WHAT TO EXPECT ON A SAFARI

STARTING YOUR SAFARI: A Safari Destinations representative or a transfer company representative will meet you at the airport (subject to travel itinerary). Should you encounter any problems with flight delays or lost luggage we will be there to assist you.

TYPICAL DAY ON SAFARI: Even though different days bring different experience, safaris follow a general pattern which is consistent throughout your travel. Typically, a safari day includes two major activities per day – one which begins early in the morning and the second which occurs in the mid-to-late-afternoon and continues until dark or sometimes up until two hours after sunset. The day starts with a wakeup call at around 5 a.m. (depending on the season of travel) with tea/coffee and a morning light snack. The mornings are the best opportunity to see game interactions and some of the nocturnal animals are still active. The game activity usually lasts up to 3 – 4 hours depending on what you see along the way. Morning activities are usually over by late morning and guests return to camp for a full breakfast/brunch. The afternoon is spent resting as wildlife activity is very limited. You may relax at the swimming pool, enjoy reading or take drinks. At around 3h30 pm the evening’s activities start with an afternoon tea and light snacks. The game activity starts before sunset providing you with another opportunity to see more game in the daylight. You will then return to the camp before dark and may sit around the fire and enjoy your drinks, while waiting for dinner. Drinks around the fire are always offered but most people find that they are tired from all the fresh air and are in bed by 10pm.

ARE OUR SAFARIS PHYSICALLY DEMANDING?: 

• The safari vehicles at the camps are open 4X4.
• Botswana has varying weather conditions depending on the season. Expect hot temperatures during the day and cool temperatures at night in winter (May – Nov) and hot days and nights with rain storms in summer (Nov – Apr).
• Walking is the most strenuous activity you will encounter although guests of average fitness will experience no problems

ACTIVITIES: There are a wide range of activities available which vary throughout your itinerary and may include: • Game drives • Night drives • Game walks and nature walks • Mokoro excursions (a traditional dug-out canoe) • Boat excursions • Fishing (water and areas permitting) • Various optional activities in Victoria Falls and Livingstone and other areas. Your itinerary will state which activities are included and what is available as an optional extra once you are travelling, generally in Botswana the activities are pre-arranged and included, but this may vary. Please note that all wildlife activities are carried out by professional guides.

FOOD AND DRINKS: You will enjoy a wide variety of meals during your stay and all camps attempt to include an “African” flavour in their menus. Many camps and lodges are booked on a fully inclusive basis, however please note that with respect to drinks this is based on local beverages and not premium brands. However generally when you are booked on a bed and breakfast or dinner, bed and breakfast basis drinks are not included. Please check your itinerary for details. Specific dietary requirements are catered for provided we are notified when making your booking. Please note that specialist gluten free/vegan foods are not always available in Botswana and you need to discuss your particular requirements with your travel agent.

TRANSFERS BETWEEN THE CAMPS: On fly-in safaris movement between camps is generally by a light 5 seater aircraft (Cessna 206) due to remote areas visited and distances travelled. The air transfer time takes an average of 20 minutes to one hour twenty minutes depending on your itinerary. The flight departure times and drop off times are scheduled by air charter companies the day prior to fit in with their flying schedule therefore we cannot advise travel times in advance, however most transfers are scheduled between activities or to suit your flight arrival/departure times. Please note that the aircraft might stop up to three times before reaching your final destination. On mobile safaris movement between camps is generally by road in an open safari vehicle, these drives are generally through wildlife areas and taken at a comfortable pace, stopping for refreshments and game viewing as you travel. Depending on the time of year, some of these transfers can be quite ‘interesting’ with water crossings and some bumpy roads which are all part of the adventure. Depending on your itinerary, there may be some fly in options for travel which you can discuss with your agent when planning your trip.

In addition your itinerary may include road, boat and mokoro transfers as are required. Please discuss details of these transfers with your agent.

PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIP

TRAVEL INSURANCE • RTI Outdoors does not provide travel insurance, please consult your travel agent • Cover for cancellation and curtailment, medical, baggage and emergency evacuation is compulsory for all of our safaris.

MEDICAL PRECAUTIONS • It is recommended that you bring any medicines you may need as you will probably have no access to pharmacies in camps • Botswana is considered a malaria area and preventative medications should be taken. We urge all our clients to get malaria prophylactics 24 hours before entering the country and take them for a week after leaving the country – when buying them, explain to your doctor that you are visiting Botswana as certain anti-malaria medicines are tailored to particular areas only. • Precaution measures to prevent contact with mosquitoes include sleeping under a mosquito net, making use of mosquito – repelling lotion and wearing long-sleeved clothing when outside at night. • If you suffer from motion sickness it may be an idea to take necessary precautions before travelling, particularly on a light aircraft. • Please note: A first aid kit is always available in camps, but personal medicines must be available for the duration of travel. • Visit the WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION website for up to date information www.who.int

