FAQ

Whilst there is an inherent risk whilst travelling on safari and in Africa, it not more dangerous than travelling anywhere else in the world. You will be in wildlife rich areas whilst are on safari and come into relatively close contact with wild animals. The lodges & camps are safe and the guides that will be accompanying you are well trained.

The Visas for Zambia, Zambia, South Africa, Namibia and Botswana are issued on arrival and only for Zambia & Zimbabwe will a fee be involved of USD $50 – $80 and this will need to be paid in US Dollars. No photos are needed.

If you are arriving and departing from Zambia or Zimbabwe with a trip to Botswana .

• Please note that you will require a multiple entry visa.
• Botswana is thinking of implementing a visa fee of USD$30pp
• Visa fees need to be paid in USD Dollars

Alternatively, these can be prearranged please consult with your embassy or consulate.

• Truly Africa Tours is not responsible for visas.

I would recommend crossing the border from Zambia into Zimbabwe to view the Falls from this side as well.

This very easy and you can simply walk across the bridge to the border purchase a visa and visit the Zimbabwean side where there is a $30pp day tripper entry. Alternatively, tours with transfers can be arranged at roughly $60pp excluding park and visa fees.

To what professional organizations does your company belong?

We do accept credit card payments (only Visa & Mastercard) but these payments are subject to a 5% bank handling fee. 

On booking a safari we require a 25% deposit and final payment 2 months prior to arrival.

With credit card payments I also need you to complete and return to me a credit card authorisation form. This form also states that copies of your passport and card are needed.

A 5% bank handling fee is only charged on credit card payments not bank transfers, bank charges for the clients account. Which I think works out slightly higher then bank charges. However, most credit cards offer free travel insurance so sometimes this method works out best. 

We need the invoiced amount to reflect in our account, so any transfer costs are your/the client`s responsibility.

Please note that sometimes our bank comes up as First Rand Bank this is the same bank just in some countries on international payments First Rand comes up and not First National. 

Luggage limit for tours – 20kg (depending on group size this is flexible)

Please wherever possible use ‘soft’ luggage. Heavy solid Samsonite type suitcases are not practical in the bush!

As well as your main luggage please also bring a daypack, you will need this to carry water, snacks, camera etc. when we are on excursions. Also, the main luggage may not be available at all times.

The following is just a guideline to give you an idea of things we find useful on tour.

Dark clothes do not necessarily attract insects but they do make you feel the heat much more.

We recommend light and neutral coloured clothing when on game drives (nothing too bright or patterned).

Laundry services are offered at most of the lodges and they will take care of this for you please note that laundry is not included and this you will need to settle directly. Laundry fees vary between the countries in South Africa it’s R250 (USD$18) for a bundle. In Zambia they charge per item and I have attached their price list. 1USD = 12.78 Zambian Kwacha.

The lodges all provide soap, shampoo and towels. However please bring your own swimming towel.

Clothes

1 pair of comfortable walking shoes or trainers.
1 pair sandals or similar.
T shirts
Shorts
Lightweight trousers for the evening (to protect you from mozzies)
Lightweight shirt for the evening.
At least one warm outfit!
Jacket
Swimming shorts.
A sunhat
Sunglasses
Towel

Toiletries etc.

Mozzie spray and mozzie liquid. We recommend South African brands as they seem to work better – Tabard and Peaceful Sleep. (I can bring a supply for you if you would like, just let me know and I will pack extra)

You will need plenty of sun tan lotion. I recommend you bring a high factor on of 35+ for when we are in the desert as getting sunburn on your first day can spoil the trip!

If you burn easily then bring the highest factor cream you can find. We will be staying out of the sun for the hottest part of the day, but the sun is very, very strong and so you only need to be exposed a short while to burn.

Other.

Camera

If you use film then bring plenty with you, similarly if you are digital then bring a big card as there is so much to see.

I recommend that you have a sealable bag to keep your camera in when we are in the desert, as the sand does tend to get everywhere!

A lot of our clients like to keep a diary on tour.

