Thank you for choosing Penduka Safaris, please read the following general information which will help you prepare and plan your safari
Penduka Safaris uses three styles of tent.
Luxury safaris use our Meru style tents with en suite facilities.
(size 5M X 3,4M)
Our scheduled and private safaris use either Wilderness tents.
(size 3.5M X 3,5M) or Bow tents (size 3M X 3M).
All tents are supplied with a high fold up stretcher bed (75cm H x 1.9 L x .9 W), mattress, bedding & towels, bedside table and paraffin lamp.
All tents have en suite ablution facilities which comprise of bucket showers and chemical toilets **
** Please note the following with regard to en suite facilities.
On certain itineraries and depending on the availability of water we may use pit latrines.
In addition, where public ablutions are available in a particular campsite, we may make use of those instead of our en suite bathrooms. This could be because we are not allowed to erect our own facilities or that there is simply not enough space to do so.
Occasionally the decision is based on extremely tough road conditions where pulling a trailer is not advisable and we have to lighten the load.
Daily game drives.
Boating excursions where included in the itinerary
Summer: November to March.
High temperatures average 30°C to 35°C with lows around 18°C and rain showers.
Winter: June to August.
Daytime temperatures around 23°C with night time lows averaging 5°C
Our safaris are fully serviced and where possible the camp is set up prior to arrival.
All meals are prepared by a chef and served in a dining tent.
All drinks are included however please note that the selection of drinks is local and limited.
Beer, Wine and Gin & Tonic is supplied (any other spirits need to be brought along or purchased on arrival).
Purified water is supplied (2 L PP/day).
The Penduka guides are highly experienced and trained and take every reasonable precaution to ensure your safety.
We have contact with our base camp in Maun by 2 way radios or satellite telephones.
Our vehicles have been specially designed to provide comfort and maximum pleasure in game viewing. Roof top hatches allow for ultimate game viewing and photographic opportunities. In addition the design of our vehicles allows us to operate year round. On shorter safaris we use open game drive vehicles.
For your peace of mind and safety each vehicle is equipped with a radio and satellite telephone for communication. In addition we carry a full set of spare parts and should a breakdown occur we have the knowledge to fix almost all breakdowns in the bush, thus causing the least amount of inconvenience possible.
Planning
Pula and Thebe (one Pula = 100 Thebe)
Botswana Pula can be purchased in Maun at the Bureau de Change.
Visa cards are widely accepted in the main towns.
The following goods, declared on arrival, are duty free:
Two litres wine, one litre spirits and other alcoholic beverages; 400 cigarettes; 50 cigars; 250gm cigarette and pipe tobacco; 50ml perfume; 250ml eau de toilette.
All goods acquired outside Botswana must be declared when you enter the country. Goods acquired in countries of the Southern African Customs Union – Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland – are free from customs duties, but may be subject to sales tax.
Our vehicles are equipped with a 12V cigarette lighter socket, (car chargers for equipment are not provided)
Equipment will only be charged while the vehicles are on game drives and moving.
We can also carry a 220V converter. However please confirm before your safari should you intend to make use of this.
All visitors entering Botswana must hold a passport that is valid for at least 6 months; have outgoing travel documents and sufficient funds to finance their stay.
Visas are not required of passport holders from the following countries:
All Commonwealth members, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Republic of Ireland, Samoa, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, United States of America, Uruguay and Yugoslavia.
Nationals of all other countries are required to obtain a visa.
When traveling with children under 18, you need to bring their original unabridged birth certificates and a sworn affidavit if only one parent is travelling.
Malaria is prevalent in Southern Africa so that prior to departure we urge you to consult your physician as to the appropriate anti-malaria tablets.
You must be in good health to undertake a safari.
We visit remote areas with little to no medical facilities.
Water in urban areas and large villages is generally safe to drink.
In the hot summer months, it is important to drink fluids to avoid dehydration.
In many countries it is recommended that travelers to Botswana consider vaccinations for the following:
- Diphtheria;
- Tetanus;
- Hepatitis A & B;
- Polio;
- Tuberculosis;
- Typhoid and Yellow fever.
Please consult your physician
Clients are strongly recommended to ensure that they are covered by insurance, relative to medical costs and personal accident prior to departure from their country of domicile.
The official language is English and the national language is Setswana.
Each person is allowed one medium sized suitcase, and one airline type handbag. Soft bags are recommended.
*NB If your itinerary includes travel in light aircraft your baggage allowance is strictly 20kg.
There is no mobile phone reception in any of the Reserves and Parks. However there is reception in and around the larger villages of Maun, Kasane, Livingstone and Victoria falls.
For best results in wildlife photography the use of a telephoto lens (minimum 200mm) is recommended. A zoom lens can be very useful. It is wise to bring with you extra memory cards and batteries.
The onus is upon the client and/or Travel Agent to ensure that Passports, Visas, Re-entry visas and Health documents, as required are valid prior to the commencement of your safari.
When traveling with children under 18, you need to bring their original unabridged birth certificates and a sworn affidavit if only one parent is travelling.
Currently you need a negative PCR test to enter Botswana, this is valid for 72 hours from the time of the test. The test must be in English and printed out, it should also have a QR code on it. NB This information is correct at time of writing but check government guidelines before travel as it may have changed.
Medical insurance is essential.
- Light rugged items of the jeans/slacks variety,
- Shorts
- T shirts & cool tops
- Long sleeve shirt
- Comfortable flat shoes / trainers as well as flip flops or sandals for around camp
- Light fleece/jacket
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen factor 15 plus
- Toiletries
- First aid kit and medication
- Sarong
- Face cloth
- Binoculars
- Camera with spare batteries & memory cards
- Good torch and spare batteries as well as a head lamp
- Note pad & pen
- Please note winter nights can be deceptively cold so bring warm clothing and possibly a tracksuit in which to sleep,
- Good insect repellent