An African Journey

This is an exciting grade 4 walking holiday on which we travel through stunning scenery and can expect full or half days of leisurely walking. Our excursions might include several hours on foot, by canoe, motor launch, or safari car. Some of the short walks can be reasonably energetic and our itinerary can mean we that we might sometimes face walking in the heat of the day. The highest point reached on this holiday will be 1085m if we pursue the option to visit Table Mountain (weather dependant). Ascents and descents can be up to 600m.
Some days will be spent on leisurely walking around areas of special or historical interests. Other days will be spent on game drives within National Parks.

This holiday is for the traveller with a sense of adventure as we do spend a lot of time travelling on stone roads in order to cover the four countries that we will be visiting. We travel in a robust but comfortable 4-wheel-drive vehicle in which we encourage a policy of free-seating from day to day so that all can enjoy a fully shared experience as the journey unfolds.

The itinerary is adventurous, and we do go off the beaten track. We’ll explore lesser known destinations so local conditions, facilities and local transport may be more basic. Sometimes there may be changes to the itinerary at short notice for the purpose of following a route most expedient to circumstances on the day: however, the experience and stories to tell will be worth it!

Please note that for some activities during the holiday, local regulations require participants to sign a disclaimer prior to taking part in an activity to clarify that you understand the nature of the activity and are making an informed decision to proceed.

All local transport costs in conjunction with the advertised activity programme are included in the holiday cost. There may be occasions where additional visits or excursions are added to enrich your experience, these will be paid for locally by you if you choose to participate. Local transport can be a mix of private hire coaches, taxis, local buses and ferries depending on the itinerary.

A range of local excursions and activities may be available to book at your destination through a local operator. We have no involvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will be with the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions.

When budgeting for your holiday, you will need to consider drinks, any meals not included in the holiday price, non-included entrance fees, optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally and any souvenirs or additional services such as laundry. A general guideline for lunches and drinks is £10-£20 per person per day.

The currency used in South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR).

The currency used in Namibia is the Namibian Dollar (NAD) - although the South African Rand is also widely accepted.

Botswana’s currency is Pula. Travellers cheques are accepted at some banks and ATMS are available in the major towns, however, mostly only accept Visa. Major credit cards are accepted at many shops and restaurants.  

As of 24 June 2019, Zimbabwe have announced that all financial transactions are officially conducted in the local currency known as “Zimbabwe Dollars.” Prices and transactions will be displayed in  Zimbabwean (RTGS) dollars, however you may find that US dollars are accepted in some businesses. You should check before making a transaction whether the price quoted is in Zimbabwean (RTGS) or US dollars as the symbol for both is $, and it is recommended to check exchange rates prior to any transaction. Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a severe shortage of cash. It’s not currently possible to make cash withdrawals with an international bank card.

Credit Cards are readily acceptable everywhere in Zimbabwe where the relevant arrangements have been made with the International Credit Card Companies such as VISA, MASTERCARD and others issued by different banks in the countries of origin of the travellers. Visitors are required to make the necessary arrangements with their banks before embarking on travel and when in the destination they need to look out for the logos of their respective credit cards. Visitors are however encouraged to use plastic money and only exchange amounts of money in cash that they anticipate using. Visitors may convert their money back to their foreign currency subject to prevailing terms and conditions. This may include proof in the prescribed format that one changed money upon their arrival.

Tipping is not a commercial transaction and hence visitors are at liberty to tip the way they want. It becomes incumbent upon the recipient to ensure adherence to the foreign exchange regulations.

It’s illegal to leave Zimbabwe with more than $2,000 (or equivalent) in cash. It’s illegal to exchange foreign currency anywhere other than at officially licensed dealers (eg banks or bureau de change). It is a good idea to carry small denomination notes as change is rarely available in smaller businesses.

Although entirely at your own discretion, tipping is an important aspect of tourism and hospitality life and expectations are fairly high.  In order to simplify tipping, we strongly recommend that you allow your leader to take care of making sure tips are given to hotel and restaurant staff & to local guides and drivers. This will be done using some funds provided by us together with, if you wish, a contribution from you, which he/she will collect during the holiday.

Your tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible.

Each evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. This will be your opportunity to discuss the details and ensure the planned activities suit your walking ability. If you have concerns on clothing or equipment, this can be discussed then also. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know.

If you wish to organise your own flights from a non-UK or provincial airport or travel by rail or car to your holiday destination, 'land only' reductions are often available. Please contact us for details.

