Frequently Asked Questions on a Botswana Safari
Botswana Frequently Asked QuestionsHow safe is Botswana? This is one of the most frequently asked questions by visitors travelling to Africa. Botswana is a very safe travel destination. It is both politically and financially stable. Whilst travelling on safari you will spend the majority of your time in remote areas and regions where crime is virtually non-existent. What are the entry requirements into Botswana? No visas are required for citizens from most Commonwealth countries (excluding Ghana, India, Nigeria and Sri Lanka), as well as most European countries and most Southern African states. Those travelers requiring visas must obtain them from a Botswana embassy or high commission. In cases where Botswana does not have diplomatic representation, visas can be obtained from the British High Commission. Entry visas obtained at border posts are valid for a period of 30 to 90 days. Visa requirements include:
Money & Credits cards while on safari in Botswana? Pula is Botswana's national currency, with one pula comprising 100 thebe, although South African rands and American dollars are also sometimes accepted. As there are no currency controls in Botswana, foreign exchange is available at banks and official bureaux de change. There are five commercial banks in Botswana - Barclays Bank of Botswana, Standard Chartered Bank, First National Bank, Stanbic Bank Botswana and Bank of Baroda - and ATMs are available. Some tourism facilities, such as hotels, lodges and travel agents, will also take traveler's cheques as payment. Visa and MasterCard are extensively accepted and American Express credit cards to a lesser extent. Most major currencies are accepted throughout Botswana. You will not need large sums of cash while on safari, as our programs are all inclusive. However, most guests enjoy shopping in Maun. Each camp has a small gift shop stocked with various curios, safari items and film. Otherwise, you will need money for any accommodation, meals and shopping before or after your scheduled safari. The amount needed, of course, is your personal decision. What is the language in Botswana? English is the official language, used for business and government affairs. The national language is Setswana. What medical precautions should I take before travelling to Botswana? There are a few basic health matters that require care and attention. The following points are recommended guidelines only. Please consult your doctor and also check with your health department prior to departure for any changes in health regulations. Malaria Expert opinion differs regarding the best approach to malaria prophylaxis. It is important to bear in mind that malaria may be contracted despite chemoprophylaxis, especially in areas where chloroquine resistance has been reported. Both chloroquine-resistant and normal strains of malaria are prevalent in Africa. Please remember that the best precaution is the preventative kind:
Malaria is transmitted by a very small percentage of female Anopheles mosquitoes. They are mainly active in the early evening and throughout the night. Malaria transmission is at its highest during the warmer and wetter months of November through to April. From May through to October the risks of acquiring malaria are reduced. There is also less prevalence in remote areas where our camps are situated; nonetheless, you need to consider taking preventative measures. There is a six to seven day minimum incubation period before symptoms present themselves. If you become ill on your return, while still on prophylaxis or even once you have stopped taking them, ensure that your doctor does everything to establish that your illness is not malaria. Malaria can be prevented if you are sensible and take basic precautions. There have been very few cases of our guests contracting malaria in our more than 20 years of operation. It is inadvisable for pregnant woman to visit malarial areas as malaria infection during pregnancy can be detrimental to mother and child. Tsetse Flies Tsetse flies occur in large areas of sub-Saharan Africa including parts of northern Botswana. They look similar to other large flies except that when perched, both wings are held folded directly over the other above the abdomen and they have a long proboscis extending forward from a large head. They are best known as the carrier of trypanosomiases - causing sleeping sickness in humans which can be fatal but is easily treated and cured. Not all Tsetse Flies transmit all variations of the disease and they are regarded more as an irritation (the bites are sharp) than as a serious threat. Enormous efforts have been made in eradication of Tsetse Flies in various countries and sleeping sickness has now largely disappeared from southern Africa. The World Health Organisation (WHO) for example reports, that less than 50 cases were reported in Zambia in 2005 and none in Botswana from where it has long been absent. The disease is easily treated with modern medicine and in the unlikely event that symptoms are recorded after a visit to an area containing Tsetse Flies we recommend that a doctor be consulted. These symptoms can present a few weeks to months after a visit and begin with fever, headaches and pains in the joints followed by dramatic swelling of the lymph nodes. If left untreated these symptoms can evolve to cause anaemia as well as cardiac and kidney disorders before the sleep cycle is disrupted by alternate bouts of fatigue, insomnia and sleep. Ticks Ticks occur right around the world over and are well known eco-parasites. The most obvious species in the savannah regions of Africa are the 'hard ticks' which attach themselves to their hosts to feed before they either fall or are brushed off. Ticks are also well known as carriers of diseases that affect both animals and humans, and in southern Africa this is referred to as tick bite fever. Symptoms of this disease present after a 5-7 day incubation period and include fevers, headaches, malaise and even a skin rash, but effects can vary dramatically from person to person. A dark black mark usually results at the site of the infected bite and is a helpful diagnostic. The disease is easily treated with antibiotics although this is not always necessary. After walking in the bush with your guide it is best to brush your clothes down and to examine your body for ticks, taking care to remove these entirely without leaving the biting mouth parts behind in your skin. Anti-tick sprays such as Bayticol can be very effective against ticks and wearing long pants will prevent many bites. Is there electricity in the camps? The electricity supply is 220/240V AC, 50Hz. Plugs are three-prong, both round-pin and rectangular blade. Most camps and lodges in Botswana have no access to electrical power due to their location. Most camps have generators on site with 220v electricity or they make use of solar panels. The generators are not