Southern Africa FAQ's

Despite having the sea on three sides, South Africa is a dry country with highs of 28°C in summer. Daytime temperatures in winter can average 18°C.

The rainy season is summer, especially December-January. During winter, between the months of May and August, there is less grass and fewer waterholes, so this is the best time for watching game as they congregate to drink.

Yes, your motorhome is fully equipped for your self-catering convenience. In terms of shopping for your trip and replenishing of groceries and necessities your local guide will advise where stops can be included during the course of the journey, making the planning easier and convenient.

For stays of less than 90 days you will not need a visa when travelling to South Africa.

Full information is available from the South African High Commission.

Currently, there's no single emergency number in South Africa and therefore you need to save the correct contact details for a possible emergency. For an emergency that needs police response, dial 10111. For an emergency that requires an ambulance, dial 10177.

This option is very limited at the campsites that you will be traveling too.

• In South Africa, they drive on the left-hand side of the road.
• Keep to the left and pass right.
• All distances, speed limits (and speedometers) are in kilometres.
• There are strict drinking and driving laws - with a maximum allowable alcohol blood content of 0.05%. Translated that means about one glass of wine for the average woman and perhaps 1.5 or two for the average or large man.
• Four-way-stops are commonly found at the quieter intersections – the first vehicle to arrive has priority. On roundabouts, give way to the right, although this is often overlooked, and it is wise to proceed with caution.
• All occupants of a vehicle are required to wear seatbelts whilst travelling.
• Using hand-held phones while driving is against the law – use a vehicle phone attachment or hands-free kit if you want to speak on your mobile phone.

Road infrastructure is mostly excellent with national roads maintained by the South African National Roads Agency [SANRAL]. While most national roads are tarred and in good condition, the more rural the road, the more likely it is to be pot-holed and poorly surfaced.

With a good map, visitors should have little difficulty in finding their way around. A GPS unit can also be included with your vehicle rental.

Current information on the conditions of roads can be obtained through the Automobile Association of South Africa. The AA also provides invaluable guides for road users in the form of strip maps tailored for specific destinations and information for tourists on accommodation and routes.

All signposts are written in English. When asking for directions, you may be surprised to get the response "turn left at the next robot..." - a 'robot' is the South African term for traffic lights.

Fuel Stations are mostly open 24 hours and spread along all the routes. They are not self-help but manned by attendants who can also check oil, water and tyre pressure if required. Gratuities for this service are at your own discretion.

Many of these fuel stations have restaurants and restrooms - use them to freshen-up on the long drives.

There are three types of fuel available, leaded, unleaded and ‘dual fuel’ which can be used in place of either.

Fuel prices are fixed and controlled by the government – they are payable in cash and fluctuate.

Many of the national roads between the major centres are toll roads. Check the toll fees before you leave, and make sure that you have either a credit card or cash to pay.

A road map can be useful or there is always the option of renting a GPS device. Safari and Sea is a guided tour where you will mostly travel in convoy with the guide couple leading the tour in front. A GPS device is highly recommended for the Roads of the Rainbow Nation Journey and also the Cape Town and the Garden Route tours where there is more freedom to drive independently.

South Africa has a tipping culture, starting on arrival at the airport with a porter offering to carry your luggage. You can politely decline but if you accept, agree on an amount beforehand; a recommended amount is R5-R10 per bag.

For your pre-tour hotel stay, we recommend R50 per day for housekeeping staff and R15-R20 for each bag a porter carries.

In restaurants where waiters’ wages are usually very low, tips are crucial to their wage. To show your appreciation of having received a good service, it is acceptable to leave 10% of the bill in a restaurant, more if exceptional. For more than six guests, a 10% service charge is automatically added. Do not feel obliged to tip if the service has been poor.

In South Africa, car guards work wherever there is parking. They usually earn a minimum wage so you are not obliged to tip but if you feel they have provided a valuable service, R1-R5 can be given for minding the motorhome or helping you park or reverse safely.

Fuel attendants fill the tank whilst you remain in your motorhome. They may also offer to check your oil, water, tyre pressure and wash your windows too. Tipping for this service is R5-R20 dependant on the level of service you receive, and cash tips are preferred.

On guided activities such as a game drive or boat trip, it is customary to tip around R20 for your guide if you feel they have been knowledgeable and helpful.

If you are on an escorted tour and have found your tour hosts to have been knowledgeable, helpful and have contributed to making your Southern African tour an unforgettable experience, we suggest that you should allow between 100 and 150 Rand per person per day for the host couple, however this is only an indication and tipping is at your discretion.

South Africa Tourism - https://www.southafrica.net

UTC + 1 hours – Namibia is 1 hour ahead of England, UK

Partially covered by the Namib Desert, one of the world's driest deserts, Namibia's climate is generally very dry and pleasant – it's fine to visit all year round. Namibia only receives a fraction of the rain experienced by countries further east. Between about December to March some days will be humid and rain may follow, often in localised, afternoon thunderstorms. These are more common in the centre and east of the country, and more unusual in the desert.

April and especially May are often lovely months in Namibia. Increasingly dry, with a real freshness in the air, and much greenery in the landscape; at this time the air is clear and largely free from dust.

From June to August Namibia cools down and dries out more; nights can become cold, dropping below freezing in some desert areas. As the landscape dries so the game in the north of the country gravitates more to waterholes and is more easily seen by visitors. By September and October, it warms up again; game-viewing in most areas is at its best, although there's often a lot of dust around and the vegetation has lost its vibrancy.

November is a highly variable month. Sometimes the hot, dry weather will continue, at other times the sky will fill with clouds and threaten to rain – but if you're lucky enough to witness the first rains of the season, you'll never forget the drama.

Yes, your motorhome is fully equipped for your self-catering convenience. In terms of shopping for your trip and replenishing of groceries and necessities your local guide will advise where stops can be included during the course of the journey, making the planning easier and convenient.

Ambulance 211 or 111

National Police 10111

City Police 290 2239

Although British nationals can enter Namibia for a holiday or private visit of up to 90 days without a visa, there have been cases where visitors have only been given permission to stay for periods much shorter than 90 days, sometimes as short as only 7 or 10 days. Before leaving the immigration desk in the airport arrivals hall, check that you have been given permission to stay in Namibia for the duration of your intended visit up to the maximum allowable of 90 days and that you have been given a correctly dated entry stamp by Namibian Immigration officials, as this will be checked on departure.

Overstaying the time granted or an incorrect or missing entry stamp could lead to detention, arrest and a fine.

If you intend to work (which includes volunteering) or stay in Namibia for a period of more than 90 days, you must get a visa from the Namibian High Commission in London before you travel.

This option is very limited at the campsites that you will be traveling too.

• Make sure you have plenty of memory cards with you for your camera and make sure you stock up on batteries in advance.

• Don’t forget binoculars – you will be watching a lot of animals and birds and it’s always a pleasure to have a good pair of binoculars with you.

• Don’t take too many electrical appliances with you. Take only what you really need. Unless you really need a laptop, leave it at home. Smartphone and a small tablet are more than sufficient.

• Be aware that sometimes long driving days are unavoidable

• All travellers going to Namibia must have a passport that’s valid for 6 months past date of entry.

• Passengers in the back as well as the front seats must wear seatbelts.

• To drive a vehicle in Namibia, you need a valid driving licence and must carry it with you when you are driving. If your driver’s licence is not printed in English, it is advisable to travel with an International Driver’s Licence.

• Make sure you are fully insured.

• Before leaving on your tour, make sure the brakes of your vehicle are in good working order.

• Your tyres must have the correct air pressure for the roads on which you’re planning to travel and also for the amount of luggage and number of passengers in your motorhome.

• Always carry at least one spare tyre. When visiting remote areas, it is advisable to carry a second spare tyre and a tyre-repair kit.

• In Namibia, four-by-four vehicles are recommended when travelling through remote areas.

• You should carry a well-equipped first-aid kit, but we will also make sure that our guides carry one.

