(updated December 2016)
Handy Hints for Southern Africa–
Regional - General Information
Welcome! This information sheet is designed to help you prepare for your holiday. Please contact your agent if you have any problems with any item mentioned in this sheet.
PASSPORTS & VISAS
A valid passport is required to visit all countries in Southern Africa. Please note that anyone travelling to South Africa must have two consecutive blank pages in their passport, which lie side by side when the passport is open (i.e. a left and a right hand page). Passports must also be valid for at least six months. Passengers travelling to South Africa with passports which do not comply with these requirements will either be stopped from boarding the aircraft or risk deportation on arrival in South Africa.
Please remember to have more blank pages if you are visiting other countries in conjunction with South Africa, for example self-drive through Swaziland; visiting Victoria Falls, combining various countries on one trip etc.
Visas may be required to enter various countries in Southern Africa and we recommend that you check with the relevant authorities in your country of residence, for clarification. Generally visas can be obtained at the border for Zambia and Zimbabwe (single and double entry visa), however the visa for Mozambique needs to be acquired prior to departure for Mozambique, unless the country of residence does not have a Mozambican Consulate.
As of 1 June 2015 South Africa implemented new controls regarding children travelling to this country. If you do not have these documents with you, the airline will refuse to board you!!
- a child (defined as a person under the age of 18 years) must travel with an unabridged birth certificate - as this is proof of who the parents are,
- if one or both parents are not travelling with that child, an appropriate authority to travel must be given by the absent parent, or whomever the legal guardian is, if not the parents.
- such authoritiesand certificates must be in the English language, to beunderstandable.
If possible, do NOT carry your passports or airline tickets around with you and we recommend that these documents are locked in the room safe or at the hotel reception.
BANKS
- NAMIBIA: Banking hours are from Monday to Friday 08h30-15h30 and Saturday 08h30-12h00.
- BOTSWANA: Banking hours are from Monday to Friday 08h30-15h30 and Saturday 08h30-10h45.
- ZIMBABWE: Banking hours are from Monday to Friday 08h00 – 15h00, Wednesday 08h00 – 14h00 and Saturday 08h00 – 12h00.
- MOZAMBIQUE: Banking hours are from Monday to Friday 07h45-11h00 and 15h00-16h30.
It is not advisable to use any ATM that is open to the road. In the interest of safety ONLY use the ATM’s in well lit shopping centers. Do NOT accept assistance, or allow yourself to be distracted by any person/s that are not known to you.
CURRENCY
- SWAZILAND: The Lilangeni is the currency of Swaziland. There are 100 cents in 1 Lilangeni. The South African Rand is also accepted in Swaziland. The Lilangeni equals the South African Rand on a one-to-one basis.
- LESOTHO: The Loti is the currency of Lesotho. There are 100 Lisenti in 1 Loti. The South African Rand is also accepted in Lesotho. The Loti equals the South African Rand on a one-to-one basis.
- NAMIBIA: The currency in Namibia is the Namibia Dollar, which is fixed to and equals the South African Rand on a one-to-one basis. Notes are issued in the following denominations: N$100, N$50, N$10. Coins are issued as N$5, N$1, 50 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents. The Namibia dollar and SA Rand are the only legal tender in Namibia and can be used freely to purchase goods and services in the country. The Namibia Dollar is, however, not legal tender in South Africa. Travellers’ cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged at any of the commercial banks, which are well represented throughout the country. Visitors may bring any amount of foreign currency into the country. ATMs bearing the Maestro sign accept foreign Master and Visa cards.
- BOTSWANA: The currency in Botswana is the Pula, meaning ‘rain’ in Setswana, It is divided into 100 thebe. Travellers’cheques and foreign currency may be exchanged at banks, bureau de change and authorized hotels. US Dollar, Euros, British Pound and South African Rand are the most easily convertible currencies. ATMs bearing the Maestro sign accept foreign Master and Visa cards.
- ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe's unit of currency is the Zimbabwe dollar which is currently suspended and not used. USDollar is now the currency in use throughout Zimbabwe. It is essential to carry small denominations, as you may have problems getting change if you pay with bigger notes.
