For reservations call 1-800-788-7885
or contact your local travel agent.

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All safari expenses and adventures, entertainment, land transportation, admission fees, luggage handling, and the services of the Tauck Director.

Safari Lodge and Hotel Accommodations – Tauck’s price includes all hotels, safari lodges and tented safari camps with en suite facilities including showers, flush toilets and hot and cold running water. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ from place to place, Tauck's commitment to your comfort is unwavering.

Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.

Tauck Directors – Each tour is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the duration of the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully-trained employee of Tauck World Discovery.

Gratuities Included – All appropriate gratuities for bellmen, luggage handling, dining room servers, safari guides, and drivers are included.

No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.

 

Airfare While on Tour – Four on-tour flights must be purchased through Tauck as part of your tour package.

 

Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.

Safari Lodge or Hotel Accommodations Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make lodge or hotel accommodations for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Safari lodge and hotel accommodations will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, or take the Botswana excursion, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.

Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to the Tauck Protection Plan for more information.

Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, visa fees (if applicable), vaccinations, departure taxes, and other optional incidental extras, are not included and may be significant.

Tauck Director Gratuities – The customary gratuity to the Tauck Director is not included. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.

 

Airline Security Measures – In the U.S., you must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in for travel to international destinations. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.

If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.

Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, and aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times.

 

You may also visit the U.S. Transportation Security Administration Internet website to obtain more information on acceptable identity documentation and prohibited luggage items by clicking here.

Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.

Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of printing.

Journey Start and End Times are provided at time of booking and are subject to change due to airline schedule changes. All booking agents and guests will be advised of such changes. When making flight arrangements, allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs.

Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.

Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

 

Air Conditioning – All of the lodges and hotels on this tour provide air conditioning except for the Mount Sheba Country Lodge.

 

ATM and Credit Cards ― We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing for this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be “suspicious” charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.

Clothing and Packing - Generally, lightweight, cotton, short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts, shorts and long pants are sufficient. A light jacket, fleece, or windbreaker, as well as layers of clothing, are suggested for cooler temperatures during early morning game drives, especially from June through August, and for evenings. A bandana or cotton scarf will always come in handy.

For the welcome and farewell dinners, and for dining in the larger cities, many guests like to dress up, but by all means be comfortable. A jacket and tie is required for dining in the upscale Livingstone Room at the Victoria Falls Hotel.

While on safari it is recommended you wear natural earth-colored clothing, such as khakis, tans, browns, and greens, as well as comfortable walking shoes. Bright colors and whites are not advised, and army camouflage uniforms or army hats are forbidden. Blue and black are not suggested, as these colors attract both the sun and Tsetse flies. It is also a good idea to bring a swimsuit, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and lip protection.

Game drives can be dusty, so wear something that can be washed while on safari. Valet service is available at all lodges and hotels.

A personal kit with medication for possible upset stomach, aspirin, and allergy medicine may also be useful. If you are taking prescription drugs, bring a prescription signed by your doctor in case you need an emergency refill while traveling. Insect repellent with DEET is a very important item to include in your kit. Pre-moistened towelettes, antibacterial lotion, and a flashlight will also be useful on your safari.

Pack your medical kit in your carry-on bag along with an extra pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses and a change of clothes in case of luggage delay.

For viewing wildlife, we recommend you bring a good pair of binoculars and your own photography supplies, such as plenty of film, batteries, a 200mm telephoto lens, lens cap, lens papers, UV filter and, for video-recording, an adequate supply of video cassettes.

Elevation – Johannesburg is located on the interior plateau and is 6,444 ft (1,964 m) above sea level.

Health - All travelers to Africa should be in reasonably good health. There is a significant amount of walking on this tour, frequently in warm weather, as well as climbing in and out of safari vehicles and frequent air travel. Tauck strongly advises that guests who require assistance walking or travel with oxygen tanks may not fully enjoy this very active journey.

Roads in rural and wildlife areas are bumpy and dusty. Although we provide reliable and reasonably comfortable vehicles, they are not air conditioned and travel throughout this region is often slow, especially in wilderness areas.

We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to guests for walking, dining or other personal needs. Persons needing such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion who will assist them.

For vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, pre-recorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC Internet website at www.cdc.gov

Malaria pills are generally recommended for travel in Southern Africa.

 

Luggage Restrictions:

Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour:

To help in your packing, Tauck will provide each guest with a duffel bag. The duffel bag has been specially designed to provide more than adequate space for essential items needed while traveling to the private game reserves on days 5-6 and to Victoria Falls on days 9-11. Please pack light and bring ONLY the Tauck-issued duffel bag with you on these travel days.

Strict limitations on our on-tour flights require that each guest take only one piece of soft-sided luggage (the duffel bag) weighing no more than 44 lbs(19.95 kg). This weight limit includes all camera equipment. Soft-sided luggage is required to ensure your piece fits into irregularly shaped luggage compartments.

In addition, guests are limited to one soft-sided, carry-on bag per person not to exceed 15 lbs (6.8 kg), and no larger than an average knapsack.

PLEASE NOTE THAT GUESTS WHO BOOK THE BOTSWANA EXCURSION ARE STRICTLY LIMITED TO ONLY 26 POUNDS FOR THEIR CHECKED AND CARRY-ON BAGS COMBINED AND SHOULD PACK ACCORDINGLY.

While you are in the private game reserves, your other luggage will return with the motor coach to Johannesburg and will be delivered to your room at The Grace in Rosebank on day 7. On day 9, after you pack your duffel bag for Victoria Falls, your other luggage will be pulled from your room at The Grace in Rosebank for transfer to Johannesburg Airport where it will be available to you on day 11.

