Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date of your arrangements and have a minimum of three blank visa pages excluding endorsement pages.

Travellng with minors - in addition to having a valid passport and valid visa (if applicable), children under the age of 18, traveling through Botswana’s borders, must be in possession of a certified copy of their unabridged birth certificate (one that shows the particulars of a minor and those of both parents).

A child under the age of 18 traveling to Botswana and/or South Africa with just one parent must carry an affidavit signed by the other parent consenting to such travel. Failure to produce the necessary documentation may result in travelers being turned away at port of entry.

Insider Tips

Zimbabwe and Mozambique visas each use up a full passport page. If you are visiting both countries we recommend a minimum of four blank pages.

Post Covid passport renewals are taking much longer than in the past so don’t leave applying for a new passport until the last moment as there iust a chance you won’t receive it in time to travel.

Keeping your passport safe is key as there is nothing worse than having to spend precious holiday time replacing it. Make at least two copies of the ID page of your passport, visa (if obtained in advance of travel), Covid-19 vaccine passport, travel itinerary, travel insurance, credit cards and any other travel documentation. One copy can be an image scan and the other a hard copy which you can give to a family member, business associate or close friend for safekeeping

When it comes to health risks and medical precautions, Machaba Blue is only able to offer limited advice as outlined below.

Those with underlying chronic conditions should ideally seek medical advice prior to planning their journey.

Prior to traveling to Africa, we highly recommend you visit a medical professional such as your GP or local travel clinic for advice on what health precautions need to be taken. This visit should take place at least 4-8 weeks prior to departure as it will determine the need for any vaccinations and/or antimalarial medication as well as identifying any other medical precautions.

Currently no mandatory vaccinations are required when entering Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa. Please check if this is still the case when visiting your GP or travel clinic.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by visitors coming from a country where yellow fever occurs, or if they have been in transit for more than 12 hours at an airport in a country here yellow fever occurs.

Malaria is present throughout southern Africa and in certain areas of South Africa.

Insider Tips

• Take out comprehensive travel insurance to safeguard against the unexpected. Should you fall ill or have an accident when staying in a remote area you may have to be evacuated by air to a private medical facility which is a costly exercise.
• Carry the name and contact details of your doctor together with information pertaining to any medical condition and its treatment.
• If you take prescription medication ensure you carry sufficient to last the duration of your trip, plus a little extra in case of flight delays.
• Prescription medication should be kept in its original container which should be clearly labelled.
• More unusual drugs and ones that contain sedatives should be carried with a medical attestation signed by a physician certifying the traveler requires the medication for a specific medical condition.
• Ask you medical practitioner to recommend items for a basic first aid kit
• In the event your checked bag is lost or delayed we recommend you carry prescription medication including anti-malaria tablets, spare contact lens and essential toiletries in your hand luggage.
• If you travel with a CPAP machine, please advise us well in advance so we can check your chosen safari lodges/camps are able to run a generator throughout the night. Alternatively, you may choose to carry a portable battery pack that can be re-charged daily.
• Please advise us of any special dietary requests in advance of travel.

• Category A – countries whose nationals do not require a visa
• Category B – countries whose nationals are granted a visa on arrival at their port of entry on payment of a visa fee of US$30 single entry / US$45 – double entry.
• Exceptions are Britain / UK / Ireland - US$55 single entry, US$70 – double entry, Canadian – US$75 single entry, China – US$60 single entry
• Category C – countries whose nationals are required to apply for and obtain a visa prior to travel

• Nationals who do not require a visa to enter Zambia
• Nationals who are granted a visa on arrival
• Nationals who are required to apply for a visa prior to arrival in Zambia

• Visa type
• Single Entry US$25.00 - allows a traveller to enter Zambia only once during the validity of the visa.
• Double Entry US$40.00 - allows a traveller to enter Zambia twice during the validity of the visa.
• Day Tripper US$10.00 - applies to visitors who are staying in Zambia for less than 24 hours. Only issued at the Victoria Falls and Kazungula borders and the visitor must enter and exit through the same port
• Transit Visa US$25.00

• On arrival please ensure you request the correct visa for your needs
• Always check your visa has been issued for the correct number of days
• Zimbabwe, KAZA UniVisa and Mozambique visas each use a full passport visa page
• Carry the exact amount of cash to pay for your visa as credit card machines may be offline and change is not always available

• In the event your checked bag is lost or delayed we recommend you carry prescription medication including anti-malaria tablets, spare contact lenses, essential toiletries, and a change of underwear in your hand luggage.
• If you take prescription medication ensure you carry sufficient to last your whole trip, plus a little extra in case of delays. Prescription medications should be in their original containers with the doctor’s prescription printed on the container.
• Leave expensive and sentimental pieces of jewellery at home and never carry jewellery in your checked baggage.

• Don’t tempt fate by travelling with expensive jewelery, only bring what you need. If its irreplaceable or has sentimental value, then leave it at home. Never carry jewelery in your checked baggage.
• In the unfortunate event your checked baggage is lost or delay we recommend you carry prescription medication, including anti-malaria tablets, essential toiletries, and a change of underwear in your hand luggage.
• Misplacing or losing original travel documents is frustrating and time consuming as it takes time to have them replaced. Always carry a copy of the ID page of your passport, travel itinerary, travel insurance and Covid passport with you. The best method is to scan these documents and store them electronically. Packing a copy separately from the original documents and leave a copy with a family member or trusted contact are other options.

• It is advisable to secure your luggage with a suitable lock when flying both locally (within South Africa), regionally (to neighboring countries), and internationally. As an additional precaution, we suggest that check-in baggage is protected and secured with a Luggage Glove.
• Please do not check in any valuables or chronic medication as these should be kept in your carry-on luggage.
• Never leave luggage unattended.
• Always drive with your doors locked and your windows closed, with handbags/backpacks/parcels, and valuables stored out of sight in the boot/trunk of the car.
• Keep mobile phones, wallets, and cameras well hidden, and avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
• Never leave your luggage unattended (e.g. do not leave handbags under tables, on the backs of chairs, or restroom hooks).
• Please report any stolen property and/or any incident involving your safety and security to the establishment where you are staying.
• Separate your cash and credit cards and do not carry all your cash with you.
• Avoid counting cash in the open.
• Be vigilant whenever approaching an automated bank teller machine (ATM). If you feel unsafe, rather return at another time or use an alternate machine.
• Please store any valuables, travel documents (passports/airline tickets/vaccination cards), and additional cash in your camp/lodge/hotel room safe or the property's main safe. Keep your room locked at all times and hand in room keys or cards whenever you leave your hotel.

INCLUDED

• Experience of a lifetime
• 24/7  support before & during your safari
• Accommodation*
• Road transfers*
• Tours & Activities*
• Meals & Drinks*
• Tour Guide (where applicable)
• Airport & airstrip transfers*
• Park fees, levies & taxes (unless otherwise indicated)
• Inter-Africa commercial & light aircraft flights*

____________

* As indicated on your detailed safari itinerary

EXCLUDED

• International airfare
• Personal gifts & purchases
• Incidental charges
• Travel insurance
• Conservation fees*
• Visa fees
• Balloon safari* (if applicable)
• Laundry*
• Tips

____________

* Unless otherwise indicated on your itinerary