TRIP PREPARATION 

Know Before You Go

Although most of the planning and preparation is taken care of for you, there are still a few things you should know and some details you should take care of to ensure your comfort, safety and peace of mind. Please review the following information before your departure to ensure that any surprises along the way will only be pleasant ones.

Trip Preparation

A little pre-planning can make your trip go a lot smoother. Several weeks before your trip, make a list of what you will need to take with you. Make sure your personal documents (passports, visas, driver’s license) are in order. Make sure also that you have enough prescription medications to last through the trip and carry them with you in case your luggage is delayed. Bring a change of clothes in your carry on bag in the event that your luggage is delayed or lost. We suggest that you make photocopies of passports, visas, personal ID and any other important travel documents and pack them separately from the originals. You may also make a digital copy of your passport to keep a clear picture with the important details in your cell phone or digital camera photos. If you lose the originals while traveling, you'll have copies for easier reporting and replacement. Pack a list of medications including dosage and generic names. You may consider bringing a small supply of over the counter medications for headaches and/or anti-diarrhea pills (especially when traveling outside of the USA and Western Europe). We recommend that you pack a portable alarm clock. Due to security reasons, many museums have restrictions on the size of bags that can be taken inside and backpacks, carry-on bags or large purses may not be permitted. It is recommended to bring a small shoulder bag or purse to use in these situations instead. Avoid placing valuables such as cameras in your checked luggage. Airplane pressure can cause similar pressure in your body, most notably in ears, as well as liquid tubes and bottles. Your physician can suggest medication for decongestion. We suggest that you place liquid containers into Ziploc bags to catch any leaks.

Travel Protection:

At any time before you complete Final Payment, you may choose to purchase Travel Protection that helps provide coverage for Trip Cancellation, Interruption, Baggage Loss or Delay, Medical Expenses and more.   If you decline this option  you will be required to sign a waiver. 

Cell Phones & Calling Cards

You may wish to carry a cell phone while traveling. Check with your cell phone provider if your phone will work in the destination(s) you are visiting. If you can access the Internet as you travel, you can take advantage of email or a Skype Internet telephone (VOIP) account for the best value. Additionally, if your phone can connect to WiFi you may be able to make voice and video calls free of charge. Please contact your cell phone provider for further details. Alternatively, you may investigate renting a cell phone before you leave or buying an inexpensive phone locally. When calling the U.S. from a foreign country, you may also use a prepaid calling card; normally, the only additional charge (besides the prepaid long distance charges) is a local fee of a few cents and possibly a connection fee if you are using your card at your hotel. It is best to check with the hotel’s reception desk prior to making phone calls to avoid unexpected charges. Please note that we are unable to provide compensation for phone calls regardless of reason.

Making Telephone Calls from One Country to Another

If you are dialing from a mobile phone, you can enter a “+” instead of the international Exit Code ( 001) by pressing and holding the 0 key. For most countries in Africa, if you are calling from a local phone to a number within the same country, you should drop both the exit and country codes and then add a leading 0 (zero). 

Example:

• To call United States from South Africa, dial: 00 - 1 - Area Code - Land Phone Number 00 - 1 - 10 Digit Mobile Number

1. 00 - Exit code for South Africa, and is needed for making any international call from South Africa.

2. 1 - ISD Code or Country Code of United States.

3. Area code - There are 291 area codes in United States. 

WiFi Access

WiFi access has improved. Free or inexpensive WiFi internet is accessible at coffee shops, airports, restaurants, libraries and on some trains and buses. WiFi access in hotels and cruise lines often involves a fee, determined by that property. Signal strength is subject to local conditions and not guaranteed. Availability on cruises is also dependent upon its location while sailing through multiple countries. Please note that WiFi can be extremely slow, unreliable and sometimes nonexistent in developing countries or, on moving conveyances such as buses and cruise ships.

Staying Healthy While Traveling

All travelers should familiarize themselves with local conditions, such as high altitude or required immunizations, which could affect their health. We recommend you consult with your personal healthcare provider, the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) and/or the World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/en/) for their recommendations.

There are several easy steps you can take to stay healthy while traveling which may help prevent contracting an illness while away from home.

• Watch what you eat. Try new foods in modest quantities, and depending upon your destination, you may want to avoid street foods, salad bars, raw vegetables and fruits, unless they have thick peels like bananas or grapefruit.

