Frequently Asked Questions

Park fees are generally included in the cost of your package, but this is specified in the included and excluded section of your confirmation.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your passports are ‘machine-readable travel documents’ and valid for travel for at least 6 months after the date of termination of services. The passport must also have at least 2 blank pages in it – this is a very important requirement of South African immigration. Our recommendation is 3 pages (or even 4 if you are travelling through more than one country).

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have valid visas for all countries you visit and that all necessary health certificates for these destinations are in order. Should your itinerary include two or more of the countries Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe and you need a visa, then consider applying for a KAZA Visa. Zimbabwe has also introduced a digital electronic arrival / online immigration declaration form to replace the traditional paper immigration declaration form - it’s a good idea to complete this before flying as it will save time upon arrival.

African Travel Gateway CC does not arrange visas, but as a courtesy, below are the E-Visa application links for the various countries we sell:

South Africa
Zimbabwe
Botswana
Mozambique
Zambia
Tanzania
Kenya
ESwatini
Rwanda

Important Information when traveling with Minors
Minors under 18 yrs traveling to & from most Southern and East African countries with one or both parents, or legal guardians, are required to show both a valid passport and a certified copy of their unabridged birth certificate. When traveling with just one parent/guardian, a signed affidavit from the non-traveling parent/guardian is also required, permitting the child to travel. We cannot be held responsible for any misinformation, errors and omissions about this information. If you are in any doubt, please contact the respective country’s Embassy or Consulate in your own country and verify the information.

As no formal clothes are needed, we recommend that you keep your luggage to the basics. Whilst on safari bright and contrasting colours (black & white) are NOT advised. Try and ensure your clothes are of a neutral colour such khaki, beige or green. Please note that ARMY CAMOUFLAGE UNIFORMS OR ARMY HATS ARE FORBIDDEN in certain African countries. Dark colours are not a good idea, especially if you are going to be out in the sun, as they absorb the heat. Tsetse flies love those colours like blue or black. A suggested clothing list is attached to your information.

Luggage limits
Check the luggage weight limits with the airline you are travelling to Africa on. Normally the limit is 20 – 23 kg plus you are allowed 1 carry-on bag. If your itinerary involves any light aircraft transfers to access safari areas across our region, there is typically a limit of 20 kg (44 lbs) per person. This 20 kg includes camera bag and equipment, and must be a soft carry-all bag (instead of a rigid suitcase). This luggage restriction for light aircraft can vary from aircraft to aircraft or region to region, so best to double-check with your consultant on the rulings applicable to your itinerary.

This soft carry-all requirement is due to safety and space reasons when traveling in charter aircraft. The baggage compartments on some of the light aircraft are small, so the pilots must have the ability to manipulate the bag into the compartment. If you will be self-driving, you can obviously take more luggage, but this will need to be stored at an airport before you embark on any light aircraft transfers.

In the event you must bring more baggage with you on your safari section of the itinerary, we can “sell” you and your party an extra seat on most of the safaris. That will allow you to bring an additional 70 kg (154lbs). The cost of this extra seat varies depending on your safari.

NB. PLEASE NOTE THAT GUESTS WHO BRING MORE THAN THE PERMITTED AMOUNT, WITHOUT MAKING ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS WITH US, WILL NECESSITATE THE HIRING OF AN EXTRA CHARTER AIRCRAFT BY THE SUPPLIER, IN WHICH CASE YOU WOULD BE CHARGED FOR THE CONSIDERABLE EXTRA CHARTER COSTS IF YOU NEEDED THE EXCESS BAGGAGE TO TRAVEL WITH YOU.

While many camps and lodges in Southern Africa do have telephones, many remote camps — particularly in Botswana — have limited or no telephone connectivity. An increasing number of guests therefore choose to bring a satellite phone for emergencies or important communications.

At the same time, connectivity is becoming less of a challenge. Many lodges and camps now offer Wi-Fi, making it possible in many cases to stay in touch with family and friends via WhatsApp and other messaging services. The availability and reliability of Wi-Fi can, however, vary considerably from camp to camp, so we recommend checking with your African Travel Gateway consultant about the connectivity available on your particular itinerary.

