FAQ

Name: Botswana & Zimbabwe Wildlife Safari
Brand: Go Ahead Tours
SKU: BZB
Price: 9249 CAD
Rating: 4.828571428571428 (35 reviews)

Question 1

Passport, visa & entry requirements

Accepted Answer

* In order to enter Botswana and Zimbabwe (and South Africa on the tour extension), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
* We recommend having at least three blank passport pages for entry stamps.
* U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa in order to enter Zimbabwe. U.S. Passport holders may purchase an individual visa for $30USD at the airport upon arrival. Canadian passport holders may purchase a single entry visa on arrival or through an e-visa service for $75USD per person.
* If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
* All minors traveling through Botswana border posts are required to have a valid passport and a certified copy of an unabridged birth certificate.
* In the event that one parent is not present, the minor is required to have an affidavit consenting travel from that parent. An affidavit will not be required if the missing parent's name does not appear on the birth certificate. (Please note: If the minor is traveling through to South Africa on the tour extension, the documents they provided for the port of entry to Botswana will cover them going through the ports of entry to South Africa.)
* You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to **[goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements](/entry-requirements?tourCode=BZB)** and searching the code BZB.

Question 2

Tour pacing & mobility

Accepted Answer

* You will walk for at least 2 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads and unpaved trails, with some steep hills.
* Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
* You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times. This tour also includes long bumpy rides in safari vehicles. You should feel comfortable stepping up and down to get in and out of the vehicles, standing for long periods of time, and maintaining your balance.
* Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
* If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Question 3

Transportation & arrival information

Accepted Answer

* Your round-trip flights must be purchased through Go Ahead Tours. Due to airline scheduling and availability, some travelers may be required to depart one day early and stay overnight in New York before boarding their flight to South Africa. In these cases, Go Ahead Tours will book the overnight hotel on your behalf.
* Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included in the price of your Go Ahead Tours airfare package.
* A flight from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls and Maun to Cape town, as well as chartered flights on small aircrafts from Chobe to the Okavango Delta and from the Okavango Delta to Maun are included in the price of your tour.
* During your safari, you’ll travel in open-air safari vehicles, motorized boats, and traditional canoes. Transfers between parks are long and cross bumpy terrain, so we recommend bringing a small pillow to ease the ride.

Question 4

Baggage allowance

Accepted Answer

*   Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on safari vehicles and other transfers, which include on-tour flights.
*   Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
*   The Botswana Civil Aviation Authority has banned any Samsung Galaxy Note 7 cell phones on all flights arriving in or originating in Botswana.
*   Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
*   Safari baggage limits are strict and strongly enforced. It’s essential that your baggage meet the following requirements:
*   Both your checked bag and carry-on must be soft, flexible, duffel-style bags. Duffel-style bags without hard bottoms or wheels are best. Absolutely no hard suitcases are permitted.
*   Your carry-on bag must not exceed 24 inches x 12 inches x 10 inches (length by width by height) so that it fits in the baggage compartment on your included on-tour flights.
*   Checked bags must not exceed a total of 33lbs per person and carry-on bags must not exceed a total of 11lbs per person. This total baggage limit of 44lbs per person includes any camera equipment.

Question 5

Clothing & packing tips

Accepted Answer

*   Loose-fitting, layered clothing that can accommodate varying temperatures will be most comfortable. Quick-dry material is best for hot days outside and a warmer layer may be needed for chilly evenings and early mornings.
*   Wear muted colors for game drives, as bright clothing may scare animals away and blue or black clothing attracts tsetse flies.
*   Comfortable closed-toes shoes, such as sneakers or lightweight hiking boots, are best for walking during the day.
*   Sun protection is very important. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a broad-brimmed hat to protect your face and the back of your neck from the sun.
*   Occasional rain showers are common during certain seasons, so lightweight rainwear may be necessary depending on the timing of your trip.
*   Insect repellent and binoculars are highly recommended. We also suggest bringing a flashlight assome hotels turn off the electricity at night and sometimes have unpredictable black-outs.

