Best of Botswana & Vic Falls

Situated in the southern reaches of Africa, Botswana is renowned for its pristine wilderness areas characterised by deep lagoons, wetlands, lush palms, rugged hills and desert plains. The country’s primary tourist drawcard is undoubtedly the vast red expanse of the Kalahari Desert and its remarkably beautiful Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta in the world. These natural wonders provide a tranquil haven for an abundance of African wildlife to thrive. Other highlights include the impressive Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, where visitors are privy to massive zebra migrations during the flood season; the Savuti plains, which host a significant pride of lions; and the Tsodilo Hills, where 4500 rock paintings form a unique record of human settlement over many millennia.

Currency: 
Local currency: Pula (BWP) 
Symbol: P 
ISO code: BWP 
Central bank: Bank of Botswana 
Subunit: Thebe 
Banknotes: P100, P50, P20, P10 
Coins: P5, P2, P1; T50, T25, T10, T5 

Banking: 
Card Transactions: Yes 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Generally, no 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Generally, no  
Diner’s club: Generally, no 
 
Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 08h00 or 09h00 – 16h15 or 17h15 

Weekends: 08h00 or 09h00 – 10h45 or 12h00  

Public Holidays: No 

Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Air:
Airports in major cities  
Main airlines: Mack Air and Kalahari Air  
International Airports: In major cities

Road:
Tar roads: Yes
Gravel roads: Yes
Valid International Drivers License needed: Yes, if your national licence is not in English. If your national licence is in English, you may use it for up to 6 months.  
Car hire available: Yes
Taxis: Yes
Uber available: No, but similar services

Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: No 
Local city bus networks: No 
 
Rail: 
Railway system: Yes, overnight train from Francistown to Gaborone to Lobatse. 
Subway System: No 
 
Water: 
Ferries: No 
Water taxis: No 
Leisure cruises: No 

Food and water safety:  
Can you drink the tap water: Yes within major cities 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes within major cities 
Ice: Yes within major cities 
Meat: Yes within major cities 
Street food: Yes within major cities 
 
Local cuisine: Food centres around meat such as goat, beef, chicken and fresh water fish, and a maize meal known locally as “pap”.  Adventurous culinary enthusiasts may want to try the traditional speciality of Mopane Worms, while those with a sweet tooth should make sure to sample the local Kalahari Truffles (made as a dessert) and unusual fruit called Marula. It is believed that watermelon originated here.  

Drinks:  Bojalwaja Setswana (the beer of Botswana) - created using fermented sorghum seeds.  

Tipping: 10%, usually added to the bill at restaurants. It is also customary to tip game drivers and guides.

Annual rainfall: 475 mm  
Average temperature: 27°C 
 
Summer: 
Average in highs: 31°C 
Average in lows: 20°C 
 
Winter: 
Average in highs: 23°C 
Average in lows: 22°C 
 
Best time to visit: It’s best to visit Botswana between April and September – the dry winter months. At this time, animals usually stay close to their water sources, increasing your chances of seeing them.  

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: Yes 
 
Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Yes 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: Yes 
 
General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Internet cafes: Yes in cities 
Accommodation options: Yes 
Restaurants: Yes in cities 
Cafes: Yes in cities 
Shopping malls: Yes 
Public parks: No 
Libraries: Yes in cities 

TIPPING GUIDELINES ON SAFARI

Tipping Guidelines For 4 - 5 Star Safari Lodges  (see below if you are staying at a very high-end luxury lodge)

Ranger/ Field Guide: $18 – 20 per person per day

Tracker: $8-10 per person per day

Specialist Activity Guides (Bushmen experience, Mokoro poler, bird guide etc.): $8 -10 per person, per activity

Butler: $6-10 per person per day

General safari lodge staff: $10-15 per person per day. Can generally be put in gratuity box at reception. Most camps/lodges allow tipping by credit card.

Note: Some camps will have a central gratuity box for the general staff, while others do not. Envelopes are also available.

Tipping Guidelines For High-End Luxury Safari Lodges

Ranger/ Field Guide: From $ 23 per person per day

Tracker: From $20 per person per day

Specialist Activity Guides (Bushmen experience, Mokoro poler, bird guide etc.): From $20 per person, per activity

Butler: From $17  per person per day

Therapist: 10% of treatment

General safari lodge staff: From $20 per person per day. Can generally be put in gratuity box at reception. Most camps/lodges allow tipping by credit card.

Located in the heart of Southern Africa, Zambia offers visitors an authentic African experience complete with thrilling adventure activities, rich cultural heritage and abundant wildlife found within its vast national parks and wilderness areas. Spend your evenings admiring the spectacular Victoria Falls, one of the world's largest waterfalls, after an exhilarating day of white-water rafting on the mighty Zambezi River. For a more relaxed experience, cruise the tranquil waters of Lake Kariba aboard a houseboat, watching elephants gather along the shoreline while trying your hand at catching the elusive tigerfish. From unforgettable safari adventures to breathtaking landscapes and warm hospitality, Zambia offers an exceptional blend of natural beauty and adventure. Whatever your interests, this remarkable country is sure to leave a lasting impression and a desire to return.

