Botswana, South Africa & Zambia

All U.S. citizens require a valid passport to enter the countries on this itinerary, and that passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the completion of travel. (Please note that although adult passports are valid for a full ten years, children's passports require renewal every five years.)

The countries of South Africa, Zambia, and Botswana do not require visas for U.S. citizens, you will however receive a tourist visa stamp upon arrival into each country.

New rules at South Africa's airports require travelers that are transiting through or visiting South Africa, to have four consecutive blank visa pages in your passport which lie side-by-side when the passport is open (i.e. a left and a right-hand page). These must be pages marked "visa" at the top. Guests will need two additional blank visa pages in their passport for their arrival into Zambia or transit through Zimbabwe. (These two additional pages need not be consecutive with the blank four-page spread noted above that is required for entry into South Africa.) 

Passengers traveling to South Africa with passports that do not comply with these requirements will either be prevented from boarding their flight to South Africa or risk deportation upon arrival.

An unabridged birth certificate is needed for guests under 18 years old to cross into Botswana.

** Non-U.S. citizens should contact the embassies or consulates of South Africa, Zambia and Botswana to determine if a visa is required.

For guests arriving into Victoria Falls International Airport in Zimbabwe: In addition to a valid passport, U. S. citizens are also required to have a visa to enter Zimbabwe, for the transfer to the Royal Livingstone hotel in Zambia. 

You must obtain your Zimbabwe visa upon arrival at Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe, before exiting Immigration and Customs. You will be required to show your passport in order to obtain your Zimbabwe visa. You will need to purchase a SINGLE ENTRY VISA for $30 USD. Guests who are arriving early and plan to visit the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls (after entering Zambia), before your Tauck journey begins, you will need to purchase a DOUBLE-ENTRY VISA for $45 USD.

For those guests arriving into Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone Zambia: If you plan on visiting the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls, you may purchase a SINGLE ENTRY VISA on the Zambia/Zimbabwe border. 

It is a good idea to carry a photocopy of the photo page of your passport in a place other than with the original, and to leave a copy of all your travel documents with a friend or relative at home.  If you are a United States citizen and do not have a valid passport, please contact the closest U.S.passport agency or consult the U.S. State Department website for detailed information on how to obtain or renew your passport at: {www.travel.state.gov}.

** Non-U.S. citizens should contact the embassies or consulates of South Africa, Zambia and Botswana to determine if a visa is required.

To facilitate Travel Requirements, destinations are increasingly utilizing online forms that require digital proof that you've successfully completed your submission (via an email, QR code, etc.) To ensure smooth travels and peace of mind, we strongly recommend all guests carry a personal smart phone and sign up for international data plans before traveling overseas.

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN AS A GUARDIAN: If you are traveling as the guardian of a child/children, we strongly suggest that you carry a letter from both parents of the child authorizing emergency treatment in the event of illness or accident. For travel abroad, many foreign countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling internationally without BOTH parents. (These requirements are in response to the increased incidence of children being abducted and taken abroad.) PLEASE NOTE THAT TAUCK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for children traveling without both parents.

Traveling with Minors:

To ensure a smooth booking process and compliance with travel requirements for children under 18 years old to Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa, please provide the following documents:

• U.S. citizens require a valid passport to enter the countries on this itinerary, and that passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the completion of travel.
• Signed, Notarized Letter from Parents: For guardians or grandparents traveling with minors, it is required to bring a signed, notarized letter from the children's parents. This letter should authorize travel and emergency medical treatment in case of injury or illness. Please note that the legal definition of a minor can vary by location and may be up to 21 years of age.
• Unabridged Birth Certificate: An Unabridged Birth Certificate is a document that includes detailed information about both biological parents or legal guardians to cross into Botswana 
• In the case of one parent traveling with a child, he or she must produce a certified unabridged birth certificate of the child.
• A letter of consent from the absent parent, should the minor be traveling with one parent only.

For more information, please click on the links below:

Detailed information regarding Botswana can be found at:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Botswana.html

Detailed information can be found at South Africa's office of homeland affairs:
https://www.gov.za/faq/travel-tourism/what-are-requirements-travelling-children 

Deposit Information:

The deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking. Your deposit is £350.

Terms and Conditions:

For additional information pertaining to our Tauck Journeys, including Cancellation Information and Booking Conditions, click here to learn more.

At the time of booking, please have the following information ready:

• Tour Name and Departure Date Desired
• Traveler Name(s):  Please have first and last names as they appear on the passport or driver's license.
• Traveler's Address(es)
• Traveler's Phone Number(s)
• Emergency Contact Information: This would be a relative or friend whom we could contact during the tour in the event of an emergency. Please provide their name and phone number(s).
• Interest in purchasing a travel protection product (US and Canada)
• Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
• Interest in our specially negotiated airfares.

