INFORMATION FOR THE MAASAI MARA MIGRATION SAFARI
DATES AND YOUR ARRIVAL, & THE FLIGHT TO THE MARA
Your safari runs from Nairobi, Kenya. All trip participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements from their homes to Nairobi and back again. Please advise us of your flight arrival details if you have not already done so. We can arrange for your transfer from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and overnight lodgings if you need. We include your first night prior to the safari in Nairobi in a hotel, and transfers from the international airport on your arrival, and back to the international airport prior to departure at the end of this safari.
Please contact us if you require any other safari or hotel bookings and transfer arrangements.
Your charter flight to the Mara takes place by group charter departing from the domestic Wilson Airport at 10h00 on the day your safari begins. Missing this charter flight will incur additional expenses to get you to the Mara!
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
In case of emergency in Kenya or if you need to contact anybody about the flight to the Mara, or the need for anyone to contact you, please note these details: Holly (Nairobi office) - Tel: +254- 714617510; Daryl Balfour in Kenya +254-712741840, Sharna Balfour in Kenya +254-713841313; Pierre Burton +254-728111958. You can have emergency emails with “Emergency Message for (your name) at Migration Camp” in the Subject line directed to me at [email protected] or to Holly at [email protected] She will forward any urgent message to us in camp.
NOTE: There is good cellphone, 3G and GPRS coverage throughout most of the Mara, but we request guests to use their telephones considerately and not disturb their fellow safarigoers with ‘phone conversations and ringing telephones in public areas of the camp.
Telephones should not be used in public areas or on game drives to avoid annoying fellow travelers, both in your own vehicle and others.
VISAS
The citizens of many if not most countries require visas to enter Kenya. (South African passport holders do not require a visa for less than 30 days stay.) While visas may be obtained in advance through the Kenyan embassy or consulate in your country they are easily obtained on arrival at the airport in Kenya. However, holders of some foreign passports, such as those from Afghanistan, Iraq, North Korea, Somalia, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and several others (see www.immigration.go.ke or www.kenyaembassy.com/visa.html ) do need to make prior application.
The visa fee has been increased from US$25 to US$50 per person with effect from July 1, 2011.
MEDICAL & INSURANCE
All visitors to East Africa should ensure their Yellow Fever vaccinations are up to date, otherwise you may not be allowed to leave the country or re-enter your home country. Check with your health authorities if in doubt as to the requirements in your home country.
If you are having vaccinations an anti-tetanus booster is always advisable when travelling in wild and remote areas. They generally last ten years, like the Yellow Fever vacs.
Although the presence of mosquitoes, bugs and insects in the Mara is generally low, you are advised that Kenya is a malarial area and precautions are a good idea. We recommend the prophylactic drug Malarone (proguanil) as opposed to Lariam (mefloquine) unless you have used Lariam before and have not experienced side effects. You need to specifically ask for Malarone if you decide to use it.
It is essential that you arrange your own emergency medical insurance cover that will cover you for evacuation to your home country, as well as cover any medical bills in an emergency. (This cover can often be obtained when purchasing your air tickets using a credit card, or through your usual medical or travel insurance supplier.)
Please ensure that you have adequate quantities of any prescription medication you may require, a copy of your prescription, as well as a small first-aid kit of other personal requirements (headache pills, Band-Aid, Imodium, Cipro, anti-biotics, anti-inflammatory, etc.) We do of course have comprehensive first aid and trauma kits in camp for major emergencies, and access to emergency Flying Doctor services, but it is helpful to carry your own personal supply of simple medicines.
Cancellation and Curtailment You might have to cancel or curtail your safari due to unforeseen circumstances. If you cancel a trip close to departure date for any reason you could lose all that the safari was going to cost you. Should you have to leave the safari early, we cannot refund you the portion of the safari you do not complete, and you will be required to pay for your flight back to Nairobi. Dependent on the reason for cancellation and curtailment, travel insurance may cover you for this eventuality.
Baggage & Money Insurance It is advisable to take out insurance to cover you for damaged or lost baggage or cash, especially if you are carrying a large amount of cash or expensive and valuable camera equipment. You should always carry such equipment as "carry-on" luggage. Do not put anything of value in your checked baggage, particularly when flying through Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport! It is highly recommended that you purchase and use the special TSA locks to lock your checked baggage when flying. These special locks allow airport security officers to open your bags if required, but protect against casual theft.
Claims If you anticipate an insurance claim upon your return, be sure to document as accurately as possible any accident, injury or loss. Doctor’s notes and police reports will aid any claim, as well as a letter from your guide or camp manager.
PHOTOGRAPHY
The trip hosts, Daryl & Sharna Balfour, are regarded among the leading wildlife photographers in Africa, and they will be available to aid and assist you throughout your safari. You can contact them prior to your safari at [email protected] if you have any questions about cameras, lenses or other requirements. Please ensure that you have ample film, digital memory cards or storage capacity, as none are likely to be available in the Maasai Mara.
The minimum camera and lens requirement should you hope to obtain good photographs of wildlife is a 300mm lens, but preferably a 400mm. Many camera manufacturers and lens makers now offer quality lenses in the 28-300mm range which would be ideal on safari.
A good pair of binoculars, for each member of your party, is essential. There is nothing worse than having to share your binoculars in the heat of the action! Some game viewing may be at long distance and binoculars will help ensure a good view.
CHARGING BATTERIES
There will be comprehensive facilities in camp & in the cars for recharging camera, video, computer or other batteries, but be sure to bring your chargers and any special adapters you may require. The standard East African plug fittings are the large 3-pin square type (UK type). We do have comprehensive plug adapters in camp catering for most systems so all you need remember to bring are your chargers.
MONEY
There will be little need for cash on a daily basis once in the Mara, apart from curio purchases from the local Maasai employed in our camp or from a nearby lodge (where we will visit on your last morning for this purpose). Dollars cash is probably the easiest currency to use. Note that Kenyan shops and banks will no longer accept larger denominations in the old US notes, prior to the year 2003 (with the small heads), so ensure any cash you bring (apart from $1 bills) are of the newer variety! A number of smaller bills such as $1, $5 and $10 may be useful at times for tips and small purchases. Credit cards are usually accepted in the larger establishments and cities, though the most popular are Visa and MasterCard. Diners Club is quite widely accepted, and is useful for gaining free access to the First Class (or Premier Club) lounge in Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (as well as other airports) if you are not flying Business or First Class. Many if not most places will not accept American Express cards. South African Rands, US Dollars, Pounds Sterling and Euros (and other major currencies) may be changed into Kenya shillings at the bureaux d’change at Nairobi’s international airport after your arrival should you wish to have some local currency, but there is no real reason to have this.
TIPPING
Tipping is never mandatory, but is always appreciated where good service is offered. We have a central kitty for all the camp staff responsible for everything from waiting table, the kitchen, laundry and making your beds and cleaning your tents (usually 20-24 of them), and we suggest you allow $15-20 per day per guest for this purpose (approx $100-150/week). Please tip the guides separately… We suggest an additional amount of $20-25 per guest per day, for this purpose ($150-200 per week) which will also go into a "guides' kitty".
DRESS & OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Dress is safari casual at all times. Because Kenya straddles the equator temperatures are rarely extreme and are generally mild and pleasant at this altitude (such as in the Mara, about 5 000 feet). Nights and early mornings can be cool and the middays warm to very hot, [particularly in the sun] so it is advisable to dress in layers. A lightweight sweater and windbreaker will be adequate most of the time. Laundry is done in camp every day – hand washing only – so large amounts of clothing are not needed. Bright colours and whites are not recommended for safari wear; rather choose muted earthy colours that echo the colours of the African savannah. Shorts and sandals will suffice most of the time; gentlemen (and ladies) may wear kikois (a traditional Kenyan cloth wrap, similar to a sarong) around the fire and to dinner at night! (We provide these in camp for your use while staying with us.)
As we will be close to the equator the sun can be vicious and a good sunblock and broad-brimmed hat is advisable; occasionally the events in the wilds will delay our return to camp from the morning outing as we sit in the sun awaiting a river crossing, or lions or cheetah on the hunt.
We provide quality Maglite flashlights (torches) and electric (solar-powered) lamps in the tents, but we do suggest you invest in a good quality, small headlamp for your personal use in the tent at night, particularly if you like to read in bed. There are many different makes but we have had good results with those made by Petzl, LED-Lenser and Energizer, which should be available at most good outdoor stores. Ensure you have a set of spare batteries.
SMOKING
Kenya law prohibits smoking in all public places such as hotels, camps and restaurants, but we in any case request smokers on our safaris to consider other guests around them and not smoke in public areas of the camp. Likewise it is forbidden to smoke whilst on game drives. Your guide will stop for a "smoke break" for the desperate.
BAGGAGE - IMPORTANT
Please ensure that you pack your luggage in soft duffel bags that can be easily loaded in the vehicles and aircraft for transfers, and that you keep your general baggage to about 15kg (33 lb) maximum, excluding your camera equipment. Large quantities of clothing are not required as laundry will be done daily. All washing is done by hand, so ensure you do not pack delicate fabrics. Our camp staff, all African men, will not wash underwear, and we will provide soap powder in your tent for you to do your own.
DAILY ROUTINE
Our daily routine will be totally flexible. Generally you will be awoken by a pre-dawn call followed by tea, coffee and a light breakfast in the Mess Tent. We will endeavour to be ‘on the road’ as the sun creeps over the horizon. Morning breakfast baskets with tea, coffee and a mid-morning sandwich snack, plus fruit, and cooler boxes with bottled water, cold drinks & beer will be provided in the vehicles (but bring your own energy bars, nibbles, or candy if you think you need them!) After returning to camp for lunch you will be able to enjoy a short siesta prior to venturing out for the afternoon drive, returning to camp after sunset for fireside refreshments and a great candle-lit dinner.
DRIVING CONDITIONS
The roads are rough and bumpy and occasionally we will travel "off road" where it is possible that injuries may occur if for example a hidden pothole etc is struck. Neither Daryl Balfour Wildphotos Safaris, (nor the operators such as Nigel Archer Safaris, or any others we may utilise), nor their staff members, associates or agents can be held liable for any accidents or any damages!
RESPECTING WILDLIFE
Observe the animals silently and with a minimum of disturbance to their natural activities. Loud talking on game drives can frighten the animals away. Don’t stand up when the vehicle is close to dangerous animals without checking with your guide first.
* Never attempt to attract an animal's attention. Don't imitate animal sounds, clap your hands, pound the vehicle or throw objects. Don’t mimic any attempts by your guide to do this either!
* Please respect your driver or guide's judgement about our proximity to lions, cheetahs and leopards. Don't insist that he take the vehicle closer so you can get a better photograph. A vehicle driven too close can hinder a hunt, or cause animals to abandon a hard-earned meal.
*Litter tossed on the ground can choke or poison animals and birds and is unsightly.
*Never attempt to feed or approach any wild animal on foot. This is especially important near lodges or in campsites where animals may have become accustomed to human visitors.
*Refrain from smoking on game drives, and in public areas in the camps. The dry African bush ignites very easily, and a flash fire can kill animals.
*Never walk on your own, unless you have been told it is safe to do so. Always have a guide or camp guard/askari with you.
LOSS OF ARTICLES
Please note that we cannot accept any responsibility for the misplacement of any articles whilst in our camps. Naturally, we will do all possible to get your goods to catch up to you. However the logistics of inter-camp communication and the scheduling and costs of charter flights may not be favourable for the returning of articles unless you are prepared to pay for the cost of a full charter to get your goods to catch up to you. Any costs incurred will be for your own account. This issue is possibly the single biggest form of stress for guests who have left their belongings behind at a camp and who are not prepared to pay for the charter costs. So please make sure you keep your belongings with you, particularly when departing to the next camp.
LOST BAGGAGE
Luggage that goes missing on scheduled flights is beyond our control, and often the airline concerned too. Usually it is the airport (and not the airline) that controls what happens to passengers' luggage from when it is checked in until it is put on board the aircraft. We would like to suggest that you take the following precautionary action: Please pack a small bag with your essentials, that can be carried with you as hand luggage, and pack a second bag containing non-essentials that can be loaded in the aircraft hold. If the second bag was not to arrive, you will still have your essential items on hand to see you through the first couple of days while we try and recover your baggage.
PROBLEM SOLVING
We pride ourselves in running quality experiences, offering the best there is for such a remote location. If there is anything you feel that we can do to enhance your experience, please do not hesitate to contact Daryl or Sharna Balfour or your camp manager. After your safari, you will not get a sympathetic ear to a problem you encounter if you have not raised this with us or with your guide or the camp’s manager.
THE RETURN TO NAIROBI
The return charter to Nairobi on the final day of your safari will arrive at the domestic Wilson Airport about midday, 12 noon, with Boskovic Charters, unless otherwise notified. Please contact Sophia if you require assistance with transfers, excursions or lunch arrangements in Nairobi.
SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT LIST - MAXIMUM 15KGS (33lbs) - IN ONE SOFT SPORTS/DUFFEL BAG (excluding camera equipment)
1. Good quality sunglasses - preferably polarised. Tinted fashion glasses are not good in strong light.
2. Bush hat with broad brim for sun protection.
3. Golf-shirts or T-shirts, &/or long-sleeved cotton shirts.
4. Comfortable shorts/skirts for wear during the heat of the day.
5. Long trousers/slacks for wear during the cold early mornings. Those with zip-off legs are ideal.
6. Underwear and socks.
7. Good walking shoes (sturdy running/walking shoes are fine)
8. Sandals for wear around camp & in the heat of the day.
9. Warm outer shell or fleece
10. Camera equipment and plenty of film or digital memory (If available, it is expensive in Africa.)
11. If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case you get irritation from the dust
12. BINOCULARS - ESSENTIAL Each guest should have their own pair. Binoculars in the range 8x40 or 10x40 are most useful.
13. Personal toiletries. Shampoos, soaps etc are provided in the camp rooms/tents.
14. Malaria tablets & insect repellent (Those with a high Deet percentage are most effective)
15. Moisturising cream & sun block (high SPF) & lip chap-stick
16. Anti-histamine cream for insect bites
17. Basic medical kit (aspirin/Tylenol/paracetamol, elastoplast (Band-Aids), Imodium (anti-diarrheal) or Cipro, antiseptic cream etc)
18. Air tickets, passports, money etc. Visas if you have had to acquire them in advance.
19. A flashlight (torch) – preferably a headlamp such as a Petzl, or LED Lenser - (with spare batteries as these are not readily available in the camps in Africa)
20. Light rain gear for rainy months (late March-June & Oct-Dec)
NOTE, AGAIN: Laundry is done on a daily basis while in camp, so large quantities of clothing are not essential.
