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IMPORTANT PRE DEPARTURE INFORMATION
It is essential that you obtain trip cancellation and medical evacuation insurance as soon as you book your trip. This will protect you should you or a member of your family become ill preventing you from travel. It will also ensure that you are covered in event of a medical emergency. We recommend the following travel protection programs: www.travelguard.com and www.airmed.com
A valid passport is required for travel to any destination that we offer. In addition it is important that the passport remain valid for a period of six months beyond your travel date. This is essential; please carefully check your passport or you may be denied access to your flight. There must also be sufficient empty pages in your passport (two blank pages side by side for each country you will visit). Allow sufficient time to obtain a new passport or to add pages, especially in periods proceeding heavy travel times such as June-September.
Check with the nearest Consulate, Embassy or High Commission of the countries you plan to visit to see if a visa is required for your nationality and if they are obtainable on entry or if it’s necessary to have one in your passport prior to departure (if this is the case, you should allow plenty of time for processing these visas). Some people prefer to use a visa processing company to assist with procuring passport and visas. The Internet is a good place to look for these companies who charge a fee for their services. Locations of all embassies are also easily found on the Internet.
US citizens may want to consult: www.travel.state.gov for more information on destination countries and International travel.
HEALTH
Travel to the tourist regions of East and Southern Africa does not pose any extra health risks such as would occur if you were an aid worker or visiting very remote areas. The lodges and camps we use are vigilant with food preparation. Common sense is in order, be sure to wash your hands frequently especially before meals. Use bottled water (often called mineral water) for drinking and to brush your teeth. Malaria is not often contracted by visitors but is a serious disease and steps must be taken to prevent it. The best prevention is to avoid being bitten. The mosquito that carries malaria feeds at night so cover up in the evening and use repellent. Use a net for sleeping if provided.
Please consult you doctor or Health Travel Advisory Service to get up to date advice on vaccination and malaria prophylaxis. You should travel with your own personal first aid kit including any over-the-counter or prescription medications that you regularly use or may need. Eyeglass wearers should bring an extra pair and contact lens wearers should bring glasses as well. There can be a lot of dust and glare on safari that can affect sensitive eyes. A good pair of sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen are also essential, as is a broad-brimmed hat.
The following vaccinations are often recommended:
MONEY/CURRENCY
You will need to have some of the local currency of the country that you are visiting. This can be obtained on arrival at a bureau de change or bank located in the airport or town centre and sometimes at your city hotel. There will be some instances where you can pay for drinks and purchases with a credit card as they are becoming more widely accepted and there is often an extra service charge rendered for processing them. However, it’s important to have a back up amount of foreign currency with you in the event of an emergency. Most widely accepted for exchange are US dollars, followed by Euros and GB pounds. (Please note larger bills (denominations of $100 & $50) receive a more favourable exchange rate and they must be issued in the year 2000 or later— the newer, the better.) In some countries (such as Tanzania) US dollars are often accepted for purchases and payment for extras and for tipping.
Traveller’s Cheques, although admittedly safer, get a lower rate of exchange in almost every instance and cannot be exchanged for foreign currency, but only for the local currency. Although ATM machines are now more widely available in most countries it’s best not to rely on them for your cash needs. Most services with Safari Legacy are pre paid except for tips, purchases and items of a personal nature. Your guide or camp manager can assist you when it comes to tipping. Your safari consultant can give you suggestions as to tipping for the guides. Although not mandatory, tips are a safari tradition and indicate that you appreciated the services rendered.
For more information on currencies and current exchange rates consult: www.xe.com.
SERVICES
While travelling in Africa please remember you are often in a third world or developing nation. Infrastructure is not as you know it in your home country and things move at a much slower (often frustrating) pace. The people you come in contact with often know English as a second or even third language so speak slowly and clearly to be understood. The best advice is to follow the lead of your guide and always keep your sense of humour. Remember, you’re on holiday and there’s no hurry in Africa!
