Safari information

Passport & Visa

All foreign visitors are obliged to have a passport, which must be valid for at least six months Safari Information beyond the anticipated stay. Please make sure your passport contains at least 2 consecutive blank visa pages (not endorsement pages). You must confirm your visa requirements with the relevant embassies and consulates, because they may change depending on your nationality. This is your responsibility.

Travelling With Children

All minors travelling through all ports of entry in Botswana & South Africa must strictly adhere to requirements. Minors must be in possession of:
– Valid Passports
– Certified unabridged birth certificates for all
minors below the age of 18
– A letter of consent from the other parent
should the minor be travelling with one parent.

Important Health info

Before leaving, it is imperative that sufficient travel insurance be purchased Safari Information. Any medical emergency, including hospitalization, as well as cancellation, rescheduling of plans, and baggage, should be covered by this. You are automatically protected by our emergency evacuation insurance when you travel with one of our partners. This ensures that, in the event of a serious illness or accident, you will be transported in an emergency to the closest hospital. This in no way substitutes your regular travel insurance and does not pay for hospitalization-related expenses. This is your responsibility.

Any loss, damage, or theft of a person’s luggage or other personal property, as well as any injuries, illnesses, or accidents to a person, are not the responsibility or liability of our partners, their agents, or associates.

Health Requirements

Anyone who needs to take a specific prescription medication should bring enough for the entire visit. If you have been through the yellow fever belt, Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificates are required for entry into Southern Africa.

Luggage Allowance

As you will be travelling in vehicles and aircraft with limited space, luggage is required to be packed in a soft bag. No hard suitcases are allowed, and oversized bags may not be carried on your lap. An additional seat can be booked for extra luggage, subject to availability.

The luggage restriction for internal light aircraft flights:

  • Strictly soft sided bags only, NO wheels or frames.
  • Maximum weight of 20kg (44 lbs) which includes hand luggage.
  • Size Restrictions: 25cm (10 inches) wide by 30cm (12 inches) high and 62cm (24 inches) long.

For loading purposes, we also require the weight of each individual, so the pilot can plan accordingly. Persons over 120kg (265 lbs) may be required to purchase an additional seat. Please notify us on the Personal Information Form.

What to Pack

As a general guide, comfortable, casual wash and wear clothes recommended. Muted colors are recommended for game viewing. Game drives are generally conducted in the early morning and late afternoon which can be very cold, especially in winter.

The most practical items to pack for safari are:

  • Khaki, green, beige and neutral colours Camouflage patterned clothing is not permitted in Zimbabwe. This applies to any clothing that can be construed as mimicking military-wear.)
  • Shirts with long sleeves even in summer, as protection from the sun and mosquitoes.
  • T-shirts
  • Shorts or light skirts
  • Jeans or safari trousers for evenings and cooler days.
  • Jackets and sweaters are recommended for early morning and evening game drives.
  • Lightweight water-proof jacket.
  • Swim and beachwear.
  • Comfortable walking shoes.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, insect repellent, moisturizer and lip-salve are all essentials.
  • Toiletries shampoo, conditioner, soap and lotion supplied at camps.
  • Personal medications.
  • Binoculars and camera equipment.

Flight and Activities

  • Check-in is 1.5 hours prior for domestic and 3 hours prior for international departures.
  • Scheduled regional and inter-lodge flights may involve multiple stops before reaching destination.
  • Flights are operated as “shuttle transfers” and therefore departure times and scheduling are only confirmed the day before travel and may vary up to 1 hour. Times are subject to change without notice. Flight scheduling will be communicated to camp managers or hotel guest
    relations.
  • In the event of bad weather airlines reserve the right to drop guests off at the nearest serviceable airstrip which may mean a road transfer for guests to get to their destination. Any costs resulting from such diversions would be for your own account.
  • Some shuttle inter-lodge flights may depart very early in the morning which means you will miss your morning activity. Regrettably, this is beyond our control as flights are scheduled to meet onward flight transfers and connecting flights out of the various international airports. If a specific departure time is required, a private charter would need to be booked and paid for.

Climate

Zimbabwe – Botswana – Zambia

The climate in this region is mainly temperate. Summer, from October to April, can be very hot, but daytime temperatures typically average around 30ºC (86ºF). The rainy season lasts from January to March. Winter (May to September) – brings cooler weather with an average temperature of 25ºC (77ºF); early mornings and evenings may be very cold.

Money

Please be aware USD Cash is in short supply in Zimbabwe. As USD Cash is the preferred currency for any curio shopping and tips, we recommend you bring sufficient small dollar bills for this purpose. Banks and foreign exchange bureaus are available at all international airports and main towns, however ATMs do not dispense USD notes.
Properties with gift shops have credit card facilities, but tips cannot be accepted via credit card. *Our recommendation is to bring at least USD 50 Cash per day for your stay in Zimbabwe.

Gratuity Guideline

Guide : $15 cash per person per day.
Please feel free to speak to our camp management for additional guidelines while in camp.

*Please read the above Money section for more information on USD Cash reccomendations.

Photography

Please make sure to bring sufficient memory cards and batteries as these are not readily available in Southern Africa. Please remember to ask permission before taking a photograph of any local resident. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) are not allowed.

Dietary

Most dietary requirements can be catered for. Please advise us of any specific dietary requirements and these will be communicated to all properties in advance of your stay.

Laundry

Most camps do their best to deliver a same day laundry service, weather permitting. Dry cleaning is not available at camp. Please be mindful that, due to different cultures and customs in many of the areas in which we operate in, some of our camps do not wash any underwear so the camps provide soap suds in your room for delicate items.

WiFi

Most camps and lodges do not offer WiFi or internet connection. We encourage you to enjoy the opportunity to “switch off”.

Languages

English is widely spoken throughout Southern Africa.

Electricity

Most properties will have a charging station in the communal area where you can charge your cameras etc, and only some will have electricity available in the rooms / tents. Some properties may supply converters; however, we recommend bringing your own.

Botswana: Electric plug M, or G (rare) 230V, 50Hz.

Zambia: Electric plugs C, D & G 230V 50Hz.

Zimbabwe: Electrical plug D & G. 220V and 50Hz

Are you ready to begin planning your safari to Africa?

To create an itinerary just for you based on your travel wishes, get in touch with one of our Africa Safari Experts.