Cape to Kalahari

One of the most culturally and geographically diverse places on earth, South Africa, fondly known by locals as the 'Rainbow Nation', boasts 11 official languages, and its inhabitants are influenced by a fascinating mix of cultures. Discover the gourmet restaurants, impressive art scene, vibrant nightlife, and beautiful beaches of Cape Town. Enjoy a local braai (barbecue) in the Soweto township, browse the bustling Indian markets in Durban, or sample some of the world's finest wines at the myriad wine estates dotting the Cape Winelands. Some historical attractions to explore include the Zululand battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal, the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, and Robben Island, just off the coast of Cape Town. Above all else, its untamed wilderness is astonishing: wildlife roams freely across massive unfenced game reserves such as the world-famous Kruger National Park.

The currency is the Rand, which is divided into 100 cents. There are R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10 notes. Coins come in R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c.
There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency being brought into South Africa by Foreign visitors.  Currently a maximum of R20,000 per person per day may be cashed.  Unlimited daily spend allowed on credit cards.
Banks are open 09h00 to 15h00 Monday through Friday and 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays. Closed on public holidays.  
Major national banks are available in most large towns, as are automatic teller machines (ATM’s).  International banks have branches in the major cities.  Thomas Cook (represented by Rennies Travel) and American Express foreign exchange offices are available in the major cities.
Diners Card, American Express, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted with some restrictions in small towns and rural area.
VAT @ 15 % is included in the price of most items and services. 
VAT can be claimed back on goods priced over R250 at the airport of departure, various harbors and custom offices.  The original tax invoice, the VAT refund control sheet, client’s passport and the purchased item are required. 

VAT Refunds (Claiming a refund from your country of residence)
Travelers must obtain an Export Declaration Form before leaving South Africa.
These are available from the VAT offices at Johannesburg International Airport, Cape Town International Airport or V&A Waterfront.
As the items have not been inspected, travelers must take their items with the export declaration forms to customs in their country of residence and have the items declared.
Customs in their home country will give an endorsement on the items.

• Complete any documentation you receive from South African VAT office and your Customs office in your country of residence.
• Complete the postal envelope received from South African VAT office.
• Attach copy of your passport
• Mail all forms back to Cape Town or Johannesburg.

The refund takes 6 - 8 weeks (depends on how much it is).
Once the South Africa VAT office receives the forms, they send it to South African Revenue Services for approval.  This is then forwarded to the bank for conversion.
A foreign exchange draft is then sent by the South African VAT office to traveler.   If you prefer them to credit your credit card, stipulate this on the form.
TRANS AFRICA SAFARIS IS UNABLE TO EXPIDITE VAT REFUNDS.  IT IS OUT OF OUR HANDS.

Trans Africa Safaris only books ground transportation through hotels or identified transport operators.  
Taxis are regulated and metered and linked to provinces or hotels, printed on a yellow panel on the drivers' door. 
Travelling around South Africa is relatively easy by air, road and rail.
Several‌ ‌airlines‌ ‌operate‌ ‌domestic‌ ‌routes‌ ‌with‌ ‌regular‌ ‌links‌ ‌between‌ ‌Johannesburg,‌ ‌Cape‌ ‌Town,‌ ‌Durban,‌ ‌George,‌ ‌Nelspruit‌ ‌and‌ ‌Port‌ ‌Elizabeth‌ ‌and‌ ‌relatively‌ ‌frequent‌ ‌flights‌ ‌to‌ ‌several‌ ‌smaller‌ ‌towns‌ ‌and‌ ‌cities‌ ‌too.‌ ‌
An extensive tarred road system makes travelling in South Africa by vehicle convenient and easy.  You will find gravel roads in rural areas though. 
There is the popular hop-on-hop-off tourist bus in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Driving
Any valid driver’s license is accepted in South Africa, provided it bears the photograph and signature of the holder and is printed in English.  South Africa has an excellent road network.  Driving is on the left. Road sign distances and speed limits are in kilometers. Wearing of seat belts is compulsory.