- MOZAMBIQUE: The Mozambique currency is the Metical, which is divided into 100 Centavos. Restaurants and shops in Maputo require local currency but all major hotels and lodges accept US$ and in some cases in Southern Mozambique, South African Rand. ATMs (in cities) bearing the Maestro sign accept foreign Master and Visa cards.
General
When travelling to Victoria Falls, or anywhere else in Zimbabwe, Botswana or Zambia, please ensure that you carry a sufficient amount of US Dollars cash in small denominations: $1, $5, $10
The notes must be of a recent issue (not old notes).
Do not exchange your currency on the black market, as scams are frequent.
CREDIT CARDS
When paying by credit card do not let the card out of sight. Insist that the transaction is conducted in front of you.Inform your bank prior to departure that you are travelling to Africa, so that transactions are not blocked for security reasons once you are on vacation.You will need a pin number when paying with a credit card, even if you are signing for the transaction.
Credit Cards are widely accepted in Namibia and Botswana and can be used at most accommodation establishments (except for at smaller guest houses and farms), safari operators, restaurants, entertainment facilities and retail outlets, however it is advisable to carry small denomination notes for payment of curios etc. from markets and roadside vendors. Visa and Master Cards are widely accepted however Amex and Diners are NOT as widely accepted, so it is advisable to carry an alternative.
In Zimbabwe Credit Cards are generally accepted in most big towns, some hotels, restaurants, and a few service providers, however as there not much experience has been gathered with regards to payment by credit card, it is advisable to pre/book and pay for as many services as possible before arriving in Zimbabwe.
In Mozambique, credit cards are accepted at some hotels, restaurants and super markets in Maputo and other larger towns, however the credit card system is not always reliable. It is therefore advisable to take sufficient cash (US Dollars and South African Rands)
CLIMATE
Southern Africa’s seasons are opposite to those of Europe, North America and Asia. Summer is from October / November to mid April, winter from June to mid September, and spring and autumn fill in the rest.
-NAMIBIA:
The summer months are hot and temperatures from 35 ° C upwards are not uncommon in the south and north of the country.
Winters are pleasant, although temperatures can drop to below 0 ° C in mid winter.
Due to the difference in temperatures between the cold Atlantic Ocean and the hot Namib Desert, fog is common along the Namibian coastline.
-BOTSWANA:
It is hot to very hot in the summer months, especially before the onset of the rains. Being a semi-arid country, it is dry for most parts of the year. The summer rains can be erratic with the rainfall decreasing markedlyfrom the Chobe region in the East the further west one goes.
Winters are dry, with the days being sunny and cool to warm. At night the temperatures can drop to below freezing.
-ZIMBABWE:
The climate is tropical, though altitude moderates the temperatures in certain regions.
Extremely high temperatures of around 40°C are common in the low lying areas in October before the onset of rains. The rainy season is in the summer months, being from about November to March. Torrential rainfall is generally followed by sunshine.
The cool, dry period is from May to September, with temperatures dropping markedly from day to night in the higher lying regions.
-MOZAMBIQUE:
April to November are dry months with pleasant temperatures, with July and August being the coolest of the winter months.
In southern Mozambique the rains begin in about September in the south, whereas Northern Mozambique experiences tropical cyclones from January to March.
The following average temperatures are to be regarded as a guideline. With the ongoing climatic changes world wide, differences to these temperatures are not uncommon.
