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Travel Info

Traveler's Information

All you need to know before your safari trip.

Best Time to Travel

The best time to visit depends on what safari experience you are looking for and your tolerance of the varying weather conditions.

  • Autumn months – March, April and May - are marked by moderate temperatures, 15-30°C, which is a lovely time to visit Botswana with the lands lush and green after the summer rains.
  • Winter months - June, July and August - are marked by cloudless days and mild temperatures (average is 5- 27°C). In the Okavango Delta, the floodwaters from Angola start to fill the countless lagoons and streams and the landscapes outside the Delta begin their drying process, gradually fading from lush green to dry khaki.
  • Spring months - late August through September - are a wonderful time to visit Botswana. The timing, between the cold of winter and the intense heat before the rains, ensures temperatures of 15-31°C. It heats up toward the end of September and into October where highs can reach above 43°C. Game viewing is excellent due to the lack of thick vegetation and the water holes are drying up.
  • Summer months - November, early December through to March - enjoy temperatures averaging 16-35°C. These months include the rainy season (generally Jan/Feb), when you may encounter brief but heavy rain and thunderstorms. This period can offer good game viewing and you may be lucky to witness the miracle that the rains bring, transforming the dry land to a vibrant abundance of lush greenery.

Age Restrictions

Regretfully, we are unable to accept children under the age of eleven, unless by prior arrangement or on a private safari where family groups will be catered for.

Children aged 11-16 must share accommodation with a parent and they remain the responsibility of their parents at all times.

Clients must have an adventurous spirit, as often at night the sounds of lion and hyaena can be heard close at hand, although you are always safe while inside your tent. No maximum age has been set, but reasonable health and fitness is essential. It must be noted that September, October and November can be very hot (up to 40°C) and humid.

Baggage Allowance

Space is really limited on a camping safari, therefore we kindly request we kindly request that you use a soft bag and limit weight to under 15-20 kg including hand luggage and cameras. Only soft bags will be accepted - no hard suitcases or bags with wheels can be transported. The maximum dimensions of the soft bags that can be accommodated are as follows: 25cm/10 inches wide x 30cm/11 inches high and 62cm/24 inches long. Should you arrive with excess baggage without prior warning, your baggage could be delayed, as we may have to fly the baggage into camp at a later stage at considerable extra cost to you.

How to Get to Maun and Kasane

Our safari routes offer two options for arrival – via Maun (Maun International Airport – IATA code: MUB) and via Kasane (Kasane Airport (IATA: BBK). Kasane Airport is served by daily road transfers from Zambia’s Victoria Falls (IATA: VFA) and Livingstone (IATA: LVI) international airports.

To reach either Maun or Kasane from abroad is usually via Johannesburg in South Africa (OR Tambo International Airport – IATA code JNB)

Transfer to/from the airport is included and it will be done in open 4x4 safari vehicles.

Passports, Visas and Travel Documentation

Your passport must have at least 6 months validity before the expiry date and 6 empty pages (not including the endorsement pages). The onus is upon guests to ensure that passports and visas are valid for the countries visited. Please note that certain visas can take up to 3 months to be processed so please consider this when booking.

If you are travelling with children through Southern Africa please be aware that you will be required to have certified copies of their unabridged birth certificates, and passports on hand. If you are not their legal parents, or if only one of you is travelling – you will need to have consent in the form of an affidavit giving you permission to travel with the child.

Visas for Botswana are not required for all European and American nationalities. Entering Botswana you will automatically get a Travel Visa on the passport control.

If guests require a visa, Planet Safari will assist you with a letter of invitation, which will be forwarded to the Botswana Embassy or Consulate nearest to you.

Medical Emergency and Insurance

Specific medical conditions need to be advised upon booking; this assists Planet Safari team in making suitable prior arrangements and/or raising awareness in the case of a medical emergency. Planet Safari has 24-hour radio access to Okavango Air Rescue and in the case of emergency a medical evacuation facility is available.

Emergency evacuation insurance is included in our rates, however the Okavango Air Rescue professionals define the nature of the ‘emergency’ and the transfer is to the closest medical facility that has the capacity to deal with the specific injury/illness. Treatment once at the medical facility is not covered.

It is strongly recommended that all guests take out private travel/medical insurance which will cover them for the duration of their stay and that the details of this insurance (policy number, insurance company and emergency contact number) is lodged with their agent and our team. This assists with efficient processing of the emergency evacuation.