• Plan your trip carefully, ensuring that you have enough fuel for the journey you have planned. Your local guide will constantly guide you. Fill your tank at every available opportunity, even though you may not be in immediate need.

• Always carry water when you travel, we recommend buying this when stocking up on supplies. Plan to have enough water for your entire journey, also in case you have a breakdown or become stuck.

• Make sure you have a current, authoritative map before you leave on your trip. When you leave the official roads marked on your map, there may be no road signs to direct you and the condition of the road may be poor. The guide vehicle will lead the convoy and the technician vehicle shall follow at the back.

• Take time to listen carefully to the safety briefing given by your car-hire company. Ask advice on the condition of the roads in the areas you plan to visit.

• Watch out for animals crossing the road or grazing near the roadside. Both wild and domestic animals frighten easily and can jump directly in front of your moving car.

• Avoid travelling at night. Wildlife is most active at dusk, and the possibility of a collision at this time of day is vastly increased.

• When entering any game park or other area where there are wild animals, read the safety guidelines provided. It is dangerous to leave your vehicle when you are in a wildlife area. The only safe way to look at a wild animal is from the safety of your vehicle.

• As distances are long, take regular breaks as recommended by your accompanying tour guide.

Namibia's roads are amazing. They will take you to areas of breath-taking beauty and splendour. However, they are also notoriously dangerous, usually because travellers are not sufficiently familiar with what they are actually like.

Below we will detail some issues that you should be aware of and to be kept in mind always.

• Excessive speed is the main cause of traffic accidents - both on and off the gravel roads - and so it is imperative that you keep to sensible speeds under the speed limit; this means 120km/h on tarred roads and 8km/h on gravel. That said, especially on gravel, it is often advisable to keep well below that speed. If you happen to be driving a 4x4, you may wish to consider engaging four-wheel-drive, as this makes the vehicle much more manageable.

• They drive on the left in Namibia but on some gravel roads, you may simply find yourself choosing the best path along the existing road rather than trying to stick to a single 'lane.'

• Keep a firm grip with both hands on the steering wheel at all times; a rock or other object in the road can cause a sudden change in direction.

• Road traffic signs are there for a reason; always observe them, especially those which indicate a curve ahead:

• In the case of a sign indicating a gentle curve, reduce speed by at least one third of your cruising speed before commencing the turn.

• In the case of a sign indicating a sharp curve, reduce speed by at least one half of your cruising speed before commencing the turn.

• Likewise, signs warning you of animals are to be taken seriously. Warthogs, Kudus and Elephants can pose serious problems. Also bear in mind that domestic animals wander around the countryside all the time, especially in the north.

• Don’t break suddenly on a corrugated gravel road.

• In dusty conditions, it is advisable to drive with your lights on.

• As far as possible, avoid driving at night, especially on the gravel roads. This is because wildlife is most active at night, and this wildlife is often camouflaged. Kudus are especially famous for leaping into the path of oncoming vehicles at night.

• On gravel, keep a safe distance to any traffic in front; stones thrown up by their tyres not only pose a risk to the vehicle, but also to yourself. If you are stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle, take a break (enjoy the scenery!) and let them cover some distance, rather than trying to overtake them.

There and currently no toll roads in Namibia.

A road map can be useful or there is always the option of renting a GPS device. A Tale of Three Countries is a guided tour where you will mostly travel in convoy with the guide couple leading the tour in front.

Although not compulsory, tipping in Namibia is recommended when you have received good service especially as wages are very low.

• Car guards (only if they are present on arrival and departure): N$ 2-3, at night up to N$ 5
• Porter in a major hotel: N$ 5
• Restaurants: 10 % up to maximum of about N$ 150 (approx. US$9)
• Cafés (if you drink e.g. only a coffee): round up to a maximum of 10 %
• Safari guides N$20

Namibia Tourism - http://www.namibiatourism.com

The climate in Botswana is typical of southern Africa, although the amount of rainfall is less than countries further east. The rains in Botswana mostly falls in the months of December, January, February and March, when the minimum temperature is averaging in the low 20°s. The days will vary between being bright and sunny, sometimes with thunderstorms arriving in the afternoon, whilst other days will be overcast.

