Delta to Victoria Falls

Top Tips

A small bean bag makes a useful camera rest to help avoid camera shake when on safari.

Brightly-coloured clothing is not appropriate as it is easily seen by animals and attracts insects; wear muted tones in natural colours (beige, khaki, olive but not army-style camouflage clothing)

Take a woolly hat for the game drives, it can be surprisingly cold early in the morning and in late afternoon with windows or pop-tops open

The spray from Victoria Falls can go a long way. Take a plastic bag to protect your camera.

Zambia uses the 24-hour clock; to avoid confusion always refer to 24-hour clock times when talking to local people.

SOME INTERESTING READING:
Botswana Time - Will Randall
The Lion Children - Angus McNeice, Maisie McNeice, Travers McNeice
Okavango: Africa's Last Eden - Francis Lanting
Okavango: Jewel of the Kalahari – Karen Ross
Cry of the Kalahari – Mark & Delia Owens
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency – Alexander McCall Smith
Whatever you do, don’t run – Peter Allison
Trees of the Okavango – Veronica Roodt

Trip Details

Main Description

Botswana and Zambia combine to create a multitude of amazing African experiences. At Khama you go in search of white rhino and get your first taste of African game. Venturing further from civilisation, you spend two nights wild camping on the remote islands of the Okavango Delta - a natural freshwater basin and one of the world's natural wonders. It offers excellent opportunities for some water-based game viewing from a mokoro (dugout canoe) and bush walks. In Moremi Game Reserve you take game drives by open 4WD and have a good chance to spot lion and leopard. You explore the wilderness area of Savuti in the Chobe National Park, famous for lion and elephant. Northern Chobe, where beautifully preserved expanses of this vast continent are home to an abundance of wildlife, and you can cruise along the river looking for the resident elephant herds. The trip ends with the Victoria Falls - one of the greatest scenic spectacles in all of Africa, now in one of the world’s ‘adventure’ capitals.

This trip is operated in conjunction with Sunway Safaris.

Adventure Level

Anyone in good health should be able to take part. There is no physical difficulty involved and any walks are optional. Some campsites are wild bush camps where facilities are very limited. You will be expected to put up your own tents. Whilst your Group Leader will prepare meals, your participation in general camp duties will nevertheless be greatly appreciated - after all it’s all part of the adventure! The touring nature of this trip allows you to see as much as you can in the time available. The distances are great but there is usually plenty to see en route from the vehicle. As with all nature trips, the unexpected can be expected so journey times can be extended (or reduced) by various factors. It is surprising how long lunch stops can be and often supplies will also have to be bought.
However one of the overriding factors for these journeys being extended is game viewing from the side of public roads. These are wild areas and to be able to spot an ostrich running alongside a public highway or watch a dung beetle rolling a ball of dung along is what these trips are all about. Some drives are taken in open vehicles, so dust or cold can cause some discomfort in the dry season and in winter. Please note that anyone aged 65 years or over requires a doctor's certificate.

Flights

Direct flights with South African Airways from London Heathrow. Selected departures on British Airways with regional flight in Africa on Nationwide Air. Flight schedules and preferred airlines can change.

Dates & prices

Flights with South African Airways. Regional flight within Africa on South African Airways. Flight schedules and preferred airlines can change.

Transport & Accommodation

Transport- Minibus/safari truck, <i>mokoro<i> canoe, 4WD, on foot. Distinctive Accommodation- Hotel (1nt), camping (11nts), wild camping (2nts).

Responsible Travel

We offset the carbon emissions associated with the in-country travel on all of our trips by supporting a solar stove and clean energy project in Madagascar. However, it is your flight that will have the largest environmental impact on your holiday. We offer you the opportunity to offset your carbon dioxide emissions with a donation to our solar stove and clean energy project in South Africa. The project is run by the non-profit organisation Blue Ventures Carbon Offset and validated by the Tourism Industry Carbon Offset Service (TICOS) as delivering measurable carbon reduction and wider sustainable development benefits for local people. We strongly encourage you to donate to our project, so if you would like to offset the carbon emissions generated by your flight, please contact us.  Offsets start from as little as £4. 

Since the increase in popularity of bottled water, many countries are experiencing a problem of litter especially where adequate recycling is not available. Please could you try, where possible, to use purification tablets or filters for water or buy bigger bottles of water between group members and decant into your individual water bottles.