• Stay hydrated. Drink bottled water and avoid consuming ice cubes made with tap water.

• If you have allergies to foods, medications or insect bites, or have any other unique medical issues, consider a medical alert bracelet and/or a physician’s note detailing required treatment should you become ill.

• Wash your hands regularly and carry hand sanitizer.

• Where appropriate, pack sunscreen and insect repellent (for both active and warm destinations).

• You may also want to bring a small first-aid kit with bandaids, antibiotic cream, pain killers, bug bite cream, digestive aids like antidiarrheal or anti-bloat medications, antacids, and cold medicine. This is in addition to any prescription medications which should be adequate for the entire trip.

Travel Safety Advice: We strongly recommend that tour participants review the destination country's specific information at https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html.

• Notice on Aircraft Cabin Insecticide Treatment - Please note that some countries may require aircraft cabin insecticide treatment for in-bound foreign flights. A list of such countries is available at: http://www.dot.gov/office-policy/aviation-policy/aircraft-disinsection-requirements.

Consideration for Tour Participants (Escorted Tours)

For the benefit of all tour participants, we ask tour members to be considerate of their fellow travelers in the following ways:

• Refrain from wearing colognes, perfumes and/or personal products containing excessive fragrance in respect for other guests who may be allergic

• Avoid smoking cigarettes, e-cigarettes or cigars in the vicinity of other tour members, including in outdoor areas where smoking may be permitted but may still affect other tour participants

• Avoid attire with political or religious messages that may offend other travelers

• Refrain from conversation or talking on mobile phones while commentary is in progress

• Respect the mandatory seat rotation policy on the coach

• Make use of the available hand sanitizer on the coach to support a healthy environment

• Seek approval before taking photographs of other tour participants

• Respect tour departures times to avoid delay and loss of sightseeing opportunities

Climate & Clothing

South Africa & eSwatini - Spring and Autumn: 55–70°F, Summer: 60–80°F, Winter: 45–65°F. Bring comfortable walking shoes, clothes you can layer, and an all-weather jacket. Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses are also recommended. On game reserves, visitors should wear neutral colors such as brown, khaki, and beige for their own comfort.

South Africa Average Temperatures: Click Here 

Zimbabwe - November: - March 63°F-86°F; April - July: 43°F-85°F; August - October: 48°F–93°F.

Victoria Falls offers a mild and dry winter from June to mid-August and a warm to hot spring, until the rains start in mid-November. The dry season around Victoria Falls generally is from May to October; the wet season is from November to March.

Bring comfortable walking shoes, clothes you can layer, and an all-weather jacket. Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses are also recommended. On game reserves, visitors should wear neutral colors such as brown, khaki, and beige for their own comfort. A rain coat will be provided while on the Victoria Falls tour, however please wear shoes you do not mind getting wet and bring a small umbrella for extra protection.

The summer season begins in November and ends in March with very high temperatures. This is also the rainy season, however it is unusual for there to be more than two consecutive days of rain. The winter season begins in May and ends in August and is the dry season when virtually no rainfall occurs. Winter days are invariably sunny and cool to warm; however, evening and night temperatures can drop below freezing point in some areas. The in-between periods - April/early May and September/October - still tend to be dry, but the days are cooler than in summer and the nights are warmer than in winter. 

About Drones

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) or “drone” technology has quickly become affordable and is increasingly popular with recreational users. While some countries have clear, established drone laws, others do not, or existing regulations are undergoing review and change. Travelers who wish to bring a drone on their trip are responsible to research and abide by the laws and regulations of the countries they are visiting, as well as to check with their airline(s) regarding their rules for transporting drones. Please note that tours are unable to extend the length of scheduled visits and stops to accommodate use of drones.

Book & Film Recommendations

Many of our guests enjoy reading about their destination - either in advance of their trip or while traveling - as a way of adding context to their visit. Whether reading a traditional guide book, learning about the history and culture, or simply enjoying a fictional novel set in the destination, a good book can add greatly to your experience. Similarly, a good movie set in your destination helps set the mood before you travel. We asked our Tour Managers and staff to recommend books and films which past guests may have enjoyed. The following does not constitute an endorsement of any authors, books or films listed, it is merely a collection of guests’ recommendations.

Books: 

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton

Zulu by Caryl Ferey

Mafeking Road by Herman Charles Bosman

The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay

Playing the Enemy by John Carlin

Country of My Skull by Antjie Krog