PLEASE CONTACT DARYL or SHARNA BALFOUR AT [email protected] or TELEPHONE +27-72-6226299 (Daryl) or +27-82-3428658 (Sharna), OR THE KENYA NUMBERS ABOVE AFTER AUGUST 14, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES.
Your safari runs from Nairobi, Kenya. All trip participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements from their homes to Nairobi and back again. Please advise us of your flight arrival details if you have not already done so. We can arrange for your transfer from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and overnight lodgings if you need. We include your first night prior to the safari in Nairobi in a hotel, and transfers from the international airport on your arrival, and back to the international airport prior to departure at the end of this safari.
Please contact us if you require any other safari or hotel bookings and transfer arrangements.
Your charter flight to the Mara takes place by group charter departing from the domestic Wilson Airport at 10h00 on the day your safari begins. Missing this charter flight will incur additional expenses to get you to the Mara!
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
In case of emergency in Kenya or if you need to contact anybody about the flight to the Mara, or the need for anyone to contact you, please note these details: Holly (Nairobi office) - Tel: +254- 714617510; Daryl Balfour in Kenya +254-712741840, Sharna Balfour in Kenya +254-713841313; Pierre Burton +254-728111958. You can have emergency emails with “Emergency Message for (your name) at Migration Camp” in the Subject line directed to me at [email protected] or to Holly at [email protected] She will forward any urgent message to us in camp.
NOTE: There is good cellphone, 3G and GPRS coverage throughout most of the Mara, but we request guests to use their telephones considerately and not disturb their fellow safarigoers with ‘phone conversations and ringing telephones in public areas of the camp.
Telephones should not be used in public areas or on game drives to avoid annoying fellow travelers, both in your own vehicle and others.
VISAS
The citizens of many if not most countries require visas to enter Kenya. (South African passport holders do not require a visa for less than 30 days stay.) While visas may be obtained in advance through the Kenyan embassy or consulate in your country they are easily obtained on arrival at the airport in Kenya. However, holders of some foreign passports, such as those from Afghanistan, Iraq, North Korea, Somalia, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and several others (see www.immigration.go.ke or www.kenyaembassy.com/visa.html ) do need to make prior application.
The visa fee has been increased from US$25 to US$50 per person with effect from July 1, 2011.
MEDICAL & INSURANCE
All visitors to East Africa should ensure their Yellow Fever vaccinations are up to date, otherwise you may not be allowed to leave the country or re-enter your home country. Check with your health authorities if in doubt as to the requirements in your home country.
If you are having vaccinations an anti-tetanus booster is always advisable when travelling in wild and remote areas. They generally last ten years, like the Yellow Fever vacs.
Although the presence of mosquitoes, bugs and insects in the Mara is generally low, you are advised that Kenya is a malarial area and precautions are a good idea. We recommend the prophylactic drug Malarone (proguanil) as opposed to Lariam (mefloquine) unless you have used Lariam before and have not experienced side effects. You need to specifically ask for Malarone if you decide to use it.
It is essential that you arrange your own emergency medical insurance cover that will cover you for evacuation to your home country, as well as cover any medical bills in an emergency. (This cover can often be obtained when purchasing your air tickets using a credit card, or through your usual medical or travel insurance supplier.)
Please ensure that you have adequate quantities of any prescription medication you may require, a copy of your prescription, as well as a small first-aid kit of other personal requirements (headache pills, Band-Aid, Imodium, Cipro, anti-biotics, anti-inflammatory, etc.) We do of course have comprehensive first aid and trauma kits in camp for major emergencies, and access to emergency Flying Doctor services, but it is helpful to carry your own personal supply of simple medicines.
Cancellation and Curtailment You might have to cancel or curtail your safari due to unforeseen circumstances. If you cancel a trip close to departure date for any reason you could lose all that the safari was going to cost you. Should you have to leave the safari early, we cannot refund you the portion of the safari you do not complete, and you will be required to pay for your flight back to Nairobi. Dependent on the reason for cancellation and curtailment, travel insurance may cover you for this eventuality.
Baggage & Money Insurance It is advisable to take out insurance to cover you for damaged or lost baggage or cash, especially if you are carrying a large amount of cash or expensive and valuable camera equipment. You should always carry such equipment as "carry-on" luggage. Do not put anything of value in your checked baggage, particularly when flying through Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport! It is highly recommended that you purchase and use the special TSA locks to lock your checked baggage when flying. These special locks allow airport security officers to open your bags if required, but protect against casual theft.
Claims If you anticipate an insurance claim upon your return, be sure to document as accurately as possible any accident, injury or loss. Doctor’s notes and police reports will aid any claim, as well as a letter from your guide or camp manager.
PHOTOGRAPHY
The trip hosts, Daryl & Sharna Balfour, are regarded among the leading wildlife photographers in Africa, and they will be available to aid and assist you throughout your safari. You can contact them prior to your safari at [email protected] if you have any questions about cameras, lenses or other requirements. Please ensure that you have ample film, digital memory cards or storage capacity, as none are likely to be available in the Maasai Mara.
The minimum camera and lens requirement should you hope to obtain good photographs of wildlife is a 300mm lens, but preferably a 400mm. Many camera manufacturers and lens makers now offer quality lenses in the 28-300mm range which would be ideal on safari.
A good pair of binoculars, for each member of your party, is essential. There is nothing worse than having to share your binoculars in the heat of the action! Some game viewing may be at long distance and binoculars will help ensure a good view.
CHARGING BATTERIES
There will be comprehensive facilities in camp & in the cars for recharging camera, video, computer or other batteries, but be sure to bring your chargers and any special adapters you may require. The standard East African plug fittings are the large 3-pin square type (UK type). We do have comprehensive plug adapters in camp catering for most systems so all you need remember to bring are your chargers.
MONEY
There will be little need for cash on a daily basis once in the Mara, apart from curio purchases from the local Maasai employed in our camp or from a nearby lodge (where we will visit on your last morning for this purpose). Dollars cash is probably the easiest currency to use. Note that Kenyan shops and banks will no longer accept larger denominations in the old US notes, prior to the year 2003 (with the small heads), so ensure any cash you bring (apart from $1 bills) are of the newer variety! A number of smaller bills such as $1, $5 and $10 may be useful at times for tips and small purchases. Credit cards are usually accepted in the larger establishments and cities, though the most popular are Visa and MasterCard. Diners Club is quite widely accepted, and is useful for gaining free access to the First Class (or Premier Club) lounge in Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (as well as other airports) if you are not flying Business or First Class. Many if not most places will not accept American Express cards. South African Rands, US Dollars, Pounds Sterling and Euros (and other major currencies) may be changed into Kenya shillings at the bureaux d’change at Nairobi’s international airport after your arrival should you wish to have some local currency, but there is no real reason to have this.
TIPPING
Tipping is never mandatory, but is always appreciated where good service is offered. We have a central kitty for all the camp staff responsible for everything from waiting table, the kitchen, laundry and making your beds and cleaning your tents (usually 20-24 of them), and we suggest you allow $15-20 per day per guest for this purpose (approx $100-150/week). Please tip the guides separately… We suggest an additional amount of $20-25 per guest per day, for this purpose ($150-200 per week) which will also go into a "guides' kitty".
DRESS & OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Dress is safari casual at all times. Because Kenya straddles the equator temperatures are rarely extreme and are generally mild and pleasant at this altitude (such as in the Mara, about 5 000 feet). Nights and early mornings can be cool and the middays warm to very hot, [particularly in the sun] so it is advisable to dress in layers. A lightweight sweater and windbreaker will be adequate most of the time. Laundry is done in camp every day – hand washing only – so large amounts of clothing are not needed. Bright colours and whites are not recommended for safari wear; rather choose muted earthy colours that echo the colours of the African savannah. Shorts and sandals will suffice most of the time; gentlemen (and ladies) may wear kikois (a traditional Kenyan cloth wrap, similar to a sarong) around the fire and to dinner at night! (We provide these in camp for your use while staying with us.)
As we will be close to the equator the sun can be vicious and a good sunblock and broad-brimmed hat is advisable; occasionally the events in the wilds will delay our return to camp from the morning outing as we sit in the sun awaiting a river crossing, or lions or cheetah on the hunt.
We provide quality Maglite flashlights (torches) and electric (solar-powered) lamps in the tents, but we do suggest you invest in a good quality, small headlamp for your personal use in the tent at night, particularly if you like to read in bed. There are many different makes but we have had good results with those made by Petzl, LED-Lenser and Energizer, which should be available at most good outdoor stores. Ensure you have a set of spare batteries.
SMOKING
Kenya law prohibits smoking in all public places such as hotels, camps and restaurants, but we in any case request smokers on our safaris to consider other guests around them and not smoke in public areas of the camp. Likewise it is forbidden to smoke whilst on game drives. Your guide will stop for a "smoke break" for the desperate.
BAGGAGE - IMPORTANT
Please ensure that you pack your luggage in soft duffel bags that can be easily loaded in the vehicles and aircraft for transfers, and that you keep your general baggage to about 15kg (33 lb) maximum, excluding your camera equipment. Large quantities of clothing are not required as laundry will be done daily. All washing is done by hand, so ensure you do not pack delicate fabrics. Our camp staff, all African men, will not wash underwear, and we will provide soap powder in your tent for you to do your own.
DAILY ROUTINE
Our daily routine will be totally flexible. Generally you will be awoken by a pre-dawn call followed by tea, coffee and a light breakfast in the Mess Tent. We will endeavour to be ‘on the road’ as the sun creeps over the horizon. Morning breakfast baskets with tea, coffee and a mid-morning sandwich snack, plus fruit, and cooler boxes with bottled water, cold drinks & beer will be provided in the vehicles (but bring your own energy bars, nibbles, or candy if you think you need them!) After returning to camp for lunch you will be able to enjoy a short siesta prior to venturing out for the afternoon drive, returning to camp after sunset for fireside refreshments and a great candle-lit dinner.
DRIVING CONDITIONS
The roads are rough and bumpy and occasionally we will travel "off road" where it is possible that injuries may occur if for example a hidden pothole etc is struck. Neither Daryl Balfour Wildphotos Safaris, (nor the operators such as Nigel Archer Safaris, or any others we may utilise), nor their staff members, associates or agents can be held liable for any accidents or any damages!
RESPECTING WILDLIFE
Observe the animals silently and with a minimum of disturbance to their natural activities. Loud talking on game drives can frighten the animals away. Don’t stand up when the vehicle is close to dangerous animals without checking with your guide first.
* Never attempt to attract an animal's attention. Don't imitate animal sounds, clap your hands, pound the vehicle or throw objects. Don’t mimic any attempts by your guide to do this either!
* Please respect your driver or guide's judgement about our proximity to lions, cheetahs and leopards. Don't insist that he take the vehicle closer so you can get a better photograph. A vehicle driven too close can hinder a hunt, or cause animals to abandon a hard-earned meal.
*Litter tossed on the ground can choke or poison animals and birds and is unsightly.
*Never attempt to feed or approach any wild animal on foot. This is especially important near lodges or in campsites where animals may have become accustomed to human visitors.
*Refrain from smoking on game drives, and in public areas in the camps. The dry African bush ignites very easily, and a flash fire can kill animals.
*Never walk on your own, unless you have been told it is safe to do so. Always have a guide or camp guard/askari with you.
LOSS OF ARTICLES
Please note that we cannot accept any responsibility for the misplacement of any articles whilst in our camps. Naturally, we will do all possible to get your goods to catch up to you. However the logistics of inter-camp communication and the scheduling and costs of charter flights may not be favourable for the returning of articles unless you are prepared to pay for the cost of a full charter to get your goods to catch up to you. Any costs incurred will be for your own account. This issue is possibly the single biggest form of stress for guests who have left their belongings behind at a camp and who are not prepared to pay for the charter costs. So please make sure you keep your belongings with you, particularly when departing to the next camp.
LOST BAGGAGE
Luggage that goes missing on scheduled flights is beyond our control, and often the airline concerned too. Usually it is the airport (and not the airline) that controls what happens to passengers' luggage from when it is checked in until it is put on board the aircraft. We would like to suggest that you take the following precautionary action: Please pack a small bag with your essentials, that can be carried with you as hand luggage, and pack a second bag containing non-essentials that can be loaded in the aircraft hold. If the second bag was not to arrive, you will still have your essential items on hand to see you through the first couple of days while we try and recover your baggage.
PROBLEM SOLVING
We pride ourselves in running quality experiences, offering the best there is for such a remote location. If there is anything you feel that we can do to enhance your experience, please do not hesitate to contact Daryl or Sharna Balfour or your camp manager. After your safari, you will not get a sympathetic ear to a problem you encounter if you have not raised this with us or with your guide or the camp’s manager.
THE RETURN TO NAIROBI
The return charter to Nairobi on the final day of your safari will arrive at the domestic Wilson Airport about midday, 12 noon, with Boskovic Charters, unless otherwise notified. Please contact Sophia if you require assistance with transfers, excursions or lunch arrangements in Nairobi.
SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT LIST - MAXIMUM 15KGS (33lbs) - IN ONE SOFT SPORTS/DUFFEL BAG (excluding camera equipment)
1. Good quality sunglasses - preferably polarised. Tinted fashion glasses are not good in strong light.
2. Bush hat with broad brim for sun protection.
3. Golf-shirts or T-shirts, &/or long-sleeved cotton shirts.
4. Comfortable shorts/skirts for wear during the heat of the day.
5. Long trousers/slacks for wear during the cold early mornings. Those with zip-off legs are ideal.
6. Underwear and socks.
7. Good walking shoes (sturdy running/walking shoes are fine)
8. Sandals for wear around camp & in the heat of the day.
9. Warm outer shell or fleece
10. Camera equipment and plenty of film or digital memory (If available, it is expensive in Africa.)
11. If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case you get irritation from the dust
12. BINOCULARS - ESSENTIAL Each guest should have their own pair. Binoculars in the range 8x40 or 10x40 are most useful.
13. Personal toiletries. Shampoos, soaps etc are provided in the camp rooms/tents.
14. Malaria tablets & insect repellent (Those with a high Deet percentage are most effective)
15. Moisturising cream & sun block (high SPF) & lip chap-stick
16. Anti-histamine cream for insect bites
17. Basic medical kit (aspirin/Tylenol/paracetamol, elastoplast (Band-Aids), Imodium (anti-diarrheal) or Cipro, antiseptic cream etc)
18. Air tickets, passports, money etc. Visas if you have had to acquire them in advance.
19. A flashlight (torch) – preferably a headlamp such as a Petzl, or LED Lenser - (with spare batteries as these are not readily available in the camps in Africa)
20. Light rain gear for rainy months (late March-June & Oct-Dec)
NOTE, AGAIN: Laundry is done on a daily basis while in camp, so large quantities of clothing are not essential.
PLEASE CONTACT DARYL or SHARNA BALFOUR AT [email protected] or TELEPHONE +27-72-6226299 (Daryl) or +27-82-3428658 (Sharna), OR THE KENYA NUMBERS ABOVE AFTER AUGUST 14, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES.
SAFARI INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS FOR TENTED CAMP AND LODGE SAFARIS IN NORTHERN BOTSWANA
Welcome to Wildphotos Safaris! We look forward to travelling with you in the near future. In order to ensure that you have the best experience possible, we ask that you read the following information carefully. Should you have any questions regarding any of the points discussed, please refer them to your agent.
LUGGAGE As no formal clothes are needed, we recommend that you keep your luggage to the basics. Bright colours and whites are NOT advised and ARMY CAMOUFLAGE UNIFORMS OR ARMY HATS ARE FORBIDDEN. Blue and black are not great especially if you are going to be out in the sun. Tsetse flies love those colours too. Khaki, olive and beige are perfect colours to wear. For safety and space reasons, there is a 20 kg (44 lbs) limit on luggage. This is due to safety and space problems when travelling in charter aircraft. This 20 kg includes camera bag and equipment. We insist on a soft carry-all (instead of a suitcase) with the following maximum dimensions: 80 cm (30”) long by 30 cm wide (12”). A suggested clothing list is attached for your information. Please bear in mind that the baggage compartments on the some of the light aircraft are only 25 cm (10”) high, so the pilots must have the ability to manipulate the bag into the compartment.
If you have to bring more baggage with you, we can buy you and your party an extra seat on most of the air charters. That will allow your party to bring an additional 70kgs (154lbs). The cost of this extra seat varies depending on your safari – but should cost you in the region of US$150 per flight you are on. We can also offer private charters by special arrangement. Please Note that most if not all Daryl Balfour Wildphotos Safaris include extra seats to allow for excess camera baggage, but please pack your luggage in soft-sided "squashable" duffel bags. Enquire if you are in doubt.
Guests will also have the option on arrival, in either Maun or Kasane, to send their excess baggage (for example smart or city clothes) ahead for an additional cost of US$75-100 per person. If the safari begins in Maun, the excess baggage will be forwarded to Kasane and stored. If starting in Kasane, the excess baggage will be forwarded to Maun for storage. Guests can then collect this excess baggage at the end of their Botswana safari. We would prefer to know in advance if this service will be needed so that arrangements can be made and the transfer can be handled smoothly. We can also store excess baggage in Maun for those leaving and departing from here.
NB. GUESTS WHO BRING MORE THAN 20 KGS (44lbs), WITHOUT MAKING ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS WITH US, MAY NECESSITATE THE HIRING IN EXTRA CHARTER AIRCRAFT, IN WHICH CASE THEY WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE CONSIDERABLE EXTRA CHARTER COSTS (UP TO US$600) IF THEY WANT THE EXCESS BAGGAGE TO TRAVEL WITH THEM.
Additionally, a guest travelling alone who weighs 100 kgs or more, or two guests travelling together whose combined weight is 180 kgs or more must advise us. All weight limits are due to safety factors involved in the light aircraft transfers. Kindly note that should these limitations be exceeded, it may be necessary to charge for an additional aircraft.
HEALTH There are a few basic health matters that require care and attention. We are obviously not medical practitioners and the following are only recommended guidelines. Please consult your doctor. Please also check with your health department prior to departure for any changes in health regulations.
A) MALARIA As the camps are generally in remote locations, the chances of contracting malaria are very slim. However, it is worth taking preventative steps. Both chloroquine resistant and normal strains of malaria are prevalent in Africa. Malaria is transmitted by a very small percentage of female Anopheles mosquitoes. They are only active in the early evening and throughout the night, usually when one is sleeping or sitting around campfires.
MALARIA prophylactic recommendations for southern African travellers:
Expert opinion differs regarding the best approach to malaria prophylactics. It is important to bear in mind that malaria may be contracted despite taking tablets, especially in areas where chloroquine resistance has been reported. Please remember that the best insurance against contracting malaria is to try to prevent oneself from being bitten, so use mosquito repellents liberally. Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers/slacks in the evenings. You should spray your room prior going to dinner with an insecticide (supplied in the camps) which will kill any mosquitoes that may have flown into your room. Mosquito coils (supplied in most camps) are also effective. We have had better experience and fewer side effects with Malarone as opposed to Lariam/Mefliam.
If you become ill on your return, while still on prophylactics or even once you have stopped, make sure that your doctor does everything necessary to establish that your illness is not malaria. Malaria is not a serious problem if people are sensible and take basic precautions. We have had very few cases of guests contracting malaria during the years we have been operating.
B) WATER It is very important that you drink plenty of water especially during the warmer months. Dehydration is possibly the single biggest cause of ill health on safari. In Botswana water is generally safe to drink anywhere, even from many rivers and lagoons within the Okavango. It is generally recommended that guests drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration. This excludes tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages, which act as diuretics and can actually contribute to dehydration. Most camps provide free bottled water, so please do not allow yourself to become dehydrated.
C) OTHER HEALTH ISSUES There are no other health issues that one needs to be concerned about besides wild animals. The camps are unfenced – so listen to your camp staff and guides. Read up on the safety sections in the booklets within the camps. Don’t push any safety issues – you will not be in any theme parks where the animals are tame. Don’t ever go strolling away from the camp or from your guide.
INSURANCE Daryl Balfour Wildphotos Safaris, ( and operators we utilise such as Okavango Wilderness Safaris, Kwando Safaris, and others), its agents and its associates cannot be held responsible or liable for loss, damage, or theft of personal luggage and belongings, nor can they be held liable for personal injury, accident or illness. Please ensure that you have yourself and your belongings adequately insured before your departure. Medical Evacuation Insurance is compulsory for all our trips. It is however better to purchase your policy at home as this will cover you for repatriation back to your home country. Please contact your broker or your travel agent for details. We cannot be held liable for any losses or damages incurred.
a) Health Insurance It is compulsory and sensible to have full medical, emergency evacuation and repatriation cover for the period of time you are away.
b) Cancellation and Curtailment You might have to cancel or curtail your safari due to unforeseen circumstances. If you cancel a trip close to departure date for any reason you could lose all that the safari was going to cost you. Should you have to leave the safari early, we cannot refund you the portion of the safari you do not complete. Dependent on the reason for cancellation and curtailment, travel insurance may cover you for this eventuality.
c) Baggage & Money Insurance It is advisable to take out insurance to cover you for damaged or lost baggage or cash, especially if you are carrying a large amount of cash or expensive and valuable camera equipment. You should always carry such equipment as "carry-on" luggage. Do not put anything of value in your checked baggage, particularly when flying through Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport! On some safaris, we do travel in canoes or mekoro (dugout canoes). It is rare that these overturn, but it is possible. So have insurance and also bring waterproof bags for your cameras.
Claims If you anticipate an insurance claim upon your return, be sure to document as accurately as possible any accident, injury or loss. Doctor’s notes and police reports will aid any claim.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
The tour fares are fully inclusive as detailed in the brochure or in your final itineraries. However, personal expenditure; gratuities for drivers, guides, camp staff and mokoro paddlers; airport taxes and visa fees are excluded. We suggest that you allow US$25 per day to cover the cost of personal expenses and souvenirs (within reason) etc. Botswana banks will only accept US Dollars, Pound Sterling, Euro, and South African Rand cash. Therefore, any cash payments to camps for curios, or gratuities to guides or staff, need to be in one of these currencies. Travellers’ cheques in any currency are acceptable, and most camps will also accept Visa or MasterCard. No American Express or Diners Club. It is advisable that you bring any dollars in newer bills – those with the large heads and coloured paper – as it is increasingly difficult to exchange older (pre-2004) notes in Africa.
All properties have their own drinks policy. Please consult your itinerary for details of what is included at each property visited on your safari. Most camps in Botswana have all local drinks included. Drinks in hotels and in the major centres are not included.
Tipping is not compulsory. If, however, you want to tip because you have received good service, we have enclosed a brief guideline to assist you. We usually recommend that there are three categories of staff members to tip: your guide, the camp staff and the mokoro paddlers.
1. Camp Guides & Trackers We recommend US$10-15 per guest per day if the guide has done a good job. If you have a guide who accompanies you all the way or utilise private vehicles with small groups, this could increase to US$15-20 per guest per day, or more depending on your group size.
2. The General Camp Staff Here we recommend about US$10-15 per guest per day. This should be placed in the communal tipping box to be distributed equally amongst all the staff at a later stage.
3. Mokoro Paddlers Mokoro paddlers are great capitalists. We could include a tip for them in your safari cost, but we have found that we get better results if they are being rewarded directly from the guests for their hard work. So tips are not included in the tour costs. The paddlers therefore have the added incentive to put in that extra effort to ensure that your stay with them is a memorable one. We recommend that each paddler receive US$10 per guest per outing.
NB. On all international flights from Botswana, there are departure taxes to pay. These taxes are usually included in your airfare and should be reflected on the ticket for any Air Botswana or other scheduled flight. If this is not reflected on the air ticket, then Air Botswana will collect this from you directly. All domestic departure taxes on charter flights are included in the price of your safari.
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
If you have a problem, our contact addresses are:
DARYL BALFOUR WILDPHOTOS SAFARIS:
Tel: +2713-7440611 Mobile +2782-342-8658
Email: [email protected]
While we are on safari in Botswana there is little or no cellphone or email contact. I will carry a Satellite phone for emergency purposes, and switch this on from time to time to check for messages. Should anyone need to contact you in an emergency they can send a short text message to me at +870776411998 or a short email (less than 140 characters, including headers or footers) to [email protected] and we will attempt to get back to them. Please note that any use of the Sat Phone to make outgoing calls will be charged at $5 a minute.
RECOMMENDED READING (in no particular order)
a) Okavango: Wetland Wilderness - Adrian Bailey
b) Okavango: An African Paradise - Daryl Balfour
c) Chobe: Africa’s Untamed Wilderness - Daryl & Sharna Balfour
d) This is Botswana - Daryl & Sharna Balfour
e) Africa's Top Wildlife Countries - Mark Nolting
f) Botswana: A Brush with the Wild - Paul Augustinus.
g) The Kalahari, Survival in a Thirstland Wilderness - Nigel Dennis, Dr Michael Main
h) Newman’s Common Birds of Botswana - Ken Newman.
i) The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals - Jonathan Kingdon
j) The Behaviour Guide to African Mammals - Richard D. Estes
k) Running Wild: Dispelling the Myths of the African Wild Dog - McNutt, Boggs Hamman & Heldring
l) African Elephants - A Celebration of Majesty - Daryl & Sharna Balfour
m) Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - Chris & Tilde Stuart
n) Wild About the Okavango - Duncan Butchart
o) Simply Safari - Daryl & Sharna Balfour
Everyone should bring their own BINOCULARS in order to get the most out of your safari. There is nothing worse than having to share binoculars during the heat of the action.
AIR TRANSFERS We offer two types of air transfer between camps: (a) either a private charter where you have sole use of the aircraft, or (b) a scheduled air transfer based on a "seat-in-plane" basis where you share the aircraft with other guests (and thereby benefit from the lower cost). Unless specifically requested to do otherwise, we will automatically book you onto the scheduled air transfer with other guests, as this is the more cost-effective option.
When we package an itinerary using scheduled air transfers, we book the aircraft and pilot through licensed charter companies in Maun. That portion of your trip is therefore sub-chartered. All the flight times between lodges are arranged a day before the flight takes place so that there are not endless schedule changes. The lodge or camp where you are staying will be advised of your departure time the day before and will have you at the airstrip on time.
We cannot be firmer on timings as the charter companies are compelled to service their aircraft every 100 hours, which could mean all air movements have to be rescheduled at the last moment. At certain times of the year it may be necessary, for safety reasons, to transfer you from camp to camp during the cooler times of the day, in early morning or late afternoon only. Once the departure times from your camp have been set they cannot be changed unless substantial additional costs are paid (ie your air transfer changes to a full-charter and you pick up these costs.)