The voltage in most African countries is 220-240 and plug pin types vary widely. Consult a specialty travel shop for the necessary plug adaptors and make certain any appliances are dual voltage or bring a converter to change from 110 to 220 should you need to. You can also purchase a 12-volt charger that fits into the vehicle cigarette lighter to recharge your camera batteries. Most lodges and camps also have facilities for charging batteries. You will often need plug adaptors though.
It is essential for your safari enjoyment that each member of the group have his/her own binoculars. For good deals check out www.eagleoptics.com.
WHEN TO GO AND WEATHER
East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda)
Generally speaking, we recommend that you travel during a time that is convenient for you. Each month has something special to offer! Wildlife viewing is at its best overall December – March and May – September. The coolest months are from mid June - mid September the warmest from December - March. Along the tropical coast higher temperatures can be found along with high humidity. There are two rainy seasons: the long rains from mid-March to May and the short rains during November and December into January.
Southern Africa (Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa)
The seasons in these countries are reversed to those of the northern hemisphere and the further south you go the colder it will get. July and August (prime months for travel) can be quite cold so be sure to pack accordingly. Zambia has three seasons: the dry season (mid-April – August), when temperatures drop at night but the landscape is green and lush; the hot season (September – mid-November), the best time to see wildlife, and the wet season (mid-April), ideal for bird watching. South Africa has one of the most temperate climates on the African continent, and can be visited comfortably anytime. Winter (June – September) is cooler and drier. Summer (late November – March) brings rain, mists and in some areas some very hot days. Spring (mid-September – November) and autumn (April & May) are ideal almost everywhere.
For more information consult www.acuweather.com.
Useful Websites:
www.tanzaniaembassy-us.org
www.tanzania-online.gov.uk
www.kenyaembassy.com
kenya.embassyhomepage.com
www.southafricahouse.com
www.saembassy.org
www.ugandaemb.org
www.rwandaembassy.org
www.ambarwanda.org.uk
www.eagleoptics.com
It is essential that you obtain trip cancellation and medical evacuation insurance as soon as you book your trip. This will protect you should you or a member of your family become ill preventing you from travel. It will also ensure that you are covered in event of a medical emergency. We recommend the following travel protection programs: www.travelguard.com and www.airmed.com
A valid passport is required for travel to any destination that we offer. In addition it is important that the passport remain valid for a period of six months beyond your travel date. This is essential; please carefully check your passport or you may be denied access to your flight. There must also be sufficient empty pages in your passport (two blank pages side by side for each country you will visit). Allow sufficient time to obtain a new passport or to add pages, especially in periods proceeding heavy travel times such as June-September.
Check with the nearest Consulate, Embassy or High Commission of the countries you plan to visit to see if a visa is required for your nationality and if they are obtainable on entry or if it’s necessary to have one in your passport prior to departure (if this is the case, you should allow plenty of time for processing these visas). Some people prefer to use a visa processing company to assist with procuring passport and visas. The Internet is a good place to look for these companies who charge a fee for their services. Locations of all embassies are also easily found on the Internet.
US citizens may want to consult: www.travel.state.gov for more information on destination countries and International travel.
HEALTH
Travel to the tourist regions of East and Southern Africa does not pose any extra health risks such as would occur if you were an aid worker or visiting very remote areas. The lodges and camps we use are vigilant with food preparation. Common sense is in order, be sure to wash your hands frequently especially before meals. Use bottled water (often called mineral water) for drinking and to brush your teeth. Malaria is not often contracted by visitors but is a serious disease and steps must be taken to prevent it. The best prevention is to avoid being bitten. The mosquito that carries malaria feeds at night so cover up in the evening and use repellent. Use a net for sleeping if provided.
Please consult you doctor or Health Travel Advisory Service to get up to date advice on vaccination and malaria prophylaxis. You should travel with your own personal first aid kit including any over-the-counter or prescription medications that you regularly use or may need. Eyeglass wearers should bring an extra pair and contact lens wearers should bring glasses as well. There can be a lot of dust and glare on safari that can affect sensitive eyes. A good pair of sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen are also essential, as is a broad-brimmed hat.