South Africa is a safe place for international tourists.  However, it is sensible to take normal precautions while travelling.  Be observant and do not draw attention to yourself by flaunting an expensive camera, jewelry, or large amounts of cash.  Deposit valuables in the hotel’s safety deposit box.  Do not leave your baggage or hotel guest key unattended. 
Do not walk alone in the streets after dark and when returning to your hotel late in the evening, use the main entrance. 
Lock your car doors and keep personal items and luggage in the trunk, rather than on the seat of the car. If travelling in a self-drive vehicle, plan your route in advance and use maps.  Park in well-lit areas and do not pick up strangers.

South Africa is famous for its sunshine, but the country has many different climates! The Mediterranean Western Cape, the sub-tropical and arid Eastern Cape and the sub-tropical Kruger region and Johannesburg.  They all have hot summers (December to March), with the coldest weather occurring in July and August.  Summer in the northern part of the country is characterized by hot, sunny weather, often with afternoon thunderstorms that clear quickly.

The Western Cape has a winter rainfall with quite a few days of cloudy, rainy weather.
The Kruger area has a summer rainfall and offers fantastic winter weather, with sunny, warmish days and virtually no wind or rain.
Johannesburg lies at an altitude of 1 694 metres (5 560 feet), keeping the average summer temperatures below 30°C (86ºF).

Winter (June to August)
June and July are the wettest and coldest months in the Western Cape.
In Johannesburg and the Kruger, the days are dry with very pleasant daytime temperatures. The evenings and early mornings can be cold.

Spring (September to November)
September is a wonderful in all of South Africa. Spring is a lovely time to visit the country as all regions generally boast lovely, days that are not too hot, and evenings that are not too cold. This is the season that heralds new life – flowers bloom, new growth on trees and vineyards and, in the wild, many animals give birth to their offspring.

Summer (December to February)
This is peak season for the Cape Town and Winelands with lovely warm and dry days. The ‘Cape Doctor’ (south-easter) can blow during this period. Johannesburg and Kruger get rain during these months. February is usually the hottest month of the year.

Autumn (March to May)
Temperatures start to drop which makes for a very comfortable time to travel. Autumn is a lovely time to travel in South Africa as all regions generally enjoy mild weather, days are not too hot and evenings not too cold. In the Cape, the rains begin in about May, and in Johannesburg and Kruger, the rains cease and
by May the countryside is starting dry out with the vegetation turning brown.

On Safari
Safari clothing should be comfortable, casual and wash & wear. Muted colours such as neutral colours, khaki, olive, stone and beige are suggested as these will blend in with the bush and are easy to mix and match.  Bright colours are not advised. 

In both summer and especially in winter, it is recommended to dress in ‘layers’ as early morning and evening temperatures can be very cold, but daytime temperatures warm and one can then add/take off clothes as required.   

Avoid synthetic materials, navy blue and black clothing, as they increase perspiration and discomfort.
Camouflage clothing is prohibited in some Southern Africa countries.

Remember, most safari camps offer free laundry service, so no need to carry too many outfits.

Spring/Summer (October to March)
Lightweight, light-coloured cottons are preferable 
Lightweight sweater or cardigan – morning and evening game drives can be cool
Lightweight water-proof jacket
Long sleeve shirt/blouses for protection from sun and mosquitoes
Swimwear
Golf shirt, T-shirts, shorts or light skirt
Jeans or safari trousers in the evenings (zip off legs are convenient)
Closed, comfortable walking shoes
Sandals
Sun hat
Good quality polarized sunglasses

Autumn/Winter (April to September)
Warm winter jacket / fleece / jersey
Warm Anorak or Parka
Warm trousers
Thick, long socks
Beanie, Buff, Scarf, Gloves
Closed, comfortable walking shoes
Sandals
Sun hat
Good quality polarized sunglasses

