Wild Africa Travel Company

Southern Africa - Travellers Information

Visa & Departure Taxes:

Zambia
A visa is required and a single entry visa can be obtained on entry for approximately US$50 per visa and a double entry visa for US$80 per visa.
Departure taxes of $US10 is payable on departure when travelling within Africa.

Mozambique
A visa is required and a single entry one month visa can be obtained on entry for approximately US$82 per visa.
An arrivals tax of US$2 and departure tax of $US20 is payable.

South Africa, Botswana & Namibia
No Visa required for stays less than 3 months.
Departure taxes are included in airfares.

Please note the above is based on Australian passport holders. However you will require the following:

  • A passport that is valid for a minimum of SIX MONTHS from your return date to Australia
  • Possession of a return/onward ticket at each destination
  • Please make sure that you have at least TWO EMPTY PAGES in your passport before travelling to Southern Africa. If not you MAY BE DENIED ENTRY.

If you are a passport holder of another nationality other than Australian please contact the embassies or consulates for any visa requirements. Wild Africa Travel Company takes no responsibility for visa requirements of passport holders as the visa requirements do change regularly.

More information on visas and departure taxes can be found through The IATA Travel Centre (www.iatatravelcentre.com) or Smart Traveller (www.smarttraveller.gov.au).

Currency:

The currency in South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR)
The currency in Botswana is the Pula
The currency in Zambia is the Zambia Kwacha (ZMK)
The currency in Namibia is the Namibian Dollar
The currency in Mozambique is the Metical (Mtc)

ATMs are prevalent throughout the major cities and are a quick and easy way of accessing your account providing your Bankcard can be used internationally (check with your bank). Major credit cards are widely accepted with the most common being Visa and Mastercard.

Travellers’ cheques can be readily exchanged however banks do charge a fee. To avoid exchange fees, it is best to take travellers cheques in US Dollars.

General Health Advice:

Prescribed Medication:
Bring adequate supplies of all medications in their original containers, clearly labelled. Carry a signed, dated letter from your personal physician describing all medical conditions and listing all medications, including generic names. If carrying syringes or needles, be sure to carry a physician's letter documenting their medical necessity. Pack all medications in hand luggage. Carry a duplicate supply in the checked luggage. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring an extra pair. If you have significant allergies or chronic medical problems, wear a medical alert bracelet.

General Precautions:
Pack a personal Medical Kit. Take appropriate measures to prevent motion sickness and Jet lag. On long flights, be sure to walk around the cabin, contract your leg muscles periodically, and drink plenty of fluids to prevent blood clots in the legs. For those at high risk for blood clots, consider wearing compression stockings.

Prior to Departure:
It is recommended that travellers to the southern Africa consult their personal physician or a travel health clinic 4 – 8 weeks before departure. Travellers should speak to their physician or travel health clinic about the following medications and vaccinations, which are recommended for southern Africa.

Medications & Vaccinations:

Vaccination certificates may be required, please check with your doctor if certificates are required for entry.

Vaccinations:

  1. Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all travellers over one year of age. It should be given at least two weeks (preferably four weeks or more) before departure. A booster should be given 6-12 months later to confer long-term immunity.
  2. Typhoid vaccine is recommended for all travellers over one year of age. It should be given at least two weeks (preferably four weeks or more) before departure. A booster should be given 6-12 months later to confer long-term immunity.
  3. Yellow Fever – May be required, please check with your doctor.
  4. Polio - Immunisation is recommended.  Any Adult who received the childhood immunisation should receive a single dose booster and all children should be immunised.
  5. Hepatitis B – Vaccine is recommended for travellers who will have intimate contact with local residents or potentially need blood transfusions or injections while abroad, especially is visiting more than six months.
  6. Rabies – Recommended for those at high risk of being bitten by an animal, such as veterinarians and animal handlers.
  7. Malaria: Prophylaxis with Lariam, Malarone, or doxycycline is recommended for all areas.