Regarding your final payment:

Final Payment is due to Tauck 60 days before departure for lands trips, and 120 days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Customer Protection: Our UK-based agents comply with the bonding requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority and provide full financial protection for the package holidays that we sell in the UK. For flight-based holidays, this is through the Air Travel Organiser's Licence (details of which are available from the UK-based agent with whom you book). When you buy a package holiday that doesn't include a flight, protection of your monies paid to our UK-based agent will be provided by way of a bond.

AIRFARE: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) in the My Account section of Tauck.com.

TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for any pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance. Details on locating your transfer upon arrival to the tour start city will be included in your final documents.

AIRLINES and CHECKED LUGGAGE: Due to space limitations during your Tauck journey, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person. Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and are free to revise luggage policies without notice. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies. PLEASE NOTE that if you are booked on a tour that includes on-tour flights, the checked luggage weight restrictions for these flights may be lower than the weight restrictions for your international flights.

Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour:

Due to internal flights with limited storage capacity throughout the tour, a special rolling duffel bag (30x 15 x 14 inches) to be used for the entirety of the tour will be mailed to your home and should arrive approximately two weeks prior to your tour's departure. This duffel bag has been selected to provide you with adequate space for all items needed during your stay.

While larger suitcases are prohibited, each guest is allowed a small carry-on bag (soft-sided only), in addition to the duffel bag. Guests are allowed up to 44 lbs. (20 kg) for the duffel bag and up to 16 lbs. (7 kg) for the carry-on. If you choose to bring extra luggage outside of the rolling duffel and carry-on, you will be charged $230 per piece to have it flown from Kasane (on Day 3) to Maun where you will be reunited with the extra luggage for your flight to Cape Town on Day 9. Additional luggage fees may apply on your flight to Cape Town as well. Please remember that casual attire is acceptable on this tour and there will be various opportunities to utilize laundry services. 

Checked luggage aboard the on-tour flights in Botswana are restricted to 44 lbs (20 kg) for checked luggage and 16 lbs (7 kg) for carry on pieces.

Checked Luggage – General

Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and luggage exceeding airline standards for size or weight may result in expensive overage fees or other consequences.

Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.

Tauck luggage tags will be provided by your Tauck Director on Day 1 of your itinerary. Please do not attach a Tauck luggage tag to any carry-on items, as the Tauck tags designate luggage that is to be handled and transferred by ground operators and hotel staff during your journey.

Carry-on Luggage - General

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for safari vehicle travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern safari vehicles offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, valuables, cameras, film, etc.

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour. 

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Immigration authorities in some nations require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against certain diseases in order to enter those countries. These requirements are subject to frequent change as outbreaks occur and subside, and it is therefore crucial that you obtain the very latest information on entry requirements as you prepare for your journey.

For the most current information possible vaccination requirements, please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by clicking here and the World Health Organization (WHO) by clicking here. You may also wish to visit the web sites for the embassies of the countries you will be visiting. Besides providing details on vaccination requirements, these sites can also provide information on vaccinations that may be recommended (but aren't required) and other potential health issues for which no vaccines are available.

Any decisions relating to your health, of course, should not be based solely on information provided by a web site. It is critically important that you consult with your personal physician prior to your journey to obtain any required vaccinations and to review any optional recommendations offered by the CDC or other sources.

Please be sure to discuss your journey with your physician at least four to six weeks in advance of your departure, as certain vaccinations take time to become fully effective. Also, be certain to ask your physician for proof of any vaccinations you receive, and to pack this proof along with your other travel documents in your carry-on luggage (not in your checked luggage).

Researching and complying with vaccination entry requirements for the countries visited on this itinerary is the responsibility of the traveler and not Tauck. Tauck is therefore not responsible for any expenses incurred or disruptions to travel caused by improper or incomplete vaccinations, or by the failure to provide proof of required vaccinations.

If you do not obtain the necessary vaccinations and proper documentation, you may be denied entry into one or more countries, or temporarily quarantined until the necessary vaccinations are administered, or until proper documentation is provided.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. However, given the diverse nature of those food providers (from small wineries to grand hotels to world-famous restaurants in more than 70 countries worldwide), some of our partners are better able than others to accommodate such requests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal. Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited.

Please note that all Tauck guests will dine at Tauck Designated tables for meals. The majority of meals while on safari, are buffet due to the international guests that stay at the lodges.