VISAS All passport holders should verify with their travel agent or relevant consulate concerning visa entry requirements. If you are extending your journey to other countries, please establish entry conditions for those countries as well. USA & UK and most EU passport holders do not require visas for South Africa or Botswana.
Please ensure that you have all the necessary visas prior to departure (unless available on entry) .
PHOTOGRAPHY The choice of the correct camera equipment and film will determine the quality of your photographs on the trip. For good photography of birds and animals, a good digital SLR camera and telephoto lens is necessary. The minimum recommended lens size is 300-400 mm and a zoom lens can be extremely useful on safari. (Nikon, Canon and many other makers such as Sigma, Tokina, Tamron etc now offer quality lenses in the 28-300mm range which are ideal for safari use.) Consideration should be given before travelling with any lens bigger than 400 mm as most interesting shots are taken using hand held equipment. Guests using longer, professional lenses such as 500 & 600mm should enquire about the use of private vehicles, which I usually recommend in any case.
All camps have charging facilities to recharge camera batteries etc. This may only be available when the generators run, outside of times when guests are in camp, so ensure you have spare batteries so you can leave one on charge and take a fully charged battery out on drives with you.
Ensure you have enough memory cards and some way of downloading them on to a storage device. I recommend the Epson P7000 as a perfect example of a storage & viewing device, with up to 160GB of storage, unless you plan on carrying a laptop computer. I also advise photographers to carry an additional external hard drive on which to make back-up copies of your safari photos.
See also the Blog on "The Equipment Daryl & Sharna Use" on the Daryl's Blog page of this website.
LAUNDRY Laundry will be done at all camps on a daily basis. Some camps charge a modest and nominal fee for this facility but most do provide this service for free. The camp staff will not wash underwear owing to traditions prevailing in the country.
WILD ANIMALS Most Botswana camps are unfenced and dangerous animals can and do wander through the camps. If you don’t like this, please don’t book with us. Many of the animals and reptiles we will see are potentially dangerous. Attacks by wild animals are rare. However, no safari in Africa can guarantee that such incidents will not occur. Neither Daryl Balfour Wildphotos Safaris, (nor the operators such as Okavango Wilderness Safaris, Kwando Safaris, and others we may utilise) their staff members, associates, agents, nor their suppliers can be held liable for any injuries caused during an incident involving the behaviour of wild animals.
Please make sure that you listen to and abide by the safety talks given by your guides or camp staff. Don’t go wandering off on your own without a guide – even to your rooms. After retiring to your rooms at night, don’t leave your rooms. If you are sensible, you should be safe.
TORCHES / FLASHLIGHTS As the grounds of all lodges/camps in Botswana are unfenced it is essential that you bring a small but powerful flashlight (torch) as you may encounter animals in camp at night. You should also bring a spare batteries as they are virtually unobtainable in Botswana. Most of the camps supply a flashlight, but it is good to have your own as a backup as this is one of the best forms of safety. Small headlamps (such as those made by Petzl or LED Lenser) are often the most useful, specially in the tents or rooms at night, leaving your hands free.
DRIVING CONDITIONS The roads are rough and bumpy and occasionally we will travel "off road" where it is possible that injuries may occur if for example a hidden pothole etc is struck. Neither Daryl Balfour Wildphotos Safaris, (nor the operators such as Okavango Wilderness Safaris, Kwando Safaris, or any others we may utilise), nor their staff members, associates or agents can be held liable for any accidents or any damages!
LOSS OF ARTICLES Please note that we cannot accept any responsibility for the misplacement of any articles whilst in our camps. Naturally, we will do all possible to get your goods to catch up to you. However the logistics of inter-camp communication and the scheduling and costs of charter flights may not be favourable for the returning of articles unless you are prepared to pay for the cost of a full charter to get your goods to catch up to you. Any costs incurred will be for your own account. This issue is possibly the single biggest form of stress for guests who have left their belongings behind at a camp and who are not prepared to pay for the charter costs. So please make sure you keep your belongings with you, particularly when departing to the next camp.
LOST BAGGAGE Luggage that goes missing on scheduled flights is beyond our control, and often the airline concerned too. Usually it is the airport (and not the airline) that controls what happens to passengers' luggage from when it is checked in until it is put on board the aircraft. We would like to suggest that you take the following precautionary action: Please pack a small bag with your essentials, that can be carried with you as hand luggage, and pack a second bag containing non-essentials that can be loaded in the aircraft hold. If the second bag was not to arrive, you will still have your essential items on hand to see you through the first couple of days while we try and recover your baggage.
PRIVATE VEHICLES Daryl Balfour Wildphotos Safaris usually arranges private, sole use, vehicles and camp guides to take you on your game drives. Private vehicles cost in the region of about U$500 a day, which covers the cost of the vehicle and the guide, included in the cost of your safari. If you elect not to take up this option you will be travelling on game drives with other guests at the lodge. Some vehicles are designed to seat 10.
RESPECTING WILDLIFE Observe the animals silently and with a minimum of disturbance to their natural activities. Loud talking on game drives can frighten the animals away. Don’t stand up when the vehicle is close to dangerous animals.
* Never attempt to attract an animal's attention. Don't imitate animal sounds, clap your hands, pound the vehicle or throw objects. Don’t mimic any attempts by your guide to do this either.
* Please respect your driver or guide's judgement about our proximity to lions, cheetahs and leopards. Don't insist that he take the vehicle closer so you can get a better photograph. A vehicle driven too close can hinder a hunt, or cause animals to abandon a hard-earned meal.
*Litter tossed on the ground can choke or poison animals and birds and is unsightly.
*Never attempt to feed or approach any wild animal on foot. This is especially important near lodges or in campsites where animals may have become accustomed to human visitors.
*Refrain from smoking on game drives, and in public areas in the camps. The dry African bush ignites very easily, and a flash fire can kill animals.
*Never walk on your own, unless you have been told it is safe to do so. Always have a guide with you.
POWER IN THE CAMPS All Botswana camps are situated in remote areas and have to generate their own electricity. Generally each camp has a generator, which runs for about 6 hours per day (3 hours in the morning and 3 in the afternoon when guests are out on activities). These generators then charge batteries located at each tented room which provide good 12v lights all night (if used sensibly). There is generally no 220v or 110v power points in camp, though nowadays all camps have facilities to provide for those requiring the use of sleep-apnea machines, and some camps do provide battery charging points in the tents. If you need to have your video or camera battery re-charged we can do so while you are out on an activity - please therefore bring a spare for use while the other is being charged. An adapter for the 12v cigarette lighter of your vehicle is a good idea too. The camp systems are simple but perfectly functional. If you are expecting to use a hairdryer in your room, please think again. You are on the wrong safari!!
SATELLITE & IRIDIUM TELEPHONES Please note that the Okavango is a very remote part of Africa and the camps do not have telephones.An increasing number of guests have been bringing satellite phones along with them on safari. As most people come on safari to get away from the outside world, we feel that we must set some limitations to the use of these phones in our camps and on safari. Therefore, the following restrictions will apply to the use of satellite phones:
1. Phones are not to be used in any of the common areas: dining room, bar/lounge area, or on the vehicle or on game drives at any time.
2. Phones may not be used for any incoming calls when the ringing may disturb other guests. They may be used in the privacy of your tent. Otherwise, the phones are to be switched off at all times
PROBLEM SOLVING We pride ourselves in running quality experiences, offering the best there is for such a remote location. If there is anything you feel that we can do to enhance your experience, please do not hesitate to contact Daryl Balfour or your camp manager. After your safari, you will not get a sympathetic ear to a problem you encounter if you have not raised this with Daryl Balfour or with your guide or the camp’s manager.
SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT LIST - MAXIMUM 20KGS (44lbs) - IN ONE SOFT SPORTS BAG (INCLUDING CAMERA EQUIPMENT)
1. Good quality sunglasses - preferably polarised. Tinted fashion glasses are not good in strong light.
2. Bush hat with broad brim for sun protection.
3. Golf-shirts, T-shirts &/or long-sleeved cotton shirts
4. Comfortable shorts/skirts for wear during the heat of the day
5. Long trousers/slacks for wear during the cold early mornings. Those with zip-off legs are ideal.
6. Underwear and socks
7. Good walking shoes (sturdy running/walking shoes are fine
8. Sandals for wear around camp & in the heat of the day
9. Swimming costume – most camps have pools
10. Warm winter jersey or fleece in winter months (June-August)
11. Warm Anorak or Parka (important for the cold winter mornings ie. June-August) or a lightweight rain and windproof shell in the summer (Nov-April).
12. Camera equipment and plenty of film or digital memory (If available, it is expensive in Africa.)
13. If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case you get irritation from the dust
14. BINOCULARS - ESSENTIAL Each guest should have their own pair. Binoculars in the range 8x40 or 10x40 are most useful.
15. Personal toiletries. Shampoos, soaps etc are provided in the camp rooms/tents.
16. Malaria tablets
17. Moisturising cream & sun block (high SPF) & lip chap-stick
18. Anti-histamine cream for insect bites
19. Insect repellent eg Off! Tabard, Rid, Jungle Juice, etc. Those with a high Deet percentage are most effective
20. Basic medical kit (aspirins, elastoplast (Band-Aids), Imodium (anti-diarrheal) or Cipro, antiseptic cream etc)
21. Visas, tickets, passports, money etc
22. A flashlight (torch) – preferably a headlamp such as a Petzl - with spare batteries as these are not readily available in the camps in Africa
23. Light rain gear for summer months (late November to April)
PLEASE CONTACT DARYL OR SHARNA IF YOU HAVE FURTHER QUERIES.
LUGGAGE As no formal clothes are needed, we recommend that you keep your luggage to the basics. Bright colours and whites are NOT advised and ARMY CAMOUFLAGE UNIFORMS OR ARMY HATS ARE FORBIDDEN. Blue and black are not great especially if you are going to be out in the sun. Tsetse flies love those colours too. Khaki, olive and beige are perfect colours to wear. For safety and space reasons, there is a 20 kg (44 lbs) limit on luggage. This is due to safety and space problems when travelling in charter aircraft. This 20 kg includes camera bag and equipment. We insist on a soft carry-all (instead of a suitcase) with the following maximum dimensions: 80 cm (30”) long by 30 cm wide (12”). A suggested clothing list is attached for your information. Please bear in mind that the baggage compartments on the some of the light aircraft are only 25 cm (10”) high, so the pilots must have the ability to manipulate the bag into the compartment.
If you have to bring more baggage with you, we can buy you and your party an extra seat on most of the air charters. That will allow your party to bring an additional 70kgs (154lbs). The cost of this extra seat varies depending on your safari – but should cost you in the region of US$150 per flight you are on. We can also offer private charters by special arrangement. Please Note that most if not all Daryl Balfour Wildphotos Safaris include extra seats to allow for excess camera baggage, but please pack your luggage in soft-sided "squashable" duffel bags. Enquire if you are in doubt.
Guests will also have the option on arrival, in either Maun or Kasane, to send their excess baggage (for example smart or city clothes) ahead for an additional cost of US$75-100 per person. If the safari begins in Maun, the excess baggage will be forwarded to Kasane and stored. If starting in Kasane, the excess baggage will be forwarded to Maun for storage. Guests can then collect this excess baggage at the end of their Botswana safari. We would prefer to know in advance if this service will be needed so that arrangements can be made and the transfer can be handled smoothly. We can also store excess baggage in Maun for those leaving and departing from here.
NB. GUESTS WHO BRING MORE THAN 20 KGS (44lbs), WITHOUT MAKING ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS WITH US, MAY NECESSITATE THE HIRING IN EXTRA CHARTER AIRCRAFT, IN WHICH CASE THEY WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE CONSIDERABLE EXTRA CHARTER COSTS (UP TO US$600) IF THEY WANT THE EXCESS BAGGAGE TO TRAVEL WITH THEM.
Additionally, a guest travelling alone who weighs 100 kgs or more, or two guests travelling together whose combined weight is 180 kgs or more must advise us. All weight limits are due to safety factors involved in the light aircraft transfers. Kindly note that should these limitations be exceeded, it may be necessary to charge for an additional aircraft.
HEALTH There are a few basic health matters that require care and attention. We are obviously not medical practitioners and the following are only recommended guidelines. Please consult your doctor. Please also check with your health department prior to departure for any changes in health regulations.
A) MALARIA As the camps are generally in remote locations, the chances of contracting malaria are very slim. However, it is worth taking preventative steps. Both chloroquine resistant and normal strains of malaria are prevalent in Africa. Malaria is transmitted by a very small percentage of female Anopheles mosquitoes. They are only active in the early evening and throughout the night, usually when one is sleeping or sitting around campfires.
MALARIA prophylactic recommendations for southern African travellers:
Expert opinion differs regarding the best approach to malaria prophylactics. It is important to bear in mind that malaria may be contracted despite taking tablets, especially in areas where chloroquine resistance has been reported. Please remember that the best insurance against contracting malaria is to try to prevent oneself from being bitten, so use mosquito repellents liberally. Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers/slacks in the evenings. You should spray your room prior going to dinner with an insecticide (supplied in the camps) which will kill any mosquitoes that may have flown into your room. Mosquito coils (supplied in most camps) are also effective. We have had better experience and fewer side effects with Malarone as opposed to Lariam/Mefliam.
If you become ill on your return, while still on prophylactics or even once you have stopped, make sure that your doctor does everything necessary to establish that your illness is not malaria. Malaria is not a serious problem if people are sensible and take basic precautions. We have had very few cases of guests contracting malaria during the years we have been operating.
B) WATER It is very important that you drink plenty of water especially during the warmer months. Dehydration is possibly the single biggest cause of ill health on safari. In Botswana water is generally safe to drink anywhere, even from many rivers and lagoons within the Okavango. It is generally recommended that guests drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration. This excludes tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages, which act as diuretics and can actually contribute to dehydration. Most camps provide free bottled water, so please do not allow yourself to become dehydrated.
