Frequently Asked Questions

The visa information below applies to Australian passport holders. If you are travelling on another passport, please double check the visa requirements with us.

For all travellers, ensure that your passports are valid for more than 6 months from the end date of your trip, and also ensure you have at least 2 blank pages per country you are visiting.

The specific country requirements are as follows:

South Africa: no visa required, however children under 18 years old may need extra documentation. Please ask us for more details on travelling with children under 18.

Namibia: no visa required, however children under 18 years old may need extra documentation. Please ask us for more details on travelling with children under 18.

Botswana: no visa required, however children under 18 years old may need extra documentation. Please ask us for more details on travelling with children under 18.

Zimbabwe: visas can be bought on arrival at a cost of US$30 per person, payable in US Dollar cash.

Zambia: visas can be bought on arrival at a cost of US$50 per person, payable in US Dollar cash.

Zimbabwe + Zambia: if you are visiting both countries around the Victoria Falls region, you can purchase a KAZA Univisa on arrival at a cost of US$50 per person, payable in US Dollar cash. This will allow you to cross the border freely between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Tanzania: visas should be bought online prior to travel online at https://visa.immigration.go.tz/. They will cost US$50 per person. A single entry Tanzania visa will still allow you to re-enter Tanzania again from Kenya.

Kenya: visas are no longer required for Kenya however you need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation from http://www.etakenya.go.ke. Travellers are eligible to apply for ETAs within 3 months of their arrival date in Kenya. Following the application, a confirmation will be sent to the email address submitted in the application. Upon approval, the ETA will be sent to the same email address.

Uganda: visas can be bought on arrival at a cost of US$50 per person, payable in US Dollar cash.

Rwanda: free visas are available on arrival.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE:

1. Make sure your passport has more than 6 months validity from the end date of your trip, and you have enough empty pages.
2. FOR CHILDREN UNDER 18 THERE ARE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS. Please make sure you are aware of these and ask us for more information.
3. When visas are purchased on arrival they need to be paid for in US Dollar cash. Please ensure you have enough cash with you.

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.

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 guides and trackers: US$30 - US$50 per traveller

Gorilla trekking porters: 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.

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.