SAFETY • Botswana is considered a safe destination as it is economically and politically stable. However, it is wise to take certain standard security precautions. • As you will meet different guides in different camps, please listen to them attentively on safety precautions particular to each camp • Depending on your itinerary, you might spend only a short time in Livingstone, Zambia/Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, therefore you should not encounter many of the problems that affect the rest of these countries. • Please do not leave your luggage unattended at airports and at borders. • Please do not have your valuables on display when visiting the falls and markets • Many camps and lodges have safes in the rooms, where clients can lock up their personal valuables

CURRENCY • Cash in US Dollars is a universally accepted currency • VISA is the most widely accepted credit card. You can no longer use MasterCard in Zimbabwe • A ‘back up’ of cash or travelers cheques are also recommended • We do not recommend to change Zimbabwe Dollars or Zambian Kwatcha, as you cannot convert to other currency once you have left • If you withdraw excess Botswana Pula it can be changed at a good rate in Victoria Falls or Livingstone due to Botswana’s proximity. However, once you are out of this area, exchange rates will not be in your favour.

WHAT TO PACK · For safety reasons light aircraft transfers have a 15kg luggage restrictions in soft bags plus 5kg of hand luggage. · Please do not bring hard suitcases as they will not fit on a light aircraft.

1. Travel Documentation • Valid passport – it must have at least 6 months validity and 2 double empty pages before your passport expires. • Citizens of certain countries are required to obtain visas before travelling. Please note that certain visas can take up to 3 months to be processed so please consider this when booking and note that it is your responsibility to check before final confirmation. • For up-to-date visa requirements please check with your travel consultant and/Embassy • Due to Zambian regulation, the visa waiver system has been abolished and all visitors are required to purchase visas either in advance or on arrival in Zambia. For more information on visas please visit the following addresses: http://www.zambiatourism.com/ for Zambia, www.zimbabwetourism.co.zw for Zimbabwe, www.botswana-tourism.gov.bw for Botswana.  Please note that if clients re-enter these countries they will require a multiple entry visa ( ie., visiting the falls on the Zimbabwe side when staying on the Livingstone side or vice versa, doing day trips from Botswana to and from Zimbabwe or Livingstone or vice versa).
2. Clothing As most game viewing activities are taken in open safari vehicles or boats, it is important that you wear appropriate clothing to suit. Generally layers of clothing are recommended so that you can take off or add on as the day warms up/cools down. • Warm jacket/fleece/jumper – windproof in winter months, waterproof in summer months. • Hat/cap and gloves in winter months (May – Sept) • Swimming costume • Natural clothing (i.e. no bright colours and no white), t-shirts, shorts, a pair of light weight long trousers and light weight long sleeves shirt (long sleeves are extremely useful for sun protection during the day and mosquito protection during evening) • Please note that camouflage printed clothing is okay for the bush but please do not wear in towns or when crossing borders (particularly in Zimbabwe) • Comfortable walking shoes and flip flops/sandals
3. Personal Equipment • Waterproof/zip lock bags for storing personal items and camera film to keep dust free and/or dry • In most camps torches will be provided, but we urge our clients to bring their own head lamps, as there are very useful • Camera equipment, binoculars, lots of spare film, batteries and spare memory cards for digital cameras are essential as the opportunity to download photos is limited • Reading materials – Some camps have a library but it is useful to bring your own favorite books/novel for siesta

SAFARI PRICE INCLUDES: • All accommodation as the safari itinerary • Activities, meals and local beverages as indicated in the itinerary (not in Livingstone and Victoria Falls, unless stated in your confirmation) • Airport transfers as per the safari itinerary • Laundry is done on daily basis in many of the camps (not all) with the exception of personal under garments (underwear is not washed due to local customs in most lodges in Botswana).

EXCLUDES: • Visas • Tips • Curious • Premium beverages • Insurance to cover for cancellation and curtailment, medical, baggage and emergency evacuation • Activities in Victoria Falls and Livingstone, unless stated We recommend that activities in Victoria Falls and Livingstone be booked with us. A choice of activities includes: • Tour of Victoria Falls (both in Zimbabwe and Zambian side) • Game Drives • Elephant Back Safari • Lion Encounter • River cruises • Helicopter flight over the Victoria Falls • Micro light flight over the Victoria Falls • Bunji jumping • White water rafting • Canoeing • Fishing • Village visits

TIPPING • While tipping is not a requirement, it is a generally accepted form of “thanks” throughout the world and highly appreciated by all levels of staff • Tipping should reflect the level of service you have received throughout your trip. • In Botswana it is appreciated if you tip in the local currency although foreign currencies are also accepted. • In Zimbabwe and Zambia it is recommended that you tip in foreign currencies. • As an idea of who you may want to tip, we have listed the following o Guides in the camps – USD 5.00 per day o General staff (mokoro polers, boat drivers, porters, bar staff, waitresses) – USD 3.00 per day

SHOPPING They are many places that you can buy souvenirs like crafts, including baskets, beadwork, masks and woodcarvings. • For curios and crafts the best value shopping is in the Victoria Falls area. • There is a good variety of shops in Botswana towns which sells local Botswana crafts • Due to limitation of luggage weight, we encourage shopping at the end of the trip either, in Victoria Falls, Livingstone or Maun which will depend on your itinerary Please contact us for more information.

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P.O. Box 112573
Naples, FL 34108
(239) 431-6481
info@RTIoutdoors.com