usually heard by guests as they are run for a couple of hours at a time in the morning and afternoon while guests are enjoying their activities. Is the water on safari safe to drink? Generally speaking, water at hotels, camps and lodges in Southern Africa are purified and safe to drink. We recommend, however, that you drink the water provided by your hotel, lodge or camp where you will be staying. If you are uncertain or don't feel comfortable drinking the water, we recommend that you drink bottled water. It is important to stay well hydrated whilst on safari, especially during the warmer months. It is generally recommended that guests drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration. This excludes tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages, which act as diuretics and therefore can actually contribute to dehydration. Generally, water throughout Southern Africa is safe to drink directly from the tap. However, bottled water is readily available, so please do not allow yourself to become dehydrated. What types of vehicles are used whilst on safari? Open 4 x 4 safari vehicles are used at all camps and lodges in Botswana which have been specially designed for game viewing and photography. All vehicles have completely open seating areas for unhindered viewing and photography and you will be accompanied by an experienced driver/guide. Are children allowed on Botswana safaris? Most safari camps and lodges allow children over the age of 8 years old. There are always exceptions to the rule, so please kindly check with us at the time of making a reservation. Generally speaking, most safari camps require that children need to be 12 years in order to participate in game activities. Another option is to book exclusive use of one of the smaller camps for your entire family or group. Families or groups with children between the ages of 8 and 12 years will have to book private activities, in order not to disturb other guests. Game activities are on average 3 hours long and often this is too long for young children to sit still on a vehicle. How long in advance should I book my safari? This is a question not often asked and in our opinion a very important one. Some guests book their safaris a year in advance in order to secure their preferred camp or lodge. When travelling during peak months, occupancies are high and you will need to book well in advance. We recommend that you book your safari as far in advance as possible. Some camps are fully booked months in advance, in some cases a year in advance. Repeat visitors to Africa, especially, will book their safaris a year in advance in order to secure the camps they want to visit. Booking your safari well in advance will avoid disappointment. If you have a budget you need to stick to, you will be able to secure the camps at the rate you can afford. How long should my safari be? This question will depend on a lot of factors, such as your budget, date of travel as well as the time available to you to go on holiday etc. We recommend an absolute minimum of 3 nights/4 days on safari which you will spend in one camp, should you decide to pursue this option. This is not an option that we favour, however, we do understand that sometimes time or budget plays a role. A comfortable safari which would allow guests to maximize their time spent at the camps and enjoy the activities on offer could be for 6 nights/7 days or 9 nights/10 days which will be spent at 3 or 4 different camps. It could, obviously, be longer if you wish to do so and if your time and budget allows it. We would also recommend that you allow 1 or 2 additional nights onto your safari, one in the beginning and one at the end of your safari, should you need to overnight due to International flight connections or turn around times involved. An overnight in the beginning of your safari could make a world of difference especially after a long and tiring flight. It would give you time to get rid of jet lag and get some rest before you start your safari. Certain return flights from Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana to Johannesburg arrive in the late afternoon and is often too late to connect with International departure flights going home. You do not want to cut your safari short by one day in order to fit in your flights. How much luggage can you take on safari? Luggage restrictions are put in place for the safety of guests. Luggage restrictions vary between 12 - 20kg per person depending on the type and size of aircraft used, and also the camps that you are visiting. Some important issues must please be noted for air transfers:
These luggage restrictions appear minimal; however please bear in mind the following that most safari camps and lodges and hotels provide basic toilet amenities. Laundry is done on a daily basis (many camps provide this service free of charge but hotels do charge a nominal fee). Mainly casual clothing is required. What should I pack for a safari in Botswana? We recommend that you pack as lightly as possible, however be prepared for all the activities in which you are planning to participate. Pack for the destination and season you will encounter, and be mindful that climates may vary drastically from region to region. Temperatures can also vary quite a bit between the midday heat and the evening cool, so plan to dress in layers. Comfort will be a priority, but you might consider bringing a few elegant outfits for nights out in the cities. If you feel confident that you won't need the latter then there is no need to include them. Pack neutral-coloured, comfortable, lightweight clothing. White, bright or vividly patterned clothing should be avoided when game viewing so that safari-goers can blend in with the natural landscape as much as possible. Bring sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots, depending on the anticipated level of physical activity. Wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, lip protection and good quality sunscreen are essential to protect against the harsh African sun. Insect repellent is also a must when on safari. Also pack a good pair of binoculars to optimize wildlife viewing. If you wear prescription glasses or contact lenses you should bring spares. Pack prescription medicines and spare contacts or glasses in your carry-on bag, in the event that your checked luggage is delayed. Those with digital camera or video camera battery chargers or other electrical items should bring the appropriate power converter and adapters. Secure your travel documents, including air tickets, passports and any visa entries, vaccination certificates and travel insurance documents. Make extra copies of your passport, airline tickets and traveler's check numbers, some to pack and some to leave at home. A small daypack is a handy means of carrying travel documents, cameras and everyday items. Suggested Luggage List (Please bear in mind the weight restrictions mentioned!)
