Wagon Trails - Small group adventure holidays and safaris in Africa

PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION

Thank you for choosing Wagon Trails Travel. Below is some general information put together to help you prepare for you trip. If there is anything further you need to know, please give us a call.

Countries visited on this trip are Botswana and Zambia . The information below has been divided into each country, with some general tips at the end.

BOTSWANA

For many years Botswana was listed as one of the world’s 25 poorest countries, however, with its vast mineral wealth, it now has one of the most rapidly expanding economies in the world. The Botswana people are proud, with a great respect for their nationality and traditions. In Botswana the immensity, variety and untamed vitality of the old Africa are still to be experienced. The Botswana government has a very clear eco-tourism policy aimed at low impact tourism.

The Okavango Delta

The Okavango River comes down from Angola. The flatness of the land in Botswana causes it to fan out into an inland delta covering an area of some 16,000 km2.

Your trip into the Delta should be regarded as much a cultural experience, as a wildlife one. The majority of the polers who will guide you and the people you will meet in this area are a mixture of baNoka and baYei. These people still live on corn, sorghum, melons; herding cattle and goats; fishing and hunting and gathering to supplement their livestock and agriculture.

Your time in the Delta

Once again, this should be looked upon as a cultural experience to live in the bush for a few days - the opportunity to “get back to nature” with no showers, toilets and electricity. Take off your watch and relax! Whilst in the Delta the polers are in charge of your day which usually consists of early morning walks, some free time to swim, relax, read a book, explore the bush, followed by an afternoon mokoro and or game walk. Don’t panic when given the time to spend with yourself !

Climate

Rainy season begins late October to November and ends in March. During the summer month’s temperatures can rise to over 40º C, and usually drop to 25º C in the night. The winter months which last from May to August have beautiful days with temperatures that average 25º C, although the nights can become cold.

ZAMBIA

Zambia lay untouched by Europeans for many centuries. It was in the mid nineteenth century that Western explorers, missionaries and traders moved into Zambia, of which David Livingstone is said to be the first in 1855.

After becoming a British Protectorate in 1924, Zambia’s struggle for independence was a long one. After eventually gaining independence in 1964, most of their problems only began. There were only a few trained and educated Zambians capable of running the government, and the economy was largely dependant on foreign expertise.

The copper industry used to be responsible for more than 90% of Zambia’s foreign exchange earnings. After a sharp decline in world copper prices in 1975 and prolonged drought, Zambia’s economy has suffered severe damage for more than a decade. Tourism is now becoming a major earner, and is helping revive the economy.

HEALTH

If travelling from an infected area, all countries require valid vaccination certificates for cholera and yellow fever. If travelling from South Africa, there are no vaccination requirements. These do change however, so please consult your local doctor or travel agent.

The Okavango Delta, Livingstone, and Chobe are all malaria zones. Please ensure you are taking anti-malaria medication. Please consult your doctor or local pharmacy in plenty of time.

LOCAL TIME

Local time in Zambia and Botswana is the same as South Africa (G.M.T plus 2 hours)

CURRENCY

Each country has its own currency as follows:

Botswana:

Pula

Zambia:

Zambian Kwacha

Money can be changed into local currency once we arrive in each country. Traveller’s cheques can be changed in banks, and credit cards are generally accepted although using a credit card can sometimes work out quite expensive. If bringing cash all major currencies are accepted. It is important to note however, that Pula and Kwacha cannot be changed into other currencies outside of the country, so do not leave these countries with any local currency. Your tour guide will assist you in calculating the correct amount to change.

FOOD & MEALS

 

Included in the tour cost are the following meals:

Days

Meals
1 D
2, 3, 4, 5 B, D
6, 7, 8 B, L, D
9 B, D
10 B

Meals are prepared by your guide with your assistance. On days where lunches are not included we stop at places where you can buy food at a reasonable cost.

PARTICIPATION

Our tour are based on client participation and as an active member of the group, everyone helps out with the running of the tour, e.g. making campfires, cooking, setting up camp, dishes etc. Its all part of the African experience.

Remember the more you put in the more you get out!

CAMPSITES

We stay in a variety of campsites, from basic facilities only to ones with restaurants, swimming pools, bars etc. All campsites (except in the Delta) have shower and toilet facilities, although it is advisable to bring a small supply of your own toilet paper.

In the Delta you "camp out" in the bush at sites selected by the polers (guides). They light a fire for warmth and safety. In the Delta there are no facilities such as toilets and showers as you are in the wilderness. You can swim in the Delta at spots selected by the polers, however for conservation reasons no soap may be used for washing.

VEHICLES & GROUP SIZE

We offer budget tours, whilst trying to keep group sizes small and personal. For this reason we travel in a microbus with a trailer for luggage. The vehicles have either 2 rows of seats (seating up to 4 across) or 3 rows of seats (seating max 3 across). This varies according to group size. The vehicles do not have air conditioning, but do have opening windows. The night drive is done in an open vehicle.

DEPARTURE POINT JOHANNESBURG

Backpackers Ritz
1a North Road
Dunkeld West
Johannesburg
Phone: (011) 325-7125 & 327-0229

Time: 5 am

Book here - Backpacker's Ritz

If you require accommodation the night before at the Ritz the cost is R80 p.p. (multishare). This may be booked through Wagon Trails or directly with the Ritz

Backpackers Ritz offers a free pickup service for clients arriving in Johannesburg prior to the trip. Please let us know your arrival details in advance and phone the hostel once you have arrived to confirm.

The tour ends at Backpackers Ritz on Day 4 unless you have made prior arrangements to be dropped elsewhere. A shuttle service is available from here to the airport or bus station if you require it.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

Visa requirements change often, so you should consult your nearest embassy prior to departure. The following is to be used as a guide only.

South Africa

Visiters entering South Africa are required to have a minimum of two blank pages in their passports to enable the entry visa to be issued. If there is insufficient space in the passport entry will be denied and the person is likely to be detained pending return to their country of origin.

Botswana

At the time of printing the following countries DO NOT REQUIRE visas:
Nationals of all commonwealth countries, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Samoa (Western), San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, USA and Yugoslavia.

Please note that if you require a visa for Botswana you need to ensure you get a multiple entry visa. It is also advisable to get it prior to departure.

Visas are the responsibility of the client if required.

Zambia - as of Jan 26th 2008

$50 for all passport holders - single entry

$80 for all passport holders - multiple entry

$20 for day Trips

MONEY OUTSTANDING

Your money will collected by your driver in cash at the point of departure.

ONWARD TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

Due to unforeseen problems we recommend onward travel arrangements be made only for the day after the tour ends. If arrangements are made for the same day the tour ends, Wagon Trails cannot be held responsible for any delays, and the client must take the risk for himself or herself. If you are making further bookings for busses/trains/flights the day the tour ends we strongly recommend you make them the latest time possible and that you inform our reservation staff and the tour guide at the beginning of the tour.

EQUIPMENT

Wagon Trails provides you with the following equipment:

WHAT TO BRING

For comfort reasons luggage is limited on each trip to 1 small bag, sleeping bag and camera per person. Soft Bags only may be used (i.e.: no suitcases) Please note that there are storage facilities at the Backpacker Ritz. We provide you with your tent, sleeping mat and cooking equipment.

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

These may be booked directly with your guide, or with Wagon Trails prior to departure. Please note that these prices are meant only as a guideline as they change seasonally, although we do make every effort to keep up to date with the changes.

If you require any additional information, just give our offices a call.

We look forward to meeting you!