One of the great pleasures of an African safari is the opportunity to disconnect from the outside world and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the bush, so we simply ask that you use it considerately so that all guests can enjoy the tranquillity of the bush. The basic etiquette around phones whilst on safari is:

Please do not use satellite phones in communal areas, including the dining room, bar/lounge, safari vehicle or during game drives.
Please avoid incoming calls where the ringing or conversation may disturb other guests. If you need to receive or make a call, please do so privately from your room or another appropriate private area.
When not being used privately, please keep your satellite phone switched off or on silent.

These simple guidelines help ensure that everyone can enjoy the special sense of peace, privacy and immersion in nature that makes an African safari so memorable.

It is a good idea to travel with a small flashlight (torch). Although a lot of safari camps supply a flashlight, it is good to have your own as a backup, and it can come in handy. Before travelling, just double-check the rules of the airline you will be using, as most airlines allow flashlights and lithium batteries but only in the carry-on bags - not the checked-in luggage.

Travel insurance is an important part of preparing for your African safari. While we hope you never need it, unexpected events can happen — from illness or injury to cancelled flights, lost luggage or the need for emergency evacuation. Travel insurance is compulsory for all African Travel Gateway trips, and we strongly recommend that you arrange comprehensive cover before you travel. For an African safari, we recommend that your travel insurance includes the following:

a) Medical & Emergency Cover
Cover for medical treatment if you become ill or are injured while travelling.

b) Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
This is particularly important when travelling in remote safari areas. If you require medical treatment that is not available locally, you may need to be evacuated to a suitable medical facility. Repatriation cover can also assist with returning you home if medically necessary.

c) Cancellation & Curtailment
If you have to cancel your trip before departure, or leave your safari early because of an unforeseen event, you could lose some or all of the money paid for your arrangements. Appropriate insurance may cover these costs, depending on the reason and the terms of your policy.

d) Baggage & Personal Belongings
Cover for luggage and personal belongings that are lost, stolen or damaged. This is particularly useful when travelling with cameras, lenses, laptops and other expensive equipment.

e) Travel Disruption & Other Cover
Depending on your policy, you may also have cover for delays, missed connections, personal liability and other unexpected travel expenses.

Our Recommended Insurance Option
There are many travel insurance providers available, and you are welcome to use your own insurance broker or provider. If you would prefer a simple, Africa-focused option, we recommend considering SATIBGo. SATIB has extensive experience in travel insurance for Africa, with cover designed around the types of activities and destinations commonly encountered on an African safari. You can find out more or obtain a quote here: SATIBGo – Travel Insurance for Africa. Whichever provider you choose, please make sure you understand exactly what your policy covers, particularly regarding medical evacuation, cancellation, curtailment, baggage and any safari activities included in your itinerary.

Mandatory Insurance - Kenya, Tanzania & Zanzibar
If you are travelling to Kenya, Tanzania or Zanzibar, there is an additional compulsory insurance requirement. Travellers are required to purchase the applicable local travel insurance, even if they already have comprehensive travel insurance from their home country. This cover is intended to provide specific protection while in Kenya, Tanzania or Zanzibar. It should not be considered a replacement for your normal comprehensive travel insurance, as it has limitations and does not necessarily provide the full range of cover you may need for your entire trip. The applicable Tanzania/Zanzibar insurance should therefore be regarded as additional cover alongside your normal travel insurance. Below are the two links to arrange this:

Kenya mandatory insurance
Tanzania mandatory insurance
Zanzibar mandatory insurance

Requirements, pricing and application procedures can change, so please check the relevant official website before travelling. African Travel Gateway, our agents, operators and suppliers cannot accept responsibility for loss, theft or damage to personal belongings, or for personal injury, illness or accidents occurring during your travels. Having appropriate travel insurance gives you financial protection and, just as importantly, peace of mind while enjoying your African adventure.

