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Traveling to a foreign destination can be a daunting experience. Below we offer some information we think may be helpful for prospective visitors planning to travel to Southern Africa. The experienced team at African Sky has compiled the travel advice, tips, and suggestions.
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Summer in Southern Africa begins in December and continues through to February. It will be hot to very hot. Temperatures range from 10 to 40 degrees Celsius [50 – 104°F]. December, January, and February are the mid-summer period when temperatures and rainfall are the highest. The majority of summer rainfall comes in the form of afternoon thundershowers. It will be humid in the low-lying eastern parts of the sub-continent in summer, notably the Kruger National Park, KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland, and Mozambique. Lodgings in those regions have air-conditioned rooms. We recommend shorts, t-shirts, comfortable sandals, a cap or hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen if you're sensitive to the sun. The UV index in the Southern hemisphere is higher than in the north. Despite the expected high temperatures, you should bring a fleece. Mornings can be chilly, especially if it rains overnight.
Autumn is considered to have some of the best weather conditions throughout Southern Africa. Temperatures are not as extreme as winter or summer, with mild and warm rainfall in all regions. The Cape region, most notably Cape Town, offers a very moderate and pleasant climate during this season. Many landscapes are transformed into rich, golden brown hues, providing excellent photographic opportunities.
Winter is from June to August and is typically the dry season. Temperatures range from 0 – 25 Celsius [32 – 77°F]. It will be pleasant in the low-lying eastern parts of the sub-continent where the Kruger National Park is located, with little or no humidity. It's almost guaranteed not to rain. The skies will be bright, blue, and clear. The Southern and western parts of South Africa [Cape Town and the Garden Route], as well as the highveld [Johannesburg and Pretoria], will be sunny but cold. In the eastern parts of South Africa and Botswana, Victoria Falls, and Namibia, it will be cold at night and early morning but warm to hot during the day. Be aware that indoor heating isn't common in Southern Africa. It might be colder indoors than expected. In winter, we recommend you 'dress to undress'. Mornings are cold, but as soon as the sun breaks the horizon temperatures rise steadily. If you're spending time at a private safari lodge, note that game drives are conducted on open-air safari vehicles. Be sure to consider the windchill factor.
Spring's arrival brings a magical transformation of the country and landscapes. The Cape floral regions, such as Namaqualand, are covered with a kaleidoscope of hundreds of thousands of colorful wildflowers. During spring, whales can be seen breaching the waters of the Western Cape in towns such as Hermanus and Arniston. Temperatures are up, and mild to hot conditions can be expected with the occasional cold snap as winter makes its final stand before heading off to the Northern Hemisphere.
Each season has its unique charm. The dry season offers the finest game viewing, but the wet season sees the birth of the young and a lush and green environment. The winter months are best if you travel to the northern part of Southern Africa, including the Kruger National Park, Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia. In the Southern part, you will experience the region at its finest between September and April (Spring, Summer, and Autumn). These two months are the finest to visit Southern Africa if you travel to the northern and Southern countries and regions.
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In the context of this guide, photographers are grouped into three broad categories: beginner or casual, intermediate, and expert or professional. Whatever your level of photographic experience, if you intend to travel with a camera, it's always a good idea to understand how it works. We also suggest traveling with your camera's handbook, as, at some point, you'll want to take advantage of a feature you know your camera has but cannot remember how to activate.
African Sky will gladly arrange rental photography gear for the duration of your safari. We'll deliver the equipment to you on arrival and return it after completing your safari or tour. Ask for further details and prices.
If you own a camera, whether an 'old' film camera, a point-and-shoot, or a DSLR and are not concerned with capturing top-notch images but rather wish to record your travels for the sake of reminiscing, any camera will do the job. Ensure you bring enough memory/film and batteries, and don't forget your charger. Ensure you know the local voltage supply [see 'electricity' below].
If you're one who's moved up from the point-and-shoot category and purchased a DSLR - you've opened yourself up to many new and exciting possibilities. You'll have access to the latest technology continually filtering down to the consumer and prosumer range. In particular, your camera will be compatible with your manufacturer's top-end lenses [better glass always produces better images], features like continuous shooting, and better control over settings like ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. Understanding those three aspects and how they work together will equip you with the knowledge required to produce better-quality images. As your skills improve, you'll use the "full auto" modes less than the manual ones, allowing better control over one or more of these aspects.
