Botswana Travelers Tips
Botswana travel information - insurance, visas, credit cards and currency,
luggage, photography, duty free
A Typical day on Safari 
This is a sample only - activities are flexible and can be
tailor-made according to guest's requirements.
Summer / Winter
05h30 / 06h30 - Wake up call. Light continental breakfast consisting
of cereals, tea/coffee/juices and pastries to be served in the dining
area.
06h30/07h30 - Depart on morning activity, returning to camp at approximately
10h00
10h30/11h00 - Brunch consisting of a selection of breakfast and lunch
dishes. After brunch until afternoon tea, guests will be at leisure.
15h30/15h00 - Afternoon tea is served consisting of a selection of
sweet and savoury snacks.
16h00/15h30 - Depart on afternoon game viewing activity - drinks and
snacks will be served for sundowners during the course of the activity.
Sunset - Return to camp (depending on park rules)
19h30/19h00 - Pre-dinner drinks and snacks will be served at the pub.
20h00/19h30 - Three-course dinner - generally speaking the starter
and desert is served, whilst the main course is buffet style.
21h30/21h00 - Coffee and liqueurs will be served at the camp fire.
Travel information for Botswana
INSURANCE
The responsibility lies with the guest to ensure that they carry the
correct comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover themselves,
as well as any dependants/travelling companions for the duration of
their trip to Southern Africa.
This insurance should include cover in respect of, but not limited
to, the following eventualities: cancellation or curtailment of the
safari, emergency evacuation expenses, medical expenses, and repatriation
expenses, damage/theft/loss of personal baggage, money and goods.
Guests will be charged directly by the relevant service providers for
any emergency services they may require, and may find themselves in
a position unable to access such services should they not be carrying
the relevant insurance cover.
Please ensure that you and your belongings are adequately insured
before your departure. It is better to purchase a policy locally, as
this will cover repatriation back to your home country. Please contact
Wilderness Safaris, your broker or your travel agent for details. We
cannot be held liable for any losses or damages incurred.
a) Health Insurance
It is compulsory to have full medical, emergency evacuation and repatriation
cover for the period of time you are away.
b) Cancellation and Curtailment
You might have to cancel or curtail your journey due to unforeseen circumstances.
If for any reason you cancel a trip close to departure date, you could
lose the entire cost of your holiday. Should you have to leave before
your holiday is finished, we cannot refund you the cost of the portion
of the package you do not complete. In the eventuality of this happening,
insurance may cover you, depending on the reason for cancellation and
curtailment.
c) Baggage & Money Insurance
It is advisable to take out baggage and money insurance, especially
if you are carrying a lot of cash or expensive and valuable camera equipment.
You should always carry such equipment as "carry-on" luggage.
Do not put anything of value in your checked-in baggage!
d) Claims
If you anticipate an insurance claim upon your return, be sure to document
as accurately as possible any accident, injury or loss. Doctor's notes
and police reports will aid any claim.
TIPPING / GRATUITIES
Tipping is not compulsory. If, however, you want to tip
because you have received good service, here is a brief guideline to
assist you:
a) Camp, Game Lodge and Specialist Guides
Here we recommend US$5 per guest per day for travel to Botswana, Zambia
and Zimbabwe and R50 per guest per day for visitors to Namibia and South
Africa.
b) The General Safari Camp / Lodge Staff
Recommended tip is about US$3 per guest per day for safari camps in
Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe and R30 per guest per day for safari camps
in Namibia and South Africa. This should be placed in the communal tipping
box to be distributed equally amongst all the staff at a later stage
c) Hotel Staff
Please allow between R5 and R10 per guest per day for hotel staff ie
housekeeping etc
d) Porterage
Here we recommend about US$1 per person per movement.
e) Mokoro Paddlers and Trackers
We recommend that each paddler receive US$3 per guest per day and the
camp / lodge trackers receive R35 per guest per day.
f) Transfer and Touring Driver/guides
Transfer R10 per person
Half day tour R25 per person
Full day tour R50 per person
g) Restaurants / Hotels
10% is customary on meal accounts but only if you are satisfied with
the service.
TRAVELLING COMPANIONS
You will meet up with other guests from different parts of the world
who are of various ages. Co-operation and harmony between guests lends
itself to a memorable safari experience. All guests are required to
conduct themselves in a manner condusive to an enjoyable safari. Most
safaris are conducted in English and it is therefore required that all
participants on the safari have the ability to communicate and understand
this language.
PASSPORTS & VISAS
International visitor require a valid passport together with onward
travel documents.
If travelling to South Africa then guests must please ensure that their
passport is valid for at least 6 months after their entry date and that
they have a minimum of 2 blank pages (if there is insufficient space
in the passport then entry will be denied) in their passport to enable
the entry visa to be issued. In addition if a father (or mother) is
travelling with his (her) children alone then a letter of consent, certified
by their local police, must be signed by the mother (father) and carried
with them.
All passport holders should verify with their travel agent or relevant
consulate concerning visa entry requirements. If you are extending your
journey to other countries, please establish entry requirements for
those countries as well.
Please ensure that you have all the necessary
visas prior to departure (unless available on entry)
DRIVING CONDITIONS
If visiting remote areas or national parks and reserves, the roads
could be rough and bumpy and occasionally we will travel "off road",
where it is possible that injuries may occur - if for example a hidden
pothole is struck. Operations companies and their staff members, associates
or agents can be held liable for any accidents or any damages!