We support a project to take disadvantaged local children to game parks so that they can experience a safari for themselves. Our local agent works in conjunction with the SOS children’s home in Ennerdale Johannesburg. The children spend a weekend in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve giving them a chance to see some of the wildlife indigenous to South Africa. It also introduces the children to conservation issues and hopefully will encourage some of them to go on and study conservation and the natural world in the future.

Our Mokoro Polers are part of a co-operative. The local community
of six villages administers the concession and make sure that everyone with a mokoro, of all ages and sex, take it in turn to work on a rota basis.

Useful information

Clothing and Footwear

Below is a suggestion of what you might find useful to take on this trip. It is not an exhaustive packing list. If you need further advice, please call us or consult your nearest specialist outdoor clothing and equipment store.

• For comfort in the heat, lightweight cotton is best
• Brightly-coloured clothing is not appropriate for safari as it is easily seen by animals and has the added discomfort of attracting insects (wear muted tones in natural colours i.e. beige, khaki, olive, etc. but not army-style camouflage clothing).
• A sarong or long-sleeved shirt is essential to protect neck and arms
• Windproof / waterproof jacket
• Lightweight trail boots
• Trainers or sandals for relaxing
• Wide-brimmed sun-hat essential
• Swimming gear and towel
• Warm mid layers i.e. fleece and jumper for nights/early mornings
• Beanie hat ( winter months, July / August)

Equipment

• Inflatable pillow & sleeping bag (2/3 season Sept - Apr, 3/4 season May - Aug). A sheet sleeping bag is ideal for hotter months.
• Torch
• Water bottle
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and lipsalve
• Insect repellent
• Personal first aid kit
• Binoculars
• Dust can be a problem for cameras – take a dustproof bag
• Dustbin liner to protect belongings whilst in the mokoros is normally provided.
• We recommend you take biodegradable travel detergent so you can wash clothes as you choose.
• Spare batteries for camera, etc.

Baggage

For your comfort we recommend you travel as light as possible; many airlines impose a maximum weight limit of 20kg – we advise you to take 10kg as you will be on the move a good deal! For domestic flights using light aircraft the usual weight limit is 15 kg.
One main piece (a soft bag or rucksack, not a hard suitcase).
A daypack (25-30 litres), large enough to carry what you need for the day including camera, water, etc.

Camping

For six nights on safari you stay at designated campsites in national parks, on private land and/or in towns. Campsite facilities are generally very good but can sometimes be basic. There are hot and cold showers, restaurants, washing facilities and telephones available at most campsites. Some camps in Botswana have simple reed enclosures for showers but do have flush toilets. You will be provided with all camping equipment except your sleeping bag and pillow. Dome tents are used and putting them up or down only takes five minutes. Tents have built-in insect nets. Mattresses 5cm thick are supplied, as are camp chairs.

WILD CAMPING
For seven nights while in the Okavango Delta, Moremi, Savuti and Chobe, you camp wild. All water and equipment must be taken. Wild camping can be very enjoyable and gives you a real feeling of getting away from it all. We leave no trace of our visit and take all rubbish away with us. Toilets will be of the “dig and bury” variety and a simple bucket bush shower will be provided. This is a real African wilderness experience!

LIFE IN CAMP
You will be required to put up your own tent, assist with packing up camp, meal preparation and cleaning up. Your Group Leader will do all the cooking - but you will be asked to assist with washing up! Team spirit is after all part of the fun. The more everyone chips in the less time it takes out of enjoying the rest of your trip.

Visas and Permits

South Africa and Botswana - Holders of UK & IRL passports do not require a visa although should have at least 3 blank and adjacent pages in their passport for entry to South Africa.
Zambia – Holders of UK passports do require a visa. Visa waivers are no longer available. You can obtain a visa at the border, and the current fee is £75/$140 for holders of British passports, $135 for US citizens and $50 for most other nationalities. Passports must be valid for at least six months after the end date of the trip.

Information can also be found at www.travcour.com. This information is given in good faith, but may be subject to change without warning. Please note that, where appropriate, obtaining a valid visa is ultimately your responsibility. Please consult a visa agency or the consular authorities 4-6 weeks before departure for the most up-to-date information.

Vaccinations

The following are recommended:

• Hepatitis A
• Polio
• Typhoid
• Malaria
• Tetanus

NB: Yellow Fever vaccination compulsory if travelling via an infected country.
For detailed information and advice concerning vaccinations go to: www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk. Vaccination requirements change so please check with a specialist travel clinic for up-to-date information before you depart.

