Zambia, Botswana and South Africa tours

▹ Visa requirements for Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa tours

ZAMBIA: Citizens of the US requires a visa to enter Zambia. Visas are available at the point of entry. If you plan no purchase your visa on arrival you will need USD in cash.  The Visa costs about 50 USD and is valid for 90 days. Visa cost can change.

ZIMBABWE: Citizens of the US requires a visa to enter Zimbabwe. You may purchase an individual visa or  if you would like to visit both sides of Victoria Falls, you will need to purchase a multiple-entry visa to cross the bridge to Zambia and then re-enter Zimbabwe. The individual Visa costs about 30 USD and is valid for 90 days. Visa cost can change.

BOTSWANA AND SOUTH AFRICA: There are no special visa requirements for U.S. citizens entering Botswana and South Africa for less than 90 days. Please make sure your passport is valid for at least another 6 months and has empty pages.

▹ Health, Vaccinations

✔︎ All travelers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the opinion of our group leader or local guide any traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund. You should be able to walk at least 2-3 miles a day and be able to climb at least two sets of stairs.
✔︎ You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure.
✔︎ You are required to provide proof of a yellow fever vaccination (often referred to as a yellow card) or a statement of medical exemption from the vaccine. Please ask your doctor about malaria medication.
✔︎ At least 30 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
✔︎ If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays ( we recommend additional 1-2 weeks of supply).
✔︎ If you tend to get motion sickness please travel with appropriate medication. If you have a sensitive stomach consider bringing imodium as well.

Health Insurance: international health insurance, evacuation or cancelation insurance are not included. We recommend purchasing those before the trip. See the insurance box on the sidebar of this page.

▹ Electricity

✔︎ Zimbabwe operates on 220 volts and uses a Type I plug with three large, flat pins. 
✔︎ Botswana operates on 230 volts and uses a Type G, and M plugs with three large, flat pins and two small, round pins and one larger round pin, respectively.
✔︎ South Africa operates on 220-230 volts and uses a Type M plug with two small round pins and one larger round pin.                                                                                                                                 ✔︎ Zambia operates on 230 volts and uses a Type C, D, and G plugs with two small round pins, three round pins in a triangular pattern and  three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern, respectively.

▹ Connectivity, Internet

✔︎ The Internet is available in all hotels although speed may vary.
✔︎ Please consult your phone plan provider for phone call and text messages, international charges and plans.

▹ Time zones

✔︎ Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa are 6 hours ahead Eastern Time (ET). 
✔︎ 12pm in New York is 7pm the same day in Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa from November through March and 6pm from April through October.

▹ Currency, cash, credit cards

✔︎ The currency in Zambia is Zambian Kwacha, in Botswana is Botswanan pula – but U.S. dollars are widely accepted, in Zimbabwe is Zimbabwean dollar, and in South Africa is South African rand.
✔︎ Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas.
✔︎ ATMs are  available in all major towns and cities and credit cards are generally available in tourist shops and restaurants. Visa and MasterCard are better than American Express, Diners.  Smaller venues accept cash only.

▹ Transportation and arrival information

✔︎ If you add airport pick up our driver will meet you at the airport with a sign that says: Colibri Travel & Tours. If you do not see your driver immediately stay right by exit from the secure area for another 15 min. If you still can’t find each other please give us a call. Driver’s name and phone number will be provided within 24 hours before your departure.
✔︎ If you choose to arrange for your own transportation we will meet you at the hotel or casa. In this case please make sure that you have the address and phone number.

▹ Baggage allowance

✔︎ Our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights. Additional baggage can be a subject of extra fees. Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
✔︎ We recommend that you make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents and a set of clothes, pijamas and cosmetics (travel size) in your carry-on bag in case of baggage delays. ber of your first hotel printed out.

▹ Tipping

✔︎ It’s customary to offer your guide and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
✔︎ We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10 per day per person and giving the tips to tour leaders to distribute between drivers, guides etc.
✔︎ Tips can only be paid in cash.

▹ Itinerary

Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travelers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour.

We LOVE to talk about travel. If you have any questions please give us a call: 617 301 1237 or email us: info@colibritraveltours.com.

We are always happy to talk to our travelers and answer the questions