MOBILITY

All travelers to Africa should be in reasonably good health. There is a significant amount of walking on this tour, frequently in warm weather, as well as climbing in and out of safari vehicles and frequent air travel. We strongly advise that guests who require assistance walking or travel with oxygen tanks may not fully enjoy this very active journey.

There are certain rules and regulations that one should be aware of while on safari. It is important that you listen to your tour director, local guide or ranger, as they are trained to be aware of the environment around them.

Guests should be aware that while on safari, you will be traveling in smaller groups and will travel on small bush planes and/or helicopters.

Guests will share smaller safari vehicles, where they will be required to rotate not only safari guides, rangers and cars, but also seats within the car. Please note that there are limited medical facilities, and guests will not have exclusive use to a vehicle should they need special attention or consideration.

The safari vehicles are not air conditioned. The cars have six window seats, and many are open air cars for animal viewing. Please note that the areas traversed on game drives are typically unpaved and will often be bumpy and dusty.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE ON SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN AND MOBILITY ISSUES: This Tauck itinerary cannot accommodate oxygen tanks, wheelchairs or motorized scooters. Oxygen tanks are strictly prohibited in many foreign countries on regional flights aboard small aircraft, such as those intra-tour flights featured on this Tauck journey. Likewise, the very limited cargo capacity on such flights prohibits the transport of wheelchairs or motorized scooters.

Guests should also bear in mind that the infrastructure in many foreign countries, particularly in developing countries, often presents severe and even insurmountable challenges for those with walking difficulties or other mobility issues. The responsibility of the Tauck Director is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey!

You can view the reading list here.

South Africa, Zambia, and Botswana are a year-round destination, as frequently the climate features bright, sunny days. Temperatures in the summer (November to February) and autumn (March and April) typically range from the mid-50's to the high-70's degrees Fahrenheit , or 10 to 21 degrees Celsius, in South Africa. Meanwhile, the winter (May to August) and spring (September to October) seasons typically bring temperatures from the mid-40's to the low-70's F, or 4 to 21 C, in South Africa.

South Africa is generally considered to be an arid region, with two-thirds of the country receiving less than 22 inches, or 56 centimeters, of rain per year. The central part of the country typically sees rainfall in the summer. Meanwhile, in Cape Town and its surroundings, it is typically most rainy in the winter months.

To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website by clicking here.

Bringing the right clothing for your trip is important – we've partnered with Necessary Gear who provide an "easy-to-use, one-stop shop" for your Tauck travel needs, specifically selected for this trip. Click here to visit their site.

Generally, lightweight, cotton, short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts, shorts and long pants are sufficient. A light jacket, fleece, or windbreaker, as well as layers of clothing, are suggested for cooler temperatures during early morning game drives, especially from June through August, and for evenings. A bandana or cotton scarf will always come in handy.

For the welcome and farewell dinners, and for dining in the larger cities, many guests like to dress up, but by all means be comfortable.

While on safari it is recommended you wear natural earth-colored clothing, such as khakis, tans, browns, and greens, as well as comfortable walking shoes. It is also a good idea to bring a swimsuit, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and lip protection.

Game drives can be dusty, so wear something that can be washed while on safari. Valet service is available at all lodges and hotels.A personal kit with medication for possible upset stomach, aspirin, and allergy medicine may also be useful. If you are taking prescription drugs, bring a prescription signed by your doctor in case you need an emergency refill while traveling. Insect repellent with DEET is a very important item to include in your kit. Pre-moistened towelettes, antibacterial lotion, and a flashlight will also be useful on your safari.

Pack your medical kit in your carry-on bag along with an extra pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses and a change of clothes in case of luggage delay.

For viewing wildlife, we recommend you bring a good pair of binoculars and your own photography supplies, such as plenty of film, batteries, a 200mm telephoto lens, lens cap, lens papers, UV filter and, for video-recording, an adequate supply of video cassettes.

We suggest that you pack the following items your journey:

• Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks, long and short-sleeved shirts
• An optional jacket and tie for men
• Casually elegant evening wear for ladies
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
• Swimwear
• Gym wear
• A light sweater or jacket for higher elevations or a breezy night
• Binoculars (7x50 preferably)
• Insect repellent
• Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and chargers
• Lightweight, comfortable, sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
• Travel alarm clock/cell phone with alarm function (many hotels do not have clocks in the rooms)
• Rain poncho and collapsible umbrella
• Reusable zipper-lock bags or other waterproof bags
• Daypack for camera equipment
• Sundries and toiletries that may be difficult to find en route
• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling