EAST AFRICA TOURIST INFORMATION

How to get there

The main ports of entry are Nairobi, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Entebbe, Kampala and Kigali.
Towns and lodges are linked internally by scheduled or charter flights and roads. AFRICA
Dear Beachcomber Travellers,
TRAVEL TIPS
Health and entry requirements
Passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after travel. Visas are required for all
East African countries; we recommend clients obtain current visa information directly from The documentation you have received has been
appropriate consulates. Kenya and Tanzania issue visas on arrival but this could involve
prepared to assist you with aspects of your travel
and
long periods of waiting at the airport. Currently a single-entry visa for Kenya, Tanzania and
Uganda is good enough for a trip that includes all 3 countries. Yellow Fever inoculations are and to help you enjoy your holiday. Important Information
recommended and may be compulsory for several countries if arriving from a Yellow Fever
zone Vaccination, innoculation and medical certificates or receipts should be carried on the The organisation and planning has been
trip at all times. All innoculations should be done 4 to 6 weeks before the trip. completed and now you are prepared to embark
on the holiday of a lifetime. In the end, the success
Climate of your holiday will depend a lot on you.
Wet months in East Africa are April, May, Nov and Dec. In Rwanda and Uganda it may rain
throughout the year. Weather patterns are changing so the wet season may be delayed or
arrive early. Wet seasons are excellent for birding. Dry and warm months are Jan, Feb, Mar, Take some time to read these Travel Tips and
Aug, Sept, Oct. These months are superb for game as water is in short supply and game gath- Important Information to ensure you get the
ers near water holes or rivers. Wildebeest, zebra and gazelles give birth in Feb and March. Dry most from your holiday. Please do not hesitate
and cool months with clear skies and lots of greenery are June and July. Temperatures fall to contact us prior to your departure should you
dramatically during the night. Prolific birding and good general game viewing. have any questions about your trip.
Migration
The famous wildebeest migration follows ancient migratory paths between Serengeti and
While you are overseas, Beachcomber offers
Masai Mara. Between Aug and Oct the migration is based in the Masai Mara. It then moves you the exclusive services of our 24 hour
back into north and north eastern Serengeti in Nov, continuing along the central and eastern EMERGENCY contact number:
flanks towards Gol Mountains until Dec. Between Jan and March the wildebeest are well set-
www.beachcomber.com.au
tled in south Serengeti near Ndutu. They resume migrating in April towards central Serengeti,
arriving in western Serengeti in June. They continue to northern Serengeti and are ready to
+ 61 438 155 265
cross back into the Mara between July and Aug. Some of the herds remain behind in Serengeti, (+ = add the international access code).
thus making northern Serengeti a superb alternative to Masai Masai between June and Nov. This exclusive number is for emergencies only.
Clothing
We highly recommend that you do not over-pack as there is limited space in the safari If you need to contact Beachcomber for any MAURITIUS · AFRICA · SEYCHELLES
vehicles. Pack lightly in a large, soft bag with sturdy zippers and padlock (no hard suitcases). other reason please contact our office on: www.beachcomber.com.au
Ensure the bag does not weigh more than 20kgs. If you are using internal flights to travel
to game parks, the max weight allowance is strictly 15kgs. Recommended clothing items Tel: +61 7 3353 6204
include: cotton T-shirts, short and long sleeved shirts, socks, shorts, trousers, a jumper, 2 to 3 Fax: +61 7 3353 6214
sets of light-weight smart casual clothes for the evening, swim suit and a light shower-proof E mail: info@beachcomber.com.au
anorak. Light hat, scarf or handkerchief that protect your head, neck and nose are essential.
A pair of lightweight sandals, walking boots and smart casual shoes are also recommended. Thank you for choosing to travel with www.beachcomber.com.au
Other accessories should include a travel medical kit, sun protection lotions, wet wipes and
Beachcomber. We wish you a wonderful holiday at
sunglasses. For gorilla safaris we recommend thicker clothing, gloves and a ski-stick.
your chosen destination.
Currency
Holiday Marketing Pty Ltd trading as Beachcomber Tours Lic TAG1291 ABN 84066954381
It is best to carry more traveller’s cheques than cash. US Dollars and Pound sterling notes and
traveller’s cheques are easy to exchange.
MAURITIUS · AFRICA · SEYCHELLES