Travellers should also be up to date on routine immunisations including;
Tetanus-Diphtheria
Measles-Mumps-Rubella
Varicella (Chicken Pox)

Medications:
Travellers’ Diarrhea is the most common travel-related ailment. The cornerstone of prevention is food and water precautions. All travellers should bring along an antibiotic and an antidiarrheal drug (such as Imodium) to be started promptly if significant diarrhea occurs.

Tipping, Time, Measurements & Electricity:

Tipping:
South Africa:
Normally 10% if service is not included. It is customary to tip porters, waiters, taxi drivers, caddies and room service.

Botswana, Zambia & Mozambique
In better restaurants a 10% service charge is often added which technically means tipping is not required. It is customary to tip porters, waiters, taxi drivers, caddies and room service.

Namibia:
Tipping is expected only in upmarket tourist establishments, but many places add a service charge. Tipping is officially prohibited in national parks and reserves.

Time, Measurements & Electricity: (all areas)

Time: 8 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time
Weights & Measurements: Metric system
Electricity: 220/240V 50Hz

Climate:

South Africa is a large country and has diverse climactic regions, but in general the weather is sunny and hot in the summer months (December to April), and mild during winter (May to November). Winters in the Cape are cold and wet, and snow falls on the mountain ranges here and in Natal. Gauteng and the northern areas experience thunderstorms regularly during evenings in the summer months, and winters are usually warm during the day and cold at night.

Botswana straddles the Tropic of Capricorn and experiences extremes in both temperature and weather. In the winter (late May to August) days are normally clear, warm and sunny and nights are cool to cold. Wildlife seldom wanders from water sources making sightings more predictable than in the wetter summer season. In summer (October to April) the rainy season provides the highest humidity and stifling heat with daytime temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius common.

Zambia’s altitude creates a temperate climate. There are three distinct seasons: the dry season (mid April to August) when temperatures drop at night and the landscape is green and lush; the hot season (September to mid November) which is the best time to see wildlife as the flora is sparse; and the wet season (mid November to mid April) which is ideal for bird watching.

Namibia’s climatic variations correspond roughly to its geographical subdivisions. In the arid Central Namib summer daytime temperatures may climb to over 40 degrees Celsius but can fall below freezing during the night. Rainfall is heaviest in the northeast, which enjoys a subtropical climate. The northern and interiors experience little rain between October and December with heavier rainfall from January to April.

Mozambique has a dry & wet season. The dry season runs from May till November and is characterised by sunshine, blue skies and temperatures between 24 & 27 degrees Celsius. The wet season which runs from January to April has high temperatures, high humidity & high rainfall.

Safety & Emergency Procedures:

The majority of visitors enjoy a safe and pleasant trip. However, you still need to be wary and take care of your person.

  • Do not walk alone on streets, particularly after dark
  • Walk only in well lit areas and avoid obscure alleys
  • Do not invite attention by carrying cameras or wearing exposed jewelery or watches
  • Store valuables in a safe place, you should not leave valuables unattended in your hotel rooms or in public places
  • In the unlikely event you are in a threatening situation, do not try and be a hero, as your assailant may be armed. Give them what they want and try to remain calm

Take copies of your passport and leave one with a family member or friend and carry one with you whilst travelling in case of loss or theft.

Communications:

Optus, Telstra and Vodafone all offer roaming agreements. Coverage is available in most areas. Check with your service provider for more details.

When calling South Africa from Australia dial 00 + 27 + Area Code (drop the 0) + Telephone Number.
When calling Botswana from Australia dial 00 + 267 + Telephone Number (there is no area code).
When calling Zambia from Australia dial 00 + 260 + Area Code (drop the 0) + Telephone Number.
When calling Namibia from Australia dial 00 + 264 + Area Code (drop the 0) + Telephone Number.
When calling Mozambique from Australia dial 00 + 258 + Area Code (drop the 0) + Telephone Number.