Travel Tips

PASSPORTS

All travellers are required to have a valid passport with at least 4 blank pages for any visas required and for entry and exit border stamps. Your passport should be valid for 6 months after the end of your safari. If you have two passports, you are required to only travel on one of the passports for the whole duration of your tour.

VISAS

It is the sole responsibility of the traveller to ensure that they have the required visas to visit the countries as per itinerary travelling. If you are a passport holder of the following countries; Australia, Belgium, Britain, Germany, New Zealand and USA, you do not have to require for Visa for Namibia, South African and Botswana.
Passport holders of other countries not mentioned above should check with their travel agents regarding visa requirements for visiting Namibia and neighbouring countries.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel Insurance is mandatory for all passengers travelling with Mabaruli African Safaris. Clients should take out Fully Comprehensive Travel Insurance covering cancellation, medical expenses, and emergency travel with repatriation assistance and personal accident.

It is the client’s responsibility to ensure they sort out their adequate insurance before they leave their country, as travel insurance cannot be purchased once you have left your country of origin. Insurance provided with credit card payment is inadequate for travel of this nature, so please contact your travel agent or insurance broker or details.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

When packing for your safari, please be aware of Namibia’s climate as follow:

• On average, Namibia receives about 300 day’s sunshine a year. Namibia has a pleasant climate and can be visited throughout the year. However, from December to February the weather gets very hot and humid.
• April – June – warm daytime temperatures of about 25°C and cooler nights.
• June – September is the driest time of the year, but the best time for game viewing, with daytime temperatures average above 20°C, but the night time can be freezing temperatures.
• October is the hottest month in Namibia with temperatures above 40°C with minimal rain fall.
• November to February is hot and humid with thunderstorms and rain.

HEALTH PRECAUTIONS

All travellers must be in good health to undertake a safari; we recommend that you consult your physician prior to your safari departure, as there are a few health matters that require attention.

TRAVELING ON SAFARI

A safari is the opportunity to travel together with like minded people and an opportunity to gain an insight into the area you are travelling and the ways of life of the local people. A typical day will begin at sunrise to make use of daylight and by nightfall we are settled at our camp. Every evening, your Tour Leader will brief you on the next day’s journey and the activities which will be available.

Taking part in a safari tour involves some long drives, bumpy roads and possible setbacks, but also allot of memorable moments!

FACILITIES ON SAFARI IN NAMIBIA

Depending on the safari tour you will be travelling with, we use various forms of accommodation. We will stay at campsites in National or Private Parks, Reserves or Lodges. Following facilities may be available at some of the campsites; hot and cold showers, swimming pool, shop, bar, restaurant, washing facilities, telephones, ect

Campsite in Southern Africa is very high in standards.

Lodges and Guest Houses are normally situated in the city centres and are very comfortable. Rooms are all twin with en suite facilities.

Laundry– most campsite have hand wash facilities and in certain main centres there are laundry facilities. Lodges usually have also laundry facilities.

SPENDING MONEY

South African Rand is useable throughout Namibia and Botswana. Credit Cards can be used in South Africa and Namibia, but should not be relied on for cash advances.

We recommend that you bring a certain amount of US Dollars cash or British Pounds. Exactly how much depends on how secure you feel carrying it, but somewhat between GBP 300 and GBP 400 will probably be sufficient depending on the length of your tour. Bring some of the money in small denominations as change is not always available.

NOTE: Australian, Canadian and New Zealand Dollars, traveller’s cheques and cash are not widely accepted and therefore not recommended.

We also suggest you bring a little extra amount to cover for any emergencies or extraordinary expenses. Remember that in most cases cots recoverable by your travel insurance are only reimburse after the event.

Spending money will depend largely on your own spending habits, but it pays to remember that Africa is not as cheap as many people think. As a guideline we recommend that you allow N$ 150.00 – N$ 300.00 per day for the time you are on safari to cover incidentals – snacks, drinks and souvenirs.

BORDER CROSSING

You should never have any of the following on board:

• Drugs and other illegal substances
• Pornography
• Tobacco and alcohol over the allowed limit per person
• Passengers who do not comply to the applicable immigration specifications
• Any other incriminating items (firearms ect)

Basic Guidelines:

• Be courteous and friendly at all times
• Be patient
• You must be dressed appropriately, wear shoes or flip flops, men should have they shirts on and take they hats out. This also shows respect from you side.
• Have a pen available, try and fill in forms before the border.

LOCAL LAWS

• All visitors are required to obey all laws of Namibia and neighbouring countries you will be visiting. This also includes the purchase and/or use of drugs or marijuana, which is illegal in all countries in Southern Africa.
• Please remember that you are guest of each of the countries in Southern Africa you visit, it is of good manners to comply with their customs.