ENTERING ZAMBIA

You DO require a visa to enter Zambia if you are a citizen of -

· USA

· Canada

· Australia

· United Kingdom

· any of the EU countries (with the exception of Cyprus, Ireland, Malta, Romania)

If you are a citizen of another country, please consult THIS LIST

(https://www.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=93&Itemid=118), to determine if you need a visa before you enter.

In all cases, ALL visitors are required to have a passport which is valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date from Zambia.

Visitors should also ensure they have at least TWO successive blank pages in their passports for Zambia.

Visitors traveling through South Africa, to and from Zambia, should be advised that the passports of ALL travellers to South Africa must contain at least TWO blank consecutive (unstamped) visa pages each time entry to South Africa is requested; these pages are IN ADDITION to the endorsement/amendment pages at the back of the passport.

Zambian visas may be obtained in advance, as well as at -

· Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka

· Harry Mwanga International Airport in Livingstone and

· Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola, respectively.

Visas obtained in advance may be applied for manually at relevant Zambian Missions, as well as online HERE (https://evisa.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm/#/).

Processing of an e-visa online should take between 3 – 5 working days.

Although visas are available on arrival, travellers who opt to obtain an airport visa may expect delays.

If purchasing the visa on arrival, travellers should note that POS (Points of Sale) have been configured to accept -

· VISA

· MasterCard

· Maestro

· American Express

For those visitors who prefer to purchase their visa with cash, travellers should -

· have the exact US$ to hand

· note that if purchasing visas on arrival in Zambia (airports and road border posts), you will be required to do so using US$ bills issued LATER than the year 2006.

Older notes are not accepted and may result in travel delays or entry refusal.

CURRENCY - CREDIT CARDS, ATM’s & FOREIGN EXCHANGE in ZAMBIA

The currency of Zambia is the Zambian Kwacha (ZMW), which is made up of 100 Ngwee.

By law, payments within Zambia can be made in Kwachas only, even if the item price is quoted in US$; foreign currency will not be accepted for purchases once you have cleared immigration at the airport.

Credit Cards

As in most African countries, credit cards are usually accepted throughout Zambia. Visa is however more readily accepted than MasterCard.

American Express and Diners Club are frequently NOT accepted at all.

NOTE: Not all safari camps and lodges in Zambia accept credit cards.

ATM’s

ATMs are available in larger towns and in the city centres, with Visa once again being the preferred, if not the only, credit card, for cash advances.

Debit cards are not acknowledged.

Foreign Exchange

When exchanging cash at a bank or bureau de change in Zambia, such as at any of the airports, the most acceptable foreign currency is the US$.

NOTE: US$ dated 2006 or earlier are NOT accepted in Zambia.

TIPPING

Although not compulsory, if you are happy with the level of service provided, it is customary to tip guides, drivers, and support staff, and it is appropriate to do so in US$ or Kwachas (ZMW).

General Guidelines for Tipping

· Ranger/ Guide - $10 - $20 per couple per day

· Tracker - $8 - $16 per couple per day

· Butler - $8 - $16 per couple per day

· Camp Staff - $10 - $20 per couple per day

· Transfer Drivers - $5 per transfer per couple one way

· Porters - $1 per bag

· Restaurants - 10% of the bill

Whilst it is not encouraged to carry enormous quantities of cash, visitors should be aware, as above, that facilities for exchanging or drawing any type of currencies are restricted to the bigger towns and the cities.

NOTE: US$ dated 2006 or earlier are NOT accepted in Zambia.

Air: 
Main airlines: Zambia Airways 
International Airports: Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) 
Domestic Airports: Yes 

Road: 
Driving on the: Left 
Tar roads: Yes 
Gravel roads: Yes 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: No 

Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 

Rail: 
Railway system: Limited 
Subway System: No 

Water: 
Ferries: No 
Water taxis: No 
Leisure cruises: No 

VACCINATIONS & GENERAL HEALTH INFORMATION for ZAMBIA

Malaria:

Since malaria is endemic in Zambia, it is strongly recommended you obtain anti-malaria medication before entering the country.

To obtain a prescription for anti-malaria medication, visitors should consult their own medical doctor or health authority prior to departure.

Currently, the most commonly prescribed anti-malarial tablet is Malarone. Your primary-care physician will be able to offer the best advice.

Vaccinations:

If you are traveling from a country with a risk of yellow fever, upon your arrival the government of Zambia requires proof of a yellow fever inoculation.

USA, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, and the EU, do NOT fall into this category, BUT, if you have travelled or transited through countries where yellow fever is apparent, you will be required to provide a Yellow Fever certificate.

A list of yellow fever risk countries may be viewed HERE.

The yellow fever vaccination is valid for ten years, and must be administered no later than ten days prior to departure.

NOTE: should you fall into the yellow fever risk category, you are required to travel with your Yellow Fever certificate/card.

