Travel Insurance
We highly recommend that you arrange your own travel insurance. Not only for your own peace of mind, but also to cover you in the event of possible tour cancellation, emergency evacuation, medical and repatriation expenses as well damage/loss/theft of your personal belongings, camera equipment, money and the like.
Contact Detail
It is important that you give us your contact detail of your next of kin or a friend whom we could contact in the event of an emergency. This detail you can give us on the Booking Form that we will forward to you.
Passports/Visas/Vaccinations
- Please note that Desert Tracks Bookings & Safaris cc cannot be held responsible for any of the above & following.
- Passports need to be valid for at least 6 months from date of departure (the date you end your holiday) from Namibia/Botswana etc.
- Traveling with minors - for parents travelling with children under the age of 18 into or out of South Africa, Namibia, or Botswana - you need to have the child’s full unabridged birth certificate with you.
- Please check on the internet or an Embassy whether you require a VISA to be arranged in advance or whether you can obtain it at point of entry. In some cases, it can take up to 3 months for Visas to be issued so please do not leave this to the last minute. Please note that we cannot arrange Visas from our side as the application requires your signature as well as the actual passport to be endorsed.
- The same applies to any possible vaccinations. Your doctor should be able to advise you.
Some Tips and Requests
- Please ensure your consultant has your phone number, preferably a local cellular number
- Bag types and sizes for local flights: bags to be soft type as luggage bays of small aircraft cannot hold large hard shell bags. If bag sizes and weights do not comply, extra charges could incur
- Luggage weight limitation is vital for your own safety. If luggage weight exceeds limits, some luggage will be unpacked and extra costs could incur
- Stick to speed limits as speeding is not only breaking the law, but also negates/cancels any insurance claims and should there be an accident, you will be liable for 100% of repair costs
WETU APP – TRAVELKEY
We recommend you download the app called TravelKey. This allows travellers to carry their itinerary with them while they travel. Even while offline. The app is available for both Android and iOS.
Traveling with Minors
This information is extremely important for all families traveling to and from Namibia, South Africa and/or Botswana
The Namibia, Botswana and South African Governments have introduced requirements for minors travelling through all ports of entry. The development, which is aimed at managing the movement of children across these country borders, has an ultimate goal of tackling human trafficking which is a global challenge. Namibia, Botswana and South Africa, like other countries is affected by this problem and as such has enacted the United Nations Anti-Human Trafficking Protocol; which calls upon governments to come up with deliberate measures aimed at combating human trafficking.
All minors travelling through Namibia, Botswana and/or South Africa borders will be required to produce certified copies of unabridged birth certificates in addition to their valid passports. In the event that one parent is not travelling with the child, the other parent’s affidavit consenting to such travel should be availed. However, an affidavit will not be required if the father’s name does not appear on the child’s birth certificate.
Minors younger than 18 years traveling to Namibia must have an unabridged birth certificate. In addition, when traveling:
- With an adult who is not their biological parent: an affidavit from their parents giving consent for the minor to travel with the adult is required.
- With an adult other than a parent/legal guardian: copies of their legal guardians/parents' passports or documents of identity are required. Contact details of the parents/legal guardians should also be provided.
- With a parent: an affidavit from the other parent giving consent for the minor to travel is required. A death certificate should be provided if one parent is deceased.
- Unaccompanied: an affidavit from their parents/legal guardians consenting their travel, a letter containing the contact details and residential information of the person who will receive the minor passenger, a copy of the identity document, valid passport or permanent residence permit of the person who will receive the minor passenger, and the contact details of the minor's parents/legal guardians are required.
Located in southwestern Africa, Namibia boasts a well-developed infrastructure, some of the best tourist facilities in Africa, and an impressive list of breathtaking natural wonders. Visitors can explore the capital of Windhoek and discover the lovely coastal town of Swakopmund boasting remnants of the country’s German influence, reflected in the architecture, culture, cuisine and the annual Oktoberfest celebrations. To properly appreciate this extraordinary country, you will have to venture out of the cities to explore the remarkable natural landscapes Namibia has to offer. These include: the impressive Fish River Canyon; the vast Etosha National Park teeming with abundant wildlife, such as lions, desert-adapted elephants and the Hartmann's Mountain Zebra; the hauntingly beautiful Kalahari Desert; and of course the Namib Desert stretching for over 2000 km along the magnificent Atlantic Coast. Namibia is an ideal destination for travellers seeking an unforgettable African experience in a uniquely beautiful untamed wilderness.
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.
A nation of spectacular natural beauty, friendly people and rich culture, Zimbabwe’s status as one of Africa’s leading safari destinations was dampened for years by its political instability. But now that the country is transcending its strife and returning to a state of equilibrium, it is once again emerging as a vacation highlight of the continent. Victoria Falls – known to locals as ‘The Smoke That Thunders’ – is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and the sheer power of this massive body of water plunging into the Zambezi Gorge is awe-inspiring and unforgettable. Lake Kariba, with its game-rich shores and islands, is an idyllic safari spot featuring mind-blowing sunsets; Hwange National Park is known for its huge herds of elephants; and a kayak trip down the Zambezi through the Mana Pools National Park will appeal to the intrepid traveller, providing close encounters with crocodiles, hippos and a host of other wildlife.
