• > How Strenuous are these Trips?
• > Group Participants and Tour Leader
• > Private Tours and Custom Dates
• > Local Transportation
• > Accommodations
• > Meals
• > Climate
• > Travel Documents
• > Flights
• > Airline Tickets
• > Money
• > Health
• > Luggage & Clothing
• > Resources
• > Communication

How Strenuous are these Trips?

Anyone in good health and in good physical condition is capable of traveling with Djoser. There is plenty of physical activity but also choices for less strenuous pastimes. This is a camping safari, which is appropriate for travelers of most ages. There will be plenty of walking, however, camping facilities are quite comfortable and your tents will be set up for you. Our trips are not practical for infants or toddlers or  for most older seniors. You must be prepared and able to carry your own luggage from the bus to the hotel as usually, there is not a bellhop. An energetic and adaptable outlook is a plus. Some aspects of travel in these countries can be unpredictable, which only adds to the experience.

Group Participants and Tour Leader

On our group adventures (offered through the Djoser, Netherlands office), you will join Dutch and Belgium travelers. On these trips, you will travel with groups of 8 to 20 travelers of all ages, with a maximum of 4 North Americans. Our goal is to blend the travelers and to maintain the spirit of a European style of travel. Dutch travelers are typically very social and have a great command of English.  First-timers may find it is easier, socially, with a travel partner.

These trips attract independent minded travelers who welcome the added element, and occasional challenges of cultural immersion with the Dutch. Participants of all ages are very active, take hearty hikes and are willing to "rough it" for a night or two with some cold showers and a night or two remote areas with with bath facilities in the great outdoors.

Private Tours and Custom Dates

Custom dates can be arranged for your private group of 10 or more travelers for this trip. Please inquire.

Local Transportation

During this safari you will travel in all-terrain vehicles with four-wheel drive that offer a nice view of the surroundings. This way you will be able to observe and photograph the wildlife well and we will be able to move faster than by truck. The experienced drivers/guides know the national parks and the inhabitants like the back of their hands. We will have full use of these vehicles, so we may stop anywhere we want.

The roads from Kasane to Nata and from Nata to Maun are of good quality and paved. However the largest part of this safari will be spent in game reserves where you won’t find any asphalt. This will give you the ultimate bush feeling and the sensation of being far removed from civilization. In Moremi Game Reserve as well as in Chobe National Park most roads are sandy. Sometimes we will get stuck and a helping hand will be appreciated. During the stay at the Victoria Falls no transportation is provided. However, it will be easy to call a reasonably priced taxi at the reception desk. When you participate in optional excursions from the lodge, transportation will be provided.

Accommodations

In Johannesburg we will stay at a comfortable hotel near the airport. In Zambia we will spend the night in a lodge with beautiful chalets in the vicinity of the impressive waterfalls. On this safari we will spend the night mainly in domed canvas tents that have mosquito netting at the entrance. A camp aide that travels along will set up the tent and put two camp beds inside. We will provide all camping gear except sleeping bags. In the national parks of Moremi and Savuti we will spend the nights as much as possible around the so-called “hatab” sites. Those are assigned spots in the parks without facilities, but where no other guests are allowed in.  This will give you a unique wilderness experience. In Nxai we will camp at a public campsite where we usually are by ourselves. In the delta we will spend two nights at a comfortable campground with nice facilities such as a swimming pool. During the “mokoro” excursion we will set up the tent there in the wild for one night.

If you are traveling alone you will be matched with a roommate of the same sex. Please note the cost of a single accommodation as listed in the cost descriptions. If you request a roommate, but we are unable to match you, there will be no penalty charge for the single.

Meals

During the stay in Johannesburg and at Victoria Falls no meals are included. The driver/guide will care for the meals during the camping days with the help of the participants. The cost of the food on safari is part of the local charges, which (as of 2008) have been built into the cost of the trip. This amount is spent for the purchase of the food, cooking supplies, fuel, and the salary of the camp courier.  (See the price page inclusives for value of local charges.)