April & May are generally nice months in Botswana, with clear skies and a green landscape. Temperatures in the night-time start to drop though, especially in the Kalahari Desert. Please note that in and around the Okavango Delta, places tend to have more moderate temperatures than the extremes of the drier areas in the Kalahari desert.

From June to August drier parts of Botswana can have night-time temperatures close to freezing, but as the sun rises it warms up rapidly as the day goes on under the blue skies. This time of year is very much the 'peak season' for most safari areas, as the land in most areas is dry, causing the animals to congregate around the few remaining water sources.

September and October provide a similar situation with temperatures climbing again, drying the landscapes and concentrating the wildlife even more. This is the best time for seeing the big game animals – although October can get very hot, as temperatures sometimes move above 40°C.

November is difficult to predict, as sometimes it can be a continuation of October's heat, or it can be cooled by the first rains which bring new life and colour to the vegetation; it's always an interesting month.

Yes, your motorhome is fully equipped for your self-catering convenience. In terms of shopping for your trip and replenishing of groceries and necessities your local guide will advise where stops can be included during the course of the journey, making the planning easier and convenient.

Police 999

Ambulance 997

Fire Brigade 998

Medical Rescue 911

Medical Air Rescue 390-1601

British nationals do not need a visa to enter Botswana provided they are staying for 90 days or less. Please be aware that overstaying can cause delays on departure. If you wish to extend your stay beyond 90 days, please seek an extension from the Botswana Department of Immigration.

This option is very limited at the campsites that you will be travelling too.

• Make sure you have plenty of memory cards with you for your camera and make sure you stock up on batteries in advance.
• Don’t forget binoculars – you will be watching a lot of animals and birds and it’s always a pleasure to have a good pair of binoculars with you.
• Don’t take too many electrical appliances with you. Take only what you really need. Unless you really need a laptop, leave it at home. Smartphone and a small tablet are more than sufficient.
• Be aware that sometimes long driving days are unavoidable
• All travellers going to Botswana must have a passport that’s valid for 6 months past date of entry.

• You are better off taking soft-sided travel bags or duffel bag rather than hard shell suitcases. They take less space and offer more flexibility when loading bags in a motorhome and on top of that they are more durable.
• Pack your lightweight summer clothing from November – March when temperatures typically reach 30-40 degrees Celsius.
• Pack warmer clothes from June through August, when evening temperatures can dip down into the single digits. No matter the season, sunglasses and comfortable walking shoes will always come in handy.
• A flashlight always comes in handy.
• Sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
• A buff or a scarf.
• Body cream, hand cream, lip balm.
• Small trash bags (plastic bags) are also very handy. You can use them as motion sickness bags, to separate dirty laundry, or as trash bags in your motorhome.
• Tissues and sanitising hand wipes.
• Safety pins and a sewing kit.
• It is advisable not to wear bright colours on safari.
• Closed shoes or hiking sandals and flip flops.
• Clothes that can be washed easily and that can dry quickly.

• Be aware of your motorhome’s height when parking under a tree or entering a car park.

• Reverse with care – if your motorhome does not have a reversing camera then we suggest that you have someone guide you back.

• Remember to disconnect from your electrical hook up before driving off!

• You’ll have a familiarisation session at pick up but it’s worth noting where the wipers, lights and fuel cap are before setting off.

• Secure cupboard contents and ensure that surfaces are clear of loose items which can slide off in transit (kettles, cameras, cups etc).

• Use a GPS to plan your timings: distances in Botswana can take longer to drive due to road conditions, animals and the weather (and the fact that you may well be making frequent stops for photos, cups of tea and so on).

• Drivers are required to carry their licenses at all times. Licenses from neighbouring countries are accepted in Botswana. if not written in English, a certified written translation is required. International driver’s licenses are accepted in Botswana.

• As a general rule, take all food requirements to last your stay. Take at least 20 litres of water per person, preferably more; for desert destinations, carry between 50 and 100 litres.

• Watch out for animals - many of the roads are unfenced and animals such as donkeys often wander across the road, in national parks it could well be an elephant!

