Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions about any of the below, please feel free to ask. All itineraries differ slightly, so additional information may be pertinent to your trip.
Passport & VISA INFORMAtion?
Botswana, Namibia and South Africa are currently the only countries for which Australians do not require visas, however, you will be required to have a minimum of 2 empty pages per country that you are visiting in your your passport.
Visas for most other countries can be bought at the airport / border on arrival, although an online application can be made for a Uganda visa and a Kenya visa before you travel.
Visas must be paid for in US Dollar cash, and are generally between US$50 and US$100 each.
Visas can also be arranged before travel, by contacting the relevant country’s embassy / consulate in Australia.
For travellers visiting a combination of Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, an East African Tourist Visa is available for a cost of US$100 per person, which saves some money considering individual visas for each country are US$50 per person.
For travellers visiting a combination of Zimbabwe and Zambia, a “Kaza Uni-Visa” is available which allows for multiple crosses between each country. It also allows for day trips into Botswana.
Please note, some embassies advise to get visas before travel to avoid any hassles at the border posts. The visa requirements and information change suddenly and often, so the onus is on you to double check visa requirements before travel.
NB: It is very important for all families travelling with children to be aware of South Africa’s very strict entry requirements for all children under the age of 18.
Parents must be in possession of birth certificates of all children, showing both parents’ names on the certificate, and where only one parent is travelling, a letter of authority from the other parent must be provided.
Visas for most other countries can be bought at the airport / border on arrival, although an online application can be made for a Uganda visa and a Kenya visa before you travel.
Visas must be paid for in US Dollar cash, and are generally between US$50 and US$100 each.
Visas can also be arranged before travel, by contacting the relevant country’s embassy / consulate in Australia.
For travellers visiting a combination of Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, an East African Tourist Visa is available for a cost of US$100 per person, which saves some money considering individual visas for each country are US$50 per person.
For travellers visiting a combination of Zimbabwe and Zambia, a “Kaza Uni-Visa” is available which allows for multiple crosses between each country. It also allows for day trips into Botswana.
Please note, some embassies advise to get visas before travel to avoid any hassles at the border posts. The visa requirements and information change suddenly and often, so the onus is on you to double check visa requirements before travel.
NB: It is very important for all families travelling with children to be aware of South Africa’s very strict entry requirements for all children under the age of 18.
Parents must be in possession of birth certificates of all children, showing both parents’ names on the certificate, and where only one parent is travelling, a letter of authority from the other parent must be provided.
Are there any luggage restrictions?
If your itinerary includes any light aircraft flights into the game reserves or national parks then there will be luggage restrictions of 15 kgs per person in East Africa and either 15 kgs or 20 kgs per person in Southern Africa (including hand luggage) depending on the airline.
Bags also must be soft-sided with no frames or wheels (i.e. a duffel bag).
If you do not have any light aircraft flights in your itinerary then your bags should still be soft sided, and try to pack as lightly as possible.
Bags also must be soft-sided with no frames or wheels (i.e. a duffel bag).
If you do not have any light aircraft flights in your itinerary then your bags should still be soft sided, and try to pack as lightly as possible.
HOW DO i know who is collecting me at the airport?
Your transfer driver / guide will be waiting in the arrivals hall, once you have passed through immigrations and collected your luggage, and he / she will be holding a board with your name on it.
what currency should I take?
Except for South Africa and Namibia (where Rands are used), US Dollars are the best cash currency to take with you. They can be used as tender in most areas, and can be changed easily into local currency.
Please ensure your US Dollar notes are as new as possible, and definitely printed after 2008.
Take small denominations as getting change can sometimes be a problem.
Local currency can be drawn from local ATM’s, however be prepared that your card may not work, or no ATM’s may be available where you are travelling to, so do not bank on getting cash this way (the exception here is South Africa, where ATM's are widely available, and are generally reliable).
Please note that there is currently a cash shortage in Zimbabwe. Credit cards are widely accepted, but usually attract a surcharge. Please ensure you have US Dollar cash with you though if your itinerary includes Zimbabwe.
It can be worth exchanging small amounts of US Dollars into local currency along the way, for smaller purchases, such as snacks, souvenirs and drinks. However, do not change too much as you will lose out on the exchange rate when changing it back at the end of your trip, and once you are home you will most likely not be able to change it back into Australian Dollars.