If you reside in the United States, the duffel bag will be sent to your home and should arrive approximately two weeks prior to your departure for Africa. Guests residing outside of the U.S. will receive their duffel bags upon arrival in Cape Town due to customs regulations that prohibit the easy delivery of the duffel bags in advance.

Checked Luggage – General

While it is common that airlines allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person.

In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.

Many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable for the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage size and weight may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.

Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage size, piece or weight policies.

Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving hom!

Carry-on Luggage – General

Although oversized bags and wheeled carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, which may not be accessible during daytime travel.

Travel Document Requirements – U.S. citizens will need a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the completion of the tour.

Recent new rules at South Africa's airports also require that anyone traveling to South Africa must have two consecutive blank pages in their passport which lie side by side when the passport is open (i.e. a left and a right hand page). U.S. citizens who need to add extra pages to their passport should go to the following website, www.travel.state.gov/extra pages. You will find instructions on how to add extra pages to your passport. Passengers traveling to South Africa with passports that do not comply with these requirements will either be stopped from boarding the aircraft or risk deportation on arrival in South Africa.

For U.S. citizens, a visa is required for entry to Zimbabwe. The visa will be obtained upon arrival at the Zimbabwe airport on day 9 of your tour and is included in the tour price.

The country of South Africa does not require a visa for U.S. citizens.

Citizens of other countries should contact the consulates or embassies of Zimbabwe and South Africa to determine what travel documentation is required.

In addition, we recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as the front and back sides of your driver’s license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

Travel with Children –

 

Age Recommendations – Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, for each itinerary we have a minimum recommended age to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.

Babysitting – Tauck journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. However, our guests have occasionally inquired about babysitting services. If you are interested, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements, to ensure your precise needs are met. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer babysitting services that may be arranged on site; however, babysitting services are not guaranteed at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.

Safety and Welfare Responsibility – We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. For safety and security purposes, children under 18 years of age must be booked into a room with at least one accompanying adult. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling with Tauck, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.

 

Authorization for Travel

If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so.

CBP also suggests that this note be notarized. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.

If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (deceased, sole custody, etc.), any other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., will be useful.

All children who are U.S. citizens should also have a certified copy of their birth certificate or baptism record for ID. Children over the age of 14 are also required to have a photo ID.

Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all guests to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information is available from each country’s consulate.

Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment

In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child’s parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.

Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard for these letters, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.

 

Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that guests refrain from cell phone usage during motor coach travel, group functions, sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually ample opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not affect others, or the wildlife in the private game reserves.

Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine if your service extends to South Africa.

Currency and Exchange Rates - American Express, Diners Club, Visa, and MasterCard are all widely recognized credit cards and are accepted at most hotels, shops, and restaurants in South Africa. Guests should use credit cards for purchases as much as possible.

Thomas Cook, Visa and Master Card Traveler’s Checks are widely accepted as well (US Dollars or South African Rand checks are recommended). As in most countries, we suggest you do not carry large amounts of cash.

Additionally, ATM machines are becoming increasingly popular; contact your bank in advance of departure to determine whether you will be able to use your card while visiting South Africa.

The small amount of cash you bring with you for incidental purchases should be in small denominations. Exchanging large denominations has been made difficult – even at banks – due to counterfeiting.

To obtain the up-to-date currency exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website www.oanda.com.

Please be advised that when exchanging currencies, shopping and using ATMs, the transaction time is much slower than most people may be accustomed to. South Africa’s foreign exchange rules cause the entire process to take more time.

Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – As of October 2007, South Africa levies a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 14% on most goods and services, but as a foreign national, you may reclaim VAT on anything you bought for over 250 Rand to take out of the country unused. You need to do this before you embark on your flight home, and will have to produce the original tax invoice for the item.

For U.S. residents returning to the United States, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the alcohol and tobacco that can be a part of this exemption - one liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and 100 cigars. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs website for further details and up-to-date limits at. www.cbp.gov.

Citizens of other countries should refer to their own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance.

Electrical Current – The electrical current is generally 220/230v, 15 amps, and is supplied through either 15-amp three-prong or 5-amp two-prong plugs, in both cases with round pins. If you bring anything electrical, bring an adapter – or you could buy one in South Africa. Generally, the 110v video chargers work safely on the 220v supply.

Time Zones – South Africa is 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). In June, they are 6 hours ahead of New York City. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.timeanddate.com

Weather – South Africa is a year-round destination, as frequently the climate features bright, sunny days. Temperatures in the summer (November to February) and autumn (March and April) typically range from the mid-50's to the high-70’s degrees Fahrenheit , or 10 to 21 degrees Celsius, in South Africa, and from the low-60's to the low-90’s F, or 15 to 30 C, in Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, the winter (May to August) and spring (September to October) seasons typically bring temperatures from the mid-40’s to the low-70’s F, or 4 to 21 C, in South Africa, and from the mid-40's to high-80’s F, or 4 to 27 C, in Zimbabwe.

South Africa is generally considered to be an arid region, with two-thirds of the country receiving less than 22 inches, or 56 centimeters, of rain per year. The central part of the country typically sees rainfall in the summer. Meanwhile, in Cape Town and its surroundings, it is typically most rainy in the winter months. The majority of Zimbabwe's rainfall occurs between the months of December and March.

To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.weather.com.

 

Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, Tauck will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received in its Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, Tauck offers a Tauck Protection Plan.

If you choose to purchase the Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will have your cancellation penalties waived.

If you choose not to purchase the Tauck Protection Plan, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

 

60 days or more before departure
$600 per person

59-8 days before departure
$1250 per person

7-1 days before departure
$2000 per person