C) OTHER HEALTH ISSUES There are no other health issues that one needs to be concerned about besides wild animals. The camps are unfenced – so listen to your camp staff and guides. Read up on the safety sections in the booklets within the camps. Don’t push any safety issues – you will not be in any theme parks where the animals are tame. Don’t ever go strolling away from the camp or from your guide.
INSURANCE Daryl Balfour Wildphotos Safaris, ( and operators we utilise such as Okavango Wilderness Safaris, Kwando Safaris, and others), its agents and its associates cannot be held responsible or liable for loss, damage, or theft of personal luggage and belongings, nor can they be held liable for personal injury, accident or illness. Please ensure that you have yourself and your belongings adequately insured before your departure. Medical Evacuation Insurance is compulsory for all our trips. It is however better to purchase your policy at home as this will cover you for repatriation back to your home country. Please contact your broker or your travel agent for details. We cannot be held liable for any losses or damages incurred.
a) Health Insurance It is compulsory and sensible to have full medical, emergency evacuation and repatriation cover for the period of time you are away.
b) Cancellation and Curtailment You might have to cancel or curtail your safari due to unforeseen circumstances. If you cancel a trip close to departure date for any reason you could lose all that the safari was going to cost you. Should you have to leave the safari early, we cannot refund you the portion of the safari you do not complete. Dependent on the reason for cancellation and curtailment, travel insurance may cover you for this eventuality.
c) Baggage & Money Insurance It is advisable to take out insurance to cover you for damaged or lost baggage or cash, especially if you are carrying a large amount of cash or expensive and valuable camera equipment. You should always carry such equipment as "carry-on" luggage. Do not put anything of value in your checked baggage, particularly when flying through Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport! On some safaris, we do travel in canoes or mekoro (dugout canoes). It is rare that these overturn, but it is possible. So have insurance and also bring waterproof bags for your cameras.
Claims If you anticipate an insurance claim upon your return, be sure to document as accurately as possible any accident, injury or loss. Doctor’s notes and police reports will aid any claim.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
The tour fares are fully inclusive as detailed in the brochure or in your final itineraries. However, personal expenditure; gratuities for drivers, guides, camp staff and mokoro paddlers; airport taxes and visa fees are excluded. We suggest that you allow US$25 per day to cover the cost of personal expenses and souvenirs (within reason) etc. Botswana banks will only accept US Dollars, Pound Sterling, Euro, and South African Rand cash. Therefore, any cash payments to camps for curios, or gratuities to guides or staff, need to be in one of these currencies. Travellers’ cheques in any currency are acceptable, and most camps will also accept Visa or MasterCard. No American Express or Diners Club. It is advisable that you bring any dollars in newer bills – those with the large heads and coloured paper – as it is increasingly difficult to exchange older (pre-2004) notes in Africa.
All properties have their own drinks policy. Please consult your itinerary for details of what is included at each property visited on your safari. Most camps in Botswana have all local drinks included. Drinks in hotels and in the major centres are not included.
Tipping is not compulsory. If, however, you want to tip because you have received good service, we have enclosed a brief guideline to assist you. We usually recommend that there are three categories of staff members to tip: your guide, the camp staff and the mokoro paddlers.
1. Camp Guides & Trackers We recommend US$10-15 per guest per day if the guide has done a good job. If you have a guide who accompanies you all the way or utilise private vehicles with small groups, this could increase to US$15-20 per guest per day, or more depending on your group size.
2. The General Camp Staff Here we recommend about US$10-15 per guest per day. This should be placed in the communal tipping box to be distributed equally amongst all the staff at a later stage.
3. Mokoro Paddlers Mokoro paddlers are great capitalists. We could include a tip for them in your safari cost, but we have found that we get better results if they are being rewarded directly from the guests for their hard work. So tips are not included in the tour costs. The paddlers therefore have the added incentive to put in that extra effort to ensure that your stay with them is a memorable one. We recommend that each paddler receive US$10 per guest per outing.
NB. On all international flights from Botswana, there are departure taxes to pay. These taxes are usually included in your airfare and should be reflected on the ticket for any Air Botswana or other scheduled flight. If this is not reflected on the air ticket, then Air Botswana will collect this from you directly. All domestic departure taxes on charter flights are included in the price of your safari.
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
If you have a problem, our contact addresses are:
DARYL BALFOUR WILDPHOTOS SAFARIS:
Tel: +2713-7440611 Mobile +2782-342-8658
Email: [email protected]
While we are on safari in Botswana there is little or no cellphone or email contact. I will carry a Satellite phone for emergency purposes, and switch this on from time to time to check for messages. Should anyone need to contact you in an emergency they can send a short text message to me at +870776411998 or a short email (less than 140 characters, including headers or footers) to [email protected] and we will attempt to get back to them. Please note that any use of the Sat Phone to make outgoing calls will be charged at $5 a minute.
RECOMMENDED READING (in no particular order)
a) Okavango: Wetland Wilderness - Adrian Bailey
b) Okavango: An African Paradise - Daryl Balfour
c) Chobe: Africa’s Untamed Wilderness - Daryl & Sharna Balfour
d) This is Botswana - Daryl & Sharna Balfour
e) Africa's Top Wildlife Countries - Mark Nolting
f) Botswana: A Brush with the Wild - Paul Augustinus.
g) The Kalahari, Survival in a Thirstland Wilderness - Nigel Dennis, Dr Michael Main
h) Newman’s Common Birds of Botswana - Ken Newman.
i) The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals - Jonathan Kingdon
j) The Behaviour Guide to African Mammals - Richard D. Estes
k) Running Wild: Dispelling the Myths of the African Wild Dog - McNutt, Boggs Hamman & Heldring
l) African Elephants - A Celebration of Majesty - Daryl & Sharna Balfour
m) Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - Chris & Tilde Stuart
n) Wild About the Okavango - Duncan Butchart
o) Simply Safari - Daryl & Sharna Balfour
Everyone should bring their own BINOCULARS in order to get the most out of your safari. There is nothing worse than having to share binoculars during the heat of the action.
AIR TRANSFERS We offer two types of air transfer between camps: (a) either a private charter where you have sole use of the aircraft, or (b) a scheduled air transfer based on a "seat-in-plane" basis where you share the aircraft with other guests (and thereby benefit from the lower cost). Unless specifically requested to do otherwise, we will automatically book you onto the scheduled air transfer with other guests, as this is the more cost-effective option.
When we package an itinerary using scheduled air transfers, we book the aircraft and pilot through licensed charter companies in Maun. That portion of your trip is therefore sub-chartered. All the flight times between lodges are arranged a day before the flight takes place so that there are not endless schedule changes. The lodge or camp where you are staying will be advised of your departure time the day before and will have you at the airstrip on time.
We cannot be firmer on timings as the charter companies are compelled to service their aircraft every 100 hours, which could mean all air movements have to be rescheduled at the last moment. At certain times of the year it may be necessary, for safety reasons, to transfer you from camp to camp during the cooler times of the day, in early morning or late afternoon only. Once the departure times from your camp have been set they cannot be changed unless substantial additional costs are paid (ie your air transfer changes to a full-charter and you pick up these costs.)
VISAS All passport holders should verify with their travel agent or relevant consulate concerning visa entry requirements. If you are extending your journey to other countries, please establish entry conditions for those countries as well. USA & UK and most EU passport holders do not require visas for South Africa or Botswana.
Please ensure that you have all the necessary visas prior to departure (unless available on entry) .
PHOTOGRAPHY The choice of the correct camera equipment and film will determine the quality of your photographs on the trip. For good photography of birds and animals, a good digital SLR camera and telephoto lens is necessary. The minimum recommended lens size is 300-400 mm and a zoom lens can be extremely useful on safari. (Nikon, Canon and many other makers such as Sigma, Tokina, Tamron etc now offer quality lenses in the 28-300mm range which are ideal for safari use.) Consideration should be given before travelling with any lens bigger than 400 mm as most interesting shots are taken using hand held equipment. Guests using longer, professional lenses such as 500 & 600mm should enquire about the use of private vehicles, which I usually recommend in any case.
All camps have charging facilities to recharge camera batteries etc. This may only be available when the generators run, outside of times when guests are in camp, so ensure you have spare batteries so you can leave one on charge and take a fully charged battery out on drives with you.
Ensure you have enough memory cards and some way of downloading them on to a storage device. I recommend the Epson P7000 as a perfect example of a storage & viewing device, with up to 160GB of storage, unless you plan on carrying a laptop computer. I also advise photographers to carry an additional external hard drive on which to make back-up copies of your safari photos.
See also the Blog on "The Equipment Daryl & Sharna Use" on the Daryl's Blog page of this website.
LAUNDRY Laundry will be done at all camps on a daily basis. Some camps charge a modest and nominal fee for this facility but most do provide this service for free. The camp staff will not wash underwear owing to traditions prevailing in the country.
WILD ANIMALS Most Botswana camps are unfenced and dangerous animals can and do wander through the camps. If you don’t like this, please don’t book with us. Many of the animals and reptiles we will see are potentially dangerous. Attacks by wild animals are rare. However, no safari in Africa can guarantee that such incidents will not occur. Neither Daryl Balfour Wildphotos Safaris, (nor the operators such as Okavango Wilderness Safaris, Kwando Safaris, and others we may utilise) their staff members, associates, agents, nor their suppliers can be held liable for any injuries caused during an incident involving the behaviour of wild animals.
Please make sure that you listen to and abide by the safety talks given by your guides or camp staff. Don’t go wandering off on your own without a guide – even to your rooms. After retiring to your rooms at night, don’t leave your rooms. If you are sensible, you should be safe.
TORCHES / FLASHLIGHTS As the grounds of all lodges/camps in Botswana are unfenced it is essential that you bring a small but powerful flashlight (torch) as you may encounter animals in camp at night. You should also bring a spare batteries as they are virtually unobtainable in Botswana. Most of the camps supply a flashlight, but it is good to have your own as a backup as this is one of the best forms of safety. Small headlamps (such as those made by Petzl or LED Lenser) are often the most useful, specially in the tents or rooms at night, leaving your hands free.
DRIVING CONDITIONS The roads are rough and bumpy and occasionally we will travel "off road" where it is possible that injuries may occur if for example a hidden pothole etc is struck. Neither Daryl Balfour Wildphotos Safaris, (nor the operators such as Okavango Wilderness Safaris, Kwando Safaris, or any others we may utilise), nor their staff members, associates or agents can be held liable for any accidents or any damages!
LOSS OF ARTICLES Please note that we cannot accept any responsibility for the misplacement of any articles whilst in our camps. Naturally, we will do all possible to get your goods to catch up to you. However the logistics of inter-camp communication and the scheduling and costs of charter flights may not be favourable for the returning of articles unless you are prepared to pay for the cost of a full charter to get your goods to catch up to you. Any costs incurred will be for your own account. This issue is possibly the single biggest form of stress for guests who have left their belongings behind at a camp and who are not prepared to pay for the charter costs. So please make sure you keep your belongings with you, particularly when departing to the next camp.
LOST BAGGAGE Luggage that goes missing on scheduled flights is beyond our control, and often the airline concerned too. Usually it is the airport (and not the airline) that controls what happens to passengers' luggage from when it is checked in until it is put on board the aircraft. We would like to suggest that you take the following precautionary action: Please pack a small bag with your essentials, that can be carried with you as hand luggage, and pack a second bag containing non-essentials that can be loaded in the aircraft hold. If the second bag was not to arrive, you will still have your essential items on hand to see you through the first couple of days while we try and recover your baggage.
PRIVATE VEHICLES Daryl Balfour Wildphotos Safaris usually arranges private, sole use, vehicles and camp guides to take you on your game drives. Private vehicles cost in the region of about U$500 a day, which covers the cost of the vehicle and the guide, included in the cost of your safari. If you elect not to take up this option you will be travelling on game drives with other guests at the lodge. Some vehicles are designed to seat 10.
RESPECTING WILDLIFE Observe the animals silently and with a minimum of disturbance to their natural activities. Loud talking on game drives can frighten the animals away. Don’t stand up when the vehicle is close to dangerous animals.
* Never attempt to attract an animal's attention. Don't imitate animal sounds, clap your hands, pound the vehicle or throw objects. Don’t mimic any attempts by your guide to do this either.
* Please respect your driver or guide's judgement about our proximity to lions, cheetahs and leopards. Don't insist that he take the vehicle closer so you can get a better photograph. A vehicle driven too close can hinder a hunt, or cause animals to abandon a hard-earned meal.
*Litter tossed on the ground can choke or poison animals and birds and is unsightly.
*Never attempt to feed or approach any wild animal on foot. This is especially important near lodges or in campsites where animals may have become accustomed to human visitors.
*Refrain from smoking on game drives, and in public areas in the camps. The dry African bush ignites very easily, and a flash fire can kill animals.
*Never walk on your own, unless you have been told it is safe to do so. Always have a guide with you.
POWER IN THE CAMPS All Botswana camps are situated in remote areas and have to generate their own electricity. Generally each camp has a generator, which runs for about 6 hours per day (3 hours in the morning and 3 in the afternoon when guests are out on activities). These generators then charge batteries located at each tented room which provide good 12v lights all night (if used sensibly). There is generally no 220v or 110v power points in camp, though nowadays all camps have facilities to provide for those requiring the use of sleep-apnea machines, and some camps do provide battery charging points in the tents. If you need to have your video or camera battery re-charged we can do so while you are out on an activity - please therefore bring a spare for use while the other is being charged. An adapter for the 12v cigarette lighter of your vehicle is a good idea too. The camp systems are simple but perfectly functional. If you are expecting to use a hairdryer in your room, please think again. You are on the wrong safari!!
