Congratulations and welcome to the safari world in planning your African safari. We hope you will find this information
helpful as you embark in this fascinating journey to Africa. We would be happy to give you any extra information you need.
Please read through the details carefully.
Acceptance of this Safari
Please ensure that all this material is read and understood, including all our correspondence to you. The conditions of
acceptance are detailed in our material. By accepting our costs and paying the deposit required to secure the safari for
you, you accept all our conditions and it is taken that you understand them.
Luggage
As no formal clothes are needed, we recommend that you keep your luggage to the basics. Bright colours and white are NOT
advised and ARMY CAMOUFLAGE UNIFORMS OR ARMY HATS ARE FORBIDDEN (Khaki is fine to wear). For safety and space reasons on
light aircraft transfers, we have a 12 kg limit on luggage. This is due to a weight problem when travelling in charter
aircraft. This 12 kg includes camera bag and equipment. We insist on a soft carry-all (instead of a suitcase) with the
following maximum dimensions: 80 cm long by 30 cm wide. Please keep in mind that the light aircraft have no baggage
compartments, so all bags must be carried inside the aircraft, and space is very limited.
If you have to bring more baggage with you, we can “sell” you and your party an extra seat on most of the safaris. That will allow you to bring an additional 70kgs (154lbs). The cost of this extra seat varies depending on your safari – but should cost you in the region of US$100 per flight you are on.
NB: PASSENGERS WHO BRING MORE THAN 12 KGS MAY NECESSITATE THE USE OF AN EXTRA CHARTER AIRCRAFT, IN WHICH CASE THEY WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE CONSIDERABLE EXTRA CHARTER COSTS (UP TO US$600) IF THEY WANT THE BAGGAGE TO TRAVEL WITH THEM.
Additionally, one guest travelling alone who weighs 100kgs or more, or two guests travelling together whose combined weight is 180kgs or more, must advise us. All weight limits are due to safety factors involved in the light aircraft transfers. Kindly note that should these limitations be exceeded, it may be necessary to charge for an additional aircraft.
When travelling on normal scheduled airline flights, this luggage limit is increased to 20kgs per person.
Health
There are a few basic health matters that require care and attention. We are obviously not medical practitioners and the
following are only recommended guidelines. Please consult your doctor. Please also check with your health department
prior to departure for any changes in health regulations.
A) MALARIA
As our camps are generally in remote locations, the chances of contracting malaria are very slim. However, it is worth taking preventative steps.
Both chloroquine resistant and normal strains of malaria are prevalent in Africa. Malaria is transmitted by a very small percentage of female Anopheles mosquitoes. They are only active in the early evening and throughout the night, usually when one is sleeping or sitting around campfires.
MALARIA prophylactic recommendations for southern African travellers:
Expert opinion differs regarding the best approach to malaria prophylactics. It is important to bear in mind that malaria may be contracted despite taking tablets, especially in areas where chloroquine resistance has been reported. Please remember that the best insurance against contracting malaria is to try to prevent oneself from being bitten, so use mosquito repellents liberally. Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers/slacks in the evenings. You should spray your room prior going to dinner with an insecticide like “Doom” which will kill any mosquitoes that may have flown into your room. Mosquito coils are also effective.
If you become ill on your return, while still on prophylactics or even once you have stopped, make sure that your doctor does everything necessary to establish that your illness is not malaria.
Malaria is not a serious problem if people are sensible and take basic precautions. We have had very few cases of guests contracting malaria during the 15 years we have been operating.
B) WATER
It is very important that you drink plenty of water especially during the warmer months. It is generally recommended that one drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration. This excludes tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages, which act as diuretics and can actually contribute to dehydration. The water in Victoria Falls is generally safe too, but it may be safer to drink bottled water there.
C) OTHER HEALTH ISSUES
There are no other health issues which one needs to be concerned about besides wild animals. The camps are unfenced – so listen to your camp staff and guides. Read up on the safety sections in the booklets within the camps. Don’t push any safety issues – you will not be in any theme parks where the animals are tame. Don’t ever go strolling away from the camp or from your guide.
INSURANCE
Beks Safaris and its agents and associates cannot be held responsible or liable for loss, damage, or theft of personal luggage and belongings, nor can they be held liable for personal injury, accident or illness. Please ensure that you have yourself and your belongings adequately insured before your departure. Insurance is compulsory for all our trips. If you do not possess a policy, we can issue insurance at competitive rates. It is however better to purchase your policy locally as this will cover you for repatriation back to your home country. Please contact Beks Safaris, your broker or your travel agent for details. We cannot be held liable for any losses or damages incurred.