Most folks in this category have particular reasons why they travel. For example, they may book a stay at a specific safari lodge where big cat sightings are usually excellent and bring equipment capable of capturing superb magazine-quality images. Most safari lodges are willing to provide - at an extra cost – a dedicated game drive vehicle with a ranger and tracker for full-day photographic excursions.
In Africa's wildlife reserves, over decades, the wildlife has been habituated to the presence of vehicles. Lenses with a focal length of up to 300mm are great for most scenarios. Remember, though, that wild animal don't pose for photographs. Patience is a critical ingredient. A knowledgeable guide who understands animal behavior is advantageous. Understanding your camera inside and out always pays dividends. Most reserves are wooded to a greater or lesser extent, and you should remember that no one can guarantee sightings. Weather, seasons, food availability, and population density are some of the factors that influence wildlife movements.
I recommend a minimum focal length of 200mm. A 300mm lens is ideal and not too cumbersome. Canon manufactures a versatile 100-400mm lens that does a great job. Both prime [fixed focal length] and zoom lenses are ideal; the higher the quality, the better. Professional series lenses can produce professional-quality images. Most safari lodges [all in South Africa] provide electricity for charging batteries. I don't carry a tripod or monopod as neither is practical for use in a vehicle. You will need a decent bean bag while photographing from a car. When I fly, I usually empty my bean bag contents into a container I leave home, then fold the bag and carry it in my luggage. When I arrive at my destination, I buy a couple of rice packets to fill the bag again. I also suggest a hand-held blower and good cleaning equipment as it can be dusty, and you'll want to keep your kit clean.
In my opinion, a decent, powerful flash for wildlife photography is essential equipment. I use my 580 EXII with a radio (not infrared) trigger to eliminate nasty eye shine, especially with the big cats, and for photographing in shadow or on cloudy days. For the 70-200mm, I also carry a polarizing filter for those bright sunlight shots to cut out reflection and darken the sky a little.
Finally, I suggest making a list of the serial numbers of all the equipment you bring. Almost certainly, no one will pay your camera bag any attention, but if customs ask you to complete an import form requiring the serial numbers of your equipment, you are prepared. While you're at it, add your iPad or laptop to the list.
You are responsible for arranging the necessary visas for the countries you’re visiting. African Sky does not assist with visa applications. Do not leave your visa arrangements to the last minute.
Visas fall into two broad categories: pre-arranged visas and visas issued on arrival. You may enter South Africa without a visa if you hold a US, Canadian, British, European, Australian, or New Zealand passport. No pre-arrangements are necessary. Most other passport holders may also enter South Africa without a pre-arranged visa. US passport holders do not need to pre-arrange visas to enter Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia. Every Southern African country – South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Swaziland, Lesotho, and Mozambique – is an independent state and has different visa requirements. Do not assume that entry into South Africa also entitles you to enter one or more countries on the same visa. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your intended departure date and should have at least two full blank pages available where visas if required, will be affixed. Note: Botswana also charges a Tourism Levy of USD 20 per person, payable in cash at the port of entry. Pre-payment isn’t possible.
Zimbabwe & Zambia: If traveling to either of these countries, your visa should be purchased at the port of entry [if a pre-arranged visa isn’t required]. The visa is payable in hard cash in US Dollar currency only. No other currency is accepted, nor are ATM, credit, debit, or bank cards. Credit card point-of-sale facilities are not available. Regular or Traveler's Cheques can not be used to purchase Visas. The Zimbabwe and Zambia visa cost ranges from USD 35 to USD 100 per person. We recommend keeping at least USD 150 on hand; visa costs sometimes change without notice. Ensure you travel with the latest available versions of the banknotes. Older versions, as well as notes with ink marks or writing on them, or notes that are excessively folded or crumpled, are not accepted. Bring an adequate supply of small denomination notes [1’s, 5’s, 10’s, and 20’s] as the change in US Dollar currency is always a problem.