Your safari consultant can detail the best plan on how to manage your luggage storage requirements based on your itinerary. However If you need to store luggage while travelling, luggage storage facilities are available at both O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) and Cape Town International Airport. This may be useful to you if your itinerary includes a few days when you may need to travel in a light aircraft to remote safari areas. The light aircraft companies have luggage restrictions that can be quite limiting.

We quote in USD and/or ZAR depending on which countries your itinerary covers. You would pay in the currency/s we quoted on either by local EFT, credit or telegraphic transfer. So once your itinerary has been confirmed and your international flights, accommodation, transfers, activities and other services included in your quotation have been paid for, those costs are fixed at the agreed price. (Your consultant will advise you of the payment terms and currency applicable to your booking).

The expenses most likely to be affected by currency fluctuations are those you pay locally during your travels, such as:

Meals and drinks that are not included in your accommodation
Curios and souvenirs
Optional activities or excursions
Spa treatments and other additional services
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses

For these incidentals, credit cards are more often than not accepted, and once processed, the expense will appear on your bank statement in the currency your credit card is denominated in. The credit card companies do use a rate of exchange that is favourable to them, so the end price for these incidentals will be a little more than the price displayed when paying - especially if you are paying in a currency that is different to your home currency.

African Travel Gateway strives for a very high quality of service from pre- to post-safari. Should you run into any problems whilst on safari, your first course of action is to take the issue to your guide or the camp/hotel/lodge manager, who will help you sort it out. If the problem is beyond them, you would contact the African Travel Gateway offices or the after-hours number, and we will ensure that your problem is dealt with swiftly. It is in our interest to ensure you have a hassle-free and enjoyable stay in Southern Africa!

Once you make contact with us, whether by Email, Zoom or WhatsApp, one of our experienced Safari Experts will discuss your expectations, the time you have available, your interests and the makeup of your group.

* Your safari consultant will then prepare a tailor-made proposal for you to review in your own time.
* From there, simply send us your questions, comments or ideas. We will discuss these with you and adjust the proposal until it suits your requirements.
* There is no rush. The planning process can take anything from a few days to several weeks, depending on how far in advance you are planning your trip.
* Once you are happy with your itinerary, we will confirm and secure the arrangements, explain the deposit required and let you know when the balance of payment will be due.

Our aim is simple: to make the planning process as enjoyable and stress-free as the safari itself!

We use Avis-Rent-a-Car as our preferred car rental agency in our self-drive itineraries, and Avis does accept valid foreign driver’s licences, as long as they are:

In English
Have a photograph
Show an ID or passport number
The licence must have been held for at least one year.

You will also need to present a valid passport,  preferably issued by the same country as the licence, to avoid problems at collection. An International Driver’s Licence (IDP) is not required as long as the foreign licence meets the above requirements and is in English. If the licence is not in English, an International Driver’s Licence/Permit should accompany the original foreign licence.

South Africa is an excellent self-drive destination, offering the freedom to explore at your own pace. Our self-drive itineraries are designed to take you to beautiful areas. A little local knowledge will help you enjoy your journey with confidence. Here are a few simple things to keep in mind:

Plan your route: Distances can be greater than they appear on a map, and some roads are quite remote. Allow plenty of time and keep your fuel tank topped up.
Be aware: Keep doors locked and windows closed when stopped in traffic, and avoid leaving valuables visible in the vehicle. When parking, use secure, well-used parking areas where possible.
Keep your phone handy: A working mobile phone is recommended, particularly when travelling through more remote areas.
If something doesn’t feel right: Trust your instincts. If you are unsure about stopping for someone on the roadside, continue to a safe, public place or police station and seek assistance.
In national parks: Observe the speed limits, remain on designated roads and stay inside your vehicle unless you are in a designated area. Animals have right of way, so take particular care around wildlife.
If stopped by the police: Remain calm and respectful. Legitimate traffic fines are formally issued — you should not be asked to pay a cash fine directly to an officer.
Travel in day light:  Keep your driving to daylight hours - problem-solving (punctures, orientating etc..) is more easily with in the light. Some roads in the country are potholed and driving in the day will enable you to drive safer overall.

