Botswana Safari Trips & Tours

There are two main airports to use on a safari in Botswana: Maun (MUB) and Kasane (BBK). Most safaris begin or end in either Maun or Kasane, and commercial flights to/from those towns route via Johannesburg. Depending on your arrival time at Johannesburg, you may have to overnight before catching your connecting flight to Botswana the next day (as those leave just once per day via Johannesburg). International flights We would recommend booking your flights online in order to get the best rates. If you need any help or advice please let us know. There are no direct flights from the USA to Maun but Delta Airlines (departing from Atlanta) and United Airlines (departing from Newark) fly into Johannesburg. From there, you can fly directly into Maun. The first leg will take approximately 15 hours and 40 minutes (from Atlanta) or 14 hours and 40 minutes (from Newark), and the latter will take 1 hour and 45 minutes. If you are flying out of Heathrow, there are direct flights to Johannesburg, which take approximately 11 hours. From Johannesburg to Maun, the flight will take around 1 hour and 45 minutes. Domestic flights and transfers Connecting between all the locations on your Botswana holiday may necessitate a variety of modes: light aircraft charters, domestic commercial flights and road transfers. Please review the inclusions and exclusions on your specific trip page for details. If you need help understanding the best flights to book, please let us know. From the moment that you land in Botswana you will be greeted and assisted to your onward connections. You will be looked after from that point on until you are transferred back to the airport in time for your departure flight.

Please consult your personal physician and/or a travel clinic preferably 6 weeks prior to your departure on one of our Botswana safari tours. Vaccine requirements vary based on your country of origin and your travel itinerary and your previous vaccination history. It is best to consult with your physician or the CDC website (https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/botswana) for guidelines. Important vaccinations to consider and which may either be required or recommended are: Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Hepatitis A & B and Cholera, among others. Please always carry your "International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP)" (or "Yellow Card") with you. Malaria We advise that you consult a medical practitioner at least six weeks prior to travel. Botswana has a high malaria risk in the Central and Northern parts of the country and is low risk in the rest of the country. The highest risk of transmission is during the rainy season from November to June. See websites below for more detailed advice. We suggest taking malaria prophylactics before, during and after your visit if you are visiting a known malarial region. Please consult a medical professional regarding which prophylactics will be suitable for you. In addition to the recommendations of your travel clinic or physician, you may also consider the following proactive preventative measures: ● Apply insect repellent to exposed skin. Recommended repellents contain 20-35% DEET but it is a very virulent repellent, and should be used cautiously. ● Wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants at dawn and dusk ● Use a mosquito net if your tent or room isn't screened or air-conditioned; and spray insecticide or burn a mosquito coil before going to bed. If you come down with flu-like symptoms either during or within four to six weeks after your visit to a malaria area, seek a doctor's advice immediately and let him/her know that you have been in a malaria area. You can also visit www.malaria.org.za for more information. Yellow Fever There is no risk of Yellow Fever in Botswana; however, vaccination is required for travellers who are arriving from, or have transited through, countries with risk of Yellow Fever transmission (e.g. Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda or elsewhere worldwide). This requirement can change unexpectedly, therefore, we recommend carrying a Yellow Fever card with you at all times. Communication Botswana country code: +267 Calling overseas from Botswana: From a landline dial 00 followed by the country code plus area code and number. e.g. USA: 00 1 910 795 1048 When calling from a cell phone dial + prefix followed by the country code plus area code and number. e.g. USA: + 1 910 795 1048

