One large kit bag (preferably a rucksack or a bag with soft sides – Please do not bring hard suitcases as they are very difficult to pack in our trailers and can pose a problem for any light aircraft flights you may take as part of your safari. Semi-hard suitcases should be avoided as well.
One item of hand luggage (e.g. a small backpack) – there will be room for this at your feet
Main luggage: max weight = 18kg, max. size = 700mm x 350mm x 350mm
Remember that on safari you need far fewer clothes than you think so bear this in mind when packing 😉
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
Torch with spare batteries and bulbs – a head torch is a good idea
Hat/cap
Scarf and gloves (especially for winter months)
Warm jacket/fleece/jumper – windproof in winter months (May – Sept), waterproof in summer months (Nov – Mar)
Swimming costume
Natural clothing (i.e. no bright colours and no white), t-shirts, shorts, a pair of light weight long trousers and a lightweight long sleeve shirt (long sleeves are extremely useful for sun protection during the day and mosquito protection during the evening)
Please note that camouflage printed clothing is fine for the bush but please do not to wear in towns or when crossing borders.
Comfortable walking shoes and flip flops/sandals
Camera equipment, binoculars, lots of spare films, batteries and spare memory cards for digital cameras are essential as the opportunity to download photos is limited.
Adapters for cables, chargers, USB, etc.: note that we recommend you label them to avoid confusion on the vehicle charging station
Water bottle and a small day pack for walks
TOILETRIES AND FIRST AID
Personal toiletries and medications in small bag, not a vanity case
Sunscreen
Malaria prophylaxis (see section 5 for further information)
Mosquito repellents/lotion/spray
Water proof/zip lock bags for storing personal items to keep dust free and/or dry.
Personal First Aid Kit Please note:A First Aid Kit will be present throughout the safari but personal medicines must be brought for the duration of the safari.
MEDICAL PRECAUTIONS
Check with your local immunisation authority, travel clinic, public health facility or personal physician
Visit the WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION website for up to date information who.int
Botswana is considered a malaria area and preventative medications should be taken
Between 2012 and 2015, both South Africa and Botswana required that all travelers coming from / going to Zambia should have a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. Beginning of 2015, both South Africa and Botswana officially communicated that they shall not require the yellow fever vaccination certificate for travelers coming from / going to Zambia. However, beware that regulations could change again without prior notice.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION
Valid passport: your passport must be valid at least 6 months after the end date of your trip and there must be at least 6 blank visa pages.
Many nationalities are able to obtain tourist visas for Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe at the border posts HOWEVER citizens of certain countries are required to obtain a visa before travelling. Please note that certain visas can take up to 3 months to be processed so please consider this when booking.
Valid visas – it is your responsibility to arrange visas
For up-to-date visa requirements please check with your travel consultant and/or Embassy
If you need to get a visa for one of the countries visited during your safari, please check when and where the visa can be obtained, and which currency is required for its payment.
Requirements for minor traveling through all Botswana ports of entry Effective from the 1st October 2016 minors traveling through the country’s 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.
The Botswana Tourism Development Levy has not been reinstated if put back in place this will be advised.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
For all our safaris, it is COMPULSORY to take out travel insurance covering for: cancellation and curtailment, medical situations, baggage, emergency evacuation.
Okavango exploration Safaris does not provide travel insurance.
Okavango exploration Safaris can assist you to sign up for the Okavango Air Rescue membership. The service provides medical evacuation from isolated areas of the bush by a medically equipped helicopter and emergency doctor, ensuring smooth and swift operations. International insurance companies are not always familiar with the practicalities of dealing with emergencies in the Botswana bush, which can add to delays in obtaining medical care. Although the OAR membership is not compulsory, and does not replace an international medical insurance and evacuation (which remains compulsory with or without OAR membership), we highly recommend to sign up for the OAR membership which is only BWP175 / USD 17 / EUR 15.
Please note that you will be required to provide your insurance details prior to your arrival so we can liaise with your insurance company in the shortest amount of time in case of an emergency. Required details include: medical evacuation insurer’s Name, medical evacuation policy number, 24-hour contact number of Medical evacuation insurer (must be able to phone it from Botswana – USA 800 numbers don’t work from here).
SAFARI DRINKS
Drinks are at your own account at all lodges
Please note that our safari teams do not sell drinks during the safari and drinks can only be bought in town prior to and/or during the safari.
We always recommend that people drink a minimum 3 liters of drinking water / juices / soft drinks per person per day to avoid dehydration.
At all hotel/lodge accommodation drinks are on a cash bar basis
Please find below the approximate prices for drinks in Botswana in local stores (note these are subject to change) – Water 5l = Pula 20 – 25 – Water 1.5l = Pula 7 – 10 – 6 cans of beer = Pula 70 – 80 – 6 cans of Coke/Fanta/etc = Pula 50 – 2 litres Red wine (box) = Pula 115 – 5 litres Red wine (box) = Pula 215 – 2 litres White wine (box) = Pula 115 – 5 liters White wine (box)= Pula 215 – 1 liter Fruit juice = Pula 25 – 330ml Fruit Juice = Pula 17 – 6 cans of Tonic Water/Dry Lemon/Lemonade = Pula 50