Emergency numbers
112 – emergency services from a mobile phone
10111 – police emergency response
10177 – ambulance

Most importantly, enjoy the freedom of the open road! Your African Travel Gateway consultant will be happy to provide any specific advice relevant to your route and destinations.

On your safari, depending on where you visit, the dress code may change slightly. None of the lodges/hotels insist on formal gear. When in a rural village or market, women are advised to cover their knees and shoulders. Avoid bright colours and white while on safari. Blue attracts tsetse flies and is also worth avoiding where possible. Muted earth tones will enable you to blend in with the environment, and are strongly recommended. Camouflage clothing is not recommended, and in certain African countries disallowed!

Please note that due to space limitations in the vehicles, your luggage must be kept to a minimum. We suggest a soft bag (max 20kg) and a smaller daypack for camera etc., which will be needed inside the vehicle. Hard suitcases are not suitable due to packing constraints.

Suggested Clothing
Lightweight waterproof jacket and long-sleeved fleece
Swimsuit
Shorts (convertible zip-off pants/shorts are very practical and great for walking)
Walking boots/shoes with thorn-proof soles (trail runners are best - no need for heavy hiking boots on most safaris Sandals/flip-flops and comfortable slip-on shoes for the evening)
Bush hat
Sarong or kikoi
Handkerchief or scarf - great for dusty drives
Extras for the winter months (May-August)
Fleece vest/sweatshirt
Warm cap or scarf, and a thin pair of warm gloves
A warm jacket for early morning and late evening game drives

OTHER ESSENTIALS
Copy of your passport and emergency contact list
A charger and international adaptor for your camera or video equipment
Spare battery and memory card for your camera
Binoculars - each individual should have a pair
Small flashlight/head torch with spare batteries
Sunscreen and lip balm – minimum of SPF 50
Insect repellent
Sunglasses - good quality, preferably polarised with UV protection
Spare glasses, contact lenses and solution
Personal toiletry needs (all camps provide soap, and most have shampoo and conditioner)
Recommended: Sawyer Products Premium Insect Repellent for Clothing and Gear

Basic medical kit
Band-aids, antibiotic ointment, cortisone cream
Anti-malarial pills if advised by your medical practitioner
Aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, or other pain remedy
Antacids
Feminine products
Anti-diarrhoea medicine
Antihistamine or decongestant for those suffering from allergies
Broad-spectrum antibiotic
Wet wipes or hand cleaner
Any other medications prescribed by your medical practitioner

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at most hotels, lodges, and larger tourism establishments across Southern and East Africa. However, in more remote areas cash availability and card acceptance can vary, so cash (either USD or the local currency) for smaller purchases can be useful. The major airports throughout the region do have exchange bureaus where you can purchase the local currency using your USD or even credit card.

In General Our advice is Simple
Take a credit/debit card – Visa and Mastercard are generally the most widely accepted.
Carry some cash as a backup, particularly when travelling to remote safari areas.
US Dollars in small denominations are useful in many of the countries we operate in, particularly for tips and smaller expenses. However, local currencies are preferred or required for many everyday purchases, so your consultant can advise you on what is best for your itinerary.
Don’t rely entirely on ATMs – they are less readily available in remote safari areas and may occasionally be unavailable even in the towns and cities.
Check with your consultant before travelling, as payment arrangements can vary between countries, lodges and camps.

South Africa is slightly different: the South African Rand (ZAR) is used throughout the country, and cards are widely accepted. Namibia is also relatively straightforward, with the Namibian Dollar and South African Rand both usable, and cards widely accepted. The South African Rand and the Namibian Dollar, although two different currencies, are commonly rated at 1: 1

One important exception is Zimbabwe: we would specifically advise travellers to carry some US dollar cash in small, clean notes, while also taking a card. The reason we say small denominations is because change is not always available, so you will want to pay as close as possible to the amount due.

South Africa and other destinations in Southern Africa offer wonderful opportunities to explore, but, as with any part of the world, it is sensible to take a few basic precautions, particularly in larger cities.

Of course, there are parts of cities in South Africa that are no-go areas for tourists (and even for many locals), but our recommended & customized itineraries make use of well-regarded areas, and we have had no significant security problems reported by our clients. There is therefore no need to be overly concerned; we advise clients to simply use the same common sense you would in any major city.