Money The currency used in Botswana is the Botswana Pula (BWP). You can withdraw from a bank or ATM, which are widely available in the larger airports and towns. Please check with your bank for charges and advice when using international ATMs. VISA and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards. American Express has limited to no coverage. It is advisable to have some cash in local currency for smaller shops, stalls and gas stations. IMPORTANT: When bringing in foreign currency (e.g. USD, GBP, EUR), be sure to bring the new format with no damage or marks. Gratuities Gratuities are not compulsory or expected on a safari in Botswana; rather it is a reward for excellent service. If you are pleased with the service you receive you are more than welcome to tip your guide or the staff. Tipping is usually done at the end of your stay. You may tip the staff individually, give the tip to the manager to distribute, or do both. Tips can be made in Botswana Pula or USD. Gratuities suggestions: Safari Camp lead guide: $15 - $20 per guest per day Mokoro polers: $10 - $15 per guest per day Transfer drivers (e.g. in cities or between airport and hotel/lodge): $5 per guest per transfer Porter: $1 per bag Ranger or any “ancillary” guides on ad-hoc basis for a specific activity: $5 - $10 per guest per activity General Camp staff (put in a central box in each camp’s main area): $10 - $15 per guest per day Waitstaff in a city restaurant: 10% - 15% (large group may incur automatic service charge - best to check)

It is a condition of booking that you carry the correct comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself, as well as any dependents/travelling companions for the duration of your trip. This insurance should include cover in respect of, but not limited to, the following eventualities: Compulsory Insurance: a. Emergency evacuation expenses b. Medical expenses c. Repatriation expenses Recommended Insurance: a. Cancellation or curtailment of trip b. Damage/theft/loss of personal luggage, money and goods

As a general precaution, we recommend you make several copies of your travel-related documents (passport, traveller’s cheques, credit cards, itinerary, airline tickets, insurance cover, visas, etc) when going on a Botswana safari. Leave one set at home, and bring another set with you, and place it in a location separate from your originals. All Citizens of Commonwealth countries do not require a visa except those from Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. For those countries that will require a tourist visa, it can be obtained on arrival in Botswana at a cost of US$30 per person and is valid for one month. Alternatively, travellers are able to apply, make payment, complete the visa application and upload all supporting documents through an online portal (http://gov.bw/). An eVisa costs BWP 300 (approximately $27) for a single entry for up to one month, and BWP 500 (approximately $45) for multiple entries for up to three months. To see the full list of countries requiring a visa for Botswana please go to: https://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/travel-info/countries-requiring-visas Passports MUST be valid for at least six months from your departure from Botswana to home. There must be at least TWO (we recommend four) consecutive blank VISA pages in the passport (not endorsement pages). Botswana’s immigration control is very strict, and is known to deny entry to those not meeting the requirements. Visa requirements change regularly and it is best to contact your local Botswana embassy regarding the most recent rules. Visa Central is also a good resource. Travelling with children (under 18) The new immigration rules relating to travelling with children remain in force and was introduced by Botswana following that of South Africa’s issued in June 2015. Parents travelling with children (under 18) will be asked to show the child’s full unabridged birth certificate. The full unabridged birth certificate should list the child’s details and both parents’ details. The abridged (short) birth certificate which only lists the child’s particulars won’t be accepted. The Government is not accepting uncertified copies of birth certificates or copies of the parents/guardians identification. There are additional requirements if the child is travelling with only one parent, with neither biological parent, or unaccompanied. See this information sheet, this statement by the South African Department of Home Affairs and this leaflet produced by the South African Department of Home Affairs. School groups should use this consent form in addition to the documents referred to above. This special dispensation applies to all schools registered with the Department of Basic Education and its equivalent abroad. We recommend referencing the website as requirements change regularly, or contact your nearest Botswana consulate if you have any specific questions about your trip.

