• > 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. Our trips are not practical for small children or for older seniors. There is plenty of physical activity. The camping safaris are more physically demanding than the hotel/chalet trips. You will have to carry your tent from the safari truck and pitch your own tent.  Participants will all pitch in with the preparation of meals and clean-up on the camping safaris. You must be prepared and able to carry your own luggage from the bus to the hotel.  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 the hotel trip, you will have a Dutch tour leader. Our tour leaders accompany you throughout the trip. They are enthusiastic, experienced and knowledgeable about the countries they cover. Many have worked for Djoser for many years. They can tell you about the habits and customs of a country, the wildlife, and the authentic markets. From our tour leaders' diverse perspectives, you will get a special look at the country in which you are traveling. New tour leaders go through a thorough training program, and also travel extensively in the country. They are responsible for the logistical aspects of the trip. They are there to ensure a smooth progression of the trip and to give advice and help where necessary. The tour leader is not a lecturer, but a liaison between the traveler and local representatives, hotels, transportation contacts and medical assistance, etc. On our hotel safaris we will also have a local, African (English-speaking) camp courier who accompanies the group. The courier will purchase food for our meals and will supervise the preparation of meals. The tour leader will start each day at breakfast discussing the possibilities for the day in terms of excursions and meals. Our country land agents are also in constant contact with our tour leaders and are available to assist in the event of an emergency.  

Djoser groups are made up of travelers of all ages: singles, couples, friends, and families. These safaris have “International” groups of 8 to 22 travelers. Most are from the Netherlands, and nearly all will have an excellent command of English. There will be a maximum of 4 American or Canadian travelers on this trip.  You will have a tour leader from the Netherlands who will accompany you throughout the trip. Our groups for the camping safari trips tend to skew a bit  younger than the hotel trip as there are a few more physical demands.  You can meet active travelers of all ages on Djoser trips.   Please see the General Information section for more details about Traveling with a Dutch Group.

Private Tours and Custom Dates

Available for groups of 10 or more. Please call us for more information.

Local Transportation

During this trip we use a specially equipped safari vehicle. These are trucks with storage for luggage, camping equipment and supplies. As we use this vehicle throughout the trip we are free to make stops along the way whenever we desire. The connecting roads in South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia are generally paved and of excellent quality. Some stretches of road are unpaved, for example in the wildlife parks. In the large cities such as Cape Town and Swakopmund we do not have our own transportation. On the hotel/chalet safari, we use closed vehicle with air conditioning.  It is more fun to make use of your own time and to explore on foot or by very cheap taxis. Use the following link to view slides of the transportation we use:
http://www.djoserusa.com/transportation

Accommodations

During the hotel/chalet trips we use several different forms of accommodations. We usually spend the night in rondavels which are chalets with sleeping which accommodate 2, 4, or sometimes 6 people. Rondavels are free-standing houses with private bedroom and common living area and bath facilities. The chalets are usually located in beautiful bird-inhabited gardens, many with their own little terrace, a built-in kitchen facilities and a barbeque outside. In addition we will spend the night in tourist-class hotels and simple lodges. In Okavango Delta, we spend two nights on the deck of a houseboat. Above the bed you have an awning and mosquito netting. The other night in the Delta, you will sleep in a small tent. A bed with mattress, pillows, blankets, etc. are provided. If you book a single room, you will have your own bedroom in the chalets however you will share the bathroom and living room area. During the overnight on the houseboat it is possible to book a private cabin. Use the following link to view some of our lodgings:  http://www.djoserusa.com/hotels

If you travel alone, you will share accommodations with another group member of the same sex. If you prefer single accommodations, you may indicate your preference on the registration form. If you request a roommate and we are unable to find one for you, there will be no additional charge billed to you for a single.

Meals

You are free to determine where you can go for dinner. The guide will give you recommendations. The base ingredient for the local cuisine in these countries is cornmeal. In the south of Africa, this is called Sadza. It is usually consumed together with beef or goat meat with a relish sauce. If you wish to act like the locals, this dish is eaten with your hands. A local specialty in Namibia is Mahango; a type of hops that is turned into a mash. In the better restaurants in these countries you are able to get western dishes such as French fries, pastas, steaks and other familiar dishes. In the larger towns you will also find take-out restaurants. The most popular local snack in southern Africa is Biltong, which is a dried, salted meat of a variety of animals. It is commonly found as a cocktail snack. During the hotel/chalet trip, there are no meals included except during the stay in the Okavango Delta, where meals are arranged. The cost for these meals is $65 per person.

Climate

It is ideal to travel throughout the entire year in Southern Africa. In general seasons are opposite to seasons here in the U.S. because they are located on the southern hemisphere. This is especially true for South Africa and Namibia. July is the coolest month and January is the warmest. In general the winters are dry with an average temperature that averages around 50 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.  In the morning and evening it can cool off substantially so we recommend warm clothing and a warm sleeping bag. In the summer the temperature is between 78 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit.  In Botswana the rainy period falls between November and March. In South Africa and Namibia there is mostly sunshine during this period.

Travel Documents

For all the countries we will visit you need a passport that is valid for six months after departure. If you do not have a U.S. passport you will need to check with the appropriate consulates for visa requirements. You will receive your airline tickets to and from South Africa, and your ticket from Livingstone to Johannesburg, around twelve days prior to departure. Your guide will handle other tickets or transport documents.