PHOTOGRAPHY ON TOUR

Africa is a photographer’s paradise! A camera is an important part of your equipment to take along on your safari, even if it is a simple ‘point and press’ camera.

In some places it is forbidden to take photographs. You should not take any photographs at borders or where there is a sign forbidding photography.

Please also always ask permission before taking a photograph of the locals, it is a sign of respect. In most cases a small payment is expected.

SECURITY AND PERSONAL SAFETY

Security is of prime concern wherever you may travel and Africa is no exception. Please do not bring any in necessary valuables such as jewellery or an expensive watch. We strongly advise using a money belt that you can wear under your clothing. You should take extra care if travelling alone before and after your safaris.

Whilst on safari your Mabaruli Vehicle will have a lockable safe for cash, passports and air tickets. Although all care and attention will be exercised neither Mabaruli nor its Agents, Employees and Operators can accept responsibility for anything deposited in the truck safe or left on the vehicle.

TIPPING

It is customary to give a tip of 10% of the bill in restaurants. This is not law, but if you are happy with the service and food. Porters and Petrol Station Attendants receive 2 to 5 N$.

You’re Mabaruli Tour Leader and Assistants also works extremely hard to ensure that your safari runs smoothly and that all clients are happy on tour. They are more often than not in bed last and up first, do all the cooking and camping chores and give as much information to the client about the areas that are visited. We suggest that a tip of between N$ 25 -30 per client per day for you tour leader and assistant is reasonable.

As in all cases with tipping the final decision of the amount tipped is up to the individual. It is up to you to decide if you though the service was poor, or exceptional, and the amount tipped should reflect that.

WHAT TO BRING ALONG ON TOUR

Remember to leave a copy of your passport, air tickets and travel insurance with someone at home and bring the originals with you on safari.

As a guide we suggest you keep to your airline’s restriction (25kg or less) you can bring along a backpack and a smaller day bag.

THINGS TO BRING:

• Rucksack or pack
• Day pack or small bag in which you can store spare clothes, camera and other personal effects
• Money belt
• Sleeping bag and cotton sheet
• Good torch, spare batteries – a head torch is usually very practical on a camping safari
• Durable water bottle ( 1 – 2 Litre)
• Camera lost of film or extra smart card, spare batteries and Binocular
• Writing materials, diary
• Plastic Bag (protect clothing and equipment)
• Insect repellent

CLOTHING

Most people make the mistake of bringing to much clothing. Clothes should be easy to wash and dry, avoid nylon and other synthetics which can be uncomfortable in hot weather.

SUGGESTED LIST FOR CLOTHES TO BRING ALONG:

• Warm jersey / sweatshirt (this is very important during our winter months)
• +/- 6 x Thirsts
• Warm / waterproof jacket
• +/- 3 x pairs shorts
• +/- 2 pairs of long casual trousers or jeans
• Warm socks
• Skirt or sarong (sarong is very handy next to swimming pool)
• Swimming costume
• A pair of walking shoes and pair of sandals
• Socks and underwear
• 1 Large towel and 1 Small hand towel
• Sun block, hat and sunglasses

TOILETRIES

Toilet bag, small mirror, razors, shampoo, soap, wet wipes, toothbrush and paste, moisturiser, sun screen lotion, tampons and sanitary napkins
Please note all of the above can be purchase on route, but if you only use a certain brand, please bring along as that brand is maybe not available in shops here.

VEGETARIAN & RESRICTED DIETS

Vegetarians and others with restricted diets are welcome on safari. The tour leader, with your assistance, will do they best to prepare a variety of dishes for you.

WATER

Mabaruli Safaris don’t supply bottled drinking water. At most campsites in South Africa and Namibia tap water are drinkable. Those with sensitive stomachs are often advised to purchase bottled water.

SMOKING

We have a no smoking policy on all our vehicles and in the tents, this is both for the comfort for all our travellers, as well as you safety. Your Tour Leader will stop for smoke breaks on days travelling in the vehicle. Please do not through your butts anywhere, deposit them in the campfire or use an empty drink can.

COVID 19 - PCR TESTING WHILE ON TOUR

Mabaruli will assist you when needed to get a PCR test when crossing the border or leaving Namibia. As there are limited time while on tour to wait 48 hours for tests, its best advisable to rather do the rapid testing in Namibia (this usually takes 5 hours for return results and are much higher in cost) This will allow for a quicker departure after your tour, or when needed to cross borders. BUDGET for a RAPID Test +/- N$ 2000 ( USD 142.00 per person) or a 24 - 48 hour test +/- N$ 950.00 (USD 68.00 per person)

VACCINATED PASSENGERS

Currenlty no exemption to rules in Namibia, Bostwana, Zambia & South Africa for fully vaccinated passengers. We reccommend that all travellers are vaccinated. All our staff are vaccinated.