BOTSWANA & CAPE TOWN: EXPLORING AFRICA’S WILDLIFE THE VEGAN WAY

We do realize that this is quite an expensive trip.   However, when compared to many other tours to the region, we are actually comparatively priced when you take into accounts that our trips include all meals (and vegan to boot!) and drinks, all the tips for drivers, guides and camp staff (this does add up!), extras like a gift/essentials bag and free laundry (in Botswana), and the support of 2 full time tour leaders (most tours have only one).    

Still, there are a few more important reasons to point out on why the cost is high:

• Botswana has opted for a high-price, low numbers formula, in part as a conservation strategy.   This means it limits its number of remote lodges and camps, as well as the actual amount of rooms in each accommodation.   While this helps enormously in limiting the number of vehicles driving around and potentially bothering the animals (which is a good thing!!), the small numbers do translate to exclusivity, which in turn translates to a higher overall cost for accommodation , meals, and so on. 
• The remoteness of our camps means we have to take a series of domestic chartered bush-planes… which come with a cost!
• We realize that for many, this will be their first trip to Africa, and/or their first safari.   It’s something most of us have dreamt about all our lives.  As such, we’ve constructed an itinerary that truly makes this the adventure of a lifetime in regards to our accommodation (deluxe) and choice of activities.   
• This may well be the only vegan tour to both countries, and our cost does factor in the lengthy and hard work done with all our camps, hotels and restaurants in preparing for our visit (meals, advocacy, toiletries, etc), which is far beyond any tasks that other tour companies are faced with.

Absolutely!   We have many people on our trip that sign up as solo travelers.   ​However, in order to get your own room there is a single supplement (details in our booking terms & conditions). 

If you would like to room with someone else of the same gender, please let us know.  We will put you on the waiting list until another solo traveler signs up, and we will put you both in contact with each other to ensure you are a good match.  If you decide to room together, there will not be any single supplement to pay. 

FLIGHTS
You are in charge of your own flights to and from our starting city.   We ask that you try and arrive early on the first day, as our first meeting tends to be around 3pm.  This exact time will be confirmed at a later date.

Even better is arriving one or more days before.  This would provide you with a chance to take care of jet-lag and visit the town.  Once the trip starts.  We can book your a room in our trip’s hotel if you’d like.  We will be sending out the cost for this once the trip is confirmed.

Regardless of your arrival date, we will provide an airport pickup. 

Please note that check-ins at our hotel are not guaranteed BEFORE 3PM.  We will try and have the hotel accommodate early arrivals, but it’s possible you will be asked to wait until a room becomes available.  We are situated right downtown, so worst case it’s nice and exciting to go and explore the neighborhood!

VISAS
For most citizens of European and western countries (ie USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc), no visas are necessary for South Africa and Botswana.

VACCINATIONS
There are no mandatory vaccinations required for South Africa and Botswana, and the final decision is entirely up to you.  Please inquire directly with your doctor when making your decision.

Having said that, and according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the following vaccinations are recommended for Botswana: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid, and boosters for tetanus, diphteria and measles.    Yellow Fever is not a risk in the region, but the certificate is an entry requirement if you’re coming from an infected region.

Botswana is a malaria risk area, and you may choose to take anti-malaria medication.  Once again, please consult your doctor in this regard.  

Our included stay in South Africa includes Cape Town and Greyton, both somewhat urban areas, and therefore very little risk is posed in terms of disease and malaria/dengue.  If you plan on extending your holidays and visit more rural areas, or a National Park, it could be a good idea to get proper vaccination.

Yes, you will need medical travel insurance.  This is not only a requirement from World Vegan Travel, but also from Botswana.  The camps need to know that you are fully covered in the event of a medical emergency, including repatriation.  You will need to send us your policy detail and emergency contact number before the trip’s start date.

As we are not a travel agency or booking agents, we can’t book any flights or ongoing travel (ie hotels, transportation, etc) for you. However we can surely help with recommendations, suggestions and tips as you look into flights, or extending your holiday. It never hurts to ask, so don’t hesitate to contact us with any queries whatsoever!

Early November is the start of the wet season and happens to be a great time to visit Botswana as the hot daytime temperatures immediately cool down after the rain, and the dust settles.

It rarely rains all day. Storms and short showers in the afternoon become the general pattern. It’s hot throughout the month, and afternoon temperatures rise to about 32°C/90°F.

Early mornings are the most comfortable, with average temperatures around 19°C/66°F.  Evening return to that temperature as well which makes it comfortable to sleep with a fan.

First and foremost, please be aware that due to our taking small bush-planes in Botswana, there is a strict luggage restriction in place.  

• 20kg / 44lbs per person (total weight inclusive of luggage and hand luggage/camera equipment)
• soft sided luggage, non-rigid bag
• max dimensions: 25cm wide x 45cm high x 62cm long   (10 inches wide x 18 inches high x 24 inches long)
• if your luggage has wheels, please ensure that the frame supporting the wheels at the back is not a rigid/solid frame

You should view this as a good chance to practice minimal packing, and please note that laundry is included at our Botswana camps, so you should focus on bringing 2 sets of clothes and rotate them each day.   Wear one set as the other gets cleaned! 

