Travel Tips to Southern Africa, the Southern half of the African continent. The information outlined on this page is an overview of how our clients may find it useful in the preparation for their holidays to Africa. It should be treated as a useful tool for purposes of planning a tour only other than anything else. There are direct flights to the region and in many cases, there are connecting flights at Johannesburg OR Tambo, Kenyatta airport(Nairobi) Kenya as well as Addis Ababa Ethiopia.

For air travel both regional and international, the major airports are listed as follows;

South Africa – Oliver Tambo(OR) International Airport

                        – Cape Town International Airport

Namibia         -Hosea Kutako International Airport(Windhoek)

Zimbabwe     – Victoria Falls International Airport

                       – Robert Mugabe International Airport(Harare)

Zambia         – Kenneth Kaunda International Airport(Lusaka)

                     -Harry Mwanga Nkumbula (Livingstone) International Airport

Botswana     – Maun International Airport

                    – Gaborone International Airport

Travel Tips to Southern Africa  

Our overland tours allow Tourists to travel on land from one country to the next in the region. These Travel tips to Southern Africa specifically refer to the 10 countries listed. Countries here do have their own rules and laws which are somewhat different from country to country and we do advise our potential clients to read our guidelines and country requirements. However, we encourage you as well to check with your embassy for clarity on travel requirements for tourists. In that regard I will list here some of the more common requirements that you have to consider for the following countries:

A valid passport is a prerequisite for all traveling, and then you will need to have a tourist visa

Zimbabwe: With regards to Tourist Visas you have two option

How to Apply for Visas to Southern Africa  

Visas can be applied on the port of entry as well as online. The KAZA (Kazungula-Zambezia trans-frontier) visa allows one to travel between Zimbabwe and Zambia as many times as one wants within a months’ validity of the Visa on condition one remains within the borders of the 2 countries for that indicated on the visa.

There is also an opportunity to travel to Botswana and back to the 2 countries in a day but not overnight in Botswana. The validity of the KAZA visa lapses once you spend more than a day outside the boundaries of the 2 countries and you may have to purchase another visa should you want to go back.

The same rules would apply as well when you purchase your single entry visa.

Zambia: The same pricing of KAZA visa and the rules would apply as explained in the above section. However, as for country to country, the price summary is as listed below:

a.) Holders of British passports from certain countries do not require a visa to enter Zambia.

b.) double/multiple entry visa US$ 80.00

c.) single entry visa US$ 50.00

Namibia: All tourists’ single entry visa costs US$ 50.00 and is valid for 3 months.

South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland: All visitors coming to SA for less than 90 days do not need a visa.

Botswana: Single entry visa for a period of up to 1 month cost US$ 30.00.

Mozambique: Single entry visa for a period of up to a month costs US$ 70.00.

N.B Visa applications can be done online prior to your travel dates although applications are also processed at all ports of entry.

Major airlines include FlySA, Kenya+ Airways, Ethiopian Airways, Qatar Airways, BA, and a few more.

What health issues should I be concerned about?

There are no travel restrictions for visitors to most countries in the region. You may need a yellow fever vaccination certificate for Mozambique entry.

Although mosquitoes are usually very common in most of the areas near water sources the danger of contracting malaria is very low based on experience over the years. However, we encourage you to also check with your General Practitioner’s recommendations and follow the advice.

When is the best time of the year to visit?

The region lies along the Tropic of Capricorn, that is the lower half of the Equator. Mostly dry and mild to cold winter (warm during the day cold at night) which starts in March to late August. During this time due to lack of water sources, most of the times animals concentrate on the few water holes available making it much easier to see most of the animals.

The rain season kicks off from September to February characterized by warm to very hot days and nights. During this period there is an abundance of food and water for animals and also an opportunity to view healthy energetic animals. It’s important to have mosquito repellents and protective clothing during this time of the year.

Western Cape and Cape Town have a slightly different weather pattern as the wet rainy season is also in winter from March to September.

For safari and over-landing tours the high season is usually from May to December. This time of the year we welcome more visitors than the other half of the year.

Do I need special clothing?

The simple answer is “no”. Depending on the activities you are going to be doing all clothing is acceptable. If you are going on a safari for instance we would encourage you to wear dark-colored clothes, casual and mostly light as by nature Africa is very hot. Sun hats, protective sun creams, and eyeshades may be necessary as well.

Travel Tips to Southern Africa 

Money and Currency?

South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, and Namibia accept the South African currency “The Rand”. Even as you exchange to the other local currency the rate is pegged at 1:1. In banks and Bureau de change you can easily change your currency to the local money. It is easier however to carry US dollars with you as the other currencies getting a fair rate would be a bit of a challenge sometimes.

Botswana uses the BWP Botswana Pula as their currency and can be accessed as well in local banks as well as Foreign Exchange shops in most towns.

Mozambique uses the Mertical. The currency can be accessed as well in the banks.

Zimbabwe has a cash crisis at the moment although most tourist destinations like Victoria Falls accept US dollars as payment. 

In all these countries and on most accommodations we use payments can be done via Visa cards and Master cards. You should just check with your bank how much additional costs you would incur for such transactions. We do not encourage travelers to carry huge volumes of hard currency and would advise payments by bank cards where possible.

What types of Accommodation can I get?

Africa has all forms of accommodation from 5-star hotels, B&B’s, budget hotels, safari lodges, and camping sites. Click here to see the options of accommodations available for you.

In most organized tours we give you a list of all accommodation we will be using and an option to upgrade to the one you prefer. Yes, it is possible to book as couples and have double beds and/or single beds depending on how you want it. We have also single supplement options if you wish to have your separate privacy setup. However, for budget tours, we have shared arrangements which means you get to share a room but on separate beds

How about food?

Meals on tours are mostly prepared by our Guides who happen to be experts on overland chefs. The diversity of meals is based on what most Europeans and Westerners are used to.

Breakfast is typically continental in most cases with a bit of English breakfast on some days when the time for preparation permits. Fruits like bananas, oranges, and apples depending on the season will be also available.

Our lunches would be most easy to prepare sandwiches and fruits and juice and of course, water to keep you hydrated in the African heat.

Dinners would vary from the common carbohydrates like potatoes, rice, pasta and spaghetti, maize flour, and others.

Meats will vary also from mostly beef and chicken, pork and game meat when available.

Vegetarian dishes are always available and other dietary conditions are taken into consideration. Salads will be available in different varieties depending on availability and seasons.

In towns and cities, you can have all the favorite dishes you want and we showcase here some of the African dishes you need to taste.