Health Insurance
It is compulsory to have full medical, emergency evacuation and repatriation cover for the period of time you are away.
b) Cancellation and Curtailment
You might have to cancel or curtail your safari due to unforeseen circumstances. If you cancel a trip close to departure date for any reason you could lose all that the safari was going to cost you. Should you have to leave the safari early, we cannot refund you the portion of the safari you do not complete. Dependant on the reason for cancellation and curtailment, insurance may cover you for this eventuality.
c) Baggage & Money Insurance
It is advisable to take out baggage and money insurance, especially if you are carrying large amounts of cash or expensive and valuable camera equipment. You should always carry such equipment as "carry-on" luggage. Do not put anything of value in your checked baggage!
Claims
If you anticipate an insurance claim upon your return, be sure to document as accurately as possible any accident, injury or loss. Doctor’s notes and police reports will aid any claim.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
The tour fares are fully inclusive as detailed in the brochure. However, personal expenditure, meals in Victoria Falls and airport taxes are excluded. We suggest that you allow US$25 per day to cover the cost of personal expenses, souvenirs (within reason) etc plus the cost of lunch in Victoria Falls ($15) and dinner in Victoria Falls (U$20). If you are planning on buying expensive souvenirs in Zimbabwe then please allow extra.
There are many optional tours available in Victoria Falls (prices are approximate and subject to change
throughout the season):
- Entrance to see the Falls (payable in local currency) US$20
- Flight over the Falls from US$65
- Sunset cruise on the Zambezi River from US$30
- Tribal dancing from US$15
- White water rafting on Zambezi from US$95
All properties have their own drinks policy. Please consult your itinerary or confirm with your agent
the specific details of what is included at each property visited on your safari. Drinks in other operator’s camps maybe
included or maybe excluded. Drinks in hotels and in the major centres are not included.
Tipping is at the sole discretion of the guests and is not compulsory. Tipping should only be done if you have received
good service. However, guests often want to know what is appropriate, so we have included a brief guideline to assist
you.
- Guides
We recommend that if they have done a good job, then about US$5 or more per person per day is a recommended tip. If you have a specialist guide who accompanies you all the way, this could increase to US$10 per guest per day.
- The General Camp Staff
Here we recommend about US$3 per guest per day. This should be placed in the communal tipping box so this can be distributed equally amongst all the staff at a later stage.
- Restuarants / Hotels
10% is customary but only if you are satisfied with the service.
- NB1: For white water rafting you will have to spend an extra night in Victoria Falls and the cost of the hotel will be from US$143 per person on a bed and breakfast basis depending on where you stay.
- NB2:
- Zimbabwe restricts the import of their own currency to a maximum of Z$500 in cash. You may also only take Z$500 in cash out of Zimbabwe; however this is not recommended as you cannot exchange Zimbabwe Dollars outside of Zimbabwe.
- You must please therefore carry the balance of your spending money in travelers’ checks, other cash currencies or credit cards. As far as credit cards go, MasterCard is usually accepted throughout Zimbabwe, but American Express and Diners Club are often not accepted. Generally only the large hotels will accept credit cards and even then it is actually recommended that guests use cards for emergencies only. The official foreign exchange policy creates a negative impact on purchases made by credit card and it is thus recommended that guests pay using cash or travellers cheques instead to avoid this.
- For those passengers flying out of Zimbabwe, there is a US$20 airport departure tax that is not included in the cost of the safari. Please ensure you have the exact amount of US Dollars in cash before you leave your home country. You cannot get any US$ within Zimbabwe so please bring this along with you on safari. Large denomination bills such as U$50 or US$100 bills are not accepted.
RECOMMENDED READING
- Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - Chris & Tilde Stuart
- Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa - Ken Newman.
- This is Zimbabwe - Gerald Cubitt & Peter Joyce
- Zimbabwe: The Beautiful & Zimbabwe: Beautiful Land - Peter Joyce
- Zambezi - The River of the Gods - Jan & Fiona Teede.
- Hwange - The Retreat of the Elephants - Nick Greaves
- Globetrotter Atlas, Map & Guide to Zimbabwe
- The Behaviour Guide to African Mammals - Richard D. Estes
- The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals - Jonathan Kingdon
- Wildlife of Southern Africa - Vincent Carruthers
- Signs of the Wild - Clive Walker
- African Thunder: The Victoria Falls - Jan & Fiona Teede
- Birds of Prey of Southern, Central, and East Africa - David Allan
- Field Guide to the Snakes & Reptiles of Southern Africa - Bill Branch
- Africa's Top Wildlife Countries - Mark Nolting
If you wish to purchase copies of these or any nature books, please contact Russel Friedman Books at P.O. Box 73, Halfway House, 1685, South Africa or on fax +27 11 7021403 or e-mail: rfbooks@iafrica.com. (There will be a set of reference material in each camp). If you are a keen birder we recommend that you bring your OWN Newman's bird book. Everyone must bring their own BINOCULARS in order to get the most out of your safari.