Water:

All safari camps and lodges supply fresh, clean (bottled or filtered) water for their guests.

Do however always check with the camp/lodge staff if it safe to brush your teeth with the tap/faucet water.

Medication(s):

Pack your own basic medications for headaches and hay fever for instance, as well as for any other minor afflictions, and/or travel-related maladies, you think you may experience in the course of your stay.

Visitors are advised to carry sufficient supplies of specialised (prescription) medication they may require for the entire duration of their holiday.

Food and water safety: 
Can you drink the tap water: No 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes 
Ice: No 
Meat: Yes 
Street food: Yes 

Local cuisine: Zambian cuisine features a variety of dishes, including Nshima (maize porridge), which is often served with meat, vegetables, or fish. Other popular dishes include Ifisashi (vegetables cooked in peanut sauce) and Biltong (dried meat). 

Drinks: Mosquito (fermented maize), Chibwantu (traditional beer), and Munkoyo (fermented drink made from maize or millet). 

Tipping: 10-15% is customary in restaurants if a service charge is not included. 

THE WEATHER in ZAMBIA

Zambia lies in the tropics, and experiences three seasons.

Dry season — May to August is the coolest time of the year, with temperatures ranging from 24°C/75°F to 28°C/82°F during the day, but this can drop as low as 7°C/45°F at night.

Hot season — from September to November the daytime temperatures rocket up to a scorching 38°C/100°F to 42°C/108°F, with clouds of swirling dust making driving on dirt roads quite uncomfortable.

Wet season — December to April the temperatures cool down to 32°C/90°F or so, and, true to the name, there is a lot of rain — sometimes just for an hour or two, but sometimes for days on end.

WHAT to PACK for ZAMBIA

Whilst muted colours are recommended for a safari holiday, there is no need to purchase serious safari gear for your visit to Zambia.

It is quite acceptable to wear jeans with a neutral-coloured shirt and a baseball cap, with the emphasis on comfort and ease.

Must Haves

· A good wide-brimmed sun hat – for the intense African sun

· A bandana - for the dusty, dry regions

· Comfortable sneakers, tennis shoes, or boat shoes - you do not require specialised hiking shoes for bush walks

· Sandals – flip-flops for around the camp

· Golf shirts or T-shirts

· Long-sleeved cotton shirts – to provide protection from sun, as well as from mosquitos in the evenings

· Shorts - note that short skirts are not practical and not recommended

· A sport bra - for bumpy game drives

· A micro-fibre zippered jacket and light rain gear - for rainy summer months

· Swimming costume – whilst at all times respecting modesty of local custom

· Warm fleece, anorak, scarf, gloves and ski cap/beanie - for morning and evening game drives, for the winter months, and for higher altitudes, where it can be cool even in summer.

NOTE: should you be embarking upon a bona fide Zambian walking safari and choose to bring along authentic hiking boots, we suggest you wear your hiking boots in transit on small planes. Luggage restrictions are stringent, hiking boots are weighty, and may very well take up a good proportion of your overall allowance.

A Detailed List of the Most Practical Items to Pack

· Khaki, green, beige, neutral colours

· Shirts with long sleeves

· T-shirts

· Shorts or light skirt (not short)

· Jeans or safari trousers for evenings and cool days

· Wind-proof warm jacket

· Light sweater/jumper

· Lightweight water-proof jacket

· Swimwear

· Comfortable walking shoes

· Personal toiletries

· Sun block, after-sun gel, moisturiser, lip salve/balm

· Strong insect repellent

· Hat and sunglasses

· Binoculars and camera equipment (as well as a dustproof bag for cameras and accessories).

LAUNDRY

Laundry can be done at most camps. At many of the camps and lodges, this service is complimentary, but there may be a nominal charge at other establishments.

Owing to and depending on prevailing local traditions in the country, at certain camps, the staff may not or will not wash underwear or intimate apparel.

It is totally acceptable to wear the same outfit more than once while on safari, there is no need to be a fashionista in the bush!

Internet cafes: Limited 
Accommodation options: Yes 
Restaurants: Yes 
Cafes: Yes 
Shopping malls: Limited 
Public parks: Limited 
Libraries: Limited 

POWER in ZAMBIA

Camps and lodges in Zambia are situated in remote areas and generate their own electricity - either by solar power or by diesel generator.

These power sources in turn charge banks of batteries known as an inverter system, which then provides 220Volt power in each tented room for lighting and ceiling fans.

Hairdryers & Electric Shavers

It is very often not possible to use appliances such as hairdryers or electric shavers in tented rooms at the camps/lodges, as they have low-wattage fuses which will trip the power.

You will however be able to charge your equipment in a designated area in the camp - either in your room, or in a central charging station in the common areas.

Most camps have adapters for your use, but if you would like to purchase one at home prior to departure, the most commonly found plug/socket type in Zambia is the ‘G’, the two-pin ‘C’, and the less commonly used ‘D’, which utilises the universal plug adapters WA-7, WA-9C, and WA-10 respectively.