Fees · Destination Guide
Kipili Archipelago and Lake Tanganyika Shore
Endemic cichlids, freshwater island dives and remote lakeshore living in Kipili.
Key fee: Tanzania ordinary tourist visa (where eligible)
USD $50
Fees · Destination Guide
Endemic cichlids, freshwater island dives and remote lakeshore living in Kipili.
Key fee: Tanzania ordinary tourist visa (where eligible)
USD $50
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
Current Lake Shore pages confirm accommodation and advertised lake activities but no longer publish the old USD85 dive, USD45 snorkel, course, campsite or USD360/590 transfer tariffs. Treat retained old figures as historical orientation only and request a current itemized written quotation. Visa and mandatory eligible-visitor NIC insurance are separate. The exact island access, shore-camp permission, fee collector and lodging levy must also be confirmed; coastal marine-park tariffs cannot simply be applied to this freshwater archipelago.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanzania ordinary tourist visa (where eligible) | USD $50 Up to 90 days; nationality and conditions vary | Eligible non-US foreign tourists requiring an ordinary tourist visa | Official Tanzania Immigration eVisa portal or applicable approved entry channel | The immigration guidelines list this price; visa exemptions and referral-nationality restrictions are separate. US passport holders must use the multiple-entry tourist visa category instead. |
| Tanzania multiple-entry tourist visa for US citizens | USD $100 Up to one year, with no more than 90 days in a single visit | Visitors traveling on US passports for tourism | Official Tanzania Immigration Services | The Immigration Service requires the multiple-entry tourist visa for US nationals even for a one-time visit. Check passport validity and return-ticket requirements. |
| Mandatory NIC inbound travel insurance | TZS equivalent of USD $44 per adult Up to 92 days; check certificate dates | Most foreign visitors first entering Tanzania through mainland entry points, subject to stated exemptions | Where to pay | Effective 1 October 2026, under the NIC official guidance. EAC/SADC partner-state residents are among the exceptions. Coverage is limited and does not substitute for verified scuba and medical-evacuation insurance. First arrival through Zanzibar follows the ZIC rule. |
| Historical: Lake Shore Lodge recreational scuba day dive | Historical operator figure, not a current quote: USD $85 per dive Historical: Per dive, as published online | Locally guided recreational scuba | Lake Shore Lodge, booking@lakeshoretz.com | Earlier operator information, not a current offer: Operator explicitly states equipment, island fee and boat hire are included. No verified daily seat availability or cancellation schedule. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions. |
| Historical: NAUI tandem introductory scuba | Historical operator figure, not a current quote: USD $150 per person Historical: Introductory session, non-certifying | Historical: Approved introductory divers, published minimum age 10 | Lake Shore Lodge dive team | Historical: Described as roughly two hours theory plus an instructor-supervised confined-water experience, no deeper than 12 m. Availability and medical clearance not verified. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions. |
| Historical: NAUI Open Water scuba course | Historical operator figure, not a current quote: USD $550 course plus USD $50 e-learning Historical: Published three-day local course plus prior e-learning | Historical: Eligible Open Water students, published minimum age 10 | Ask Lake Shore Lodge about current instruction | Historical: Operator describes assessment/skills and four open-water dives over the course; instructor and course-dates require direct confirmation. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions. |
| Historical: NAUI Advanced Open Water course | Historical operator figure, not a current quote: USD $600 course plus USD $50 e-learning Historical: Published three-and-a-half to four-day program | Historical: Already-certified Open Water divers, minimum published age 15 | Ask Lake Shore Lodge about current instruction | Historical: The operator lists advanced specialty dive choices; this price does not confirm any particular advanced site, dive depth or live instructor schedule. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions. |
| Lodge island snorkeling outing | Historical operator figure, not a current quote: USD $45 adult; USD $10 child under 16 Historical: Per advertised outing; duration not independently published | Operator-guided island snorkeling when operating | Lake Shore Lodge | Ask whether fins, masks, guides and island access fees are included. Consider CDC advice against freshwater exposure. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions. |
| Lodge self-guided kayak | Historical operator figure, not a current quote: USD $20 adult or USD $10 child under 16 Historical: Advertised daily rate | Kayak rental subject to conditions | Lake Shore Lodge | Earlier operator information, not a current offer: Operator says the island fee is included in the kayak price. Check life jackets, wind and supervised options before renting. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions. |
| Lodge sunset cruise | Historical operator figure, not a current quote: USD $45 adult; USD $10 child under 16 Historical: Per advertised outing | Cruise passengers when the boat runs | Lake Shore Lodge | Earlier operator information, not a current offer: Published operator rate, no promise of animal encounters, timetables or vessel capacity. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions. |
| Historical: Lodge Tourism Development Levy (TDL) | Historical operator figure, not a current quote: Examples: USD $0.17 camping adult/night, USD $1.44 single Luxury Banda/night, USD $2.12 double Luxury Banda/night Per quoted accommodation category and night | Overnight lodge accommodation | Added to Lake Shore Lodge lodging invoice | Earlier operator information, not a current offer: The lodge itemizes TDL on accommodation rates. It is separate from the visitor visa, compulsory entry insurance or a hypothetical lake marine-park permit. Reconfirm invoice rates. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions. |