A few simple guidelines
Keep valuables and large amounts of cash out of sight when walking around.
Avoid displaying expensive jewellery, cameras or other valuables unnecessarily.
At night, use your hotel’s recommended transport or a reputable taxi service rather than walking unfamiliar streets.
When self-driving, do not pick up hitchhikers and avoid stopping unnecessarily in or alongside informal settlements. If you need assistance, continue to a safe, busy area or seek advice from your guide or accommodation.
If you are unsure about an area or situation, ask your hotel, guide or African Travel Gateway consultant for local advice.

Tipping is customary on safari and is a way of thanking the staff who help make your experience special. The following are general guidelines that you can adjust them according to the level of service you receive and the type of safari.

Safari guide: US$10–20 per person, per day
Tracker: US$5–15 per person, per day
Mokoro paddler: US$10–15 per guest, per day
Transfer driver: US$5–10 per person, per day
Lodge staff tipping pool: US$10–20 per person, per day, shared among staff such as housekeeping, kitchen and other non-guiding team members.

Tips are normally given discreetly at the end of your safari or stay, and can be paid in US Dollars or the local currency. You can also ask the management of the safari camp or lodge you are at if you can add a tip to your extras bill (drinks, curios, etc..) that will be passed onto the intended recipient.

Tipping is ultimately a personal choice. If your guide or other staff have gone above and beyond to make your safari memorable, you may wish to tip towards the higher end of the guideline.

Note: Mokoro paddlers are not included in the safari cost and should be tipped separately.

Many private safari camps in Southern Africa are unfenced, meaning wild animals can occasionally move through the camp. While serious incidents are rare, you should always remember that you are in a natural environment and that some animals can be dangerous.

For your safety
* Always listen to and follow the instructions of your guide and camp staff, including the safety briefing when you arrive.
* Never wander away from camp or your guide on your own, even during the day.
* At night, a camp guide will escort you to and from your room. Once in your room, remain there until you are escorted again.
* Carry a torch (flashlight) with you; it adds a layer of safety, awareness, and enjoyment
* Never approach, feed, or attempt to interact with wildlife - you will be in the real African bush, not a wildlife theme park.
* When driving on the back of an open safari vehicle, never stand up and break the shape of the vehicle. Wild animals have an innate fear of human beings. They are, however, accepting of vehicles being relatively close to them because they see vehicles as lifeless objects that they have become accustomed to. If a human suddenly stands up or climbs off the vehicle, they break the whole dynamic of trust, and the situation can become dangerous.
* When on a walking safari, pay close attention to the safety briefing of your armed trail guide. There are important protocols to follow, including walking quietly, staying close together, and remaining behind the guide at all times.

Wildlife encounters are an exciting part of an African safari, and incidents involving guests are rare. However, because wild animals are unpredictable, no safari operator can guarantee that an incident will never occur. Always listen to your guides, follow the camp’s safety procedures, and use common sense. This will allow you to enjoy the extraordinary experience of being so close to nature safely.

On nearly all game reserves and wildlife areas, the roads are dirt and can be bumpy at times. However, game viewing vehicles have soft but hard-wearing rip-stop canvas seats, so are quite comfortable. Most of the time you will only be driving between 0 - 30 km/h (approximately 0 - 19 mph), so even though the roads are bumpy, it is not uncomfortably so. Most of the open game drive vehicles have the option of a canvas roof to provide shade and protect against rain, which adds to the overall comfort.

In some of the more third-world countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia or Zimbabwe, the public roads outside the wildlife areas can be pot-holed and quite rough at times. They can be poorly maintained dirt roads, potholed tar roads or a mix of the two. If you suffer from back issues or similar, and your itinerary involves road transfers to or between safari lodges and airports, it would be a good idea to check with your safari consultant what the times and distances are to determine whether they will be acceptable to you or not. There is often the option of light aircraft transfers to eliminate the unnecessary travel between places, or we can rather use safari areas where we can eliminate bad transit roads altogether. In this instance, a safari in South Africa might be a better alternative.