BOTSWANA - ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required. U.S. citizens are permitted stays up to 90 days without a visa. For additional information on entry requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of the Republic of Botswana, 1531 - 1533 New Hampshire Ave, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, telephone (202) 244-4990/1, fax (202) 244-4164 or the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Botswana to the United Nations, 103 E. 37th St., New York, NY, telephone (212) 889-2277, fax (212) 725-5061. There are also honorary consuls in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston. Overseas, inquiries should be made to the nearest Botswana Embassy or Consulate.

NAMIBIA - ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport and visa are normally required. Bearers of U.S. passports who plan to visit Namibia for tourism for less than 90 days can obtain visas at the port of entry and do not need visas prior to entering the country. Travelers coming for work, whether paid or voluntary, must obtain their visas prior to entering Namibia. Travelers should obtain the latest information from the Embassy of Namibia at 1605 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20009, telephone (202) 986-0540, or from the Permanent Mission of Namibia to the U.N. at 135 E. 36th St., New York, NY 10016, telephone (212) 685-2003, fax (212) 685-1561. Overseas inquiries should be made to the nearest Namibian embassy.

ZAMBIA - ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport and visa are required. Americans can obtain a multiple-entry visa at the port of entry for US$135. 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

Flights

Below you will find the usual flight times with Northwest/KLM Airlines (Hotel trip) and Virgin Airlines (Camping Safaris).

These 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.  Add-on rates can be found in our website www.djoserusa.com on the home page (see Add-ons). Read more about flights and Add-ons in the General Information section.

                            * Usual flight times – Subject to change

The time difference: +7 hours from the East Coast and +10 hours for the West Coast.  Please note that the order of the itineraries of these trips is reversed for certain departure dates. These dates are indicated on the itinerary pages in the beginning of this booklet.

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

Please refer to www.exchangerate.com for current exchange rates.
Currencies:
South Africa Rands
Namibia dollars.
Botswana Pula.
Zambian Kwacha.

Park fees and meals in the Delta ar included in the cost of our trip. For other expenses, we advise you to bring the bulk of your funds in traveler’s checks in a combination of medium and smaller denominations. Do not bring checks over $100. It is simple in all these countries to exchange money in the larger cities. Credit cards and ATMS are limited to the large cities in South Africa and Namibia. You can get also cash with your credit cards at major banks. Take along at least $150 in small denominations to pay for departure taxes and tips. Your weekly expenses will be a minimum of $250. In addition to the daily events, there are abundant opportunities for optional excursions. For example in Namibia the adventurous can go on a balloon ride, go sand boarding, ski diving or quad biking. White water rafting in Zambia costs around $110. Most activities will require cash payment at Victoria Falls. Credit cards are not widely accepted in Zambia so be sure to have cash handy. It is strongly recommended that you carry your money in a money belt that is worn under your clothing.

Restaurant meals, alcohol, soft drinks and mineral water are not included in the tour cost.  There will however be opportunities en route where you will be able to eat out, and, although this is not compulsory, you should keep this in mind when budgeting. Liquor prices vary considerably, but beer, wine and soft drinks are similarly priced throughout. 

It is typical to tip for services rendered. Keep in mind that no gratuities are included. In order to avoid constant tipping, at the beginning of the trip, a tip pot is organized for drivers, local guides, hotel personnel, etc. (around $30). The tipping of our tour leader is not mandatory, but appreciated. The amount is totally up to you based on your satisfaction of their services.   

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 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.

Health

A reasonable degree of fitness is required to participate in this trip. Participants should be comfortable with the high step up to the truck and must be comfortable lifting, carrying and pitching their own tent. The most up to date information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at telephone 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAX (1-888-232-3299), or by visiting the CDC Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov/. Doctors or pharmacists will also advise on hepatitis vaccinations and immune system boosters. Although vaccinations are not mandatory, many are highly recommended. Many areas within the African continent carry the risk of malaria and precautions against infection must be taken. All vehicles are equipped with a basic first aid kit, which is available to travelers in emergencies.

Luggage & Clothing

The baggage allowance is one backpack, or duffle bag, a maximum of 26 pounds per person.  Travel light and remember clothes should be easy to wash and dry, but avoid nylon and other synthetics that can be very uncomfortable in hot weather. Please also remember that Africa can be colder than you might expect, particularly at night and in the early morning. Be sure to pack what you can comfortably carry.

•    Pack lightly. Limit yourself to one piece of luggage and a day pack. The best bag to bring is a canvas duffle bag. Some are available with wheels.
•    Bring several short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts, a couple of  pairs of light trousers and shorts. During our summer months, the southern regions of Africa can be cool. You will need jeans and a heavy sweater or jacket and clothing that you can layer for chilly nights.  It's also best to include some lightweight, long-sleeved clothing (to protect against insects and the sun).
•    A poncho or easy-to-fold raincoat.
•    Good walking shoes and socks.
•    Don't forget insect repellent, sun block, sunglasses, a hat, camera and lots of film, binoculars, animal, field, and bird books, and a flashlight.
•    Sleeping bag for the camping trip (sleeping mat will be provided). The nights can get very cold in southern Africa, so make sure your sleeping bag is warm!

Resources

Communication

With all the modern communications these days, you are very reachable in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia near the populated areas. In most places you will find Internet cafes where, for a fee, you can send and receive emails. On the inlands of Zambia, the reception is quite often very bad. Mobile phone access is possible based on our phone instrument and your provider.