are tax-deductible for those who file with the IRS. The fees are as follows:
Resident Rate: $500 total
This rate includes: Orientation; transportation to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport; lodging; program materials, expenses and administration; program transport (such as vehicle repair and gas); and a stipend to a KCMC resident who will serve as your liaison during your visit. Fees must be paid in advance of your visit.
All Other Medical Professionals
Month visit: $1000 This rate includes: transportation to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport; lodging; program materials, expenses and administration; program transport (such as vehicle repair and gas); and a stipend to a KCMC physician who will serve as your liaison during your visit. Fees must be paid in advance of your visit.
Two months: $1200 This rate includes: transportation to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport; lodging; program materials, expenses and administration; program transport (such as vehicle repair and gas); and a stipend to a KCMC physician who will serve as your liaison during your visit. Fees must be paid in advance of your visit.
Three months or more: $400 base rate (includes transportation to and from Kilimanjaro International, and a stipend to a KCMC physician who will serve as your liaison during your visit.). Plus $250 per month for efficiency.
All fees must be paid prior to travel to Tanzania. Check made payable to EAMAF.
There is a $50 non-refundable fee to EAMAF to hold your volunteer dates at KCMC.
Volunteers pay for their own car rental (if desired), and all meals.
WHERE DO I STAY?
An efficiency apartment in the doctor’s compound will be rented for you as part of your volunteer fees. Because of limitations in lodging and the size of the department, we try to limit visitors to one or two during the same time period. There are restaurants and a hospital cafeteria, but food in nearby markets is plentiful. There are always many visiting physicians from North America and Europe working at KCMC at any given time, giving an international flavor to the hospital. A rental car is useful but not essential.
HOW LONG DO I VISIT? WHAT DO I DO?
If you are traveling in East Africa, and want to stop for a day or two to see the hospital and program, please do! If possible, let us know ahead of time when to expect your visit.
If you want to volunteer, we encourage visits of a month or longer. Most visiting physicians want some time to see the sights of Tanzania. It also takes some time to get over jet lag and get used to the routine.
WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE?
EAMAF does not have resources to provide special travel or health insurance policy to volunteers. Consult your insurance company regarding coverage provided by your policy while abroad. We strongly recommend that all volunteers procure medical evacuation insurance prior to departure
WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO SEE?
Where do we begin? You will be near the Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Oldupai Gorge, Serengeti National Park, and of course, Mount Kilimanjaro. Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar are a short flight away. Safaris can be arranged through companies in the US, Europe, or through local companies.
TRAVEL RESOURCES
Taking care of your health
WHO's International Travel and Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Traveler's Health
The International Society of Travel Medicine (Provides information on travel clinics in the US)
Department of State Travel Resources
Main Travel Site
Travel and Living Abroad
Travel Registration with Department of State
Country Specific Information
Country Background Notes
Current Travel Warnings
Department of State Travel Resources
Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook
UNICEF Country Pages
WHO Country Pages
Logistical Planning
Flights: EAMAF Volunteers may use any travel agent they choose to handle their flight arrangements.
Passport: Be sure that your passport is current and be aware that some countries require visitors to have a passport that is valid six months after they have left the country. Make sure that you have enough pages in your passport for the visa(s). More passport info.
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