Please remember to inform your bank that you are travelling to Africa, and make sure you have a 24 hour contact number for them. It is common for banks to stop your ATM or credit card as soon as they see it being used in Africa.
Please ensure your US Dollar notes are as new as possible, and definitely printed after 2008.
Take small denominations as getting change can sometimes be a problem.
Local currency can be drawn from local ATM’s, however be prepared that your card may not work, or no ATM’s may be available where you are travelling to, so do not bank on getting cash this way (the exception here is South Africa, where ATM's are widely available, and are generally reliable).
Please note that there is currently a cash shortage in Zimbabwe. Credit cards are widely accepted, but usually attract a surcharge. Please ensure you have US Dollar cash with you though if your itinerary includes Zimbabwe.
It can be worth exchanging small amounts of US Dollars into local currency along the way, for smaller purchases, such as snacks, souvenirs and drinks. However, do not change too much as you will lose out on the exchange rate when changing it back at the end of your trip, and once you are home you will most likely not be able to change it back into Australian Dollars.
Please remember to inform your bank that you are travelling to Africa, and make sure you have a 24 hour contact number for them. It is common for banks to stop your ATM or credit card as soon as they see it being used in Africa.
can I use a credit card?
Yes, credit cards are accepted in most locations and lodges, except for some of the more remote tented camps. Be prepared that there may be a surcharge charged by some merchants, especially for American Express cards.
Please advise your bank before you leave that you will be using your card in Africa and make sure to have a 24 hour contact number for them.
Please advise your bank before you leave that you will be using your card in Africa and make sure to have a 24 hour contact number for them.
what will i need to pay for?
Although each itinerary differs, generally all of the itineraries we arrange include most of your meals (but not drinks) and activities. Inclusions and exclusions will be clearly shown on your itinerary document.
You will need cash for tips, snacks, drinks, souvenirs, and extra activities. Most extra activities and bills at lodges can be paid using credit cards as well.
You will need cash for tips, snacks, drinks, souvenirs, and extra activities. Most extra activities and bills at lodges can be paid using credit cards as well.
what amount, and whom, should I tip?
Tipping is not compulsory during your travels, although it is common in the African service industry, and is necessary to supplement lower wages. Wage amounts are based on the fact staff will receive tips, and workers therefore do strive to serve their best in order to earn their gratuities.
Here is a general guide as to what tipping amounts you should expect to pay, but should only be done if the service is deserving of it (Rand amounts are for South Africa and Namibia, US$ amounts are for the rest):
Transfer driver: ZAR 50 / US$5
Hotel porters: ZAR 15 - 25 / US$1 - 2
Lodge guide: ZAR 75 - 100 / US$7 - US10 per person per day (can be given to the guide at the end of your stay)
Driver-guide (group tours): US$ 7 - US$10 / ZAR 100 per person per day (can be given at the end of the tour)
Tracker: ZAR 50 / US$5 per person per day (can be given at the end of your stay)
Lodge staff: About ZAR 75 – ZAR 100 / US$5 - US$10 per traveller per night’s stay. At a lodge it is best to give a tip to the manager / into the communal tip box at the end of your stay. This will then get pooled and split between all lodge staff. This means not only the staff who have face to face contact with guests benefit from tips. If it appears a member of staff is waiting for a tip from you, it is fine to tell them you will give a group tip to the manager.
Gorilla trekking guide: US$20 – US$30 per traveller
Gorilla trekking porters: US$10 – US$15 per porter
Restaurant waiter / waitress: 10% of the bill
For your guides and trackers, the tips can be given at the end of your stay or end of your safari with them. It is not necessary to tip daily.
Here is a general guide as to what tipping amounts you should expect to pay, but should only be done if the service is deserving of it (Rand amounts are for South Africa and Namibia, US$ amounts are for the rest):
Transfer driver: ZAR 50 / US$5
Hotel porters: ZAR 15 - 25 / US$1 - 2
Lodge guide: ZAR 75 - 100 / US$7 - US10 per person per day (can be given to the guide at the end of your stay)
Driver-guide (group tours): US$ 7 - US$10 / ZAR 100 per person per day (can be given at the end of the tour)
Tracker: ZAR 50 / US$5 per person per day (can be given at the end of your stay)
Lodge staff: About ZAR 75 – ZAR 100 / US$5 - US$10 per traveller per night’s stay. At a lodge it is best to give a tip to the manager / into the communal tip box at the end of your stay. This will then get pooled and split between all lodge staff. This means not only the staff who have face to face contact with guests benefit from tips. If it appears a member of staff is waiting for a tip from you, it is fine to tell them you will give a group tip to the manager.