Climate The weather in Botswana is generally pleasant throughout the year with warm to hot days, and cool to warm nights. During the winter months, however (May to September), it can get really cold at night and in the early morning, particularly when on safari. January & February are the wettest months, characterized by torrential downpours in the afternoon and sometimes continuous rainfall for days. Daytime temperatures are around 32°C/90°F and the humidity is between 50-80%. From March to April, the rainfall decreases and it steadily cools. Dress Code Conservative casual clothing is acceptable on safari trips in Botswana, though it is recommended that revealing clothing be avoided. Camouflage clothing is not recommended for travel in southern African countries (camouflage or military-inspired clothing is prohibited when travelling in Zimbabwe). When on safari in Botswana, light layers of clothing in neutral safari colours of green, khaki and beige are the best items to bring with you, as well as a warmer jacket or fleece for the colder evenings. A hat is also a must have! Bright and dark colours like yellow, red and purple are discouraged, or sometimes not allowed (on a bush walk) if you are going on safari. What to Pack Preparation and packing for any holiday is important but never more so than when you visit remote areas in Africa. Once on safari you will find it very hard to pick up that odd item you thought your partner had packed! What follows is by no means an exhaustive list but is designed to point you in the right direction. • Layers - long and short sleeve shirts and trousers • A warm fleece or jumper • A lightweight waterproof jacket • Comfortable but sturdy shoes • Flip-flops • Swimming costume (Bathing suit) • Light rain gear for summer months (late November to April) • A hat or baseball cap • Sunglasses • Sunscreen – a must! • Toiletries – most camps will provide shampoo, shower gel and soap • A small torch • Spare batteries, plug adaptors and charging equipment • A good pair of Binoculars (8x40/8x42 is recommended) • Books or a fully loaded Kindle / iPad for siesta time Most Botswana safari lodges and camps will have a small medical and first aid kit, but we recommend bringing your own supply of essentials - cough medicine, plasters, vitamins, aspirin and paracetamol, and anything else you use on a regular basis. Camera Equipment (for the enthusiasts) • A telephoto lens (200/300mm) • Flash and fast film (400 ASA) for night photography • Lots of film (64,100,200,400 ASA) if you’re still using SLR cameras • Spare memory cards for digital cameras • Camera cleaning equipment and a good dust proof bag • Bring spare batteries as although you may recharge your batteries at the camps, charging capacity can be limited Luggage Please check with your airlines for the specific luggage restrictions relevant to your flight schedule. Many international airlines have a baggage allowance of 20kgs or more per person and commercial airlines generally permit two (2) pieces of checked luggage per person. The carry-on bag must be of such dimensions and weight as set by the airlines. Luggage Restrictions on Internal Flights Please be advised that on light aircraft flights, luggage is limited to one SOFT duffle bag per person with a maximum weight of 20kg/44lbs. No hardshell bags are permitted. Electricity In Botswana, the standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. You can use your electric appliances in Botswana, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 - 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa). If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100 V - 127 V (as is in the US, Canada and most South American countries), you will need a voltage converter in Botswana.

Yes – in fact, Botswana is considered one of the safest safari destinations in Africa. Staff and guides are highly trained to ensure the safety of their guests during transfers, safari activities and while at camp. Activities such as mokoro rides and walking safaris are only conducted under the safest conditions and always led by guides with a deep knowledge of the region and animal behaviour.

This really depends on what kind of experience you’re after but for the greatest depth and sighting potential, 10 to 12 days is a fantastic length of time to spend in Botswana. This will offer you the chance to enjoy water and land-based activities in the Okavango Delta, venture into areas like Linyanti or Chobe, and even the Kalahari or Makgadikgadi Pan.

This is greatly dependent on when and exactly where you are planning to go, as well as your choice of accommodation. For instance, a luxury safari to Botswana in the high season will likely cost between $1,000 and $3,000 per person per night, excluding international flights. Why not give our trip builder a go and get up-to-date pricing for your dream trip?

The flooding of the Okavango Delta is a result of heavy rains in the Angolan highlands, which usually occurs between January and March. The water takes around 4 - 6 months to reach the Delta, meaning ‘high water season’ tends to take place between June and August – this will be later in some areas. This is prime time for mokoro and boat safaris, and enjoying spectacular elephant and antelope sightings. However, as the water recedes and Botswana’s own rains stop, game becomes more concentrated around water sources and predator spotting is easier.

In many ways, the answer is a resounding yes. Many lodges are family-friendly with special activities for kids, entertaining guides and flexible chefs, and both the wildlife and cultural elements are amazing to experience together. However, it’s worth considering the age restrictions at certain lodges, the potential use of a private vehicle and the need for anti-malarials. Botswana is a world-renowned safari destination, but its suitability really depends on your family.