Before finalising any independent travel arrangements, please check with us first - especially if doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended date of travel. If you do intend to join your holiday locally please do tell us at least 14 weeks in advance.

If you are joining and leaving your holiday overseas we assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday at your hotel.

Although airport transfers are not included for those making their own independent travel arrangements, if you wish to join the group at the overseas airport, depending on your flight arrival time, you may be able to be included on the group's transfer. Please contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details. 

Please note that your flight must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight to be able to join the group transfer. We also need your flight number, arrival time and departure point so that the group leader is able to meet up with you.

For all those booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday, details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days prior to departure.

To ensure that we can accurately administer your holiday arrangements, please confirm that the personal details we hold for you are up to date and that you have provided the information we need to secure your holiday travel and accommodation arrangements. Please check your passport details, date of birth and any other important details necessary for us to properly manage your holiday booking. You can view and update information already provided, and add details not yet asked for, by using the Manage My Booking facility on our website www.ramblersholidays.co.uk, or by calling our Sales and Reservations team on +44 (0)1707 331133. When you receive your booking confirmation please check the details as soon as possible.

It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country.

Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements.

General passport advice for UK nationals on the UK Government website.

FCDO Travel Advice

You must ensure you check all entry requirements in good time by reviewing the official FCDO advice for your destination. Please take time to read and regularly check this website for changes to the entry requirements and any local restrictions.

Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination

You may be required to provide proof that you have been fully vaccinated when travelling or in your destination. Proof of vaccination can either be digital via the NHS app or a printed copy via NHS Hard Copy. We recommend allowing seven working days for your printed copy to arrive. Please note both the NHS app and printed copy are only valid for 30 days.

We anticipate that all travellers will need to be fully vaccinated including the booster jab and to carry proof of this with them at all times. Some indoor venues require, and may ask for proof of vaccination, as well as masks becoming mandatory for indoor public spaces, and we ask you to be prepared for this.

Face Masks

Some airlines or destinations are requiring the wearing of FFP2, FFP3, KN95 or N95 masks without a valve. You should check the FCDO advice for your destination and with your airline before you travel, although you may wish to have one of these masks on hand just in case.

For entry into Zimbabwe, passports for British Citizens must be valid for 6 months after the return date of this holiday and these must have three blank pages within your passport.

British Citizens do require a visa for entry into Zimbabwe and the easiest way to get your visa is at passport control when you arrive in Zimbabwe. A single entry visa, which is what you will need, costs 55USD however this could change so please check the website before you leave. The only currency they will accept is USD. Some nationalities are visa exempt and the fees vary according to your nationality. To check which rules apply to your nationality please check the following website: www.zimlondon.gov.zw.

If you would prefer to apply for your visa before you depart you can do so 2-3 weeks before you travel with the new online evisa system, you apply for your visa using the website provided, (however you are still required to pay for your visa on the port of entry): www.evisa.gov.zw

Visas for clients travelling independently - Clients travelling independently will also need to organise their own visas for entry into Zimbabwe. However, clients booking their own flights are advised to speak to their airline to ensure they have all the required passport data prior to arrival at the airport in Zimbabwe; otherwise they could incur an extra cost. Please contact your local Zimbabwean embassy for more details.

For entry into South Africa, a passport is required and must be valid for at least 6 months after your planned departure. Your passport should have at least two blank pages when you present it at immigration to enter or leave South Africa. A visa is not required by holders of British passports bearing the inscription 'British Citizen' for holidays less than 90 days. Holders of non-British passports should check with the South African Embassy or their nearest consulate regarding requirements.

British nationals do not require a visa for a holiday or private visit of up to 90 days. Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Namibia and have at least 1 completely blank page for Namibian immigration to use.

For entry into Botswana a visa is not required for travel up to 90 days. A passport, valid for at least six months from the date of departure and at least two blank pages is required. Any passenger with a passport that does not comply with these requirements will be refused entry on arrival.

All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are provided except for two lunches and five dinners, which will be at your own expense. Most breakfasts and some lunches and dinners will be taken at the hotels and lodges, others will be prepared and cooked for us by a cook travelling with us on the tour.

The hotel(s) listed within this document are examples of standard only. Whilst we strive to deliver the hotel(s) listed within this Holiday Information Sheet, there will be times throughout the year when they change. If this occurs, we will advise you as such. From time to time hotels will change near to departure and you will not be advised until after arriving into the destination. We always aim to provide a replacement of similar standard and location, although we cannot guarantee similar facilities such as pool or bar.

Lightweight waterproof walking boots with a good moulded sole (such as Vibram or similar) and a deep tread and which provide ankle support are strongly recommended and may be essential for some walks. 

