SOUTH AFRICA AND VICTORIA FALLS TRIP EXPECTATIONS

Flights & Transfers • Flights between Tanzania and South Africa or Victoria Falls will likely require an overnight in Dar es Salaam or Johannesburg. Flights from Northern Tanzania to Dar es Salaam are about 1-2 hours, and flights from Dar es Salaam to Johannesburg are about 3-4 hours. Flights from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls or Cape Town are about 2 hours. • Upon arrival in South Africa or Victoria Falls, please look out for a placard that says “Thomson Safaris.”

Immigration and Entry Requirements • All U.S. and Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after your return date. • Tourist visas are not required for entry into South Africa for visits less than 90 days. • Visas for Zimbabwe (i.e., arriving via Victoria Falls airport) can be obtained upon arrival for $30 USD. • Visas for Zambia (i.e., arriving via Livingstone airport) can be obtained upon arrival at the airport for $50 USD. • Adults traveling out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18 should be aware that Customs and Border Protection strongly recommends that, unless the child is accompanied by both parents, the adult should have a notarized letter from the child’s other parent or guardian stating “I acknowledge that my wife/husband/etc. is traveling out of the country with my son/daughter. He/She/They has/have my permission to do so.” In South Africa, specifically, you will be required to present the child’s original birth certificate or a notarized copy thereof. • Please visit https://za.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-2/, https://zw.usembassy.gov/visas/ and https://zm.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-2/ for the latest COVID-19 related requirements for travel to South Africa and Victoria Falls.

Weather and Climate

South Africa • The South African climate varies depending on the season, latitude, elevation, and proximity to the coast. • Southern regions tend to be warm, dry, and sunny in the summer, and more mild and wet in the winter. • The interior plateau is temperate, and the northeast (where Kruger National Park is located) is subtropical. • In general, average daily temperatures from December through March (austral summer) range between 50˚F and 90˚F, while those in June and July (austral winter) range between 30˚F and 65˚F.

Victoria Falls • The cooler dry season runs from March/April to October, and the warmer wet season extends from November to March/April. • Temperatures in the wet season range from about 70˚F at night to a high of 90˚F during the day. Temperatures in the dry season range from about 50˚F at night to about 80˚F during the day.

Travel Medicine • While at present there are no required immunizations for entering South Africa, Zimbabwe or Zambia from the U.S., Europe, or Tanzania, you should consult your medical provider for the most current advice. Plan ahead and keep your basic shots up-to-date. Some inoculations must be administered serially over a period of time, and others cannot be given together. • In addition to malaria, which is present in Southern Africa, you may wish to discuss the health precautions listed in your Safari Guide (p. 9) or Kilimanjaro Prep Guide (p. 19) with your travel doctor. • If you are traveling from a Yellow Fever endemic country, you may be required to provide proof of Yellow Fever vaccination upon entering the country. Please discuss this requirement with your doctor. • Some roads are quite curvy, especially in the higher terrain and on the coast of South Africa. If you are prone to motion sickness, please consider packing the appropriate medicine.

Electrical Power • The electrical systems in southern Africa operate at between 220 and 240 volts (50 Hz). • A multi-plug adapter set, available in most electronics stores (and larger airports), will include a current converter and every plug type you’ll need.

Essential Physical Considerations • There are ample opportunities for hiking throughout South Africa. Some of the trails in the south (e.g., Cape Town) are moderately steep and uneven. On safari in the north, the terrain is not as steep but trails may be nonexistent while walking in the bush. Shoes with relatively good ankle support are highly recommended. • In Victoria Falls, outside the park proper, the terrain is generally quite flat and trails are well maintained. The trails in the park are also well maintained, but the mist from the falls and rainfall can make parts of them slippery. For these sections, a walking stick can be handy.

Money & Valuables • The currency of South Africa is the Rand. • Zambia and Zimbabwe use a multi-currency system that includes the U.S. dollar. • Major credit cards are accepted virtually everywhere in Victoria Falls and South Africa. Please let your credit card company or bank know you will be traveling abroad so that they don’t “freeze” your account due to what they might perceive to be suspicious activity. • ATM’s are easily accessible in South Africa and Victoria Falls. Wherever available, they are the most convenient and economical means for getting cash in the local currencies. Feel free to ask your driver or guide for suggestions about the amount of cash you might need on a given day and where to access it.

Gratuities • In South Africa and Victoria Falls, a service charge is usually included in the bills at restaurants, so tipping is not necessary. If a service charge is not included, a tip of 10% is typical. Tips for your private drivers/guides are not included in the cost of the trip itself. We hold all of our in-country partners to the highest standards of excellence. While tipping is entirely discretionary, if you feel you have received services that are worthy of those standards, please refer to your tipping guidelines.

Safety • You should exercise the same precautions while traveling in these countries that you would in any unfamiliar location. Stay vigilant against pickpockets and bag snatchers, especially in congested areas such as those frequented by tourists--airports, market places, and crowded streets. • We recommend that you do not purchase souvenirs from street hawkers. Be wary of con artists. Your guide can advise you on the safest places to visit. While it’s easy to be distracted by new sights and sounds, you should be aware of aggressive drivers and unfamiliar traffic patterns. Please rely on your guide should you have any questions or concerns regarding security. • The tap water in South Africa is treated and safe to drink. • Avoid tap water in Zimbabwe and Zambia even when brushing your teeth or showering. The same precautions for water also apply to ice cubes; freezing does not remove impurities. And, because fruits and vegetables are usually washed with tap water, the same water rules apply to these foods as well: eat only cooked vegetables and peelable fruits that you have peeled yourself. Bottled water is safe and available everywhere. • The sun is very strong, especially in Zimbabwe and northern South Africa. Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen with a minimum SPF rating of 30, and reapply often. Don’t forget your lips and the tops of your feet if you wear sandals. A hat with a wide brim is also a good idea. • Always carry a small supply (not a spray can) of repellent in your pocket or day pack and apply it as needed. Insect repellents containing up to 30% DEET are generally effective and can be applied to either your bare skin, or to clothing, including hats.