VERY IMPORTANT FOR ALL FLIGHTS
Please check in early at all airports as the flights are occasionally overbooked. Please ensure that all your onward flights are reconfirmed at least 72 hours prior to flying.
Please be aware that during peak season, delays are often encountered on scheduled flights. Remember that you are on holiday...relax and enjoy the African ambience which has no sense of urgency at all! Delays do happen and schedules can change at very short notice and this will then in turn affect the transfer companies with their schedules. Though this is no excuse for inefficient service, sometimes it does cause unavoidable delays.
Listed below are some helpful telephone numbers to assist you in reconfirming your flights on arrival in Victoria Falls, etc. (NOTE: The first bracket is the country code, the second bracket is the city code. If you are phoning long distance within a country, you will have to dial a "0" before the city area code.
AIR TRANSFERS
This section is only applicable if your safari contains air transfers. We offer two types of air transfer: either a private charter where you have sole use of the aircraft, or a scheduled air transfer based on a "seat-in-plane" basis where you share the aircraft with other guests (and thereby benefit from the lower cost). Unless specifically requested, we will automatically schedule your booking onto the scheduled air transfer with other guests since this is the more cost-effective option.
When we package an itinerary using scheduled air transfers, we book the aircraft and pilot through licensed charter companies in Victoria Falls. That portion of your trip is therefore sub-chartered. All the flight times between camps are arranged a few days before the flights take place so that there are not endless schedule changes. The camp where you are staying will be advised of your departure time the day before and will have you at the airstrip on time.
We cannot be more firm on timings as the charter companies are compelled to service their aircraft every 100 hours, which could mean all air movements have to be rescheduled at the last moment. At certain times of the year it may be necessary, for safety reasons, to transfer you from camp to camp during the cooler times of the day, in early morning or late afternoon only. Once the departure times have been set they cannot be changed unless substantial additional costs are paid.
VISAS
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Zimbabwe has introduced a new Visa regulation from 01 December 1998. If you are travelling to Victoria Falls or anywhere in Zimbabwe, please reconfirm your requirements with the Zimbabwe mission or consulate in your country.
All passport holders should verify with their travel agent or relevant consulate concerning visa entry requirements. If you are extending your journey to other countries please establish those countries entry conditions as well.
Please ensure that you have all the necessary visas prior to departure (unless available on entry) as non of the wilderness group of companies, their staff, their agents nor their operators can be held liable for any errors. These requirements can change so please double-check this information with your agent or nearest embassy/consulate again before departure from your point of origin.
Guests who are NOT permanent residents of South Africa and travelling through R.S.A. must make sure that they carry either an onward ticket from South Africa or sufficient funds to purchase such ticket in order to comply with South African immigration regulations. Please note that you must bring your ticket with you on safari or you may be refused re-entry into South Africa. South African citizens travelling on a foreign passport require an exit permit to leave South Africa. Please note that any passengers requiring a visa for South Africa (WHETHER A PERMANENT RESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA OR NOT) must carry a re-entry visa to get back into South Africa.
PHOTOGRAPHY
The choice of the correct camera equipment and film will determine the quality of your photographs on the trip. For good photography of birds and animals, a good SLR camera and telephoto lens is necessary. The minimum size is 200 mm and a zoom lens can be extremely useful on safari. Consideration should be given before travelling with any lens bigger than 400 mm as most interesting shots are taken using hand held equipment. Colour reversal film (slides) will give far greater quality than prints. The guides on these safaris have found that they are getting the best results using Fuji film. Fuji have brought out a new range of emulsions including an excellent high speed film which gives good colour with very little grain (less so than any of their competitors). This is especially useful when using a big lens in low light situations. The guides’ personal preferences are slower films, either 50 or 100 ASA, as this gives almost perfect quality for normal lights. The only disadvantage with the low ASA film is that you need a tripod for the early morning and evening shots. IMPORTANT: BRING LOTS OF FILM AND A SPARE CAMERA BATTERY!
LAUNDRY
Laundry can be done at all camps. Most camps charge a modest and nominal fee for this facility but others do provide this service for free. The camp staff will not wash underwear owing to local traditions prevailing in the country.