Windhoek Swakopmund RegionCaprivi RegionMax/min temp. Rain (mm) Max/min temp. Max/min temp. Rain (mm)
Jan30 / 188520 / 1531 / 19 170
Feb27 / 218321 / 1630 / 19 156
Mar27 / 209020 / 1530 / 18 94
Apr26 / 194518 / 1330 / 15 40
May24 / 141518 / 1128 / 10 12
Jun23 / 121017 / 1126 / 6 12
Jul22 / 11 016 / 926 / 6 0
Aug22 / 13 015 / 930 / 8 0,5
Sep23 / 151515 / 1033 / 13 3
Oct24 / 164015 / 1235 / 18 20
Nov30 / 155017 / 1432 / 19 70
Dec30 / 1637518 / 1531 / 19 152
Maun, Botswana Victoria Falls Inhambane, Mozambique
Max/min temp. Rain (mm) Max/min temp. Rain (mm) Max/min temp. Rain (mm)
Jan32 / 1910930 / 1816832 / 24 160
Feb30 / 199729 / 1812632 / 23 130
Mar30 / 178930 / 177031 / 22 120
Apr30 / 142829 / 142429 / 21 80
May28 / 10 527 / 10327 / 19 65
Jun25 / 6 325 / 6125 / 16 70
Jul25 / 6025 / 6025 / 16 45
Aug30 / 9028 / 8025 / 16 38
Sep32 / 12 332 / 13227 / 19 30
Oct35 / 181333 / 172728 / 21 40
Nov34 / 195032 / 186429 / 22 90
Dec31 / 197130 / 1817430 / 23 175
CLOTHING
Lightweight cotton clothing is suitable for most of the year, but sweaters or jackets may be needed for the winter months, especially in the evenings. Heavier clothing and warm hiking type boots are recommended for the mountainous regions. If you are going on an open safari vehicle as part of your holiday, you will need to bring a warm jacket as the early morning drives can be extremely cold. Particularly in winter (May – September), sitting on an open safari vehicle before sunrise, the chill factor is quite severe. Jersey, windbreaker or anorak are necessary, and you should also bring a woolen hat and gloves.
As formal clothes are generally never needed in most of these African countries, except if you are attending a special function, dining at a fine restaurant, travelling on a luxury train or staying at an establishment where the dress code is more conservative, we recommend that you keep your luggage down to the basics. White colours are not recommended and army camouflage uniforms and hats are forbidden in some countries. However, khaki and neutral colours are fine.
ESSENTIALS TO PACK
Light cotton clothing (shorts, short sleeve shirt etc.) - preferably neutral colours for safaris
- Wide brimmed hat, sunscreen with a high sunblock factor, lip salve, sunglasses (polarized with UV protection)
Swimming costume and beach towel - Binoculars – for a safari, you will need a pair of binoculars!
- Comfortable walking shoes and sandals
- Camera and lots of film, memory cards and batteries (Please bear in mind that the light is much harsher in Southern Africa * see below, Photography)
- Cell phone (check with your provider about the costs of roaming etc)
- Charger for cameras and cell phones etc.
- Torch (flash light) with batteries
- Money belt, which can be worn under clothing.
- Lightweight Anorak & Cardigan
- Fold-up Umbrella
- Day pack for short hikes
- Mosquito Repellant
- Passport, Visa, Driver’s License and International Driver’s License, plus photocopies
- Photocopy of travel insurance policy
- Airline tickets and a photocopy thereof
- Hotel and Car Hire vouchers
- Other travel documentation
- An Automobile Association card, as some memberships allow guests to acquire maps free of charge at the South African Automobile Association AA
- Basic Medication such as aspirin, plasters, antiseptic cream, immodium, antihistamine cream and tablets, malaria tablets if visiting a malaria area
- Battery operated or conventional razors should you be visiting remote areas
- Travel hair dryer
- Tissues / wet wipes
- Should you wear contact lenses, a pair of glasses should be brought along
- Biodegradable soap
- Bird and animal reference books and other reading material
- International Plug adapter
- Pen and writing material / journal
- Padlock and keys, luggage tag
Photography *
The choice of the correct camera equipment and film will determine the quality of your photographs on the trip. For good photography of birds and animals, a good SLR camera and telephoto lens is necessary. The minimum size is 200 mm and a zoom lens can be extremely useful on safari. Consideration should be given before traveling with any lens bigger than 400 mm, as most interesting shots are taken using hand held equipment.
COMMUNICATIONS
When dialing to the following countries from abroad use:
-Swaziland: +268
-Lesotho: +266
-Namibia: +264
-Botswana: +267
-Zimbabwe: +263
-Mozambique: +258
Using a cellular phone whilst driving is against the law in all of the countries.
Namibia and Botswana: Mobile Sim cards can not only be purchased at the service providers, but also at most airports, supermarkets and service (petrol) stations.
Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique: All major towns are network covered as well as portions of the major roads, however outlying districts have no cell phone coverage.
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
We recommend you take an adapter with you when visiting the countries listed below.
-Namibia: Electricity is supplied at 220 volts. Namibia uses the South Africa non-grounded
socket. This adapter is also known as type M, ungrounded. Adapters can be bought in supermarkets in Namibia.