- Observe the animals silently and with a minimum of disturbance to their natural activities. Loud talking on game drives can frighten the animals away. Don’t stand up when the vehicle is close to dangerous animals.

- Never attempt to attract an animal’s attention. Don’t imitate animal sounds, clap your hands, pound the vehicle or throw objects.

- Please respect your driver or guide’s judgement about our proximity to lions, cheetahs and leopards. Don’t insist that he take the vehicle closer so you can get a better photograph.

- A vehicle driven too close can hinder a hunt, or cause animals to abandon a hard-earned meal.

- Litter tossed on the ground can choke or poison animals and birds and is unsightly.

- Never attempt to feed or approach any wild animal on foot. This is especially important near lodges or in campsites where animals may have become accustomed to human visitors.

- Refrain from smoking on game drives. The dry African bush ignites very easily, and a flash fire can kill animals.

You don’t need professional camera equipment to take great photographs on safari. Modern smartphones and compact cameras can produce excellent results, while a camera with a telephoto or zoom lens will give you a much better chance of capturing wildlife and birds at a distance. If you want to bring something more than just your smartphone, for the best all-round results, we would then recommend:

A camera with a zoom or telephoto lens; something in the region of 200–400 mm is ideal for wildlife photography.
Image stabilisation is very useful, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon when light levels are lower.
Bring spare batteries and plenty of memory-card capacity. You may take far more photographs than you expect!
A small beanbag or lightweight support can be very useful when photographing from a safari vehicle.

One of the most important things is to make sure you are familiar with your camera before you leave home. Some rare and special safari sightings can be brief, and you don’t want to be learning how to operate the camera when a leopard suddenly appears!

Please notify African Travel Gateway CC in advance of any medical issues (allergies, physical disabilities, etc.), so that we can advise the suppliers concerned. Below are the important health aspects to be aware of:

MALARIA
Malaria has an ever-changing status regarding prevention and treatment. We strongly advise that you seek up-to-date information from your general practitioner (doctor) or
local travel clinic on which preventative medication or precautions should be taken for the area you will be entering.
Not all of Southern and Eastern Africa are Malaria areas. Check with your consultant if your itinerary even includes a Malaria area. As most safari areas in Southern & East Africa do have Malaria in the area, a lot of the camps are quite remote, and the chances of contracting malaria are low. However, if your itinerary includes a visit to a recognized Malaria area, then it is important to take prophylactics - ask your doctor which one to take. Both chloroquine-resistant and normal strains of malaria are prevalent in Africa. Malaria is transmitted by a very small percentage of female Anopheles mosquitoes. They are generally active in the early evening and throughout the night, usually when one is sleeping or sitting around campfires.
The best insurance against malaria is to try to prevent oneself from being bitten, so use mosquito repellents liberally. Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers/slacks in the evenings.
You should spray your room prior to going to dinner with an insecticide like “Doom,” which will kill any mosquitoes that may have flown into your room. Mosquito coils are also effective. We do suggest you contact your own doctor, advise him/her of where you will be traveling, and let him/her prescribe the best-suited prophylactic. If you become ill on your return, while still on prophylactics or even once you have stopped, make sure that your doctor does everything necessary to establish that your illness is not malaria. Malaria is not a serious problem if people are sensible and take basic precautions. The disease, if caught early, can be effectively dealt with

WATER
It is very important that you drink plenty of water, especially during the warmer months. Dehydration is possibly the single biggest cause of ill health on safari. It is generally recommended that guests drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration. This excludes tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages, which act as diuretics and can actually contribute to dehydration. If water is not fit for human consumption, the lodge or hotel will advise guests and supply drinking water, but bottled mineral water is readily available at most places anyway.