• A related point - stick to the speed limit, especially in the national parks - it is for your safety and allows you to see many more animals that you may have just whizzed past.

• The national speed limit on tarred roads is 120km/h and 60km/h in towns and villages.

• Watch out for wildlife and domestic animals on the roads.

• In the National parks always stay on the established tracks in order to avoid the ugly scars left by off-road driving. Stay below the 40km/h speed limit for the safety of wildlife and yourselves.

• Do not travel after dark, as animals are harder to see on the road at night. Many accidents happen because of this.

• Animals such as kudu often jump across the road at night in front of cars, so you need to be very cautious when driving at night.

• The roads are often not signposted, so a map is a definite necessity.

• Take a medical aid kit. In the heat and humidity even, small cuts can get infected quickly, so it is a good idea to carry a basic medical aid kit with you

• As campsites within game reserves and national parks are usually not fenced, it is important for campers to take necessary precautionary measures to ensure their safety, and to abide by the information provided by wildlife officers.

Botswana is accessible by tarred road from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Namibia. Vehicles are driven on the left-hand side of the road. A valid international driver’s license, along with vehicle registration documents, are required to drive in Botswana, and drivers should carry them at all times.

Major roads in Botswana are tarred and driving conditions are generally good. The main roads to establish areas are regularly graded. Four-wheel drive is required with traveling in the national parks and reserves, as well as in remote areas.

Currently there are no toll roads in Botswana.

A road map can be useful or there is always the option of renting a GPS device.

A Tale of Three Countries is a guided tour where you will mostly travel in convoy with the guide couple leading the tour in front.

There is no obligation to tip in Botswana but if you would like to tip for good service, the amount given is at your discretion. As a guide, 10% is recommended in cash rather than card, to ensure your waiter receives it.

On game drives, a helpful and knowledgeable guide can be offered an appreciated tip of 100BWP (approx. US$8).

For petrol and parking attendants, a typical tip is 2 BWP.

Botswana Tourism - www.botswanatourism.co.bw

The rainy season is from December to March, with the higher regions seeing greater rainfall than the lowlands.

As the rains depart and the landscape dries, April and May sees evening temperatures drop. This continues through to August so pack some warm clothes for the cooler evenings. By day, the weather is clear and sunny and warm.

Zambia’s high season begins in June when the landscape and roads have properly dried, days are fine and cloudless and game sightings are on the increase.

September and October see higher temperatures, with some places like the Lower Zambesi getting really hot. It’s a good time for spotting game though as animals congregate around more limited water holes.

November can be very changeable, with hot, dry days as well as the first rains.

Police 991

Ambulance 994

Speciality Emergency Services 737

All British passport holders need a visa to enter Zambia, single and double entry visit visas can be obtained on arrival in Zambia, Visa fees have been removed for UK Passport holders.

For any further information or specific queries regarding your circumstances, contact the Zambian High Commission in London.

Laundry services are available at the hotel.

• Make sure you have plenty of memory cards with you for your camera and make sure you stock up on batteries in advance.

• Don’t forget your binoculars.

• Don’t take too many electrical appliances with you. Take only what you really need. Unless you really need a laptop, leave it at home. Smartphone and a small tablet are more than sufficient.

• Sunglasses and comfortable walking shoes will always be useful.
• A flashlight always comes in handy.
• Sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
• A buff or a scarf.
• Body cream, hand cream, lip balm.
• Tissues and sanitising hand wipes.
• Safety pins and a sewing kit.
• Closed shoes or hiking sandals and flip flops.
• Clothes that can be washed easily and that can dry quickly.

Currently the only tour to feature Zambia is A Tale of Three Countries and there is no driving required in Zambia as you will be leaving your motorhomes in Botswana, therefore maps are not required.

Tipping is not compulsory in Zambia but always appreciated if you feel you have received a good service. As a rough guide, in a restaurant a meal would be 10% of the bill. For a hotel porter, US$1 for each bag and for guides US$10 per day.

Zambia Tourism - https://www.zambiatourism.com