Outdoor activities are always safer and more enjoyable if you are prepared.

If you have not travelled with us before the following list might be of use:

• Waterproof jacket (Goretex or similar) and trousers
• Lightweight quick-drying trousers
• Walking T-shirt/shirts
• Walking socks
• Fleece or jumper
• Sun hat, sunglasses, lip salve and sun block
• Warm hat and gloves (if appropriate)
• Swimwear (if appropriate)
• Day sack (this should be able to carry all you would need for the day's activity)
• Day sack liner
• Water bottle - at least 1 litre capacity (more than 1 bottle may be required)
• Basic first aid kit
• Lunchbox
• Walking poles (should you find them useful)
• Sit mat

This list is not exhaustive and every walker is different and may have their own preference.

For the game drive/walk section of the holiday we recommend you bring clothing that is in keeping with the natural environment; natural, earthy tones work best such as browns, khaki and beige. Bright colours can scare off game, as these are colours that are not ones that they are generally familiar with. For the evening and early morning game drives a fleece or jacket and long trousers are recommended as it can become chilly during these periods and the vehicle's that we travel in can be open to the elements.

Please refer to the details given about malaria precautions and the advice given on wearing long sleeve tops and long trousers and closed shoes.

We recommend that you bring a torch with you, which will be useful when staying at the tented camps, where light is usually solar powered and poor or no lighting will be available in the evenings.

Binoculars will also be useful for wildlife spotting whilst on the game drives.

Documents and Information to take with you:

• Passport (make sure it's yours and valid)
• Your travel tickets or e-ticket itinerary
• Any visa or electronic travel authorisation (if required)
• Holiday money
• Credit or debit cards (and separate details of who to call if lost)
• Car parking ticket and car park directions (if prebooked)
• Coach or rail travel tickets (if prebooked)
• Your holiday Booking Confirmation document
• Your travel insurance details
• Alternative form of identification (such as a driving licence)
• Photocopy of the personal details pages of your passport
• A valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if relevant
• Details of any medical condition or allergy your holiday leader should know about

In Zimbabwe the electricity is supplied at 230V A/C, and sockets accept 15 amp. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a three-pin plug with round pin, the three-pin square plug (as used in the UK) is also used. Many of the accommodation we use have both. More information can be found at www.powerplugadapter.uk.

In South Africa the electricity is supplied at 220-240V A/C. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a three-pin plug with round pins. More information can be found at https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/

In Namibia the electricity is supplied at 220V A/C, and sockets accept 15 amp. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a three-pin plug with round pins. More information can be found at ttps://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/

In Botswana the electricity is supplied at 230V A/C, and sockets accept 15 amp. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a three-pin plug with round pin, the three-pin square plug (as used in the UK) is also used. Many of the accommodation we use have both. More information can be found at https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/

An alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is filtered water from a refillable bottle containing its own water filter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from www.watertogo.eu. Just fill up from any water source and save the environment from disposable plastic bottles.

We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping the environment. Please go to their website at www.watertogo.eu and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a difference in the countries you visit on our holidays.

Zimbabwe National Tourist Board www.zimbabwetourism.net
Botswana Tourism www.botswanatourism.org.uk
Namibia Tourism Board www.namibiatourism.com.na
South African Tourist Board www.southafrica.net

If you cannot find the maps or books locally we recommend:

The Map Shop
5 High Street
Upton upon Severn, Worcs
WR8 0HJ
England

Tel: 01684 593 146
Website: www.themapshop.co.uk
E-mail: themapshop@btinternet.com

If you key many of the local places mentioned in this holiday fact sheet into YouTube, you will find a vast array of spectacular footage of the area.

Visit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination:

• Weather2 - www.myweather2.com
• BBC Weather - www.bbc.co.uk/weather

Health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP.

No compulsory immunisations are required for visits to Zimbabwe.

You should be up to date with the usual immunisations recommended in the UK.

Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid immunisation is recommended.

You might also like to consider immunisation against Rabies, Cholera, Diphtheria and Hepatitis B.

Malaria is present throughout the year in Zimbabwe; please seek advice from your doctor or travel clinic.

There is a risk of schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection (also known as bilharzia) that is transmitted to humans through contact with fresh water. Please seek advice from your doctor or travel clinic.

No compulsory immunisations are required for visits to South Africa.

You should be up to date with the usual immunisations recommended in the UK.

Diphtheria and Hepatitis A immunisations are recommended.