WILD ANIMALS
All our camps are unfenced and dangerous animals can and do wander through the camps. If you don’t like this, please don’t book with us. Many of the animals and reptiles we will see are potentially dangerous. Attacks by wild animals are rare. However, no safari in Africa can guarantee that such incidents will not occur. None of the Wilderness Safaris group of companies, their staff members, associates, agents, or their suppliers can be held liable for any injuries caused during an incident involving the behaviour of wild animals.
Please make sure that you listen to and abide by the safety talks given by your guides or camp staff. Don’t go wandering off on your own without a guide – even to your rooms. After retiring to your rooms at night, don’t leave your rooms. If you are sensible, you should be safe.
TORCHES/FLASHLIGHTS
As some of the lodges/camps in Zimbabwe are unfenced it is essential that you bring a small flashlight (torch) as you may encounter WILD ANIMALS in camp at night. You should also bring a spare globe (bulb) as well as batteries as they are unobtainable in Zimbabwe). Most of the camps supply a flashlight, but it is good to have your own as a backup.
DRIVING CONDITIONS
The roads are rough and bumpy and occasionally we will travel "off road" where it is possible that injuries may occur if for example a hidden pothole etc is struck. Beks Safaris, their staff members, associates or agents cannot be held liable for any accidents or any damages!
LOSS OF ARTICLES
Please note that we cannot accept any responsibility for the misplacement of any articles whilst in our camps. Naturally, we will do all possible to get your goods to catch up to you. However the logistics of inter-camp communication and the scheduling and costs of charter flights may not be favourable for the returning of articles unless you are prepared to pay for the cost of a full charter to get your goods to catch up to you. Any costs incurred will be for your own account. This issue is possibly the single biggest form of stress for guests who have left their goods behind at a camp and who are not prepared to pay for the charter costs. So please make sure you keep your goods with you.
LOST BAGGAGE
Luggage that goes missing on scheduled flights is beyond the control of Beks Safaris, and often the airline concerned too. The airport controls what happens to passenger’s luggage from when it is checked in until it is put on board the aircraft. We would like to suggest that you take the following precautionary action: Please pack a small bag with your essentials, that can be carried with you as hand luggage, and pack a second bag containing non-essentials that can be loaded in the aircraft hold. If the second bag was not to arrive, you will still have your essential items on hand to see you through the first couple of days while we try and recover your baggage.
PRIVATE VEHICLES
If you would like a private vehicle and guide to take you on your game drives, we can arrange this for you at an extra cost. If you elect to take up this option then you will have a private vehicle and guide for you and your party. The guide will then be available to you at all times. Private vehicles cost in the region of about U$450 a day. This covers the cost of the vehicle and the guide. If you elect not to take up this option you will be travelling on game drives with other guests at the lodge. We would appreciate acceptable behaviour on the vehicle that will ensure that all our guests have enjoyable game drives.
RESPECTING WILDLIFE
- Observe the animals silently and with a minimum of disturbance to their natural activities. Loud talking on game drives or walks can frighten the animals away.
- Never attempt to attract an animal's attention. Don't imitate animal sounds, clap your hands, pound the vehicle or throw objects.
- Please respect your guide's judgement about our proximity to lions, cheetahs, leopards and other game. Don't insist that he take the vehicle closer so you can get a better photograph. A vehicle driven too close can hinder a hunt, or cause animals to abandon a hard-earned meal.
- Litter tossed on the ground can choke or poison animals and birds and is unsightly.
- Never attempt to feed or approach any wild animal on foot. This is especially important near lodges or in campsites where animals may have become accustomed to human visitors.
- Off-road driving is contrary to Park regulations in Zimbabwe. Therefore, please do not ask the guide to drive off road.
- Never walk on your own. Always have a guide with you.
ELECTRICAL POWER IN THE CAMPS
All our camps are situated in remote areas and we have to generate our own electricity. We do so in a number of ways. Generally each camp has a generator, which runs for about 6 hours per day (3 hours in the morning and 3 in the afternoon when guests are out on activities). These generators then charge batteries located at each tented room which provide good 12v lights all night (if used sensibly). There is generally no 220v or 110v power points in camp. If you need to have your video battery re-charged we can do so while you are out on an activity - please therefore bring a spare for use while the other is being charged. These systems are simple but perfectly functional. Electrical plug outlets are not available in the Wilderness Safaris camp tented rooms and therefore it is not possible to use such appliances such as hairdryers or electric shavers during your stay there.