Don’t forget
Sunblock and lip balm
Prescription glasses / contact lenses and a copy of the prescription (a spare pair is usually advisable).  If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case you get irritation from the dust.
Visas, tickets, passports, money, etc.
Driver’s license (for self-drive holidays)
A separate copy of your passport’s photo page
A copy of your travel insurance company’s showing description of coverage and your carrier’s contact numbers
Camera equipment and extra memory cards
Lens cleaners and chargers

Personal Supplies
Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant
Travel size toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner and body lotion are provided in most guest accommodation, but you may prefer your own)
Razor and shaving cream
Tissues / Wet Wipes
Face moisturizer & sunscreen with a high SPF rating
Laundry soap for delicate garments
Insect repellent e.g. Tabard, Rid, Jungle Juice, etc (the lodges provide insect repellent spray)
Waterproof/dustproof bags/cover for your cameras
Binoculars, bring a fairly compact set, e.g. 7 x 40 (unless you are a birder of course) - strongly recommend each guest has their own pair

Medication
Malaria tablets (if applicable)
Remedies for headache, heartburn, diarrhoea, motion sickness, colds and allergies, eye drops, disinfectants, antibiotic and antihistamine creams (familiar brands may not be available locally)
Prescription medications in original containers.  Never place in checked luggage on internal flights

Non-Essentials
Bags for wet bathing suits, muddy shoes, to protect cameras from dust, etc.
Travel pillow
A few band-aids (plasters)
A couple of your children’s favourite nibbles from home – while on safari, such type nibbles are not easily available

220/230 volts AC, 50 cycles, except in Pretoria where the current is 250 volts AC.
Electrical sockets in the Republic of South Africa are Type M (SABS-1661).  If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all types.

One of the most culturally and geographically diverse places on earth, South Africa, fondly known by locals as the 'Rainbow Nation', boasts 11 official languages, and its inhabitants are influenced by a fascinating mix of cultures. Discover the gourmet restaurants, impressive art scene, vibrant nightlife, and beautiful beaches of Cape Town; enjoy a local braai (barbecue) in the Soweto township; browse the bustling Indian markets in Durban, or sample some of the world’s finest wines at the myriad wine estates dotting the Cape Winelands. Some historical attractions to explore include the Zululand battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal, the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, and Robben Island, just off the coast of Cape Town. Above all else, its untamed wilderness is astonishing: wildlife roams freely across massive unfenced game reserves such as the world-famous Kruger National Park.

South Africa has 11 official languages.  English is the language of administration and is widely spoken.  Others are Afrikaans, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu.

The international code for South Africa is 27, which should be preceded by the international prefix if calling from abroad.

South Africa is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.  There are no regional time zones within the country. Standard time in South Africa is 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard (winter) time.

Customs Allowances - Gifts souvenirs and any other goods to the value of R500 are permitted.
Duty Free - Shops at Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban Airports.  No duty free available to guests flying from Johannesburg to Botswana or Namibia.

Interesting Reading
Wild About Cape Town – Duncan Butchart
This is South Africa – Peter Borchert
Mandela, The End of an Era – Charlene Smith
Scramble for Africa – Thomas Pakenham
Don't Run, Whatever You Do: My Adventures as a Safari Guide - Peter Allison
Jock of the Bushveld - Sir Percy Fitzpatrick
Thabo Mbeki, Life and Times – Adrian Hadland                   
Cry the Beloved Country - Alan Paton
The Story of an African Farm - Olive Schreiner                                               
Something Out There - Nadime Gordimer
The Boer War - Thomas Packenham                                                                  
21st Century Megatrends – Clem Sunter
South Africa in the 20th Century - Peter Joyce                                              
Illustrated History of South Africa - Reader's Digest
The Spirit of District Six - Cloete Breytenbach                         
The Story of Hottentots Holland - Peggy Heap
African Renaissance - Peter Magubane (Black culture)
Vanishing Cultures of South Africa – Peter Magubane      
Tavern of the Sea - T V Bulpin
Rage – Wilbur Smith                                                                                                                         
The Long Walk to Freedom, Autobiography of Nelson Mandela 
A Century of Anglo Boer War Stories – Chris van der Merwe / Michael Rice
A Tourist Guide to the Anglo Boer War (1899- 1902) – Tony Westby-Nunn

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.