Mush is Botswana’s basic dish. “Seswaa,” which is mush served with beef or goat meat and relish, is a traditional meal. It tastes best if you eat it with your bare hands. Mopane worms are a local specialty. They are in fact dried caterpillars that feast on the leaves of the Mopane tree. In the better restaurants in lodges and hotels you will be able to get more western food. At most locations outside the wild parks you can buy non-alcoholic beverages such as Cola, Orange Soda and Sprite. You will also be able to get mineral water, cooled or not cooled. As far as alcoholic beverages are concerned we recommend the local beer brands such as “Zambezi.” Also the imported wines for the most part from South Africa are of especially good quality and very affordable.

Climate

The Kalahari Desert covers most of Botswana. Therefore the country has a semi-arid climate. Fierce short downpours followed by sunshine will interrupt the arid heat only in the rainy season from November until March. In this period the rain is often unpredictable and local and will provide some drop in temperature. In between May and August the dry winter period begins. The wildlife will follow the seasons. In Chobe the rainy season attracts migrating zebras and other game to the Savuti depression from December onward. At the end of this period, from August to October, the wildlife travels to the rivers and water basins at the Chobe River. In Moremi and the Delta you can observe wildlife all year round due to the permanent presence of water, but because of the sparse vegetation and the short grass you will usually not see it until the end of the dry period (September-October).  In Nxai the summer rains attract the most wildlife and the flamingoes. This is also the period that most hoofed animals give birth to their young. In the dry period the wildlife is concentrated around the water basins and the saltpan is deserted.

Check the weather for your destination: Check temperature and rainfall for specific cities on your trip, during your month of travel at www.worldweather.org

Travel Documents

United States and Canadian citizens visiting South Africa or Botswana do not need a visa, however, your passport must be valid for at least six months after departure. Prior to departure, you should check with the appropriate embassy or consulate to insure that documentation requirements have not changed.

ZAMBIA - ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport and visa are required. ZAMBIA VISA – You must obtain your ZAMBIA VISA in advance. Charges have recently gone up to $100 for U.S. citizens!  Only multiple entry visas are issued.  We enter the falls from the Zambia side.  http://www.zambiaembassy.org/vaf.pdf

Access this web link to download the most current visa forms and instructions.

You will need to list your entry and exit dates. All Americans, except resident diplomats, must pay an airport departure tax of $20 (US).

The Embassy of the Republic of Zambia
2419 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20008
Telephone: (202) 265-9717
Email: info@zambiainfo.org

Rush Service for Passports
In the event you would like to use a passport expediting service, we recommend “It’s Easy”. Djoser customers receive a 10% discount. Just identify DJOSER on your It’s Easy Forms as you referral source and they will take 10% off of the service portions of the passport and visa fees. (There is no discount over the government portions of the fees). For download forms and requirements you can visit their website: www.itseasypassport.com. For a higher fee they can process your passport in a few days.

It’s Easy  (Passport & Visa Expeditors)
Satellite Airline Terminal
125 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Phone - (212) 286-8500,
Fax (212)-490-3224
Website   www.itseasypassport.com
E-mail      mail@itseasypassport.com

Flights

   We book our flights with top airlines. Most airlines will honor earned mileage. You will need to submit your mileage credit yourself upon receipt of your flight information. For airlines that allow advance seating reservations, we typically request aisle and adjoining seats unless otherwise instructed on your registration form. It is vital that you arrive at the airport early, according to the airline (often 3 hours prior to flight time). We do provide airport transfers (airport pick-up and drop off) in our destination country for those who book the Land/Air package. Flight times are subject to change. It is recommended that you book your domestic Add-on (connecting) flights through Djoser in association with the international flight. To avoid penalties for flight changes do not book your own domestic add-on (connecting flight) without first receiving a printed copy of your flight record from Djoser confirming your actual departure and return flight times.

On the itineary, you will find the usual times that Dutch participants and tour leader will arrive and depart. We try to coordinate flights for you to arrive and depart as close to this time as possible. If you book your own flights, we recommend that you attempt to arrive prior to the Dutch participants so you can be sure to join in on the very first activity or meeting. Their flight arrival times are subject to change, however.

It is always recommended that if you book your own flights that you also purchase the insurance with the ticket that allows for deviations or changes, if necessary.