There are three Zimbabwe/Zambia visa options: single-entry, double-entry, and the multiple-entry UniVisa. A single-entry visa permits the holder to enter the country once. Another visa must be purchased if the holder departs the country and returns. A visa to enter the other country might also be required. An example is if the visa holder crosses from Zimbabwe to Zambia, or vice versa, to view Victoria Falls from the other side. A double-entry visa permits the holder to enter the country of purchase twice: once on arrival and once on return. A visa to enter the other country might also be required.
We strongly recommend purchasing a multiple-entry UniVisa. The current per-person cost is USD 50. UniVisa holders can enter Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana multiple times without additional visa costs beyond the initial purchase. The UniVisa is valid for 30 days and allows us to arrange one or more of your activities in the neighboring country.
Which currencies are accepted in the countries that I'm visiting on safari?
= Definitely.
= Select locations, or possibly not at all (curio markets or lodges only; change in the same currency not available or limited).
The above table is a guideline. The author provides detail in the paragraphs below.
Visa and MasterCard are accepted in South Africa, Namibia, and the most important centers in Botswana. Almost all safari lodges in South Africa, and many in Botswana and Namibia, have credit card facilities. About 50% of establishments in tourist areas will accept your credit card in Zimbabwe and Zambia. In Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana, many merchants will add a surcharge of 3 – 5% of the value of the transaction to cover bank charges. About 80% of establishments in South Africa only will also accept American Express. Other cards are generally not accepted. Cards not accepted include debit cards, bank cards, and any other private bank cards not affiliated with Visa or MasterCard. Traveler's checks are accepted in South Africa at selected institutions only, but we recommend avoiding them if possible.
In addition to your credit card, we recommend you bring along some cash for spending money, tips (see our separate tipping guideline), and so forth. It is easy to convert US Dollars, Pounds, and Euros to local currency at Johannesburg or Cape Town airport. Upon entering the arrivals hall, look out for one of the exchange bureaus. You'll be required to present your passport to convert your cash to local currency. Exchange your money in South Africa or the country you're traveling to rather than before leaving home, as local exchange rates are more favorable.
Once you've left Southern Africa and if you've arrived home with ZAR, and to a lesser extent ND and BWP, you should be able to find an exchange bureau willing to convert it to your local currency. If you arrive home or leave the country with Zambian cash, consider it a souvenir as no exchange bureau will accept it. The Zimbabwean Dollar is worthless and should be avoided except as a souvenir.
In South Africa, Botswana and Namibia, you will not be able to use foreign currency. In Namibia, ND and ZAR are accepted and have the same value. The same arrangement (dual currency system) applies in Swaziland and Lesotho. However, the Namibian, Swaziland, and Lesotho currencies are not accepted in South Africa, so be mindful of leaving those countries with their money.
In Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls), you'll be able to use USD, ZAR, Pounds, and, to a lesser extent, Euros at the informal (curio) markets. Zambia (Livingstone) has now limited the use of foreign currency, although some informal markets might still accept it. Most Zimbabwe lodges will take the above currencies for payment, and tips will also be happily received in this way. Change in a foreign currency will always be a problem, so bring enough small denomination notes (20s, 10s, 5s, and 1s). Where possible, don't accept change in local currency when paying in foreign currency.
Establishments in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Swaziland will make use of a three-pronged (image 3) wall socket with an on/off switch very similar to that in use in India (i.e. the old British standard). The wall socket is compatible with plugs which have three rounded (not square) pins in a triangle formation (image 1)
European type adapter plugs are readily available and come in both formats (two or three pins). US/Canada adapter plugs are also available, and most luggage stores at major airports will sell them, as will stores in large malls and shopping centers. (image 2) Kindly note that the US/Canada adapter plug is not a converter and will not decrease the electricity supply from 220V to 110V. Australian and New Zealand adapter plugs are also available.
In Zambia, the wall sockets will be exactly as currently in use in the UK with a 220V supply. Adapter plugs that fit the configuration may be used.
A word of caution: if you plan to purchase an adapter plug while in South Africa, do not do so on the flight over, but after you've arrived. Our guides will be happy to assist as far as possible. Some airlines sell adapters that are not locally compatible.
Although tipping is widely accepted in the tourism industry in Southern Africa, it is by no means compulsory, nor is there a definite expectation of receiving a tip 'regardless of the standard of service.' The rule-of-thumb is simple: give a gratuity if you feel the person providing the service went out of their way to provide you with a service that you think exceeded the minimum you expect for your money.
