VISAS:ย There is no visa requirement for American, Australian, British and Canadian travellers to South Africa and Botswana for less than 90 days. However, all travellers will require a visa for Zimbabwe and Zambia which can be obtained upon entry. There may be an opportunity to purchase a UNI/KAZA VISA on arrival which will give you multiple entry access to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana for the price of $50 USD. Visitย https://www.zambiatourism.com/access-granted-the-new-2-for-1-kaza-univisa/ย to read more. This is the preferred choice, however there is a chance they will not be available on arrival, in which case you will need to purchase a multi-entry visa for Zimbabwe on arrival ($30-$45 USD), then a multi-entry visa when crossing to Zambia. Cash is required for all options, as credit card machines often lose signal.
CULTURE SHOCK:ย When travelling to Southern Africa, you’ll see both good and bad. but Locals tend to be very friendly and welcoming. However, poverty is widespread. Most people speak English, and the food at restaurants and hotels is generally safe to eat. That said, tourists can be easy targets for petty crime, so be extremely cautious with personal belongings in public, and avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
LOCAL LGBTQ+ SCENE:ย While South Africa is quite progressive, the rest of Africa still generally condemns homosexuality. Homosexual sex is actually illegal in Zambia and Zimbabwe, so we recommend that you avoid public displays of affection in these countries, for the safety and security of not only yourself, but also your fellow travellers. On a bright note, Botswana just decriminalized same-sex relationships on June 11, 2019.
WEATHER:ย This trip has departures in autumn (April/May) and spring (Sept to November). In Cape Town, you’ll likely experience a mix of sun and cloud, with a chance of rain. Daytime temperatures hover around 20C/70F, while evenings can drop to 11C/52F. During the rest of your trip in Sabi Sands/Kruger Park and Victoria Falls, it should be fairly dry with sunny skies in the spring, and more frequent showers in the autumn. Daytime highs can reach 30C/86F, with evening temperatures around 15C/60F.
VACCINATIONS: Based on the entry requirements, there are no other immunizations needed for entry. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, consult with your doctor or a travel medical clinic. Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
ELECTRICITY:ย You will need an international travel plug/adapter for type C/D/M/N sockets. Visitย http://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/south-africa/ย for more information.
CONNECTIVITY:ย All of our hotels will have Wi-Fi access, so feel free to tweet, pin, post and share your experience with your friends and family at home. They might be a tad jealous!
MALARIA:ย Some of the areas we’ll travel to on this trip have a moderate risk for Malaria. You should consult your physician at least two weeks prior to travel in order to consider the options available to you for prevention.
YELLOW FEVER:ย To prevent introduction of this disease into the country, South Africa requires a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate from all citizens and non-citizens over one year of age travelling from an infected area, or who have been in transit through infected areas.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS:ย The Zambian Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has recently detained a number of tourists for possession of seemingly innocuous over-the-counter medications like Benadryl, which contain small quantities of diphenhydramine, an active ingredient that is on Zambia’s list of controlled substances. A full list of prohibited medications will be provided in your pre-trip packet.