Electricity www.beachcomber.com.au
Supply is usually from 220V to 240V, 3-pin, square/round plugs.
SOUTH AFRICA TOURIST INFORMATION
How to get there
International flights service Johannesburg and Cape Town and an excellent network of
domestic scheduled flights service all tourist centres within the country.
Currency
Rand (R) = 100 cents.
Denominations: coins - 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2, R5
notes - R10, R20, R50, R100, R200
Drinking water
Tap water is 100% purified and safe to drink in major cities, towns and game reserves.
Electricity 220/230 volts AC
Health and entry requirements
A valid passport is required. Passport holders of more than 80 countries, including the USA,
Canada, Japan and the EU, can visit without visas. Contact your nearest SA Tourism office or
South African Consulate for an updated list. Visitors arriving from a yellow fever zone require
a valid international yellow fever inoculation certificate (Infants under the age of one are
exempt). Anti malaria prophylactics are advisable year round.
Medical Services
South Africa has excellent medical facilities, with doctors listed under ‘Medical Practitioners’
in the local telephone directories. Insurance covering travel, accidents, illness and hospitali-
sation is advised for the duration of your stay and must be arranged at time of booking.
Climate
Seasons are opposite to those of the northern hemisphere. Warm temperate conditions are
typical of South Africa, making it a popular destination for sunshine-seekers. South Africa is
renowned for almost twelve months of sunshine. From May to August, temperatures drop.
However, generally speaking, April and May are the most temperate months. In certain
areas, however, notably the hot, humid KwaZulu-Natal coast, Mpumalanga and the Limpopo
Province, June and July are the ideal holiday months. The wide expanses of ocean on three
sides of South Africa have a moderating influence on its climate. More apparent, however,
are the effects of the warm Agulhas and cold Benguela currents along the east and west
coasts, respectively. While Durban (east coast) and Port Nolloth (west coast) lie more or less
on the same latitude, there is a difference of at least 6 degrees centigrade in their mean
annual temperatures.
Temperatures
Despite a latitudinal span of 13 degrees, average annual temperatures are remarkably
uniform throughout the country. Owing to the increase in the height of the plateau towards
the northeast, there is hardly any increase in temperature from south to north, as might be
expected. There is a striking contrast between temperatures on the east and west coasts.
Temperatures above 32°C are fairly common in summer, and frequently exceed 38°C in the
lower Orange River valley and the Mpumalanga lowveld.
The average temperatures in degrees Celsius are:
Tourist Centre Summer / Winter
Johannesburg (Gauteng) 24.7°C / 18.0°C Cape Town (Western Cape) 24.0°C / 22.6°C
Durban (KwaZulu-Natal) 25.5°C / 22.6°C Bloemfontein (Free State) 29.0°C / 18.5°C
Pretoria / Tshwane (Gauteng) 27.5°C / 21.0°C Nelspruit (Mpumalanga) 28.5°C / 23.0°C
Kimberley (Northern Cape) 32.0°C / 20.0°C
South Africa has an average annual rainfall of 464 mm, compared with a world average of
860 mm. About 20% of the country has a total annual rainfall of less than 200 mm, 48% be-
tween 200 and 600 mm, while only about 30% records more than 600 mm. Only the Western
Cape experiences winter rainfall whilst the rest of the country has summer rains.
BOTSWANA TOURIST INFORMATION
How to get there
Major international airlines fly into Gaborone, Botswana’s capital. Daily flights from Johan-
nesburg are available on Air Botswana to Maun and regular charter flights into Kasane
and the Tuli area, ensure easy access into the tourist areas. A number of private charter
companies provide light aircraft internal flights throughout the country. Although Botswana
has a good system of roads from neighbouring countries, the distances involved result in
most visitors preferring to fly.
Health and entry requirements
A valid passport is required and visas are required by some nationalities. We recommend
clients check requirements with visa authorities well in advance. No inoculations are required
at this time but ant-malaria tablets are advisable year-round.
Clothing and climate
Light weight tropical clothing with rainwear from November to March. The evenings can be
cool from May to August, during the winter months. Neutral colours are best on safari and
smart casual is suitable for the evenings (camouflage clothing is not permitted). There is a
12 kg baggage limit on internal flights and soft bags are essential. There is a daily laundry
service in most camps. Sunblock, sunglasses, hats and insect repellent are essential. A good
pair of binoculars, a camera and comfortable walking shoes will enhance your stay. Summer
(September-April): Average temperature is between 19°-33° C. Winter (May-August): Aver-
age temperature is 5°-23° C.
Currency
Botswana currency is the Pula. The South African Rand, US Dollars, Euro’s, Pounds and most
major credit cards will be accepted at most lodges and camps.
Electric current
Camps which have generators produce 220/240 voltage. Few camps have electrical power,
however, most offer facilities to generate battery operated camcorders/video cameras.
ZIMBABWE TOURIST INFORMATION
How to get there
International flights service both Harare and Victoria Falls. Bulawayo, Hwange and Kariba
can be linked internally. A good network of major highways means that Zimbabwe can be
readily visited and toured by road from its neighbouring countries.
Health and entry requirements
A valid passport is required and visas are required by some nationalities. We recommend cli-
ents check requirements with visa authorities well in advance. No inoculations are required
at this time but anti-malaria tablets are advisable year round.
Clothing and climate
Light tropical clothing with rainwear from November to March. The evenings during the winter
months, from May to August, can be cool. September to October is hot and dry whilst Novem-
ber to March is hot and wet. Neutral colours on safari and smart casual evening wear for top
hotels and restaurants is recommended. All camouflage clothing is prohibited in Zimbabwe.
Currency
Zimbabwe national currency is the Zimbabwe Dollar. Most foreign currencies (US Dollars,
Euro, Rand) and most major credit cards are readily accepted.
Electric current
220-240 volts ac, via 14 amp fused, square pinned plugs. 50 hz.
ZAMBIA TOURIST INFORMATION
How to get there
International flights serve Lusaka and Livingstone and internal schedules charter flights
transport guests from lodge to lodge. Although the road system is much improved over
recent years, the distances involved result in most visitors preferring to fly.
Health and entry requirements
A valid passport is required and visas are required by some nationalities. We recommend cli-
ents check requirements with visa authorities well in advance. No inoculations are required
at this time and anti-malaria tablets are essential year-round.
Clothing and climate
Light tropical clothing with subdued colours for safaris and casual attire for evenings. It is
advisable to wear long sleeves and trousers in the evenings to reduce the risk of mosquito
bites. The winter months, May to Aug, are cold in the evenings.
Currency
The unit of currency is the Kwacha. US Dollars and credit cards are generally widely accepted.
Electric current Camps which have generators produce 220/240 voltage. Few camps have
electrical power, however, most offer facilities to generate battery operated camcorders/
video cameras.