You might also like to consider immunisation against Hepatitis B, Rabies, Tetanus, Cholera and Typhoid.

There is low to no risk of Malaria in South Africa, apart from the Kruger National Park where the risk is high.

There is a risk of schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection (also known as bilharzia) that is transmitted to humans through contact with fresh water. Please seek advice from your doctor or travel clinic.

No compulsory immunisations are required for visits to Namibia.

You should be up to date with the usual immunisations recommended in the UK.

Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid and Diphtheria immunisations are recommended.

You might also like to consider immunisations against Cholera, Rabies and Hepatitis B.

There is a risk of Malaria from November to June in the northern third of Namibia. There is a low risk of malaria in this part of the country during the rest of the year. There is a risk throughout the year in the Caprivi Strip, Kavango and Kunene river regions. Please seek advice from your doctor or travel clinic.

There is a risk of schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection (also known as bilharzia) that is transmitted to humans through contact with fresh water.

No compulsory immunisations are required for visits to Botswana.
You should be up to date with the usual immunisations recommended in the UK.
Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid immunisations are recommended.
You might also like to consider immunisations against Rabies and Hepatitis B.

 There is a risk of Malaria from November to June in the northern half of Botswana, including the Okavango Delta, there is a low risk during the rest of the year. There is a low to no risk of malaria in the southern half of the country. Please seek advice from your doctor or travel clinic.

 There is a risk of schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection (also known as bilharzia) that is transmitted to humans through contact with fresh water. Please seek advice from your doctor or travel clinic.

For further advice please visit:

• The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) travel health website at www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
• The NHS 'Fit for travel' website at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
• The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
• Or a local travel health clinic

You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands.

It is a condition of booking with Ramblers Walking Holidays that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the trip, including all optional activities.

Your travel insurance policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation. Please ensure your policy covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are walking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. Medical and repatriation insurance cover are not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.

Whoever you insure with, please ensure that you take full details, and ideally the policy itself, with you on holiday and provide our tour leader with your insurer's name, the policy number and emergency assistance contact numbers.

Please note that it is very difficult to obtain travel insurance once your holiday arrangements have started.

Covid-19 Cover

If you should have symptoms and test positive for Covid-19 whilst abroad, you may need to stay where you are until you test negative and you may have to seek treatment. We strongly recommend that you take out an insurance policy that covers you for this eventuality.

Looking for travel insurance?

If you have not already arranged cover, please visit SunWorld who offer travel insurance.

SunWorld policies include cover for COVID-19, subject to applicable terms and conditions.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office provides up to date information on security and local laws for travellers, together with current passport and visa information, at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Please take a few minutes to look at the current advice on your planned destination.

Please be aware of what's going on around you, take sensible precautions with your credit cards and passport and avoid displays of wealth such as wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Do not carry more cash on you than you will need for each day, and we recommend that a money belt is used.

We're committed to ethical tourism in all our destinations. Our holidays are designed for you to discover the essence of the country you are visiting. Travelling in small groups not only gives you an up close and personal experience of your destination, but minimises your impact on the immediate environment. We feel that the most important starting point to protect the environment is to be out in it. For more details visit our website.

Unlike many tour operators we have our own trust through which RWH Travel’s profits are channelled back into a variety of outdoor, walking-related or environmental conservation projects in the UK. The focus of the Trust’s financial support is Britain’s leading walking charity, The Ramblers, and their role in promoting the benefits and importance of walking to the British public. In addition the Trust welcomes applications for small grants from local organisations in the UK who need support for walking-orientated activities. This includes the establishment of footpaths and bridleways, funding for rebuilding bridges and renovating huts, as well as bursary funding for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for children who could not otherwise afford to do it. Please visit the ‘About Us’ section of our website and click on the Charitable Trust link for more details.

We appreciate that we are in a fortunate position to be able to use our profits to help make a difference to people's lives. Heart & Sole is a venture managed by our office staff, whose aim is to reach the heart of the communities in the countries we visit. Through Heart & Sole, we hope to make more of a long term, direct impact to these communities, particularly in less developed countries where even a small amount goes a long way. See our website for more information and details of some of the projects we support.

Please do provide us with a mobile phone contact number. We will only use this to contact you with important information relating to your holiday arrangements. 

Do keep your mobile phones switched on and readily available when travelling to the airport or if delayed in transit so that we can contact you with any last minute information relating to your travel arrangements.  

As a matter of courtesy, please switch off your mobile phone during walks, or endeavour to minimise its use. Please also try to minimise the use of mobile devices during group meals.