Local Costs

13 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 8 evening meals are included. Vegetarians can be catered for. You must pay for all other meals yourself (you can eat well for £10 - £15 a day). Approximate costs are given for guidance only, and may vary according to location and type of establishment.
Coffee/Tea UK£0.50
Soft drink 0.40
Medium beer 0.80
Local snack lunch 3.00
3-course dinner* 8.00-15.00
*reasonable mid-range tourist class restaurant.

Currency

Botswana

South African rand, Zambian kwacha and Botswana pula. There are approximately 11 rand, 7,678 kwacha and 11 pula to one British pound and 7 rand, 4,905 kwacha and 7 pula to one US dollar (as at August 2010). Take money in sterling or US dollars (clean, untorn notes). Travellers’ cheques are especially difficult to change in Zambia. Alternatively, obtain some rands in South Africa for convenient change into Zambian kwacha and Botswana pula. A small amount of cash for unforeseen needs, tipping etc is useful. Foreign currency can be changed at commercial banks and major hotels. Credit cards are widely accepted, and we recommend you to pay for optional excursions by credit card. NB: It is not possible to change kwacha back into hard currency. Banks in Zambia do not accept US dollar 50 or 100 notes with “small face” (those issued approx. prior to 2000). Throughout the trip there are opportunities to change money in towns and tourist centres and your Group Leader will assist you with this.

For commission free travel money and excellent exchange rates www.tmsfx.com/adventurecompany

Zambia

Taking a mixture of US Dollars (USD) and South African Rand (ZAR) is advised.

Zambia: Zambian Kwachas (ZMK) can be used for incidentals although most lodges will accept USD as payment. British pounds (GBP), Euros (EUR) and USD can also be changed here and in some small towns along the way. There are approximately 7,678 ZMK to one GBP (as at August 2010).

Malawi: It’s possible to change money into Malawian Kwachas (MWK) in Lilongwe, and at the campsite. However, USD cash is best for lodge payments and can also be used to buy souvenirs. EUR and GBP can’t always be exchanged at a good rate, and some places won’t accept them.There are approximately 234 MWK to one GBP (as at August 2010).

Mozambique: It is easier to use Mozambican Meticais (MZN) for markets and in shops. Cash in USD is easier to change in the northern section whilst ZAR is easier closer to southern section. EUR and GBP are less common, so you don’t always get a great exchange rate, and some places won’t accept them.There are approximately 60 MZN to one GBP (as at August 2010).

South Africa: Only ZAR is accepted and shops do not accept foreign currencies. Entering Kruger from Mozambique means there is nowhere convenient to change money so carrying a supply of ZAR is advisable. However, Mastercard, Visa and Sirrus cards can be used in shops (in Kruger) and at ATMs. There are approximately 11 South African rand (ZAR) to one British pound (as at August 2010).

Optional excursions

Some or all of the excursions detailed below may be available. Approximate costs are given for guidance only and may depend on the number of participants. Your Group Leader should be able to assist you in arranging them.

Soweto tour UK£25.00
Game drive in Zambezi NP £30.00
Okavango flight - 5-seat plane (cost per person if 5 sharing) £40.00

Livingstone
River Cruise - 55 USD
White water rafting - full day - 145 USD
White water rafting - half day - 120 USD
Upper Zambezi canoeing - half day - 95 USD
Upper Zambezi canoeing - full day - 120 USD
Helicopter flight (15 min) - 130 USD
Helicopter flight (30 min) - 260 USD
Microlight flight (15 min) - 120 USD
Microlight flight (30 min) - 240 USD
Horse riding (2hrs) - 75 USD
Zambezi elephant ride - 150 USD
Bungee jump - 90 USD (minimum weight 40 kg)
Quad biking (1 hr) - 80 USD

INSURANCE: If you are interested in doing the more ‘extreme’ activities on offer we would advise you to check that you are covered by your insurance.

Tipping

Tipping is an accepted part of everyday life and although it is always at your discretion, you will be expected to tip to reward service. Your Group Leader will be able to give you an indication of when and how much is appropriate. This can vary widely, but please calculate on the basis of £30 for this trip. Also, if you wish to tip your Group Leader (in recognition of their contribution towards your overall enjoyment of the holiday) a suggested guideline would be approximately £1 to £3 per person, per day.

Climate

Botswana is generally dry April-November, and is cooler at the start and end of this period and can be particularly cold in June-August. In the Okavango Delta the water level is high July-September. During the rainy season (December-March) it can be very hot (average high 34°C) and humid, and may rain at any time. It is cooler in the middle of the year, June-August when it can get cold at night so please be prepared for this. For worldwide climate information go to www.weatherbase.com

Climate Chart

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