| Mpanda airport private vehicle transfer | Historical operator figure, not a current quote: USD $360 one way or USD $590 round trip per vehicle As shown by operator; request dated quote | Up to six passengers plus luggage for advertised round-trip vehicle | Lake Shore Lodge transport arrangement | Earlier Mpanda figures of 4.5 hours and USD $360 one way or USD $590 round trip are historical. Lake Shore Lodge recommends Sumbawanga, about 3 hours by road. Mpanda is an alternative, especially for Katavi itineraries, about 5 hours by road. Do not assume every aircraft arrival connects or that weather leaves the route open. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions. |
| Kipili island and fishing-zone access permission | Historical operator figure, not a current quote: Not independently verified as a stand-alone public fee Depends on island, activity, local arrangements and date | Private island visits, guided snorkel and scuba excursions, camping or filming where applicable | Ask Lake Shore Lodge and the relevant local/Beach Management Unit representatives | Earlier operator information, not a current offer: The scuba rate includes an island fee. Current standalone landing charges, active community restrictions and legal status of Nkondwe protection zones were not independently confirmed. Do not import an Indian Ocean marine-park pass. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions. |
| Katavi National Park game drive permit (optional and outside core) | Historical operator figure, not a current quote: Depends on TANAPA visitor category, vehicle and activity When entering for a park game drive | A separately booked Katavi wildlife excursion, not ordinary Kipili diving | TANAPA or authorized safari operator | Lake Shore Lodge says transit on the public road through Katavi is not by itself a game-viewing visit; stopping for wildlife photography there requires the appropriate permit. Park activities are outside this destination guide's island scope. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions. |
Fee
Up to 90 days; nationality and conditions vary
The immigration guidelines list this price; visa exemptions and referral-nationality restrictions are separate. US passport holders must use the multiple-entry tourist visa category instead.
Up to one year, with no more than 90 days in a single visit
The Immigration Service requires the multiple-entry tourist visa for US nationals even for a one-time visit. Check passport validity and return-ticket requirements.
Up to 92 days; check certificate dates
Effective 1 October 2026, under the NIC official guidance. EAC/SADC partner-state residents are among the exceptions. Coverage is limited and does not substitute for verified scuba and medical-evacuation insurance. First arrival through Zanzibar follows the ZIC rule.
Historical: Per dive, as published online
Earlier operator information, not a current offer: Operator explicitly states equipment, island fee and boat hire are included. No verified daily seat availability or cancellation schedule. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions.
Historical: Introductory session, non-certifying
Historical: Described as roughly two hours theory plus an instructor-supervised confined-water experience, no deeper than 12 m. Availability and medical clearance not verified. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions.
Historical: Published three-day local course plus prior e-learning
Historical: Operator describes assessment/skills and four open-water dives over the course; instructor and course-dates require direct confirmation. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions.
Historical: Published three-and-a-half to four-day program
Historical: The operator lists advanced specialty dive choices; this price does not confirm any particular advanced site, dive depth or live instructor schedule. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions.
Historical: Per advertised outing; duration not independently published
Ask whether fins, masks, guides and island access fees are included. Consider CDC advice against freshwater exposure. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions.
Historical: Advertised daily rate
Earlier operator information, not a current offer: Operator says the island fee is included in the kayak price. Check life jackets, wind and supervised options before renting. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions.
Historical: Per advertised outing
Earlier operator information, not a current offer: Published operator rate, no promise of animal encounters, timetables or vessel capacity. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions.
Per quoted accommodation category and night
Earlier operator information, not a current offer: The lodge itemizes TDL on accommodation rates. It is separate from the visitor visa, compulsory entry insurance or a hypothetical lake marine-park permit. Reconfirm invoice rates. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions.
As shown by operator; request dated quote
Earlier Mpanda figures of 4.5 hours and USD $360 one way or USD $590 round trip are historical. Lake Shore Lodge recommends Sumbawanga, about 3 hours by road. Mpanda is an alternative, especially for Katavi itineraries, about 5 hours by road. Do not assume every aircraft arrival connects or that weather leaves the route open. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions.
Depends on island, activity, local arrangements and date
Earlier operator information, not a current offer: The scuba rate includes an island fee. Current standalone landing charges, active community restrictions and legal status of Nkondwe protection zones were not independently confirmed. Do not import an Indian Ocean marine-park pass. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions.
When entering for a park game drive
Lake Shore Lodge says transit on the public road through Katavi is not by itself a game-viewing visit; stopping for wildlife photography there requires the appropriate permit. Park activities are outside this destination guide's island scope. Current replacement lodge pages do not confirm this earlier price or product specification; obtain the current itemized invoice and exact inclusions.