Details may vary depending on departure date. Please choose
We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
- With effect from 1 January 2011 the National Airports Corporation has added a Security Charge to all departing passengers payable at all NACL airports in Zambia. Cost is US $5 per person for international flights. Fees can be paid in US Dollars or Kwacha equivalent or any other major currency.
Accordingly you should allow approx. $60 for gratuities for local staff.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Botswana |
Namibia |
South Africa |
Zimbabwe |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
£0.70 |
£1.00 |
£1.00 |
|
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
£1.00 |
£1.00 |
£1.00 |
|
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
£0.75 |
£0.80 |
£1.00 |
|
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
£1.00 |
£1.50 |
£2.00 |
|
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
£10.00 |
£15.00 |
£10.00 |
|
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
£20.00 |
£20.00 |
£15.00 |
|
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
£12.00 |
£7.00 |
£10.00 |
|
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
£3.00 |
|
|
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
South Africa/Namibia/Botswana: Visas are not required by U.K., CAN, US, AUS and NZ citizens. Other nationalities should speak to the relevant consulate or consular office, or consult the website of Explore’s recommended visa service at www.visaswift.com/expore.aspx.
Important note for all visitors to South Africa: please note that with immediate effect, all nationalities travelling to South Africa must have two consecutive blank pages in their passport which lie side by side when the passport is open (i.e. a left and a right hand page). Passports must also be valid for at least six months. Passengers travelling to South Africa with passports that do not comply with these requirements entry may be refused.
Zimbabwe: U.K., Rep IRL, CAN, US, AUS and NZ citizens all need a visa to enter Zimbabwe. Visas can be obtained before departure through the relevant embassy, through Explore’s recommended visa service, Visa Swift www.visaswift.com/explore.aspx, or on arrival in Zimbabwe.
The current charge for a single entry visit visa issued on arrival in Zimbabwe is £35.00 or US$55.00, although this could change. If you have not obtained a visa before travelling, you should be prepared to pay for your visa on arrival. We recommend you ensure you have small notes as immigration officers may not be able to provide change. Your passport should have at least six months validity and three blank pages.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Vaccinations & Protection
We recommend protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Climate
Seasons are reversed in the southern hemisphere. Summers in the Cape Province (Oct- Mar) are hot with temps up to 35°C. Winter (May- Aug) is colder, especially at night when temperatures can drop to 0°C, and this is generally when the rains fall. Botswana’s regional characteristics, from fertile areas in the east to waterless desert in the centre and south, and a vast delta in the north-west, make for extremes of temperatures and highly variable rainfall. In the western part of Namibia winters are dry and mild but with frequent cold nights. Summers are warm and rainfall is low. The low humidity and large number of sunshine hours make for a pleasant and healthy climate for most of the year. In the Namib Desert the weather and climate are unusual and quite distinctive. The region receives very little rain and is a complete desert, but temperatures are kept low most of the time by the cold Benguela current at night. Expect varied weather patterns throughout the tour due to the large distances involved. Seasonal summer rains start around mid-November each year and usually end in April. Water in the catchment areas in western Zambia and Angola only hits Victoria Falls early in January and then rises rapidly. It usually results in peak floods over the falls in mid-April. Water levels drop steadily for the rest of the season until the new rains start. April to around mid June is ‘super high’ season – if levels are excessive, rafting will often close for about 4 weeks from the end of April. ‘High water’ season precedes the main floods in February and March and follows as water recedes in June and July.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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One main piece of baggage (a kitbag or soft holdall) plus daysac. Total allowance: 20kg.
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Clothing
Clothing should be lightweight, however a warm fleece and sweater/thick shirts are essential, as nights (and daytime) can be cold, especially from May to September, and game drives tend to take place at dawn and dusk. A waterproof and windproof jacket is recommended during these months. Please also note that brightly coloured clothing is not suitable for game viewing. Laundry can be done at Capetown, Swakopmund and Livingstone. Don’t forget your swimming costume!
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Footwear
Lightweight trail boots or robust trainers with a good grip, and sandals.
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Equipment
Bring a 2-season sleeping bag (Nov- Mar; temperature 0°C to 5°C) or a (3-4 season from Apr-Oct; temperature –10°C to –5°C), a silk sleeping bag liner, a head torch, a water bottle, a sunhat, sunglasses and high factor sunscreen. Good, thick foam sleeping mats are provided. Binoculars are essential for game viewing and a 300mm lens is recommended for photography. Tents have sewn-in mosquito screening so nets are not required. Bring a battery recharger for your digital batteries on the truck, or alternatively a supply of batteries for the duration of the tour
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
General Information
This is an overland trip through a fantastic and remote part of the world. We travel on a safari truck and road conditions can sometimes be rough, pot-holed and bumpy. You will experience a number of long drives, however the ever changing diversity of views and landscapes more than make up for this. If you adopt a flexible and open minded approach, this will certainly be one of the most exciting and memorable adventures you have ever experienced!
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Please note: Participation in canoeing, kayaking, or rafting (including white-water) requires that you are able to swim 25 metres unaided.venture on this tour.
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Electric Supply & Plugs
A 3 pin South African style plug is usually available in the safari truck for recharging. Please note that charging facilities are available at most Namibian campsites with the use of a South African 3 round pin plug adaptor.
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Maps & Books
Recommended Maps: Bartholemew: South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland (1:2,000,000).
Recommended Books: Richard D Estes: Safari Companion, Rough Guide: South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland, Credo Mutwa: Indaba, My Children, Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Thomas Pakenham: The Scramble for Africa, Footprint guide to Namibia, Laurens van der Post: Lost World of the Kalahari.
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