The currency is the Botswana Pula, which is divided into 100 thebe.  Foreign visitors are restricted to BWP1000 per person on entering the country. 
Botswana banks will only accept US Dollars, Pound Sterling, Euro and South African Rand cash.  
No other currencies are accepted.
MasterCard and Visa are accepted at most camps/lodges.  American Express and Diners Club are often not accepted.
No credit cards accepted at hunting camps.
GST @ 10 % is included in the price of goods and services.
A BWP25 departure tax is payable on international departures and BWP10 on domestic departures.  These are usually included in the passenger’s airfare, but if not, these taxes must be paid, in cash, directly to Air Botswana.  Light aircraft flights do not usually include these taxes and passengers must pay, in cash, directly to the airline.

Trans Africa Safaris only books ground transportation through lodges or identified transport operators.  We do not operate any self drive tours in Botswana.
Public transport s geared towards the needs of the local populace and is confined to main roads between major population centres.   Although cheap and reliable, it is of little use to the traveller as most of Botswana’s tourist attractions lie off the beaten track.
There are major airports in Maun, Kasane and Gaborone, while smaller charter flights are used to get to the other top attractions and camps.

Botswana is a safe place for international tourists.  However, it is sensible to take normal precautions while travelling.  Be observant and do not draw attention to yourself by flaunting an expensive camera, jewellery, or large amounts of cash.  Deposit valuables in the lodge’s safety deposit box.  Do not leave your baggage or hotel guest key unattended. 

Botswana's climatic pattern is typical of southern Africa, although its rainfall is less than countries further east.

Winter (June to August)
During winter, the night-time temperatures in drier areas can be close to freezing, but it warms up rapidly during the day, when the sky is usually clear and blue. It's now very much 'peak season' for most safari areas: the land is dry in most areas so the animals congregate around the few available water sources.

Spring (September to November)
Dry conditions continue into September and October and with rising temperatures, the landscapes are dry and game even more concentrated. This is the best time for big game safaris – although October can feel very hot, with maximum temperatures sometimes approaching 40°C.

November is difficult to predict, as it can sometimes be a continuation of October's heat, whilst sometimes it's cooled by the first rains; it's always an interesting month.

Summer (December to February)
The rains in Botswana fall mostly in summer, when average minimum temperatures are in the low 20°s. Some days will be bright and sunny, some will have afternoon thunderstorms, and some will just be grey.

Autumn (March to May)
This is generally a lovely time of year with the sky clear and the green landscape. Night temperatures start to drop during these months, especially in the Kalahari. Note that places in and around the Okavango Delta tend to have less extreme, more moderate temperatures than the drier areas of the Kalahari.

On Safari
Safari clothing should be comfortable, casual and wash & wear. Muted colours such as neutral colours, khaki, olive, stone and beige are suggested as these will blend in with the bush and are easy to mix and match.  Bright colours are not advised. 
In both summer and especially in winter, it is recommended to dress in ‘layers’ as early morning and evening temperatures can be very cold, but daytime temperatures warm and one can then add/take off clothes as required.   
Avoid synthetic materials, navy blue and black clothing, as they increase perspiration and discomfort.
Camouflage clothing is prohibited in some Southern Africa countries.

Remember, most safari camps offer free laundry service, so no need to carry too many outfits.