Gorilla trekking guide: US$20 – US$30 per traveller
Gorilla trekking porters: US$10 – US$15 per porter
Restaurant waiter / waitress: 10% of the bill
For your guides and trackers, the tips can be given at the end of your stay or end of your safari with them. It is not necessary to tip daily.
what do meals / drinks cost?
Where a meal is not included in an itinerary, budget US$20 –US$25 per meal.
Drinks cost between $2 and $3 per drink. Cheaper drinks can be bought at local shops along the way. Ask your guide to stop when passing a village / town.
Drinks cost between $2 and $3 per drink. Cheaper drinks can be bought at local shops along the way. Ask your guide to stop when passing a village / town.
do i need any vaccinations or other health precautions?
If you are visiting Kenya, Uganda or Rwanda a yellow fever vaccination is required. These need to be administered at least 10 days before your arrival in that country, and are valid for 10 years, so you can get them done as soon as possible.
Those are the only compulsory vaccinations, and please remember to take your yellow fever certificate with you when you travel.
A lot of the safari areas in Africa are malaria areas, and malaria tablets are strongly recommended.
For any other health advice, please contact your doctor and find out from them what they recommend for you.
Those are the only compulsory vaccinations, and please remember to take your yellow fever certificate with you when you travel.
A lot of the safari areas in Africa are malaria areas, and malaria tablets are strongly recommended.
For any other health advice, please contact your doctor and find out from them what they recommend for you.
do i need travel insurance?
Yes, we highly recommend that you are adequately insured for the full duration of your trip and we suggest you purchase insurance at the time you pay your deposit. African Ubuntu Safaris will not accept responsibility for loss of deposit or full payment, loss or damage to baggage and personal items including camera equipment, personal injury and illness, medical expenses and/or cancellation of your trip due to circumstances beyond our control.
are there any local customs i should be aware of?
In general, normal polite western customs are accepted throughout Africa.
Zanzibar is largely Muslim, with the beach resorts being very relaxed, but Muslim standards should be remembered when in Stone Town. Men and women should wear trousers below the knee, and shoulders should be covered.
Many Africans do not want their picture taken, and it is important to ask someone before photographing them. In a few cases you will be asked to pay to take a photograph of someone. It is up to you whether you would like to or not.
In general, everyone you meet will be very friendly and interested in where you are from. By responding with friendship and an interest in them you will benefit from some enjoyable conversations.
Zanzibar is largely Muslim, with the beach resorts being very relaxed, but Muslim standards should be remembered when in Stone Town. Men and women should wear trousers below the knee, and shoulders should be covered.
Many Africans do not want their picture taken, and it is important to ask someone before photographing them. In a few cases you will be asked to pay to take a photograph of someone. It is up to you whether you would like to or not.
In general, everyone you meet will be very friendly and interested in where you are from. By responding with friendship and an interest in them you will benefit from some enjoyable conversations.
is it safe?
All of our itineraries are designed around keeping you in safe locations, and making sure you are guided through the right areas.
As is the case anywhere in the world, tourists can be targeted by petty criminals, therefore be careful with things like cameras, jewellery and day packs.
In wildlife areas, animals roam free, and can often be found within a camp or lodge perimeter. You will always be given a safety briefing at each camp, and it is important that you listen to, and follow, the instructions given to you.
It is extremely rare that any of our travellers have any problems, and while it is worth being aware, it is not necessary to overly worry about safety issues.
As is the case anywhere in the world, tourists can be targeted by petty criminals, therefore be careful with things like cameras, jewellery and day packs.
In wildlife areas, animals roam free, and can often be found within a camp or lodge perimeter. You will always be given a safety briefing at each camp, and it is important that you listen to, and follow, the instructions given to you.
It is extremely rare that any of our travellers have any problems, and while it is worth being aware, it is not necessary to overly worry about safety issues.