Please note that bright colours and white clothing are NOT advised while on an African safari. A typical day on safari Below is a suggestion as to what may happen in camp whilst on safari. Activities as well as times involved will obviously differ from camp to camp. This is purely a guideline: Summer/Winter
Wildlife safety while on safari Most camps in Southern Africa you will visit are within the natural habitat of the wildlife and not fenced in nor do they have walls. There are no electric fences around the camps either, nor around the campsites. Animals do sometimes wander through the camps; therefore you need to be cautious. Please listen to your guide's instructions to ensure you are safe. We have never heard of a guest being injured in any way in a tented camp or campsite who has obeyed the rules. Keep your tent door or flaps closed and you will be safe. What type of food can be expected on an African safari? Most foreign visitors are very impressed with the quality and quantity of food provided while on an African safari. We choose camps, lodges and hotels with very high standards for food preparation. We do not recommend buying food or drink from street vendors in any of the cities you might visit. While on safari, an early morning breakfast will be served prior to your first game activity. This will consist of a light breakfast, tea, coffee, rusks, cereals etc. On your return, a more substantial breakfast or "brunch" will be served and there will usually be a wide variety to choose from. Lunch usually consists of an elaborate buffet and evening meals are of very high standard. Most camps also serve high tea in the late afternoon. The standard 3 meals a day is done away with in the bush a s the meals are geared around the game activities. If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know in advance. Most camps are able to cater for all food types as long as they are made aware at the time of booking as to ensure sufficient time to fly in the necessary supplies. Tips on photography We recommend that you take more than one camera in your group when travelling on safari. Should something happen to your one and only camera, for some reason, you will always have a back up. Some photographers recommend that a digital (SLR) single lens reflex camera is the best, some suggest that a 35mm camera with a zoom lens that extends to 200mm at a minimum for wildlife pictures. For birds a 400mm lens is recommended, but 500mm would be better. Please bear in mind that animals are often within close enough range of the vehicle for most cameras to capture good images. Bring plenty of film and extra batteries. If you run out during your vacation, you can generally find film and batteries available at lodges and along major tourist routes, however, we recommend that if you are using films/rolls that you bring 2 rolls of 36 exposures per day. If you are a serious photographer you will need double that. Protect your equipment on safari with a solid camera bag, as well as a lens cleaning cloth and a soft brush to eliminate dust. Users of digital cameras should pack rechargeable batteries, a charger, adaptors and converter, and one or two high-capacity memory cards (1 gigabyte is often recommended) to store the photos you've taken. For a digital video camera, bring long-life batteries, charger, and adaptors and converter for the charger. Always pack your camera equipment and film in your hand luggage and never leave it unattended, in case of a lost luggage situation. Gratuity/Tipping Tipping is not compulsory, however, naturally appreciated and only if you feel that the level of service you received deserves appreciation. Tipping is at the discretion of guests. The average tip amounts are approximately $5 to $10 per guest per day. Tip boxes are provided in the camps, and the monies are divided by the camp managers. What kind of insurance do I need? It is a condition of booking that the sole 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 coverage in respect of, but not limited to, the following eventualities: cancellation or curtailment of the trip to Africa, emergency evacuation expenses, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, and damage/theft/loss of personal baggage, money and goods. | ||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||
 | ||