In all cases, please remember that the figures indicated below are recommendations and a guideline. You're welcome to tip a higher or lower amount at your discretion.
Tour & Safari Guides: African Sky employs several excellent tour and safari guides, all of whom have been in our employ for a considerable amount of time. We don't enforce a minimum service standard and certainly don't monitor their every move. Our guides have the option to make personal recommendations or suggestions to personalize and improve the quality of your experience. The ultimate determining factor will always be the valuable feedback we receive from our guests. If a guide is not performing to standard, it will reflect as such in the feedback forms we receive from our guests, and we won't employ that guide any longer. This simple but stringent policy is evident: all our guides, without question, will go beyond expectation. We, therefore, recommend gratuities by your level of enjoyment.
Rangers & Trackers at private Safari Lodges: are employed by the lodge in question and are therefore not responsible to African Sky. Privately owned lodges set exceptionally high standards at which their staff should perform. No one can guarantee 'big 5' sightings; although they are a regular occurrence, very few safaris depart without sighting the full compliment. Again, the amount you tip is at your discretion and based on your level of enjoyment.
In Southern Africa, it would not be out of place to tip the following people: Tour/safari guides, rangers/trackers; waiters in public restaurants; waiters at lodge dining rooms if the service is excellent; porters at hotels; car guards (people who 'watch' your car while you're away from it), but only if there is a genuine need for their service.
In Southern Africa, we do not typically tip the following people: transfer drivers, petrol (gas) pump attendants; check-out staff in supermarkets; waiters in restaurants/lodges who provide a minimum standard of service; taxi drivers; car guards if in a place where it is evident that your vehicle will not be tampered with without going unnoticed; reception staff at hotels/lodges; over-the-counter staff in any regular business establishment; housekeeping staff.
Note that the below figures are recommendations only. The actual amount is at your discretion.
*Waiters – typically 10% of the total bill (make sure a gratuity has not been included in the total cost before doing so).
You’re welcome to tip in South African Rand, United States Dollars, Pounds, or Euros.
Packing for a vacation on the other side of the world can be quite a headache. Here is a basic list of what may be considered essential for your travels to Southern Africa.
If you are taking charter flights on light planes, it is essential to have a soft bag (duffel). Luggage should not exceed the maximum weight of 20kg (just under 45lbs). If not, the standard international airline restrictions are adequate for overland travel.
Light, comfortable clothing is essential. You would not wish to be constrained by uncomfortable outfits throughout your adventures and activities. A vacation is, after all, about relaxation, and South Africans are generally a casual bunch regarding daily attire.
You should pack at least one warm jacket or sweater. When embarking on an early morning or late afternoon safari, temperatures either start quite chilly or drop after the sun sets. Winter in the Southern region requires a good jacket, as it can be cold and wet
A dinner jacket will be required if you are traveling on the Blue Train, Rovos Rail, or staying in one of the top luxury hotels. It is the only time you will find the necessity to dress up unless you are so inclined.
A hat or cap is always a good idea, mainly if you are fair-skinned. Even in the winter, the African sun may have a harsher effect than you realize, and a nasty sunburn will spoil any trip. A hat or cap will also aid viewing during peak sunset and sunrise hours.
Binoculars are an essential safari accessory. Though our guides or the lodge rangers typically have a pair handy, this may not always be the case. Pack a pair of binoculars if you are enthusiastic about game viewing and want to maximize the experience to its full potential.
If you are prone to allergies, be sure to pack allergy medication. Springtime sees a proliferation of flowers, and winters in the north of South Africa can be pretty dusty. If you have food allergies, we must know about this before arrival.
Comfortable walking shoes are a must. Though most of our itineraries do not include strenuous activities or too much walking, if you are interested in partaking in a bush walk or scenic hikes, your shoes could make or break your experience.
A small flashlight can be handy. During a safari, guests are guided to their accommodations at night; many people feel safer and more confident with their own flashlights. Regardless of where you are staying, a flashlight is a handy tool.
Insect repellent is indispensable, particularly when visiting an area where malaria is prevalent. Aerosol-type repellents are typically the easiest to apply and 'Peaceful Sleep' and 'Tabard' are widely available throughout South Africa.