The following vaccinations are often recommended:
- Yellow Fever (It is wise to get this as regulations change frequently and it’s often mandatory on entering a country)
- Polio
- Tetanus
- Hepatitis
MONEY/CURRENCY
You will need to have some of the local currency of the country that you are visiting. This can be obtained on arrival at a bureau de change or bank located in the airport or town centre and sometimes at your city hotel. There will be some instances where you can pay for drinks and purchases with a credit card as they are becoming more widely accepted and there is often an extra service charge rendered for processing them. However, it’s important to have a back up amount of foreign currency with you in the event of an emergency. Most widely accepted for exchange are US dollars, followed by Euros and GB pounds. (Please note larger bills (denominations of $100 & $50) receive a more favourable exchange rate and they must be issued in the year 2000 or later— the newer, the better.) In some countries (such as Tanzania) US dollars are often accepted for purchases and payment for extras and for tipping.
Traveller’s Cheques, although admittedly safer, get a lower rate of exchange in almost every instance and cannot be exchanged for foreign currency, but only for the local currency. Although ATM machines are now more widely available in most countries it’s best not to rely on them for your cash needs. Most services with Safari Legacy are pre paid except for tips, purchases and items of a personal nature. Your guide or camp manager can assist you when it comes to tipping. Your safari consultant can give you suggestions as to tipping for the guides. Although not mandatory, tips are a safari tradition and indicate that you appreciated the services rendered.
For more information on currencies and current exchange rates consult: www.xe.com.
SERVICES
While travelling in Africa please remember you are often in a third world or developing nation. Infrastructure is not as you know it in your home country and things move at a much slower (often frustrating) pace. The people you come in contact with often know English as a second or even third language so speak slowly and clearly to be understood. The best advice is to follow the lead of your guide and always keep your sense of humour. Remember, you’re on holiday and there’s no hurry in Africa!
The voltage in most African countries is 220-240 and plug pin types vary widely. Consult a specialty travel shop for the necessary plug adaptors and make certain any appliances are dual voltage or bring a converter to change from 110 to 220 should you need to. You can also purchase a 12-volt charger that fits into the vehicle cigarette lighter to recharge your camera batteries. Most lodges and camps also have facilities for charging batteries. You will often need plug adaptors though.
It is essential for your safari enjoyment that each member of the group have his/her own binoculars. For good deals check out www.eagleoptics.com.
WHEN TO GO AND WEATHER
East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda)
Generally speaking, we recommend that you travel during a time that is convenient for you. Each month has something special to offer! Wildlife viewing is at its best overall December – March and May – September. The coolest months are from mid June - mid September the warmest from December - March. Along the tropical coast higher temperatures can be found along with high humidity. There are two rainy seasons: the long rains from mid-March to May and the short rains during November and December into January.
Southern Africa (Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa)
The seasons in these countries are reversed to those of the northern hemisphere and the further south you go the colder it will get. July and August (prime months for travel) can be quite cold so be sure to pack accordingly. Zambia has three seasons: the dry season (mid-April – August), when temperatures drop at night but the landscape is green and lush; the hot season (September – mid-November), the best time to see wildlife, and the wet season (mid-April), ideal for bird watching. South Africa has one of the most temperate climates on the African continent, and can be visited comfortably anytime. Winter (June – September) is cooler and drier. Summer (late November – March) brings rain, mists and in some areas some very hot days. Spring (mid-September – November) and autumn (April & May) are ideal almost everywhere.
For more information consult www.acuweather.com.
Useful Websites:
www.tanzaniaembassy-us.org
www.tanzania-online.gov.uk
www.kenyaembassy.com
kenya.embassyhomepage.com
www.southafricahouse.com
www.saembassy.org
www.ugandaemb.org
www.rwandaembassy.org
www.ambarwanda.org.uk
www.eagleoptics.com
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