PREPARING FOR YOUR SAFARI

Seasons: Zimbabwe is a year-round destination.  The winter months in Zimbabwe (May to September) are best for game viewing, the bush is thinner and animals tend to gather near the water holes more frequently.  For high adventure enthusiasts, the best time to go whitewater rafting is when the waters of the Zambezi River are low (generally from August to December).

Transportation: Hwange Elephant Lodge is located approximately one and a half hours from the Victoria Falls airport.  One of our guides will meet you upon arrival, assisting with all customs and immigration formalities, before transferring you to Hwange Elephant Lodge.

Travel Documents: A valid passport and onward or returning ticket is required for entry into either Zimbabwe or South Africa.  A visa is required for entry into Zimbabwe and can be obtained at the airport upon entry.  Carry some cash (US currency) to pay for your visa upon entry.  No visa is required for entry into South Africa.

Currency and Banks: You may use Visa Credit cards in most reputable stores in South Africa and Zimbabwe, however it is advisable to carry some cash for miscellaneous purchases.  Mastercards are not generally used in Zimbabwe at the moment.

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TRAVEL AND INSURANCE RESOURCES

Trip cancellation Insurance: This is an item that must be completed within a certain amount of days after paying your initial deposit and confirming your trip. This timeframe varies from company to company.  We recommend Travel Guard.

Tel: 1-800-826-1300
Website: www.travelguard.com

Medical Evacuation Insurance: This is not a required item but we highly recommend it. This insurance will provide you with a medical air ambulance to fly you from your current location to a hospital of your choice near your home or elsewhere if you choose. We recommend Medjet Assist for this service.

Tel: 1-800-527-7478

Website: www.medjetassist.com

Airline Tickets: We recommend that you travel through Johannesburg to Victoria Falls airport.  We can advise you on your air travel arrangements and recommend some travel agents, however, we cannot book your flights. As you arrange your flights we require that you provide us with a copy of your itinerary for approval prior to confirming your flights. Once you have confirmed flights we require a copy of your final itinerary.  This allows us to forward a copy to our staff at Hwange Elephant Lodge so everyone will have a record of when and where you are scheduled to arrive and depart.  For travel bookings, we currently recommend Wild Travel.

Kathi Klimes, Wild Travel
Tel. 708-425-3552 / E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Johannesburg Overnight Stay: We encourage you to arrange your flights through to Victoria Falls on the same day as arrival in Johannesburg.  This eliminates the need for an overnight stay in Johannesburg and having to clear customs with your firearms and/or luggage.  If this is not possible, we recommend the following guesthouses for your Johannesburg overnight stay:

Afton Guest House
Website: www.aftonguesthouse.com

Africa Sky
Website: http://www.africasky.co.za

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HEALTH & SAFETY

Zimbabwe is one of the safest tourist destinations in the world. The country has a mild climate, very hospitable people and incredible natural scenery.  No vaccinations are required for entry into Zimbabwe or South Africa.  However, malaria precaution is recommended. Consult your doctor.

We also advise you to drink only bottled water to avoid any possible stomach complaints.  Also, be sensible about exposure to the sun and the heat in general as this may cause heat stroke or exhaustion – eat salt on your food, drink liquids regularly and wear protective sun creams and clothing.

If you suffer from allergies, bring your own prescriptive medicine. Other useful medical aid kit items to bring along are: antihistamine (insect bites, itches, allergies).  Avoid walking barefoot. Any cut, bite or sting, can easily get infected in the dust and humidity.

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WHAT TO PACK

Travel Documents:

Passport, Airline Tickets, Credit Cards, Insurance Info, Emergency Info, Photocopies of Important Documents, Cash for Tips & Miscellaneous Purchases

Safari Gear & Travel Accessories:

• Binoculars: (7x40 or similar) also bring a binoculars strap or suspender support system for comfort

• Plug adapters and electric converters, our lodge has electricity so you can charge video camera batteries etc, however, please bring a voltage converter if necessary as the current is 220 Volts at 50 HZ

• Small waterproof bag or backpack for carrying personal items

• Flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries and bulb

• Video camera, tapes or memory card/stick, charger and/or batteries

• Camera, lenses (lens cleaning kit), flash and film (if not digital), if your camera is digital you might consider bringing a second memory stick, charger and/or batteries

Clothing

When packing remember that Hwange Elephant Lodge provides same day laundry service which means that you don’t need to have too many changes of clothes.  Try to avoid anything white or bright, these colors will warn animals of your presence. Daytime temperatures are warm throughout the year so we recommend light tan clothing.  However, during the winter months (May to mid August), nights and early mornings can get chilly, so a warm jacket is essential. You may be going on bush walks, so please make sure you have comfortable walking shoes.  Please note that it is illegal to wear camouflage clothing in Zimbabwe.  Here is a basic packing list that will be a useful starting point:

• 3 long sleeved cotton shirts (sleeves can be rolled up and down according to sun/temperature)

• 2 pairs of shorts

• 2 pairs of trousers, consider zip-off trousers that convert to shorts

• 2 tee shirts, great for under your shirt on a cold morning or casual in the evenings

• 3 pairs of socks

• 2 good pairs of walking shoes (hiking boots are not necessary, most of our walks are over fairly easy terrain and hard rugged soled hiking boots are very noisy)

• A good wide brimmed hat or baseball cap (good for when there is wind and on game drives)

• A jacket for the mornings and evenings (one that makes no noise for blinds)

• Ziploc bags to protect valuable equipment, like your binoculars or camera, from dust sand and water, make sure the bags are big enough to hold items in their original cases to offer added protection

• Binoculars: (7x40 or similar) also bring a binoculars strap or suspender support system for comfort

• Medications, contact lenses, sun block, a shaving kit, skin cream, a toothbrush, toothpaste, fingernail clippers and insect repellent (to put on your hands and feet in the evenings)

• If you wear prescription glasses we recommend that you also bring a spare pair

• Bring your own small medical kit, including band aids, malaria pills, some disinfectant spray or gel and aspirin, or your own preference in pain killers, as well as antacids, and doses of antibiotics

• Please take soft bags as these are easier for packing in the safari vehicles

• Luggage tags

• Sunglasses