Chongwe Safaris Guest Information

Transcription

1 Chongwe Safaris Guest Information CONGRATULATIONS ON PLANNING YOUR ZAMBIAN ADVENTURE The following information sheet is designed to give you some essential facts and useful tips for planning your safari and what you can expect while you are here. If you have any queries that are not covered or any specific requests please contact us on or and we will be happy to help. We look forward to seeing you on the river soon! GETTING HERE International Flights There are a number of airlines serving Zambia through Lusaka International Airport. International visitors can fly via Johannesburg or with Emirates through Dubai. South African Airways services are available daily from Johannesburg. Flight time from Johannesburg is 1 hour 50 minutes. Domestic Flights Flights from Lusaka to the Royal airstrip are the fastest, and most fun way of getting to us. These can be arranged with domestic airline, proflight or with a private charter company. Flight time is approximately 35 minutes. Road / Boat Transfer The camps can also be reached by road or combination of road / boat. Driving time from Lusaka to the camps can be between 4-6 hours depending on traffic and type of vehicle. Alternatively guests can drive to Gwabi River Lodge, approx. 2 hours drive from Kafue roundabout and then enjoy a boat transfer taking approximately 1-2 hours. Please contact us for specific details VISAS & TAXES Visas are needed for most visitors to Zambia. Please visit the Zambian Immigration website on: for more information and fees. If flying through South Africa to get to us please visit for more information. Current Zambian airport departure taxes are included in most tickets. Those flying with a private charter will need to pay domestic departure tax at the airport (currently $16 and subject to change) Guests flying into Royal Zambezi Airdrome are required to pay a Passenger Access Fee of $35 to Royal Zambezi Lodge. This covers arrival and departure from the airstrip and will be invoiced by Chongwe Safaris

2 COMMUNICATIONS There is minimal communication in the Lower Zambezi Valley (which we think is half the beauty of being here!) There is no cell phone coverage, and no fax, but there is access to Wi-Fi in all of the camps apart from Tsika Island. All camps have radios for communication with the outside world in case of emergency. TIME Zambia is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich MeanTime, 7 hours ahead of Eastern USA time and 10 hours ahead of Pacific and Western time CURRENCY Cash The currency in Zambia is the Kwacha. You may need a small amount of ZMK or USD to pay your entry visa (currently $50 single entry for most European, UK and US passport holders into Zambia. There are banks and Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) in Livingstone, Mfuwe and in Lusaka Airports and malls. You cannot change USD in a bank in Zambia, unless you are an account holder; however there are some bureau de change facilities in Lusaka Airport. If you are changing USD be sure to bring notes of varying denominations since change is often a problem in Africa and all notes must have "large heads" - the old series notes with small heads are no longer accepted anywhere in Zambia. Credit cards Credit cards are accepted in many places. Most credit card transactions will attract a surcharge of around 5% of the total invoice amount. Visa is the easiest card to use in Zambia, followed by MasterCard and then American Express. At Chongwe Safaris we are only able to process Visa, MasterCard & Amex, but due to unreliable telephone lines and difficulties in obtaining authorization, it can be a lengthy process to complete a transaction and it is definitely best to settle any outstanding bills well in advance of your intended departure time. HEALTH REQUIRMENTS Visitors should carry an adequate supply of personal medicines and first aid accessories with them, as chemists/pharmacies are few and far between. The Lower Zambezi Valley is a malaria area and visitors are strongly advised to bring prophylactic medicine, but please seek advice from your doctor first. Please bring copies of prescriptions for sleeping pills or other controlled substances and let us know in advance if you have any particular allergies to foods or medications Yellow Fever: As of January 2015 travelers from Zambia to South Africa will no longer require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination

3 CLIMATE Zambia s elevation on a plateau gives it a moderate to tropical climate with three distinct seasons: December to April is warm and wet, May to August (winter): cool and dry, September to November: hot and dry. Average summer temperatures range from 25 to 45 deg C and winter from 6 to 24 deg C. See what to bring WHAT TO BRING Generally, comfortable casual clothing is suitable throughout the year, but the most practical items to pack for safari are: Khaki, brown, green and beige, or neutral colors Light cotton tops, t-shirts and cotton trousers Shirts with long sleeves (even in summer, they will protect you from the sun and from mosquitoes) Shorts or a light skirt Jeans or safari trousers for evenings and cooler days Sweater or fleece for game activities (especially during the winter months, when we also recommend a beany hat, scarf and gloves) Socks & Comfortable walking shoes/boots Sun block, sunglasses and insect repellent are essential Hat (also essential) Torch (when staying at Tsika Island bush camp) Light, compact raincoat during the rainy months (April and occasionally in November) HELPFUL HINTS Layers are most practical for the fluctuating day/night temperatures of the Lower Zambezi Valley. Dull and/or neutral colors are more suitable for safari; White is definitely not practical, and black and dark blues can attract tsetse flies. Don t bring too much -laundry is available in the camp and we also provide shampoo, soap and insect repellants. Proflight offers guests a generous 23kg allowance but if you have additional flights during your trip, many airlines operate a strict 15kg limit for baggage on light planes. It s advisable to check with your airline prior to departure. It is best to pack hardy, durable clothing in a soft bag rather than a suitcase. Soft bags are also essential on light planes. Don t forget cameras and binoculars! As well as plenty of spare film or digital memory, spare camera batteries and recharger. Chongwe River Camp, House and Kasaka all have charging points in the main areas and within the guest accommodation. Please note no charging facilities are available at Tsika Island