RESPECTING WILDLIFE & SAFETY WHEN STAYING
AT SAFARI CAMPS/LODGES
- The wild animals are not like those found in theme parks - they
aren't tame.
- Most of the safari camps are unfenced and dangerous animals can (and
do!) wander through the camps.
- Please listen to the camp staff and guides. The safety precautions
need to be taken seriously, and strictly adhered to.
- Don't go wandering off on your own without a guide - even to your
rooms. After retiring to your rooms at night, don't leave them.
- Observe animals silently and with a minimum of disturbance to their
natural activities. Loud talking on game drives can frighten the animals
away.
- Never attempt to attract an animal's attention. Don't imitate animal
sounds, clap your hands, pound the vehicle or throw objects.
- Please respect your driver-guide's judgment about proximity to lions,
cheetahs and leopards. Don't insist that he take the vehicle closer
so you can get a better photograph. A vehicle driven too close can hinder
a hunt or cause animals to abandon a hard-earned meal.
- Litter tossed on the ground can choke or poison animals and birds
and is unsightly.
- Never attempt to feed or approach any wild animal on foot. This is
especially important near lodges or in campsites where animals may have
become accustomed to human visitors.
- Refrain from smoking on game drives. The dry African bush ignites
very easily, and a flash fire can kill animals.
Many of the animals and reptiles you will see are potentially dangerous.
Attacks by wild animals are rare. However, there are no guarantees that
such incidents will not occur. The operations company and staff members,
associates, agents, or their suppliers can be held liable for any injuries
caused during an incident involving the behaviour of wild animals.
WALKING IN PARKS AND RESERVES
We will walk where possible but this is often determined by the local
area and country regulations. NOTE: Walking is at your own risk as these
walks can take you close to dangerous wild animals.
SATELLITE & IRIDIUM TELEPHONES
Telecommunications in the urban areas are easily accessible but please
note that the safari lodges and camps you may be visiting could be located
in very remote parts of Southern Africa and often do not have telephones.
An increasing number of guests have been bringing satellite phones along
with them on safari. As most people come on safari to "get away
from it all", we feel that we must set some limitations on the
use of these phones when on safari.
We suggest the following guidelines on the use of satellite phones:
1. Please ensure the ring tone is kept at a low volume to avoid disturbing
other guests.
2. Please use your phone in the privacy of your room and not any of
the common areas: dining room, bar/lounge area, or on any of the vehicles
or on game drives
INFORMATION FOR THE VISITOR TO BOTSWANA
CREDIT CARDS
Visa and MasterCard are usually accepted throughout Botswana but American
Express and Diners Club are often not accepted.
CURRENCY
Botswana banks will only accept US Dollars, Pound Sterling, Euro and
South African Rand cash. Therefore, any cash payments to camps for curios,
or gratuities to guides or staff, need to be in one of these currencies.
Travellers' cheques in any of the above currencies are also acceptable.
DUTY FREE
There is no duty free shopping available at Johannesburg International
Airport on a flight to Botswana. Please make sure any duty free purchases
of camera film, alcohol, etc. are made before arriving in southern Africa.
EXCESS BAGGAGE
The most common mode of transport in Botswana is by light aircraft and
usually on a seat-in-plane shared basis. If you have to bring more baggage
with you, we can "sell" you and your party an extra seat on
most safaris. This will allow you to bring an additional 70 kg (154
lbs). The cost of this extra seat varies - depending on your safari
- but should cost in the region of US$140 per flight.
On arrival in either Maun or Kasane, you also have the option of sending
your excess baggage ahead at an additional cost of US$100 per person.
If the safari begins in Maun, the excess baggage will be forwarded to
Kasane and stored. If starting in Kasane, the excess baggage will be
forwarded to Maun for storage. You can then collect this excess baggage
at the end of your Botswana safari. We would prefer to know in advance
if this service will be needed so that arrangements can be made and
the transfer can be handled smoothly.
Please ensure that you are in possession of full travel insurance including
luggage cover.
LAUNDRY
Laundry can be done at most camps. This service is usually complimentary
but there may be a nominal charge at some establishments. The
camp staff will not wash underwear, due to prevailing local traditions
in the country.
POWER
Camps thyat are situated in remote areas have to generate their own
electricity. Most camps have a generator that runs for about 6 hours
per day (3 hours in the morning and 3 in the afternoon when guests are
out on activities). These generators then charge batteries located at
each tented room.
There are no 220v or 110v power points in mst camps. If you need to
have your video battery re-charged we can do so while you are out on
an activity. Therefore, please bring a spare battery for use while the
other is being charged. These systems are simple but perfectly functional.
If you are a keen birder we recommend that you bring your OWN bird
book. There are a number available in most book stores
Everyone must bring his or her own pair of BINOCULARS
& CAMERA in order to get the most out of the safari.
Booking through Afrizim / Flame of Africa-The Simple Solution
We are specialists in the area with a branch
office in Victoria Falls
We co-ordinate airport and road transfers and can arrange all activities
Discounted tour packages
from South Africa with flights
We offer a wide selection of accommodation and safaris with no preferred
operator at best possible rates Contact
Us. By email:
Next Information: Visas
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