Please, please, please do not bring laptop computers unless you absolutely need to, as the heat plays havoc with them and the sand gets in hard to reach places!!!

Most of lodges you will be staying at offer wifi either in the rooms or in the lounge areas.

 The traditional gratuity to safari guides or camp staff is not included in the price of your tour but is completely discretionary. Our general recommendation is to tip – in accordance with the level and quality of service provided. The following guidelines are generally accepted:

With your private guide who is with you for the duration of your trip most clients if satisfied with their service and depending on the length of the trip tip between $10 and $20 per day.

• Safari Camp / Lodge and Specialist Guides: If the guide has done a good job, we recommend US$5-$10 per guest per day.
• The General Safari Camp / Lodge Staff: We recommend about US$3-$5 per guest per day for safari camps. This should be placed in the communal tipping box to be distributed equally amongst all the staff at a later stage.
• Hotel Staff: Please allow between US$1-$2 per guest per day for hotel staff, i.e. housekeeping, etc.
• Porterage: We recommend about US$1 per bag.
• Mokoro Paddlers, Trackers and Butlers : We recommend that each paddler and/or camp/lodge tracker and/or butler receive US$3-$5 per guest per day.
• Transfer and Touring: Driver/Guide Transfers – US$2 per person; Half day tours – US$5 per person; Full day tours – US$10 per person
• Restaurants / Hotels: 10% is customary on meal accounts but only if you are satisfied with the service.

Important!  If you require any medication please bring it with you, and bring copies of your prescriptions.

You will need to take malaria medication if you are taking a tour that visits any of the following:-

Etosha National Park

Chobe National Park

Caprivi

Rundu

Botswana

Okavango Delta

Victoria Falls

Even though you are travelling in Winter you will be visiting Malaria areas and we do recommend taking prophylactics. Please consult your travel doctor or clinic.

Malaria medication is quite expensive, we recommend Malarone as it is a bit cheaper and has less side effects then Lithium based options. You also only need to start taking it a day before entering a Malaria area and a week after leaving the area which is less then other options.

If you visit your doctor they will be able to recommend one.  I use Malarone, you only need to take it the day before you enter the malaria area, and it doesn’t have the side effects of other tablets.

Avoid Larium based malaria tablets as these have horrible side effects! Doxycycline also has horrible side effects.

You will definitely require up to date tetanus and typhoid vaccinations.

You do not require Yellow fever vaccinations for this trip.

You will be offered many other vaccinations if you tell the nurse you are coming to Africa. Polio, Diptheria and Hepatitis. It is at your discretion whether you choose to have these.

We are covered by R5,000,000 passenger liability insurance and R15,000,000 public liability insurance.

This will cover you in the event that you are involved in an accident whilst travelling in or near our vehicle.

We recommend that you have your own travel insurance to cover you in the event that you are taken ill during the trip as our passenger cover does not extend to illness or injury sustained when not travelling in our vehicle.

Your passport will need to be valid for 6 months after the end of your trip!

Take a photocopy of your passport and travel documents in case they get lost on the travels.

Make sure that you have at least one spare page in your passport, or you will be refused entry at immigration!!!

Visa, Maestro, Visa Electron and major cards all work in ATM machines in Namibia.

There are banks in Swakopmund and Windhoek in Namibia, Kasane in Botswana, and at Livingstone in Zambia for changing traveller’s cheques, and most cards are accepted.

If you wish to buy from local shops and markets you will need cash.

South African Rand and Namibian Dollars are both accepted currency in Namibia.

You will need Pula in Botswana, and Kwacha and US dollars, as well as South African Rand are all accepted in Zambia.

Please let your bank knows that you will be holidaying in Namibia, Botswana or Vic Falls! 

You may have trouble using your cards abroad if your bank believes they are being used by someone else, so it is best to let them know you will be abroad so there is no problem.

The only place we will be able to change travelers cheques will be Swakopmund.

All major credit cards are accepted in Namibia.

I look forward to more questions! There is no such thing as a silly question or too many!

If I have missed anything or any others come up please don’t hesitate to contact me.

bookings@trulyafricatours.com / +27 72 8333 647