4 ONCE YOU ARE HERE Relax! It s the only thing we insist upon at Chongwe. You can put your feet up on our furniture without worrying what anyone is going to think... Or curl up amongst plump cushions with a good book and not bother about appearances... We like great service and winning smiles more than dressing for dinner and these are the ethics we take seriously in all of our award-winning accommodation options. Upon arriving at the camp you will be greeted by the Camp Mangers & Host. While you enjoy a refreshing welcome drink your host will talk you through your stay at the camp including a safety briefing (see additional notes below) and details about all of the wonderful things we have for you to do. There is no rush to plan ahead. Your guide and host will be on hand to plan your activities day by day. Morning activities are planned the night prior at dinner and your afternoon activity can be arranged during brunch. Meal times and activity departure times are fluid deepening on what you choose to do and the time of year but a general guide line is. Breakfast 6.00am am. Watch the hippos stir and early morning game drinking from the river bank in front of you while you sip hot coffee and enjoy a light breakfast buffet. Brunch 11.30am pm. After returning from your morning activity a buffet brunch is served. Join your guide and fellow guests to share tales of the morning s adventures. High Tea 3.30pm pm. Meet for drinks and a delicious, freshly baked treat before setting off on your afternoon activity Dinner 7.30pm pm. After pre-dinner drinks and canapés around the roaring fire, guests are seated for a delicious three course dinner served al fresco under a canopy of stars. Our communal dining areas are at the heart of our camps. Set overlooking the river the view is always stunning. Our team of experienced Chefs prepare a wide variety of delicious meals using fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Guests staying in Chongwe River House, Albida or Cassia Suites at River Camp or Hippo Pod at Kasaka have the option of dining privately or are more than welcome to join guests for meals at the main camp. We are also happy to arrange earlier dinners for any younger guests upon request and pre-arrangement. Special dietary requirements Our team of highly trained, local Chefs are more than happy to cater for any special dietary requirements you may have. If your food preferences or requirements could be considered out of the ordinary (vegetarian, vegan, gluten, dairy free etc.) then we do ask that you inform us in advance of your arrival.

5 SAFETY IN CAMP Africa s wild animals can be unpredictable and potentially dangerous. Your safety is very important so whilst on holiday with us you need to be aware of your surroundings and their associated risks. With no fences around any of our camps animals can and often do wander within the camp boundaries. We do have day watchmen but ask that you always keep your eyes and ears open and take care to stop, look and listen when moving around during the day. At night you will be escorted back to your tent and we ask that once inside you do not leave your tent after dark. Night watchmen patrol all of our camps at night and whistles are provided should you need to raise attention Safaris will be undertaken in an unfenced national park and game management area where the animals are wild. Attacks by wild animals are rare, however, there are no guarantees that such incidents will not occur. Please respect the wildlife, never try to touch a wild animal and keep noise to a minimum whilst on the vehicle or on foot during your safari. We will do our utmost to ensure your safety but you need to ensure you listen to the camp staff and guides POWER Zambia runs on volts using British style square pin plugs. None of our camps are on mains electricity. Instead we use a combination of generator, inverter and solar power. Aside from Tsika Island, all of our camps have charging points within the main areas and guest rooms however these power points are limited to 240 volt power as such we are unable to accommodate hairdryers, travel kettles etc. Adaptors are available however we do recommend guests bring their own to ensure they are compatible with your devices. Tsika Island has no generator so we do ask that guests make sure those camera batteries are fully charge before arrival TIPPING Tipping is not expected but always welcome. In the camps we prefer guests not to tip staff during the course of their stay but rather, if you choose, to leave a tip at the end of the stay. Your host will be able to provide you with envelopes and there will usually be a communal tip box at the bar or at reception. This will then be divided amongst all the staff, both those you have seen and those you have not. As a guideline we advise something in the region of $5 - $10 per guest per day but of course this is entirely discretionary. The safari guides and scouts are not included in this tip sharing system so if you feel you have been well taken care of then you can tip your guide and/or scout separately, either in person or by leaving an envelope with the camp manager at the end of your stay.

6 INSURANCE We strongly advise that you take out comprehensive travel insurance before you depart for Zambia. Please also check that your insurance covers all activities that you are likely to participate in both with us and during other parts of your trip. Many insurers will require you to take out additional cover for adventure sports such as white water rafting etc. Medical insurance with provision for air evacuation and repatriation is also strongly advised. Chongwe Safaris is insured to evacuate medical emergencies but clients own insurers will be invoiced for this. Whilst Chongwe Safaris carries public and passenger liability for all guests staying in our camps and travelling in our vehicles we cannot be held responsible for loss or damage to any personal possessions whilst guests are in our care. Potentially dangerous wildlife wanders freely through our camps and guests are urged to take note of all safety advice and read the safety information in all camps. Cancellation and Curtailment If for any reason you cancel a trip close to departure date, you could lose the entire cost of your trip. Should you have to leave before your holiday is finished, we cannot refund you the cost of the portion of the package you do not complete. In the eventuality of this happening, insurance may cover you, depending on the reason for cancellation and curtailment.