Spring/Summer (October to March)
Lightweight, light-coloured cottons are preferable 
Lightweight sweater or cardigan – morning and evening game drives can be cool
Lightweight water-proof jacket
Long sleeve shirt/blouses for protection from sun and mosquitoes
Swimwear
Golf shirt, T-shirts, shorts or light skirt
Jeans or safari trousers in the evenings (zip off legs are convenient)
Closed, comfortable walking shoes
Sandals
Sun hat
Good quality polarized sunglasses

Autumn/Winter (April to September)
Warm winter jacket / fleece / jersey
Warm Anorak or Parka
Warm trousers
Thick, long socks
Beanie, Buff, Scarf, Gloves
Closed, comfortable walking shoes
Sandals
Sun hat
Good quality polarized sunglasses

Don’t forget
Sunblock and lip balm
Prescription glasses / contact lenses and a copy of the prescription (a spare pair is usually advisable).  If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case you get irritation from the dust.
Visas, tickets, passports, money, etc.
Driver’s license (for self-drive holidays)
A separate copy of your passport’s photo page
A copy of your travel insurance company’s showing description of coverage and your carrier’s contact numbers
Camera equipment and extra memory cards
Lens cleaners and chargers

Personal Supplies
Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant
Travel size toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner and body lotion are provided in most guest accommodation, but you may prefer your own)
Razor and shaving cream
Tissues / Wet Wipes
Face moisturizer & sunscreen with a high SPF rating
Laundry soap for delicate garments
Insect repellent e.g. Tabard, Rid, Jungle Juice, etc (the lodges provide insect repellent spray)
Waterproof/dustproof bags/cover for your cameras
Binoculars, bring a fairly compact set, e.g. 7 x 40 (unless you are a birder of course) - strongly recommend each guest has their own pair

Medication
Malaria tablets (if applicable)
Remedies for headache, heartburn, diarrhoea, motion sickness, colds and allergies, eye drops, disinfectants, antibiotic and antihistamine creams (familiar brands may not be available locally)
Prescription medications in original containers.  Never place in checked luggage on internal flights

Non-Essentials
Bags for wet bathing suits, muddy shoes, to protect cameras from dust, etc.
Travel pillow
A few band-aids (plasters)
A couple of your children’s favourite nibbles from home – while on safari, such type nibbles are not easily available

If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. 
Travel plug adapters do not change the voltage, so the electricity coming through the adapter will still be the same 220-240 volts the socket is supplying. If you need to use appliances that are not compatible with 220-240 volt electrical input, you will need a voltage converter.

Situated in the southern reaches of Africa, Botswana is renowned for it's pristine wilderness areas characterized by deep lagoons, wetlands, lush palms, rugged hills and desert plains scattered with scrubland.  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 large prides of lions; and the Tsodilo Hills, where 4500 rock paintings form a unique record of human settlement over many millennia.

Plastic Bags
Botswana joins over 40 countries that have made plastic bags illegal, in a positive effort to reduce the impact on the environment.  

The ban applies to:
Carrier bags with handles and with or without gussets
Flat bags without handles and without gussets
Duty free bags

Guests are to refrain from using all forms of ‘disposable’ plastic bags, in both main luggage and hand luggage, to avoid inconveniences and possibly prosecution.

The official language in Botswana is English. The commonly spoken local language is Tswana.

The international code for Botswana is 267, which should be preceded by the international prefix if calling from abroad.

Botswana is GMT/UTC + 2h Standard Time.  Botswana does not utilize daylight saving time.

Duty Free - Shops at Gaberone Airport.

Interesting Reading
Brush with the Wild - Paul Augustinus                                          
Africa’s Top Wildlife Countries - N. Nolting
Birds of Prey of Southern Africa - Peter Steyn
Field guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - Stuart & Stuart
History of Botswana - Tlou & Campbell
This is Botswana – Daryl Balfour
The Heart of the Hunter - Sir Lourens van der Post
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa or Birds of Botswana - Ken Newman
Okavango - The Jewel of the Kalahari - Karen Ross
Okavango – Wetland Wilderness – Adrian Bailey
Okavango - Sea of Land, Land of Water - Anthony Bannister & Peter Johnson;
Okavango River, The flow of a lifeline – John Mendelsohn, Selma El Obeid
The Lions and Elephants of the Chobe - Bruce Aitken
Cry of the Kalahari - Mark & Delia Owens
The Bushman, A Changing Way of Life – Anthony Bannister
Traveller’s Guide to Botswana - Peter Comley & Salome Meyer