BILLHARZIA
Bilharzia is a disease, which is common in most large bodies of water in the southern half of Africa. In the unlikely event of bilharzia being contracted, it is easily diagnosed by a simple blood test and easily and effectively treated with biltracide. We recommend a test is taken after any visit to Southern Africa, where you may have swum or drunk water from rivers or

TSETSE FLIES
Tsetse flies are large daytime-feeding flies occurring in certain low-lying and hot safari areas such as the Zambezi Valley in Zimbabwe or the Okavango Delta in Botswana. They prefer shady conditions and are attracted to movement, carbon dioxide, and lactic acid secretions. We advise that you wear light-colored, lightweight clothing. Avoid deep blue and black, as tsetse are attracted to these colors, to lessen the chance of being bitten by these flies.

YELLOW FEVER
All travelers entering South Africa, Mozambique or Botswana after having been in any of the 43 countries where yellow fever has been diagnosed (even if just in transit), must present a valid certification of vaccination against the disease, unless in possession of a valid waiver certificate on medical grounds. Any passenger who cannot present such a certificate at his or her point of entry will be vaccinated at the passenger’s own cost before entering the country.

Luggage that goes missing on scheduled flights is beyond the control of African Travel Gateway, and often the airline concerned too.

Usually it is the airport (and not the airline) that controls what happens to passengers’ luggage from when it is checked in until it is put on board the aircraft.

We would like to suggest that you take the following precautionary action: Please pack a small bag with your essentials that can be carried with you as hand luggage, and pack a second bag containing non-essentials that can be loaded in the aircraft hold.

If the second bag was not to arrive, you will still have your essential items on hand to see you through the first couple of days while we try and recover your baggage.

For a first-timer to Africa, and especially if you feel wary about travelling to third-world Africa, we would recommend a visit to South Africa. South Africa has many airlines servicing it, and as far as African countries go, it offers a comparatively solid - even first-world in places- infrastructure. The country offers an astounding mix of geography, landscapes, and experiences from cities, sea and beaches to wide open spaces, forests and some excellent safari areas. The different areas of attraction can be easily connected in the same day by a combination of air & road transfers, so in a short space of time - even 3 - 7 days, you can have an incredible ‘first-time to Africa experience’

If you feel it’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and you want to make it count, then you need to decide on what you want to see most. That could include, among many other things:

* The great wildebeest migration of Kenya & Tanzania
* A visit to the forests of Rwanda or Uganda to see the great apes
* A safari in the Okavango Delta of Botswana
* A diverse and photogenic desert experience in Namibia
* A visit to the Victoria Falls of Zimbabwe & Zambia
* A safari to the world-famous Sabi Sands Game Reserve in South Africa
* A wine tasting & Luxury Train travel experience

The list goes on… The fact is, these areas & experiences are far apart from each other and require some expert planning. Logistics involving flights, connections, road or light aircraft transfers come into it - and we will make it happen. What we first need to establish is how much time you have and the areas or experiences that are most important to you. From there we can suggest and discuss the best way to achieve this!

Electricity across Southern and East Africa is generally 220–240 volts / 50Hz. Plug types vary between countries, so a universal travel adaptor is the easiest option. Most hotels and lodges have electricity and facilities for charging phones, cameras and other devices. However, remote safari camps may generate their own power using solar systems, batteries or generators, and power may sometimes be available only at certain times or in designated charging areas.

To Help Prepare, We recommend
Bring a universal travel adaptor.
Pack a power bank and/or spare camera batteries.
Charge your devices whenever power is available, particularly at remote camps.
Don’t assume that high-power appliances such as hairdryers will be available or suitable for use at remote camps.
If you have equipment that requires continuous electricity, such as a CPAP machine, please discuss this with your ATG consultant before travelling so we can check specifically how your requirements can be accommodated.

The good news is that charging facilities are now available at most modern safari camps, even in remote areas; they may simply operate differently from what you are used to at home.

For Kenya and Uganda, 220–240V/50Hz is standard and British-style Type G plugs are commonly used. Tanzania is around 230V/50Hz and uses Type G and, in some locations, Type D sockets. Zanzibar uses 230V/50Hz, with Type G and Type D sockets encountered.

Laundry can be done at most camps and hotels. Some camps and certainly hotels charge a fee for this facility, but others do provide this service for free. In Botswana at certain camps the camp staff will not wash underwear owing to local traditions prevailing in the country.