Airline Tickets

You will receive your tickets or E-tickets 10-12 days prior to your departure date.

In case the airline uses E-tickets you will receive two documents:

•    A document that shows the E-ticket number & flight itinerary (sent by email & mail).

•    A receipt of the E-ticket (sent by mail).

The first document listed is needed to check in at the automated kiosks. If you check in at the

E-ticket desk you don’t need any of the provided documents, you can simply show your passport and you’re good to go. Both the automated kiosk and the e-ticket desk insure a much faster check in than at the regular check in desks. It is important to hold on to your e-ticket receipt, as you might need it to claim your mileage credits (if the airline awards mileage for this particular flight).

Money

Currencies:
- The South African Rand

- The Pula in Botswana
- 1000 Kwacha in Zambia
ATM: is only possible in the large cities of South Africa and exclusively with a visa card in Maun.
Cash: American dollars.
Credit Cards: may be used at banks to get cash.
Traveler’s Checks: in US dollars.

As a guideline for expenses that are not included such as other meals, entrance fees, optional excursions and personal expenses we recommend a minimum of $240 per person per week. We strongly suggest that you keep your money in a money belt under your clothing.  U.S. dollars, credit cards and bank cards can be used only in Livingstone and Maun. Other than that you will need to have converted money.  It is customary to give tips in Botswana after a safari or for a service.

Tipping 
At the beginning of your trip, your tour leader will collect a “tip pot” of approximately $2 per land day, per person. So that you will not be burdened with tipping those who assist you along the way, this sum will dispersed by the tour leader as tips for the driver, local guides and hotel staff. The tip pot does not include the tip for the tour leader. A typical guideline for an American tip would be $2-$3 per day but the amount is at your discretion and should be based on his/her efforts and your satisfaction level. Dutch tipping habits are different than North American guidelines. You may feel more comfortable tipping your guide privately to avoid the great cultural tipping debate. However, it’s up to you! We take pride in our Djoser guides who do their utmost to make your experience great. We do ask that you bear in mind their extra challenge of a dual language group.

Local Charges

On the camping safaris, the cost of food and meal preparation are included in the local charges which have been built into the cost of this trip as well as park entry fees.  Please see INCLUSIVES on the price page for dollar value of these inclusions.

Health

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following vaccines (as appropriate for age):
See your doctor at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect.

•    Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG).
•    Hepatitis B if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months, or be exposed through medical treatment.
•    Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
•    Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting developing countries in this region.

As needed: booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria, measles, and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not complete the series as infants.

To contact Center for Disease Control (CDC):
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ or call CDC Traveler's Health 1-877-394-8747 or 1-800-311-3435. Send an inquiry to CDC by clicking through (or entering) this address: http://www.cdc.gov/netinfo.htm.

Luggage & Clothing

A travel bag or frameless backpack is most convenient to bring along. Hard suitcases are not permitted. Space for luggage is limited in our terrain vehicles. We request that you do not bring more than 26 to 33 pounds. When you are packing your clothes keep in mind that you are going camping and game watching. Bring light cotton clothing in neutral colors and something warm for the early mornings and the evenings. Also bring a small daypack that fits your camera, water bottle, travel guide, binoculars and such to use during your stay in the delta. And remember to bring a small folded rain jacket and comfortable and sturdy hiking shoes. You will need a sleeping bag for the overnights, which you may bring separate from your other luggage, and we will provide camping mattresses.
Voltage: 220/240 volt. A world plug is necessary. There is no electricity at the campgrounds in Nxai, Moremi and Savuti.

Resources

It is extremely useful to pick up a good travel guidebook. We highly recommend Lonely Planet. You will find a wealth of practical information regarding money issues, maps, local customs, history, activities, and much more. There are always great travel journals, historical and political books at your local bookstore as well. The internet is also invaluable for researching and finding great photos. Be sure to check out this trip’s Slide Show (see link above) to get a good feeling for the trip, lodgings and modes of travel.

Communication

Phone: possible in Maun, Kasane and Livingstone.
Internet cafés: present in Maun and Livingstone.
Cell Phones: in the wildlife parks coverage is limited. Please inquire with your provider or consult the following webpage: www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/index.shtml