Vaccinations and Malaria

All visitors must be in possession of a valid international inoculation certificate for yellow fever to enter South Africa and Zambia.

Vaccination requirements change from time to time. Please consult your doctor or health care centre for up-to-date advice.

The areas you will be travelling in are malaria areas. We suggest you speak to your local GP or healthcare provider and take the action recommended as there are various differing ideas about what prophylactics to take, if at all. Some of the prophylactics can cause side effects and it is important to bear in mind that malaria can be contracted despite taking tablets.

Travel Insurances

Travel insurances of any type are included in our rates and services. For your safety and peace of mind, on confirmation of your booking, we strongly recommend that Travel Insurance is arranged to cover cancellation, curtailment, emergency evacuation, medical and repatriation) expenses, damage/theft/loss of personal luggage, money and goods.

Communication

Part of the safari experience is being out of contact with life’s normal communication overload, so there is no cell phone coverage or internet access while in the bush. However, your guide will be in constant two-way radio contact with our Maun Operations Office through whom important messages can be relayed. But, mobile phone network is available in all major centers.

In the event of an emergency Planet Safari’s Maun Operations Office should be contacted by telephone on +267 7598 0094. The office will ensure that the guest is informed and the appropriate action is taken.

Money

When entering Botswana, Zambia or Zimbabwe, you will be required to declare all foreign currency in any form. As certain African currencies are difficult to change outside of their country of origin, it is advisable to only change money as you need it.

All international airports have foreign exchange and most hotels have facilities for changing money. It is also possible to draw cash from visa machines, but it is advisable to always carry a relative amount of cash. It is advisable to bring U$D or Euro.

Exchange rates fluctuate constantly, so please consult your local bank as to the current exchange rates.

Electricity

In our safari camping trips we do not carry any power generator. Our vehicles are fitted with 240 volt inverters which are linked to Botswana plug sockets for easy charging. We recommend that you buy a Botswana converter, these are the same as South Africa, 3 round pin plugs. This is a charging facility for recharging camera, laptop and torch batteries only.

Dietary and Special Requests

Regretfully, we are unable to accept children under the age of eleven, unless by prior arrangement or on a private safari where family groups will be catered for.

Children aged 11-16 must share accommodation with a parent and they remain the responsibility of their parents at all times.

Clients must have an adventurous spirit, as often at night the sounds of lion and hyaena can be heard close at hand, although you are always safe while inside your tent. No maximum age has been set, but reasonable health and fitness is essential. It must be noted that September, October and November can be very hot (up to 40°C) and humid.

Photography

Any special request (e.g., diet, facility or physical handicap) must be informed in writing when you submit your reservation request to Planet Safari. We will try our very best to meet such requirements, if possible.

What is or Not Included

Just to avoid any doubt what is included or not in our services, please refer to the lists below.

what's Included

  • Transfers from/to the airport in Maun
  • Activities as stated in the itinerary, including two game drives daily, unless a full day safari/transfer is
    planned
  • All meals - breakfast, lunch & dinner are prepared daily in the camp kitchen tent (note: meals will include fruits and vegetables according to season and any special dietary requirements will be attended to upon prior requirement) or provided by the lodges
  • Water, soft drinks and local beverages
  • Accommodation according to selected itinerary
  • Services of a professional guide, camp assistant or back up team, according to safari option
  • Emergency medical evacuation insurance to regional medical facility (we use Okavango Air Rescue Service based in Maun. They provide paramedic or Doctor assisted helicopter medical evacuation as required, in conjunction with guest’s travel insurance)

What's Not Included

  • Transfers to Victoria Falls (pre-arrangements required)
  • International flights & taxes
  • Restaurant meals
  • Visas-Fees to Zimbabwe (appr. 35 USD)
  • Entrance Fees to Victoria Falls (appr. 25 USD)
  • Optional activities - scenic flight over the delta, river rafting , boat cruises etc - (pre-arrangements required)
  • All Travel Insurances (for your safety and peace of mind, on confirmation of your booking, we strongly recommend that a comprehensive travel insurance plan is arranged to cover cancellation, curtailment, emergency evacuation, medical and repatriation expenses, damage/theft/loss of personal luggage, money and goods.
  • Visas if required to travel to Botswana
  • Vaccinations
  • Tips
  • Any additional meals, any beverages and any activities/transfers whilst at any of the accommodated safaris
  • Any premium brand beverages whilst camping (it can be provided on request at additional charge)
  • All extras such as telephone calls, curios, postage, medicines, etc
  • Errors and Omissions
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