In terms of clothing, it’s a good idea to bring some summer garb, such as shorts, t-shirts, etc.  And a swimsuit, as we will have swimming pools at our accommodation.

On safari, long and light cotton pants and shirts are a good idea, to block both the sun and (hopefully!) pesky mosquito.  A hat is a good idea to block off the sun… and it looks cool in photos 😉

Do bring some comfortable, but sturdy, shoes, especially if you intend on taking a guided bush walk.  Overall we’re not going on any big hikes, so there’s no need to bring your best pair of hiking boots.   Bring something comfortable to wear in the evening, both in terms of clothing and footwear, as we relax at our camps, either by the campfire or on the decks with a cocktail in hand. 

Sunglasses are a must, and it’s highly recommended to bring some good binoculars.   Both the camps and your tour leaders will carry spear binoculars, but it’s always nice to have your own. 

Other essentials should include:

• Cameras and plenty of batteries and storage cards is a must.  This trip is a good excuse to get a nice zoom-lens!  
• sunscreen lotion
• insect and mosquito repellent

We will be sending an info packet several weeks before the trip that will include, amongst other bits of information, a packing list.

You will be able to leave a bag behind at our hotel in Cape Town.

In South Africa, we will have full WIFI internet at our accommodation as well as on our busses.  

In Botswana, there is WIFI at our camps, although usually only in your room.  Expect internet speeds to be VERY SLOW and spotty at best!  You won’t be able to get a lot of work done (why would you!) and definitely no Netflix streaming.. but then why would you want to when the best show in the world is definitely outside!

Overall, this is an all-inclusive trip and you shouldn’t need a huge amount of extra funds.  In Botswana, the only possible extra expenses would be for any premium alcoholic drinks and souvenirs at our camps’ curio shops.   They do accept credit cards if you prefer to not carry any cash.   If you would like to give extra tips to the guides and camp staff, do bring some small denomination currency, though please note that we have included tips already in the tour costs. 

In South Africa, you will need to cater for yourself on day 1 until we meet in the afternoon. 

Overall it’s a good idea to have some emergency cash (preferably in euros or US dollars) but otherwise you should be fine with using only credit cards and bank cards.

This is generally not a problem, but we do need to be informed at the time of booking so we may prepare the meals accordingly. Please be as precise and detailed as possible. Once on the trip, it is difficult and/or not possible to change our meal plans.

In Botswana, each day is made up of 1 morning activity, and one late afternoon activity.   You can choose to join the activities or remain behind and enjoy your room.  That’s entirely up to you! 

In terms of included activities, very little is physical.  This truly is a relaxing trip!  We do have a guided bush walk at Camp Okavango, but this is very easy, on flat ground, and entirely optional so you can opt out if you wish.    Otherwise we’re mostly being driven around by 4×4 or boat and as long as you don’t get motion sickness, you should be fine! 

We are taking a total of 5 flights so you should be able to carry your luggage to/from the plane/bus, etc.  The luggage restriction does help in this matter, ensuring your bag will be small-ish and no heavier than 20kg.

Youth above 16 years young are welcome.    We are currently not accepting any younger children. ​

There’s no upper age limit, though do note that there is a fair amount of walking on this trip. 

Botswana is one of the safest countries in Africa, though this really is only of concern in cities, which we will not be visiting.  We will be staying in the heart of the country, surrounded by all kinds of animals, big and small, including a large amount of predators.  However our camps are very safe and secure, with small fences around and a very knowledgeable staff, who do patrol and make sure that no animals come too close.   While on safari, there’s a good chance you will get quite close to lions and other predators, but overall they seem completely uninterested in us humans… which is a good thing!     Your guides will try to stay somewhat at a longer distance to larger mammals such as elephants, buffalos and hippos.    They are the expert and emphasize safety over anything else.  They will never take unnecessary risks.

​South Africa has its fair amount of crime but the downtown area of Cape Town where we will be staying, is relatively safe.  In Cape Town, using common sense and sticking to well trafficked areas will ensure you have a very safe trip.   On the tour, we will be visiting as a large group of ~24 or so, with safety at the top of our list, so there is nothing to worry about.

South Africa has 11 (!!!) official languages, with some spoken more than others.  While English is recognized as the language of commerce and science, it’s actually ranked fourth and the first language of only 9.6% of South Africans!   Still, it remains the de facto lingua franca of the nation, and you should have no problem getting yourself understood in Cape Town and Franshhoek.

In Botswana, English is an official language as well, which means all our guides and camp staff will speak it perfectly.   The other official language is Setswana, which is widely spoken across the country.   There are several other prevalent languages spoken by minority groups.

World Vegan Travel and Joyful Vegan Trips aim to be a safe place for all LGBTQ travelers. We have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination of any sort.

In Bostwana: ​While there are technically laws against homosexuality, they are unenforced and Botswana is among the most tolerant of African nations for the LGBTQ community.  You should still refrain from too much public display of affection, but as we will be in our own remote camps, and the staff are used to hosting many travelers from around the world, you don’t need to be completely reserved.

South Africa is the first and only African nation where the government recognizes same-sex relationships and homosexual marriages are recognized by law.    Displays of affection may generate unwelcome attention though they should be tolerated and respected, especially in the areas we will visit (Cape Town and Greyton).