-Botswana: Electricity is supplied at 220/240v. Both square and round wall plugs are used
-Zimbabwe: Electricity is supplied at 220/240v.Most wall-sockets take a square 3-prong plug as per the British system. Power Outages are not uncommon.
-Mozambique: Electricity is supplied at 220 volts.
In many outlying areas, electricity runs on generators and is not available the entire day. If wishing to recharge your equipment, please enquire from management about this.
HEALTH PRECAUTIONS
There are a few basic health matters that require care and attention. As we are not medical practitioners, the following are only recommended guidelines. Please consult your doctor if in doubt and check with your health department prior to departure for any changes in health regulations.
It is advisable to have an updated TPD (tetanus, polio, diphtheria) and a Hepatitis vaccination.
Malaria, including celebral malaria, is common during the summer months in north eastern South Africa, northern Namibia, northern Botswana (year round), northern Zimbabwe and Mozambique. This is particularly the case during the rainy season and just thereafter. As the strains of malaria as well as the drugs used to combat them, change frequently, it is advisable to seek medical advice before departure. Wearing long sleeves and trousers, closed shoes, sleeping under a mosquito net, using repellants and mosquito coils are some of the precautions that can be taken to avoid being bitten. The following website gives up-to-date information regarding Malaria and precautions to be taken.
Visitors are advised to take necessary precautions against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Bilharzia is a treatable, but unpleasant disease brought about by parasites found in fresh water in Southern Africa, particularly water that is stagnant or does not move. Swimming in such water is not recommended. Enquiries should be made at the accommodation establishment of the area for up to date information about the prevalence of bilharzia there.
The intensity and effects of the sun and heat are often underestimated. It is essential to take preventative measures to avoid problems related to this, such as drinking sufficient water, using sunscreen, wearing a wide brimmed hat, avoiding excessive exposure to the sun and limiting the intake of alcohol, as this causes dehydration.
INSURANCE
Please ensure that you have yourself and your belongings adequately insured before your departure.
- Health Insurance: Before you travel anywhere, we strongly recommendto have fully comprehensive medical and accident insurance, which covers you while you are away for everything, including emergency evacuation and repatriation.
- Cancellation Insurance: You might have to cancel your safari due to unforeseen circumstances, If you cancel a trip close to the departure date for any reason, you will lose all that the safari was going to cost you. Dependent on the reason, cancellation insurance should cover you for this eventuality.
- Baggage Insurance: Airline liabilities with respect to your baggage are limited. It is advisable to take out insurance if you are carrying expensive and valuable camera equipment. You should always carry such equipment as ‘carry-on’ luggage. Do not put anything of value in your checked baggage!
- Claims: If you anticipate an insurance claim upon your return, be sure to document as accurately as possible any accident, injury or loss. Doctors’ notes and police reports will aid any claim.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
-NAMIBIA
1 JanNew Year’s Day
21 MarIndependence Day
Mar/AprGood Friday and Easter Monday (variable dates)
1 MayWorkers Day
4 MayCassinga Day
MayAscension Day (variable dates)
25 MayAfrica Day
26 AugHeroes Day
10 DecHuman Rights Day
25 DecChristmas Day
26 DecFamily Day
-BOTSWANA
1 JanNew Year’s Day
Mar/AprGood Friday and Easter Monday (variable dates)
1 MayLabour Day
May/JuneAscension Day (variable dates)
1 JulySir SeretseKhama Day
3rd Monday in JulyPresident’s Day
Tuesday thereafterPresident’s Day holiday
30 SepBotswana Day
01 OctBotswana Day holiday
25 DecChristmas Day
26 DecBoxing Day
-ZIMBABWE
1 JanNew Year’s Day
Mar/AprGood Friday and Easter Monday (variable dates)
18 AprIndependence Day
1 MayLabour Day
25 MayAfrica Day
1 JulySir SeretseKhama Day
2nd Mon in AugustHeroes Day
2nd Tues in AugustDefence Forces Day
22 DecUnity Day
25 DecChristmas Day
26 DecBoxing Day
-MOZAMBIQUE
1 JanNew Year’s Day
3 FebHeroes Day
7 AprWomen’s Day
1 MayWorker’s Day
25 JuneIndependence Day
7 SepVictory Day