SATELLITE & IRIDIUM TELEPHONES Please note that the Okavango is a very remote part of Africa and the camps do not have telephones.An increasing number of guests have been bringing satellite phones along with them on safari. As most people come on safari to get away from the outside world, we feel that we must set some limitations to the use of these phones in our camps and on safari. Therefore, the following restrictions will apply to the use of satellite phones:
1. Phones are not to be used in any of the common areas: dining room, bar/lounge area, or on the vehicle or on game drives at any time.
2. Phones may not be used for any incoming calls when the ringing may disturb other guests. They may be used in the privacy of your tent. Otherwise, the phones are to be switched off at all times
PROBLEM SOLVING We pride ourselves in running quality experiences, offering the best there is for such a remote location. If there is anything you feel that we can do to enhance your experience, please do not hesitate to contact Daryl Balfour or your camp manager. After your safari, you will not get a sympathetic ear to a problem you encounter if you have not raised this with Daryl Balfour or with your guide or the camp’s manager.
SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT LIST - MAXIMUM 20KGS (44lbs) - IN ONE SOFT SPORTS BAG (INCLUDING CAMERA EQUIPMENT)
1. Good quality sunglasses - preferably polarised. Tinted fashion glasses are not good in strong light.
2. Bush hat with broad brim for sun protection.
3. Golf-shirts, T-shirts &/or long-sleeved cotton shirts
4. Comfortable shorts/skirts for wear during the heat of the day
5. Long trousers/slacks for wear during the cold early mornings. Those with zip-off legs are ideal.
6. Underwear and socks
7. Good walking shoes (sturdy running/walking shoes are fine
8. Sandals for wear around camp & in the heat of the day
9. Swimming costume – most camps have pools
10. Warm winter jersey or fleece in winter months (June-August)
11. Warm Anorak or Parka (important for the cold winter mornings ie. June-August) or a lightweight rain and windproof shell in the summer (Nov-April).
12. Camera equipment and plenty of film or digital memory (If available, it is expensive in Africa.)
13. If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case you get irritation from the dust
14. BINOCULARS - ESSENTIAL Each guest should have their own pair. Binoculars in the range 8x40 or 10x40 are most useful.
15. Personal toiletries. Shampoos, soaps etc are provided in the camp rooms/tents.
16. Malaria tablets
17. Moisturising cream & sun block (high SPF) & lip chap-stick
18. Anti-histamine cream for insect bites
19. Insect repellent eg Off! Tabard, Rid, Jungle Juice, etc. Those with a high Deet percentage are most effective
20. Basic medical kit (aspirins, elastoplast (Band-Aids), Imodium (anti-diarrheal) or Cipro, antiseptic cream etc)
21. Visas, tickets, passports, money etc
22. A flashlight (torch) – preferably a headlamp such as a Petzl - with spare batteries as these are not readily available in the camps in Africa
23. Light rain gear for summer months (late November to April)
PLEASE CONTACT DARYL OR SHARNA IF YOU HAVE FURTHER QUERIES.
ON SAFARI IN TANZANIA - WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
WEATHER
September and October the weather finally starts to warm up and is generally a dry month.
November to February are our hottest months. There is a chance of rain, though the onset can vary from mid–Nov all the way through to mid-Jan. The rain tends to come in scattered showers which can be heavy, rather than a day long drizzle.
March, April: Although the days can be warm, especially in the afternoons, these tend to be our wettest months, particularly in April. By May, the rain eases off and the drying out process starts.
June to August can generally be quite a cool months, with day time temperatures reaching mid 20s (Celsius). Evenings are cooler, at around 16 to 20C or lower at the Crater, and generally you will need a jumper /fleece during the day and at night. There is a chance of rain, so a lightweight poncho could come in handy and helps with the chilly morning game drives as well as being the easiest way to protect a camera while it is in use in rainy conditions.
Dress Code & recommended packing list:
Day Time: Shorts, and short or long-sleeved shirts with collars (preferably 100% cotton) with no strong colors or patterns, and preferably not white or bright yellow as these colours can distract or even scare off wild animals. Lightweight long-sleeved shirts offer added protection against the sun, and are suggested, along with lightweight long trousers, when hiking in the Mahale forests looking for chimpanzees if that is on your safari itinerary. Hats with wide brims (not baseball caps) & decent sunglasses are a must. Always a good idea to bring along a spare pair too.
Evening: Wearing shorts at dinner is generally not acceptable. Trousers (Jeans and heavy drill are not recommended on safari as they are heavy and uncomfortable in the heat) with long-sleeved shirts (if you are worried about mosquitoes) is the normal form, but a Kikoi - the traditional East African cloth sarong-like wrap - is very definitely the most elegant, and traditional, form of evening attire for both men and women.
It can get quite chilly at night and on the early morning game drives, so bring along a fleece.
Lightweight running / hiking shoes are usually the best daytime shoes but “Tevas” or rafting shoes or sandals are also very useful on safari. Closed shoes should, however, always be worn at night. Flip flops or similar are not advisable at night. All shoes should be well made and tough as you may be walking on uneven ground. Do not come with sparkling, brand new shoes, wear them in beforehand so they have been shaped to your feet…particularly for hiking in the Mahale Mountains.
Remember there are generally, weather-dependant, same-day laundry services in all the camps & lodges so you do not need that many changes of clothes on your safari so long as you are spending a minimum of 2 nights in each place. This helps keep down overall weight. Best bring along a swimsuit too, as some of the places you are going to may have a swimming pool, and you will probably want to swim in the lake if visiting Mahale Mountains National Park. Do not bring delicate fabrics that need special care during washing or ironing. Much of the ironing is done by charcoal irons and temperature regulation is not possible.
A day pack is a useful bag to bring as it can hold all your binoculars, sun cream, insect repellent, fleece etc for the full day game drives. If you bring a (sports) water bottle for your personal use which you can fill up each day, it will help save the environment and cut down on the use of plastic water bottles.
We highly recommend that each traveler has their own pair of binoculars, and suggest something in the 8x40 or 10x40 range. Miniature binocs, while convenient for travel, are rarely adequate. Sometimes gameviewing will be at a distance, so it is important that you do not have to share binocs.
Cameras & Lenses
If you are interested in obtaining quality images of your safari, in particular of the wildlife, we suggest a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera with interchangeable lenses over a point & shoot, and certainly NOT a cellphone camera…even an iPhone! Please contact me if you need advice in this regard.
Note that often the best game sightings are around dawn and dusk, when light is low, so a camera with good performance in low light (ie. high ISO capability) is a good idea. Photographing the chimpanzees in the forests at Mahale is challenging because of the low light too. While we may on occasions be able to approach wildlife very close, more often it will be at some distance so a telephoto lens of a minimum 300mm and preferably 400mm would be best. Many manufacturers make zoom lenses in the 28-300 or preferably 80-400mm range which will work well. A wide-angle zoom such as a 18-105 or thereabouts will be useful for other images.
A good quality telescoping monopod, with a quick-release attachment to allow you to fit your camera/lens to it in a hurry, is highly recommended, particularly in Mahale. If you have one that is a little more sturdy it will also double as a walking staff.
However…your guide Daryl Balfour is regarded as one of the leading wildlife photographers in Africa and will be happy to provide you with a selection of some of his images from the safari to take home with you if you make prior arrangements in this regard. If you are interested in this option please bring a small USB flashdrive or memory stick to load the images on to at the end of your safari.
IMMIGRATION RULES AND VISAS
All Nationals, with the exception of those listed below, pay $50 per visa. Tanzania has recently dropped Visa fees for South African passport holders!
The following pay $100.
United States, Netherlands & Canada.
Visas can be obtained on arrival, with the exception of the following countries that require a Referred Visa. This can take 3 – 4 months to obtain from the Tanzanian embassy in their home country:
Afghanistan, Abkhazia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Niger, Palestine state, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Somaliland, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, refugees, stateless people.
Transit Visa: $30
Multiple Entry Visas: These are not available on entry and must be applied for in advance.
International Airport Departure Taxes: $40 (usually included in the price of your air ticket).
HEALTH
Yellow Fever vaccinations are required by all visitors to Tanzania and should be obtained at least 10 days prior to arrival.
Malaria: Note that most areas of Tanzania do have malaria and prophylaxis is recommended. We recommend the drug Malarone for its efficiency and low incidence of side-effects, in preference to the more commonly prescribed Lariam. A good insect repellent, preferably one containing Deet, is also useful and should be worn at night.
An anti-tetanus vaccination or booster is a useful addition to any vaccinations you may have prior to your travels to remote areas and can help prevent complications in cuts or wounds you might sustain. Hepatitus is another vaccination that could be considered, particularly if visiting some of the coastal areas.
CASH & VALUABLES
We suggest that our guests do not travel with valuable jewelry etc that could make them targets for petty criminals. Flaunting wealth in most parts of Africa or the Third World is never a good idea.
Note that US dollars cash is the preferred currency for most smaller cash purchases. Please note that the older bills, (with the small presidential heads, prior to 2003) are NOT accepted throughout East Africa so ensure that any cash you are carrying is of the newer variety, particularly in the larger denominations. (I do not think they have issued new bills in $1 & $5 notes and the old ones are acceptable, and useful for tipping).
There will be little if any reason for you to have local Tanzanian currency on safari, but smaller US$ bills will be useful for buying curios etc from roadside vendors.
Visa & MasterCard are accepted at some of the lodges and hotels we will visit, but American Express less commonly. Enquire in advance if you think you will have any large payments by credit card while on safari, particularly at remote lodges & camps.
TIPPING
Tipping of your guides, drivers, boatmen and camp staff usually elicits many queries from my guests, so this is a basic guideline, per guest.
Tipping is, as always, for good service. Budget approximately $10-15 per guest per day for the "kitty" for the camp staff in the camps and lodges we will stay at. $15-20 per day will be appropriate for any local driver/guides we may use in parks and likewise for the forest guide in Mahale Mountains. You should also plan for a tip of $5-10 per day for the National Parks ranger & tracker who will escort us on our chimpanzee treks each day at Mahale.
COMMON COURTESY
Some of the places we visit on safari may enjoy (?) cellphone coverage, although this cannot be guaranteed. It is regarded as a common courtesy on safari that guests do not use cell-phones etc in public areas of the camps or on game drives. Most people do come on safari to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Phones should be switched off, or kept on "silent" mode, please.
Smoking is also not permitted on game drives or in the dining/lounge areas and all smokers are requested to abide by these rules and respect the rights of non-smokers.
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
In the event that anybody needs to contact you while on safari please make a note of the following details (Sara is my Tanzania contact lady):
Daryl Balfour - Email - [email protected] & Mobile: +254 712741840
And/or:
Sara Ashby - Mobile: +255 784 770190.
Should you have any questions of problems please contact Daryl or Sharna Balfour at [email protected] or sharnabalfour@gmail.
September and October the weather finally starts to warm up and is generally a dry month.
November to February are our hottest months. There is a chance of rain, though the onset can vary from mid–Nov all the way through to mid-Jan. The rain tends to come in scattered showers which can be heavy, rather than a day long drizzle.
March, April: Although the days can be warm, especially in the afternoons, these tend to be our wettest months, particularly in April. By May, the rain eases off and the drying out process starts.
June to August can generally be quite a cool months, with day time temperatures reaching mid 20s (Celsius). Evenings are cooler, at around 16 to 20C or lower at the Crater, and generally you will need a jumper /fleece during the day and at night. There is a chance of rain, so a lightweight poncho could come in handy and helps with the chilly morning game drives as well as being the easiest way to protect a camera while it is in use in rainy conditions.
Dress Code & recommended packing list:
Day Time: Shorts, and short or long-sleeved shirts with collars (preferably 100% cotton) with no strong colors or patterns, and preferably not white or bright yellow as these colours can distract or even scare off wild animals. Lightweight long-sleeved shirts offer added protection against the sun, and are suggested, along with lightweight long trousers, when hiking in the Mahale forests looking for chimpanzees if that is on your safari itinerary. Hats with wide brims (not baseball caps) & decent sunglasses are a must. Always a good idea to bring along a spare pair too.
Evening: Wearing shorts at dinner is generally not acceptable. Trousers (Jeans and heavy drill are not recommended on safari as they are heavy and uncomfortable in the heat) with long-sleeved shirts (if you are worried about mosquitoes) is the normal form, but a Kikoi - the traditional East African cloth sarong-like wrap - is very definitely the most elegant, and traditional, form of evening attire for both men and women.
It can get quite chilly at night and on the early morning game drives, so bring along a fleece.
Lightweight running / hiking shoes are usually the best daytime shoes but “Tevas” or rafting shoes or sandals are also very useful on safari. Closed shoes should, however, always be worn at night. Flip flops or similar are not advisable at night. All shoes should be well made and tough as you may be walking on uneven ground. Do not come with sparkling, brand new shoes, wear them in beforehand so they have been shaped to your feet…particularly for hiking in the Mahale Mountains.
Remember there are generally, weather-dependant, same-day laundry services in all the camps & lodges so you do not need that many changes of clothes on your safari so long as you are spending a minimum of 2 nights in each place. This helps keep down overall weight. Best bring along a swimsuit too, as some of the places you are going to may have a swimming pool, and you will probably want to swim in the lake if visiting Mahale Mountains National Park. Do not bring delicate fabrics that need special care during washing or ironing. Much of the ironing is done by charcoal irons and temperature regulation is not possible.
A day pack is a useful bag to bring as it can hold all your binoculars, sun cream, insect repellent, fleece etc for the full day game drives. If you bring a (sports) water bottle for your personal use which you can fill up each day, it will help save the environment and cut down on the use of plastic water bottles.
We highly recommend that each traveler has their own pair of binoculars, and suggest something in the 8x40 or 10x40 range. Miniature binocs, while convenient for travel, are rarely adequate. Sometimes gameviewing will be at a distance, so it is important that you do not have to share binocs.