SATELLITE & IRIDIUM TELEPHONES
An increasing number of guests have been bringing satellite phones along with them on safari. As most people come on safari to get away from the outside world, we feel that we must set some limitations to the use of these phones in our camps and on safari. Therefore, the following restrictions will apply to the use of satellite phones:
- Phones are not to be used in any of the common areas: dining room, bar/lounge area, or on the vehicle or on game drives at any time.
- Phones may not be used for any incoming calls when the ringing may disturb other guests. They may be used in the privacy of your tent, but only to retrieve messages and dial out. Otherwise, the phones are to be switched off at all times.
PROBLEMS
We pride ourselves in running quality experiences, offering the best there is for such a remote location. If there is anything you feel that we can do to enhance your experience, please do not hesitate to contact your camp manager. After your safari, you will not get a sympathetic ear to a problem you encounter if you have not raised this with the camp’s manager or with your guide.
Most lodges will provide the following items;
- torch / flashlight
- shampoo
- body lotion
- body soap
- towels and facecloths
- insect repellent
SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT LIST - MAXIMUM 12KGS
(INCLUDING CAMERA EQUIPMENT) IN ONE SOFT SPORTS BAG,
OR 20KGS FOR A SAFARI USING SCHEDULED AIRLINE FLIGHTS ONLY
- Good quality sunglasses, preferably polarised - tinted fashion glasses are not good in strong light
- Bush hat
- T-shirts and one long-sleeved cotton shirt
- Shorts/skirts
- Long trousers/slacks
- Track suit
- Underwear and socks
- Good walking shoes (running/tennis shoes are fine)
- Thongs/flip flops
- Swimming costume
- Wam winter jersey
- Warm Anorak or Parka (important for the cold winter mornings ie. June-August)
- Camera equipment and plenty of film. If available, it is expensive in Botswana
- If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case you get irritation from the dust
- BINOCULARS - ESSENTIAL (and Newman's bird book if you are keen)
- Personal toiletries
- Malaria tablets
- Moisturising cream & suntan lotion
- Anti-histamine cream
- Insect repellent eg Tabard, Rid, Jungle Juice, etc
- Basic medical kit (aspirins, elastoplast (bandaids), Immodium, antiseptic cream etc)
- Tissues/"Wet Ones"
- Visas, tickets, passports, money etc
- A flashlight (torch). Please bring spare batteries and a spare globe (bulb) as these are unobtainable in Zimbabwe and Botswana
- Light rain gear for summer months (late November to April)
- Scarf and gloves for the winter months (May to September)
Please remember that you do have the option of purchasing an extra seat on the air transfers which will allow a further 72 kgs of luggage as long as this is packed in a soft bag and can be stowed on an aircraft seat. Please request this at the time of booking.
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Responsibility and Disclaimer of Liability
Beks Safaris, employees of the company, service providers or agents acting
for or on behalf of the company shall not be liable for any loss or
damage, arising from any errors or omissions contained in our advertising or
publication. The company, it's agents and business associates shall at any time,
at it's discretion cancel any booking or amend any safari without cost or
liability to itself, in the event of illness, illegal or incompatible behavior of that group or individual, who shall in such circumstances not be entitled to
a refund. Whosoever makes a booking for others or on behalf of him/herself shall
then be entering a contract with the company and should the other persons fail
to make payment, then that person making the booking will be liable to make such
payments in full. The company shall not be liable for any extra costs incurred
from any delays by airlines or charter companies. Should one of our guides be
unable to guide or lead a safari as planed due to illness, deaths of him/herself
or relatives, etc, we reserve the right to substitute him/her with another
guide. The company shall without prior notice reserve the right to occasionally
change itineraries, routes and camps as dictated by changing conditions or for
safety reasons. Whoever makes a booking or payment for themselves or the rest of
the traveling group or individual shall through their act of payment be in
agreement of the conditions, laws and will be considered to be in agreement with
the Beks Safaris disclaimer whether they have signed it or not. All safaris
booked by the company take place in wild areas and safari camps and properties
have no fences to keep the wild animals out, accidents do not normally occur,
but we do not guarantee that there shall be no accidents arising from any wild
life or any other events or activities. Beks Safaris hereby indemnifies itself
as a company, it's employees, agents and business associates in the event of any
injuries, loss of life, loss or damage to one's property before, after or during
their safari and travels. Even though we do our best to maintain our prices,
They may be subject to change without prior notice and will be billed as a
surcharge accordingly to an amount of no-more that 10% of the total cost. This
may be due to changing conditions, airlines, exchange rates, sudden
introductions of levies by the government, etc.
