Botswana Highlights

No two journeys in Africa are identical. Be prepared for travel times to be longer or shorter than advised. Weather and road conditions can change things significantly, so embrace the detours, shortcuts, and unforgettable moments along the way.

Botswana temperatures rise in the hot, dry period of September and October, before the rains hit, and temperatures can get as high as 34-38°C. Not all accommodation will have air-conditioning, which is quite common across Africa, particularly in remote locations where lodges or camps operate on solar power or generators.

Botswana is a very seasonal destination. What you see and experience can differ quite dramatically depending on the time of year you visit. Please consider this before you choose your departure date. See the 'Climate and Seasonal' section in ‘Essential Information’ for more details.

There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.

The day-to-day itinerary features a selection of optional activities. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and is intended only as a guide. Prices are approximate and may change at the discretion of the local provider, and all activities are subject to availability.

1. This trip starts in Victoria Falls with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1 and ends mid-afternoon on Day 9. We recommend you do not book departing flights until post 7pm, allowing for any delays.

2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

3. The minimum age for this trip is 15 at the time of travel. Any travelers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveller under the age of 18 day to day’s care. If a legal guardian elects to designate an escort in their lieu, they will be required to complete and sign a relevant document to delegate their authority.

4. Border crossing delays in the region have been sporadic and difficult to predict. What takes an hour one day may take four hours the next. This may affect the order of activities in the itinerary. We understand this uncertainty can be frustrating, and we strongly recommend packing a bit of patience and flexibility.

5. A visa is required for entry into Namibia. This visa can be obtained on arrival, though we encourage you to apply online in advance to speed up the border crossing process. For current information and a link to the online application, please use our Visa & Entry Requirements tool - http://www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements

LUGGAGE LIMIT:
The luggage weight limit is maximum 20kg per person, but we recommend packing as lightly as possible. Day bags with items you'll need throughout the day/drives (phones, money, sunscreen, water bottles, etc.) can be stored near your seat on the overhead shelf or, on some trucks, in pockets in the seat in front of you. Each traveller will have a locker on the truck to store valuables like passports and items that you don't need during the drive. Locker sizes vary by truck, with an average size of 18 inches wide, 10 inches high, and 26 inches deep. You will need to bring your own lock. We recommend a 20-30mm sized padlock. Larger luggage can be stored in the compartments under the truck. We recommend backpacks or duffel bags, as large framed suitcases can be difficult to fit, especially when the truck is at full capacity. Please contact your booking consultant if you think you will have issues with this luggage limitation.

CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR
- Lightweight, long shirts and pants for protection against the sun and insects.
- Comfortable clothing for hot weather; shorts, t-shirts, activewear.
- Closed-toed comfortable walking shoes to protect your feet in wilderness areas.
- Water shoes or sandals suitable for wearing in the shower and during water activities.
- Light waterproof/windproof jacket for rain and wind.
- Fleece or jumper/sweater for cooler mornings/evenings.
- Sun protection – sunglasses and securable sunhat.
- Swimming costume.
- Sarong, scarf, or buff for dusty roads and cooler temps.
- Nightwear, especially if travelling on twin-share.
- Beanie.

TOILETRIES & PERSONAL CARE
- Sunscreen - biodegradable, reef-safe, and waterproof if available.
- Biodegradable shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc.
- Toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, nail clippers, etc.
- Towel or travel towel.
- Tropical strength insect repellent.
- Personal medical kit. Your guide will carry a large kit, but we recommend you carry items such as mild painkillers, electrolytes, anti-diarrhea, antibacterial gel, wet wipes, after-sun, band aids/plasters, etc.
- Antiseptic hand sanitizer.

ELECTRONICS
- Power bank or spare batteries.
- Charging cords and necessary adapters for the countries you're visiting.
- Head torch (recommended) or flashlight.

LUGGAGE & SLEEPING GEAR
- A smaller backpack to take with you on day excursions.
- Travel pillow.
- Earplugs.

OTHER ITEMS
- Reusable water bottle (min 1 litre). Our vehicles have large tanks of treated water to refill bottles.
- Camera.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS
- Reusable dry bags to keep your belongings and clothes dry.
- Binoculars.

TOP TIPS
- Ex-military or military style clothing and equipment is NOT recommended.
- Pack layers to add or remove as the temperatures fluctuate throughout the day.
- Wear neutral-colored clothing while on safari to blend in with the environment and avoid disturbing wildlife.
- Account for your personal temperature preferences—if you tend to run hot or cold, pack accordingly to stay comfortable.