Cameras & Lenses
If you are interested in obtaining quality images of your safari, in particular of the wildlife, we suggest a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera with interchangeable lenses over a point & shoot, and certainly NOT a cellphone camera…even an iPhone! Please contact me if you need advice in this regard.
Note that often the best game sightings are around dawn and dusk, when light is low, so a camera with good performance in low light (ie. high ISO capability) is a good idea. Photographing the chimpanzees in the forests at Mahale is challenging because of the low light too. While we may on occasions be able to approach wildlife very close, more often it will be at some distance so a telephoto lens of a minimum 300mm and preferably 400mm would be best. Many manufacturers make zoom lenses in the 28-300 or preferably 80-400mm range which will work well. A wide-angle zoom such as a 18-105 or thereabouts will be useful for other images.
A good quality telescoping monopod, with a quick-release attachment to allow you to fit your camera/lens to it in a hurry, is highly recommended, particularly in Mahale. If you have one that is a little more sturdy it will also double as a walking staff.
However…your guide Daryl Balfour is regarded as one of the leading wildlife photographers in Africa and will be happy to provide you with a selection of some of his images from the safari to take home with you if you make prior arrangements in this regard. If you are interested in this option please bring a small USB flashdrive or memory stick to load the images on to at the end of your safari.
IMMIGRATION RULES AND VISAS
All Nationals, with the exception of those listed below, pay $50 per visa. Tanzania has recently dropped Visa fees for South African passport holders!
The following pay $100.
United States, Netherlands & Canada.
Visas can be obtained on arrival, with the exception of the following countries that require a Referred Visa. This can take 3 – 4 months to obtain from the Tanzanian embassy in their home country:
Afghanistan, Abkhazia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Niger, Palestine state, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Somaliland, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, refugees, stateless people.
Transit Visa: $30
Multiple Entry Visas: These are not available on entry and must be applied for in advance.
International Airport Departure Taxes: $40 (usually included in the price of your air ticket).
HEALTH
Yellow Fever vaccinations are required by all visitors to Tanzania and should be obtained at least 10 days prior to arrival.
Malaria: Note that most areas of Tanzania do have malaria and prophylaxis is recommended. We recommend the drug Malarone for its efficiency and low incidence of side-effects, in preference to the more commonly prescribed Lariam. A good insect repellent, preferably one containing Deet, is also useful and should be worn at night.
An anti-tetanus vaccination or booster is a useful addition to any vaccinations you may have prior to your travels to remote areas and can help prevent complications in cuts or wounds you might sustain. Hepatitus is another vaccination that could be considered, particularly if visiting some of the coastal areas.
CASH & VALUABLES
We suggest that our guests do not travel with valuable jewelry etc that could make them targets for petty criminals. Flaunting wealth in most parts of Africa or the Third World is never a good idea.
Note that US dollars cash is the preferred currency for most smaller cash purchases. Please note that the older bills, (with the small presidential heads, prior to 2003) are NOT accepted throughout East Africa so ensure that any cash you are carrying is of the newer variety, particularly in the larger denominations. (I do not think they have issued new bills in $1 & $5 notes and the old ones are acceptable, and useful for tipping).
There will be little if any reason for you to have local Tanzanian currency on safari, but smaller US$ bills will be useful for buying curios etc from roadside vendors.
Visa & MasterCard are accepted at some of the lodges and hotels we will visit, but American Express less commonly. Enquire in advance if you think you will have any large payments by credit card while on safari, particularly at remote lodges & camps.
TIPPING
Tipping of your guides, drivers, boatmen and camp staff usually elicits many queries from my guests, so this is a basic guideline, per guest.
Tipping is, as always, for good service. Budget approximately $10-15 per guest per day for the "kitty" for the camp staff in the camps and lodges we will stay at. $15-20 per day will be appropriate for any local driver/guides we may use in parks and likewise for the forest guide in Mahale Mountains. You should also plan for a tip of $5-10 per day for the National Parks ranger & tracker who will escort us on our chimpanzee treks each day at Mahale.
COMMON COURTESY
Some of the places we visit on safari may enjoy (?) cellphone coverage, although this cannot be guaranteed. It is regarded as a common courtesy on safari that guests do not use cell-phones etc in public areas of the camps or on game drives. Most people do come on safari to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Phones should be switched off, or kept on "silent" mode, please.
Smoking is also not permitted on game drives or in the dining/lounge areas and all smokers are requested to abide by these rules and respect the rights of non-smokers.
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
In the event that anybody needs to contact you while on safari please make a note of the following details (Sara is my Tanzania contact lady):
Daryl Balfour - Email - [email protected] & Mobile: +254 712741840
And/or:
Sara Ashby - Mobile: +255 784 770190.
Should you have any questions of problems please contact Daryl or Sharna Balfour at [email protected] or sharnabalfour@gmail.
INFORMATION FOR THE VISITOR TO SOUTH AFRICA
This information is
provided by Wildphotos Safaris as a guideline to the country you will be
visiting. Further information is available to you on he official South African Tourism Authority website (www.southafrica.net)
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
International visitors travelling to South Africa must please ensure that their passport is valid for at least 6 months after their entry date. They also require three blank "VISA" page (not endorsed pages) for each country that the guest intends to visit, plus one extra blank "VISA" page to accommodate any visa entries that may need to be inserted along the guests journey. (If there is insufficient space in the passport then entry will be denied).
If a parent/guardian is travelling with a minor child/ren (aged 18 years or younger) then the parent/guardian must be in possession of a certified letter of consent from the non-accompanying parent or guardian.
Further visa information is available on the following website www.home-affairs.gov.za/visa_countries.asp. Please note we have provided this website as a guideline for further information, Wildphotos Safaris is not responsible for the content thereof.
CURRENCY
The currency unit is the Rand (ZAR), denoted by the symbol R, with 100 cents making up R1 (one Rand). Foreign currency can be exchanged at local banks and Bureaux de Change.
CREDIT CARDS
Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted throughout the country. American Express and Diners are less widely accepted. Please note that many establishments are unable to accept American Express cards.
BANKS
Most banks are open Mondays to Fridays 09h00 - 15h30 and Saturdays from 08h30 - 11h00.
The following banks offer foreign exchange services: First National, Nedbank, Standard Bank, and ABSA. Various automated teller machines (ATM's) are found in every large town. Several international banks have branches in the main cities.
The banks and the Bureau de Change at most airports offer the best exchange rates, but it is also possible to change money at hotel receptions.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
The dates of certain public holidays over Easter change from year to year – refer below. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, then the Monday is also declared a public holiday
01 January New Years Day
21 March Human Rights Day
Varies Good Friday
Varies Family Day
27 April Freedom Day
01 May Workers Day
16 June Youth Day
09 August National Women’s Day
24 September Heritage Day
16 December Day of Reconciliation
25 December Christmas Day
26 December Day of Goodwill
SHOPPING
There are a variety of shopping centres, local handicraft markets and roadside stalls. Quality gold and diamond jewellery is high on the list of the most popular purchases. Leather goods, wooden carvings, sculptures, paintings, bead work and woven articles are also available for purchase.
Most major shopping centres and malls operate 7 days a week, but in smaller towns and rural areas you will find that shops are closed on a Sunday.
Trading hours are normally:
Monday - Saturday: 09h00 to 17h00
Sunday: 09h00 – 14h00
Suggested Shopping Complexes
Cape Town
Cavendish Square Claremont (15 minutes from the city centre)
Victoria Wharf Victoria & Alfred Hotel
Canal Walk Century City
Johannesburg
Sandton City and Sandton Square (Adjacent to the Sandton Sun Hotel)
Village Walk Sandton
Rosebank Mall Adjacent to The Grace Hotel
Sunstar Diamond Cutting Works 1147 Richard Road; Tel: 011-315-8015
Durban
La Lucia Mall La Lucia (near Umhlanga)
The Pavillion Westville
Gateway Centre Umhlanga Rocks turnoff from the N2
VALUE ADDED TAX (VAT)
The VAT rate is 14% and is levied on most products and services.
Foreign tourists can have VAT refunded at a port of exit provided the value of each invoice for goods purchased exceeds ZAR 50.00 and the total value of all items purchased exceeds ZAR 250.00.
To qualify for a refund, visitors must be in possession of a valid passport, valid tax invoices and must produce the goods purchased. Please note that a receipt stating “for information only” is not accepted by the VAT authorities. The document must stipulate that it is a VAT invoice and show the amount charged. Goods are also not to be utilized/consumed whilst in South Africa and must be in original packaging.
LAUNDRY
Laundries are available at hotels/lodges around South Africa and laundry is charged per hotel rates.
POWER
All electrical appliances run on 220v. Outlets are round 3 pin, 15 amp plugs. Special adapters for video cameras, chargers and hairdryers are needed and can sometimes be supplied by some hotel receptions.
Various safari camps and lodges may not have 220v and may operate on solar powered 12v electricity. Remember to bring spare batteries to have charged at the lodge while out on safari.
DRINKS POLICY
Drinks are usually excluded from the cost of your package at most safari lodges & hotels unless otherwise specified in your itinerary.
DRIVING
In South Africa one drives on the left hand side of the road. The speed limit is usually 60-80 kph in built up areas and 120 kph on highways. Safety belts must be used at all times. Overseas visitors must carry a valid international driving licence. Should travellers not be in possession of a valid international driving licence before leaving their country of residence, they will not be permitted to hire a vehicle in South Africa. Talking on a cell phone whilst driving is an offence and if caught you will be fined.
Filling stations are conveniently situated throughout the country. Unleaded fuel is available. Most filling stations are open 24 hours a day. Please bear in mind that you are only able to pay for fuel in cash and filling stations are not self service.
LANGUAGE
There are 11 officially recognised languages, most of them indigenous to South Africa. English is one of these, and everywhere you go, you can expect to find people who speak and understand it. English is the language of the cities, of commerce and banking, of government and official documents. Road signs and official forms are in English. The President makes his speeches in English and at any hotel the service staff will speak English.
TIME
South Africa operates two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) throughout the year.
CLIMATE
South Africa enjoys a high number of clear, sunny days. Summer in South Africa lasts from October until March. Despite regional differences, South Africa’s climate is generally mild throughout the year. Snowfall is limited to the highest mountain peaks and it is a relatively dry country with a mean annual rainfall of 502mm.
Temperature (ºC) - These are the average lows and highs
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June
JNB 15/26 14/25 13/24 11/22 8/19 5/16
July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
9/22 12/24 13/25 12/24 13/25 14/25
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June
DBN 21/28 21/28 20/28 17/26 13/24 10/23
July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
10/23 12/23 15/23 17/24 18/25 20/27
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June
CPT 16/26 15/26 14/25 12/23 10/20 8/18
July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
7/17 7/18 8/19 10/21 13/24 15/25
Average Rainfall (mm). This varies according to the year and location.
Jan Feb MAR Apr May June
JNB 112 96 74 61 23 8
July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
8 5 3 69 117 109
Jan Feb MAR Apr May June
DBN 130 114 135 107 54 31
July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
36 43 61 99 114 117
Jan Feb MAR Apr May June
CPT 15 18 18 50 90 85
July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
90 80 50 36 13 15
JNB = Johannesburg
DBN = Durban
CPT = Cape Town
NATIONAL EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Department of Home Affairs (012) 810-8911
Medical Rescue Netcare 911 (011) 254-1911
Or ER 24 (011) 803-7707
Automobile Association 0800-010101 (Toll free)
Life Line 0800-012322 (Toll free)
Police 10111
RECOMMENDED READING
We recommend the following books specific to the South African region. A further list of recommended books is contained in our pre tour information.
1. Wild About Cape Town – Duncan Butchart
2. Wild About the Lowveld – Duncan Butchart
3. Long Walk to Freedom – Nelson Mandela
4. Vanishing Cultures of South Africa - Peter Magubane
5. Mandela, The End of an Era - Charlene Smith
6. Scramble for Africa - Thomas Pakenham
7. Complete Book of Southern African Mammals - Gus Mills
8. Creatures of Habit, African Animal Behaviour - Peter Apps
9. Safari Companion – Richard D. Estes
10. This is South Africa - Peter Borchert
11. Thabo Mbeki, Life and Times - Adrian Hadland
Most safari establishments carry reference books on their vehicles. However, if you are a keen birder we recommend that you bring your OWN bird book. Everyone should bring their own pair of BINOCULARS in order to get the most out of the safari.
DRIVING IN SOUTH AFRICA
General Driving Information / Toll roads
1. Road infrastructure is mostly excellent.
2. Many of the national roads between the major centres are toll roads. One can pay either with credit card or cash at the toll points.
3. While most national roads are tarred and in good condition, the more rural the road, the more likely it is to be pot-holed and poorly surfaced.
4. Driving is a viable option with careful planning advised as South Africa is a huge country not easily traversed in a day.
5. If you're not used to driving long distances, rather break the journey, as fatigue is a major contributing factor in motor vehicle accidents.
6. All signposts are written in English.
7. When asking for directions, you may be surprised to get the response "turn left at the next robot..." - a 'robot' is the South African term for traffic lights.
8. Petrol/Fuel Stations are mostly open 24 hours and spread along all the routes. They are not self-help, but manned by attendants who can also check oil, water and tyre pressure if required. Gratuities for this service are at your own discretion.
9. Many of these petrol stations have restaurants and restrooms – useful to freshen-up on the long drives.
10. There are three types of fuel available, leaded, unleaded and Diesel. The car rental agent will be able to advice which fuel to use for the applicable hired vehicle.
11. Petrol prices are fixed and controlled by the government – they are payable in Cash (preferably) or credit card (Caution: available at certain petrol stations only), or South African Petrol Cards – however these are available to local citizens only.
12. When travelling through South Africa's neighbouring countries, petrol-stations are more scarce, so be prepared.
Rules of the Road / Traffic Enforcement
Drivers License
1. An International Driver's Permit carried in conjunction with your national driving license is recommended and must be printed or authenticated in English.