Question 6

Health

Accepted Answer

* At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at [cdc.gov](https://www.cdc.gov/).
* Local governments may require proof of a yellow fever vaccination (often referred to as a yellow card) or a statement of medical exemption from the vaccine. This is only required of travelers arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever virus transmission (Please note: This does not include the U.S. or Canada). Visit [cdc.gov/yellowfever](https://www.cdc.gov/yellowfever)for more information.
* Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
* Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they’re cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
* Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications in your carry-on bag.
* If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
* If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
* You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to **[goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements](/entry-requirements?tourCode=BZB)** and searching the code BZB.

Question 7

Cuisine

Accepted Answer

*   Cuisine in your game lodges reflects the region’s British colonial influence—you may find that many locals pause for afternoon tea. Porridge and maize-based dishes are staples, as well as locally raised beef and goat and many different types of fish. Fresh varieties of melon are often served for dessert.

Question 8

Electricity & air conditioning

Accepted Answer

* Zimbabwe operates on 220 volts and uses a Type I plug with three large, flat pins.
* Botswana operates on 230 volts and uses a plug Type G plug (with three large, flat pins) and a Type M plug (with two small, round pins and one larger round pin).
* South Africa (on the tour extension) operates on 220–230 volts and uses a Type M plug with two small round pins and one larger round pin.
* South Africa experiences multiple periods of load shedding, or rolling blackouts, due to the demand for electricity exceeds its ability to produce. Travelers should only be impacted for brief moments as all accommodations are equipped with generators and tour activities should not be impacted. 
* We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
* Not all of the hotels on this tour will have air conditioning.
* Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Question 9

Connectivity

Accepted Answer

*   Wi-Fi is available in some hotels, though charges may apply.
*   Wi-Fiis often not available in the safari lodges in Zimbabwe and Botswana.
*   There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches or safari vehicles.
*   Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Question 10

Time zones

Accepted Answer

*   Botswana and Zimbabwe (plus South Africa on the tour extension) are two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET). Botswana and Zimbabwe (plus South Africa on the tour extension) do not observe Daylight Saving Time.
*   From November through March, when it’s noon in New York, it’s 7pm on tour. From April through October, when it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.

Question 11

Currency

Accepted Answer

* The official currency of Botswana is the Botswanan pula, but U.S. dollars are widely accepted.
* You will use the Zimbabwean dollar in Zimbabwe.
* You will use the South African rand on the tour extension in Cape Town. (Please note, travelers are restricted from importing or exporting more than $25,000 in South African rand and may be required to claim any additional foreign currency at customs.)
* We recommend that you carry as little local cash as possible as well as small amounts of U.S. dollars (only crisp bills printed in 2004 or later).
* ATMs are not readily available in more rural locations.
* Major North American credit cards are accepted but can be difficult to use in certain remote locations (Visa is the most widely accepted).
* International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
* We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Question 12

Tipping

Accepted Answer

* At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in USD.
* We recommend tipping $8USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and $3USD per person per day for your driver.
* We also recommend tipping the equivalent of $5USD per person for your local wildlife guides per game excursion.
* Tips can only be paid in cash.
* Gratuities for baggage handling are included in the price of your tour.

Question 13

Purchasing excursions on tour

Accepted Answer

* Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
* Your driver/guide will accept cash (in USDonly), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
* Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
* Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.

Question 14

Shopping

Accepted Answer

*   You will have the opportunity to shop for local handicrafts, such as wood carvings and textiles, at outdoor markets and roadside stalls. Some lodges will have boutiques on the premises as well.
*   Prices at most markets are negotiable, so don't be afraid to bargain—it's a great way to strike up a conversation with a local.

Question 15

Items to give or trade

Accepted Answer

* Many Africans are fond of North American goods, and travelers often bring token items (such as T-shirts, baseball caps, pens, English-language books, small toys, and crayons for children) to offer as gifts or when bartering for souvenirs.
* Offering local children candy or gum is somewhat controversial because of the potential lack of access to dental care.
* Go Ahead Tours strongly recommends that you don’t bring any goods that will require batteries or chargers.

Botswana & Zimbabwe Wildlife Safari

Witness wildlife at its fiercest and freest.

Day-by-day itinerary

Reviews

Traveler photos

Hotels, flights & FAQ

Hotels

Flights

FAQ

Compare similar tours