LAUNDRY
Most hotels and lodges offer laundry services for a fee.

POWER:
Our overland vehicles are equipped with multiple power boards, which may be used at the crew’s discretion; however, do bear in mind that only a minimal number of items can be charged at a time and will not be allowed if there is a risk of running the vehicle’s batteries low. Some campsites have electricity, and charging of devices is advised before checking out the following day. We also recommend power banks and multi-country power converters.

DRESS CONSIDERATIONS FOR WOMEN AND GENDER-DIVERSE TRAVELLERS:
In certain parts of Africa, we recommend women and gender-diverse travellers dress in a way that respects local customs and traditions. While there’s a wide range of cultural practices, we recommend packing a few items like skirts or shorts that reach just above the knee, tops that cover the shoulders, or cover-ups when stepping off the beach in coastal areas. Your leader will be able to advise you on when it is appropriate to dress more conservatively., PLASTIC BAG BANS ACROSS AFRICA
While Namibia holds people liable to a fine of N$500 or imprisonment for entering Game Parks with a plastic bag, Botswana has announced a countrywide ban on plastic bags to come into effect on 1 November 2018. The ban will make the importing, trading and commercial use of plastic bags a criminal offence. Exceptions will be made for plastics that are essential for health and hygiene. With these announcements, Botswana and Namibia join other African countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tunisia, Morocco, Rwanda, Uganda, Somalia and Eritrea that have banned plastic bags. South Africa imposed a levy on plastic bags in 2004 but they have not yet been banned.
Many countries are strictly enforcing this and have been searching luggage at border points. Camping stores are good for obtaining waterproof reusable bags, for dirty laundry etc, prior to departure.

A basic level of fitness is required to be able to enjoy this trip to the fullest.

Shearwater Explorers Village, Adam Stander Dr, Victoria Falls, ZIMBABWE, Phone: +263 832844471

Shearwaters Explorers Village is located in the middle of Victoria Falls town, with just about everything you need within walking distance.

The Village has all the facilities you need for your stay, including lounge, bar, pool and WiFi access.

Alternate Joining Point

If you have pre-booked a transfer, your driver will be waiting for you in the arrivals area near the point you clear customs. Please look out for a Shearwater Adventure sign board.

If you are unable to find your driver please make your way to the ‘Shearwater Adventure’ desk which is located in the arrivals terminal. Shearwater Adventure operate our ground transfers and a representative will be able to help you. If you are still unable to find your driver, you can call +27 82 822 9407 during business hours, or +27 82 822 9407 after hours. If you are delayed beyond one hour after your scheduled arrival time, please make your own way to the hotel.

If you are making your own way to the hotel, there is a taxi stand outside the airport building. A taxi should cost approximately 20USD.

Shearwater Explorers Village, Adam Stander Dr, Victoria Falls, ZIMBABWE, Phone: +263 832844471

Shearwaters Explorers Village is located in the middle of Victoria Falls town, with just about everything you need within walking distance.

The Village has all the facilities you need for your stay, including lounge, bar, pool and WiFi access.

Alternate Finish Point

If you have a confirmed departure transfer your leader will advise your pick up time the day before your trip ends.

Alternatively, please ask your leader or hotel staff for assistance in arranging a taxi or instructions to reach the airport by public transport

Breakfasts included: 8

Lunches included: 2

Dinners included: 4

Your group leader will endeavour to cater for specific dietary requirements where possible, and vegetarianism and gluten intolerance will be catered for in most instances, however your diet may be limited more than you are used to. Please notify your group leader of any dietary requirements in your group meeting at the start of the trip.

Meals will often be limited to what is on offer at the lodge we stay at due to the remoteness of the area.

Yes it is Africa, however the winter months can be very cold. Please bring warm winter clothing such as wool pullover and a jacket. Also consider thermals, gloves and a woolly hat.

Botswana, particularly the Okavango Delta, experiences hot summers (November to March) with temperatures between 25°C and 35°C (77°F to 95°F) and afternoon thunderstorms. Winter (June to August) is cooler, with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 25°C (41°F to 77°F) and little rain.

We recommend checking the weather forecast before departure, as conditions can be unpredictable.

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For any concerns regarding pre-booked transfers, you can reach out via WhatsApp at +263 77 346 1716.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

Intrepid's local Operator: +27828229407

If you require a Sleep Apnea Machine to sleep please ensure that it is battery operated. Lodges and Permanent Tented Camps are often powered by generators which are turned off during the night.

This trip is operated in a 16 seater van.