2. If your license does not have a photograph on it, then you must also carry your passport with you so that you can be identified as the legal holder of the driving license.
3. Always make sure documentation is carried with you at all times when driving.
4. Traffic officers will expect to see documentation if they stop you for any reason.
Rules of the Road
1. In South Africa we drive on the left-hand side of the road, and our cars – rental cars included – are right-hand drive vehicles.
2. Keep to the left and pass right
3. All distances, speed limits (and speedometers) are in kilometres.
4. There are strict drinking and driving laws - with a maximum allowable alcohol blood content of 0.05%. Translated that means about one glass of wine for the average woman and perhaps 1.5 or two for the average or large man.
5. Four-way-stops are commonly found at the quieter intersections – the first vehicle to arrive has priority. On roundabouts, give way to the right, although this is often overlooked and it is wise to proceed with caution.
6. Wearing of seat belts is compulsory. All occupants of a vehicle are required to wear seatbelts whilst travelling, if you are caught without you will be subject to a fine.
7. Using hand-held phones while driving is against the law – use a vehicle phone attachment or hands-free kit, if you want to speak on your mobile phone.
Speed limit
1. The general speed limit on national highways, urban freeways and other major routes is 120km/h (75mph).
2. On secondary (rural) roads it is 100km/h (60mph).
3. In built-up areas it is usually 60km/h (35mph) unless otherwise indicated.
4. Check the road signs and obey the speed limit at all times
5. Speed limits are maximum speeds. If it is raining, misty or the road is congested, reduce speed.
6. Reduce speed near areas where there is pedestrian activity.
Safety
When driving anywhere in South Africa, try to apply the following safety precautions:
1. Always drive with your doors locked and windows wound up, especially when stopped at traffic lights.
2. Don't ever stop to pick up hitchhikers, however innocent, lost or appealing they look. If you are worried about someone's plight, stop at the next town and report it to someone there.
3. Do not leave anything valuable on show in your car when you leave it unattended, and always lock your car when you leave it, even if you are only going to be gone for a few minutes.
4. Try to always park in a busy, well-lit area.
5. Take advice from your hosts where you are staying, and ask if there are any areas that tourists should avoid driving through
6. Do not confront aggressive or abusive road users.
7. If possible avoid travelling at night or in remote areas.
In Case of Emergency
Further to the general and emergency details in our Contact Documentation:
Police 10111
Ambulance 10117
If you are calling from a mobile you can also get emergency services by dialling 112.
Enjoy South Africa!
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
International visitors travelling to South Africa must please ensure that their passport is valid for at least 6 months after their entry date. They also require three blank "VISA" page (not endorsed pages) for each country that the guest intends to visit, plus one extra blank "VISA" page to accommodate any visa entries that may need to be inserted along the guests journey. (If there is insufficient space in the passport then entry will be denied).
If a parent/guardian is travelling with a minor child/ren (aged 18 years or younger) then the parent/guardian must be in possession of a certified letter of consent from the non-accompanying parent or guardian.
Further visa information is available on the following website www.home-affairs.gov.za/visa_countries.asp. Please note we have provided this website as a guideline for further information, Wildphotos Safaris is not responsible for the content thereof.
CURRENCY
The currency unit is the Rand (ZAR), denoted by the symbol R, with 100 cents making up R1 (one Rand). Foreign currency can be exchanged at local banks and Bureaux de Change.
CREDIT CARDS
Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted throughout the country. American Express and Diners are less widely accepted. Please note that many establishments are unable to accept American Express cards.
BANKS
Most banks are open Mondays to Fridays 09h00 - 15h30 and Saturdays from 08h30 - 11h00.
The following banks offer foreign exchange services: First National, Nedbank, Standard Bank, and ABSA. Various automated teller machines (ATM's) are found in every large town. Several international banks have branches in the main cities.
The banks and the Bureau de Change at most airports offer the best exchange rates, but it is also possible to change money at hotel receptions.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
The dates of certain public holidays over Easter change from year to year – refer below. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, then the Monday is also declared a public holiday
01 January New Years Day
21 March Human Rights Day
Varies Good Friday
Varies Family Day
27 April Freedom Day
01 May Workers Day
16 June Youth Day
09 August National Women’s Day
24 September Heritage Day
16 December Day of Reconciliation
25 December Christmas Day
26 December Day of Goodwill
SHOPPING
There are a variety of shopping centres, local handicraft markets and roadside stalls. Quality gold and diamond jewellery is high on the list of the most popular purchases. Leather goods, wooden carvings, sculptures, paintings, bead work and woven articles are also available for purchase.
Most major shopping centres and malls operate 7 days a week, but in smaller towns and rural areas you will find that shops are closed on a Sunday.
Trading hours are normally:
Monday - Saturday: 09h00 to 17h00
Sunday: 09h00 – 14h00
Suggested Shopping Complexes
Cape Town
Cavendish Square Claremont (15 minutes from the city centre)
Victoria Wharf Victoria & Alfred Hotel
Canal Walk Century City
Johannesburg
Sandton City and Sandton Square (Adjacent to the Sandton Sun Hotel)
Village Walk Sandton
Rosebank Mall Adjacent to The Grace Hotel
Sunstar Diamond Cutting Works 1147 Richard Road; Tel: 011-315-8015
Durban
La Lucia Mall La Lucia (near Umhlanga)
The Pavillion Westville
Gateway Centre Umhlanga Rocks turnoff from the N2
VALUE ADDED TAX (VAT)
The VAT rate is 14% and is levied on most products and services.
Foreign tourists can have VAT refunded at a port of exit provided the value of each invoice for goods purchased exceeds ZAR 50.00 and the total value of all items purchased exceeds ZAR 250.00.
To qualify for a refund, visitors must be in possession of a valid passport, valid tax invoices and must produce the goods purchased. Please note that a receipt stating “for information only” is not accepted by the VAT authorities. The document must stipulate that it is a VAT invoice and show the amount charged. Goods are also not to be utilized/consumed whilst in South Africa and must be in original packaging.
LAUNDRY
Laundries are available at hotels/lodges around South Africa and laundry is charged per hotel rates.
POWER
All electrical appliances run on 220v. Outlets are round 3 pin, 15 amp plugs. Special adapters for video cameras, chargers and hairdryers are needed and can sometimes be supplied by some hotel receptions.
Various safari camps and lodges may not have 220v and may operate on solar powered 12v electricity. Remember to bring spare batteries to have charged at the lodge while out on safari.
DRINKS POLICY
Drinks are usually excluded from the cost of your package at most safari lodges & hotels unless otherwise specified in your itinerary.
DRIVING
In South Africa one drives on the left hand side of the road. The speed limit is usually 60-80 kph in built up areas and 120 kph on highways. Safety belts must be used at all times. Overseas visitors must carry a valid international driving licence. Should travellers not be in possession of a valid international driving licence before leaving their country of residence, they will not be permitted to hire a vehicle in South Africa. Talking on a cell phone whilst driving is an offence and if caught you will be fined.
Filling stations are conveniently situated throughout the country. Unleaded fuel is available. Most filling stations are open 24 hours a day. Please bear in mind that you are only able to pay for fuel in cash and filling stations are not self service.
LANGUAGE
There are 11 officially recognised languages, most of them indigenous to South Africa. English is one of these, and everywhere you go, you can expect to find people who speak and understand it. English is the language of the cities, of commerce and banking, of government and official documents. Road signs and official forms are in English. The President makes his speeches in English and at any hotel the service staff will speak English.
TIME
South Africa operates two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) throughout the year.
CLIMATE
South Africa enjoys a high number of clear, sunny days. Summer in South Africa lasts from October until March. Despite regional differences, South Africa’s climate is generally mild throughout the year. Snowfall is limited to the highest mountain peaks and it is a relatively dry country with a mean annual rainfall of 502mm.
Temperature (ºC) - These are the average lows and highs
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June
JNB 15/26 14/25 13/24 11/22 8/19 5/16
July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
9/22 12/24 13/25 12/24 13/25 14/25
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June
DBN 21/28 21/28 20/28 17/26 13/24 10/23
July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
10/23 12/23 15/23 17/24 18/25 20/27
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June
CPT 16/26 15/26 14/25 12/23 10/20 8/18
July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
7/17 7/18 8/19 10/21 13/24 15/25
Average Rainfall (mm). This varies according to the year and location.
Jan Feb MAR Apr May June
JNB 112 96 74 61 23 8
July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
8 5 3 69 117 109
Jan Feb MAR Apr May June
DBN 130 114 135 107 54 31
July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
36 43 61 99 114 117
Jan Feb MAR Apr May June
CPT 15 18 18 50 90 85
July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
90 80 50 36 13 15
JNB = Johannesburg
DBN = Durban
CPT = Cape Town
NATIONAL EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Department of Home Affairs (012) 810-8911
Medical Rescue Netcare 911 (011) 254-1911
Or ER 24 (011) 803-7707
Automobile Association 0800-010101 (Toll free)
Life Line 0800-012322 (Toll free)
Police 10111
RECOMMENDED READING
We recommend the following books specific to the South African region. A further list of recommended books is contained in our pre tour information.
1. Wild About Cape Town – Duncan Butchart
2. Wild About the Lowveld – Duncan Butchart
3. Long Walk to Freedom – Nelson Mandela
4. Vanishing Cultures of South Africa - Peter Magubane
5. Mandela, The End of an Era - Charlene Smith
6. Scramble for Africa - Thomas Pakenham
7. Complete Book of Southern African Mammals - Gus Mills
8. Creatures of Habit, African Animal Behaviour - Peter Apps
9. Safari Companion – Richard D. Estes
10. This is South Africa - Peter Borchert
11. Thabo Mbeki, Life and Times - Adrian Hadland
Most safari establishments carry reference books on their vehicles. However, if you are a keen birder we recommend that you bring your OWN bird book. Everyone should bring their own pair of BINOCULARS in order to get the most out of the safari.
DRIVING IN SOUTH AFRICA
General Driving Information / Toll roads
1. Road infrastructure is mostly excellent.
2. Many of the national roads between the major centres are toll roads. One can pay either with credit card or cash at the toll points.
3. While most national roads are tarred and in good condition, the more rural the road, the more likely it is to be pot-holed and poorly surfaced.
4. Driving is a viable option with careful planning advised as South Africa is a huge country not easily traversed in a day.
5. If you're not used to driving long distances, rather break the journey, as fatigue is a major contributing factor in motor vehicle accidents.
6. All signposts are written in English.
7. When asking for directions, you may be surprised to get the response "turn left at the next robot..." - a 'robot' is the South African term for traffic lights.
8. Petrol/Fuel Stations are mostly open 24 hours and spread along all the routes. They are not self-help, but manned by attendants who can also check oil, water and tyre pressure if required. Gratuities for this service are at your own discretion.
9. Many of these petrol stations have restaurants and restrooms – useful to freshen-up on the long drives.
10. There are three types of fuel available, leaded, unleaded and Diesel. The car rental agent will be able to advice which fuel to use for the applicable hired vehicle.
11. Petrol prices are fixed and controlled by the government – they are payable in Cash (preferably) or credit card (Caution: available at certain petrol stations only), or South African Petrol Cards – however these are available to local citizens only.
12. When travelling through South Africa's neighbouring countries, petrol-stations are more scarce, so be prepared.
Rules of the Road / Traffic Enforcement
Drivers License
1. An International Driver's Permit carried in conjunction with your national driving license is recommended and must be printed or authenticated in English.
2. If your license does not have a photograph on it, then you must also carry your passport with you so that you can be identified as the legal holder of the driving license.
3. Always make sure documentation is carried with you at all times when driving.
4. Traffic officers will expect to see documentation if they stop you for any reason.
Rules of the Road
1. In South Africa we drive on the left-hand side of the road, and our cars – rental cars included – are right-hand drive vehicles.
2. Keep to the left and pass right
3. All distances, speed limits (and speedometers) are in kilometres.
4. There are strict drinking and driving laws - with a maximum allowable alcohol blood content of 0.05%. Translated that means about one glass of wine for the average woman and perhaps 1.5 or two for the average or large man.
5. Four-way-stops are commonly found at the quieter intersections – the first vehicle to arrive has priority. On roundabouts, give way to the right, although this is often overlooked and it is wise to proceed with caution.
6. Wearing of seat belts is compulsory. All occupants of a vehicle are required to wear seatbelts whilst travelling, if you are caught without you will be subject to a fine.
7. Using hand-held phones while driving is against the law – use a vehicle phone attachment or hands-free kit, if you want to speak on your mobile phone.
Speed limit
1. The general speed limit on national highways, urban freeways and other major routes is 120km/h (75mph).
2. On secondary (rural) roads it is 100km/h (60mph).
3. In built-up areas it is usually 60km/h (35mph) unless otherwise indicated.
4. Check the road signs and obey the speed limit at all times
5. Speed limits are maximum speeds. If it is raining, misty or the road is congested, reduce speed.
6. Reduce speed near areas where there is pedestrian activity.
Safety
When driving anywhere in South Africa, try to apply the following safety precautions:
1. Always drive with your doors locked and windows wound up, especially when stopped at traffic lights.
2. Don't ever stop to pick up hitchhikers, however innocent, lost or appealing they look. If you are worried about someone's plight, stop at the next town and report it to someone there.
3. Do not leave anything valuable on show in your car when you leave it unattended, and always lock your car when you leave it, even if you are only going to be gone for a few minutes.
4. Try to always park in a busy, well-lit area.
5. Take advice from your hosts where you are staying, and ask if there are any areas that tourists should avoid driving through
6. Do not confront aggressive or abusive road users.
7. If possible avoid travelling at night or in remote areas.
In Case of Emergency
Further to the general and emergency details in our Contact Documentation:
Police 10111
Ambulance 10117
If you are calling from a mobile you can also get emergency services by dialling 112.
Enjoy South Africa!