NAMIBIA DESERT, ETOSHA AND CAPRIVI LODGE SAFARI

Transcription

1 NAMIBIA DESERT, ETOSHA AND CAPRIVI LODGE SAFARI A Namibian safari including the wildlife haven of Etosha, Caprivi and the stunning Namibia Desert Safari through the Caprivi Strip and Etosha National Park Explore the ancient rock paintings of Damaraland Experience the towering red dunes of the Namib Desert Chill out in the coastal town of Swakopmund HOLIDAY CODE NAC Namibia, Zambia, Wildlife, 15 Days 1 night guesthouse, 2 nights hotel, 3 nights farmstay, 1 night chalet, 3 nights tented lodge, 4 nights lodge, 14 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 9 dinners, max group size: 12, 15 day overland safari with some day walks

2 PAGE 2 VIEW DATES, PRICES & BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY HERE Introduction The grand stage entrance to our Namibian Safari adventure holiday is from the world famous explorers town of Livingstone and the thunderous Victoria Falls. From Victoria Falls we depart the banks of Zambezi and drive west into the wilderness of Namibia's Caprivi Strip. Wedged between Angola and Botswana, we explore Caprivi's Mahango Game Reserve and chill out on the banks on the Kavango River. Our next stop is the vast, wildlife rich pans of Etosha National Park. Where the waterholes bustle with African big game we are sure to get our fill of big cats and herds of elephants led by their redoubtable matriarch. Moving deeper into Namibia we stop by the charming coastal town of Swakopmund before heading south to explore the famous sharp-edged dunes of the Namib Desert. With two nights here to appreciate the million-star skies we continue to our final stop in the chilled out capital city of Windhoek. This itinerary is the first section of our longer Great Southern African Safari which includes Botswana and the Okavango Delta. If you would like further information on when to go to Southern Africa on safari and which trip suits you the best please refer to our detailed guide "Which safari is right for you?" Explore International. This holiday is part of our Explore International range. Participants on these trips can book through KE or through one of our international partners. This helps us to gather together sufficient numbers of like-minded adventurers to get your holiday up and running quickly. Led by an English-speaking guide, the cosmopolitan nature of these groups can be an important part of the experience! Is this holiday for you? Everything in Africa is on a big scale, and to cover the ground necessary your journey across Namibia includes several long drives accompanied by Africa's spectacular scenery. Such drives, including your game drives, can often be on dirt tracks, graded roads and also tar highways. The vehicles used have been custom-built to cope with such conditions. Included in the itinerary are several safari experiences on foot. These walks can be on paved surfaces or uneven sandy terrain but they are always accompanied by your experienced local English speaking guide. Each walk is paced with time for your guide to interpret the environment around you. On some walks, it is vital to keep within the group in case of an animal encounter. The accommodation on this journey will range from chalet style through to permanent tented lodges with en-suite facilities. There maybe a bar/restaurant available and some lodges may have a swimming pool. During your holiday, some participation on day-to-day camp chores is required. Getting involved with such chores adds to the camaraderie of your holiday! This journey is suitable for the adventure traveller looking to experience some of Africa's most special safari experiences! Holiday Itinerary Day 1: Meet at the group lodge in Livingstone. Transfers from Livingstone Airport are provided.

3 PAGE 3 On arrival into Livingstone, KE services begin with an airport transfer to our riverside lodge accommodation, upstream from the thunder of Victoria Falls. After meeting our fellow group members and guide, we visit Victoria Falls as a group, the rest of the afternoon is yours to kick back and relax at the water's edge or venture into the lively community of Livingstone. LODGE Day 2: Free day to explore Livingstone and Victoria Falls. Today is yours to spend at leisure around Livingstone and the mighty Victoria Falls. Most likely to hear the falls before seeing them, the falls span 2km and plunge 108m into the gorge below and can almost be a deafening experience! Close to the falls are several handicraft markets which for a first spot of African shopping. There are many other optional activities to choose from at your own expense such as enjoying a sunset cruise or a scenic flight over the falls. Alternatively you may just like to relax on the banks of the Zambezi at our riverside lodge. *Please note, depending on season, water levels of the falls will vary (late November to early April is the wet season, with the remainder of the year being dry). LODGE MEALS B Day 3: Cross the border into Namibia. Exploration of the Caprivi Strip finishing at Kwando River lodge. After breakfast, we leave Zambia for the natural wonderland of Namibia. After the straightforward border formalities at Sesheke we drive onto the Caprivi Strip. Wedged between the borders of Botswana and Angola, the Caprivi Strip provides a significant habitat for the endangered African Wild Dog and is also a vital corridor for elephants moving between Namibia, Botswana, Angola and Zambia. In the late afternoon we take to the water for a wildlife exploration before kicking back and relaxing on the bank on the Kwando at our riverside lodge. Approx drive time: 4 hours. TENTED LODGE Day 4: Game drive in the Mahango Game Reserve. Enjoying breakfast with the chorus of African riverlife our exploration of Caprivi leads us west to the Mahango Game Reserve. Located just north of the Okavango Pan Handle, within the Bwabwata National Park, Manhango occupies a broad flood plain and is well known for spotting large herds of elephants, hippos and crocodiles. In the late afternoon we drive to our riverside accommodation at Ngepi, downstream from the Popa Falls of the River Kavango. On arrival we can kickback, relax and take in our panoramic sunset. Approx drive time: 3 hours LODGE Day 5: Rugged day of driving from Caprivi to the tropical town of Rundu. This morning we take it pretty easy as we have time to relax by the river as we hope to spot many of the resident bird species such as the Lesser Jacana, Racket-Tailor Roller and Coppery Tailed Coucal. Although a rare spot, Pel s fishing owls are also resident in this region. Moving on from the Caprivi Strip, we continue our journey west skirting the border of Angola along the River Kavango and onto our overnight lodge in the tropical Namibian town of Rundu. Approx drive time: 3 hours

4 PAGE 4 CHALET Day 6: Drive through the wilds of Northern Namibia to the sublime experience of Etosha National Park. Our drive this morning takes us onto the edge of Namibia s headline safari experience of Etosha National Park. Over the next two nights, we stay on a private working farm located on the outer reaches of Etosha NP which provides the perfect base for our Etosha adventure. Approx drive time: 5 hours FARMSTAY Day 7: Day of safari game drives across the pans and waterholes of Etosha National Park. Covering 4800km, Etosha s key to life is the occurrence of underground springs which form waterholes on the edge of the pan. Together with the savannah grassland that they nourish, these springs enable more than 110 species of mammals to exist in an otherwise forbidding environment. One of the highlights in dry season will be the chance to view big cats and game gathering at one of the many waterholes. The rainy season at Etosha extends from November into March and April. This is a season of plenty, when grazing animals and their predators are widespread across the park as they seek out better grazing. Regardless of the season, your experienced local leader will endeavour to seek out the best of Etosha s wildlife during your game drives. FARMSTAY Day 8: Second day of game drives in Etosha National Park. Continuing our exploration of Etosha National Park, we enjoy a second full day of game drives across the Etosha pans. Remember to recharge your cameras and take spare batteries with you today as we hope to encounter rare and endangered black rhino. Etosha is also famed for its elephant population which have become recognisable due to their worn tusks due to wearing them down when digging for water. In the evening we return to our accommodation for the evening African chorus and a traditional sundowner. FARMSTAY Day 9: Drive across desertscapes to the dry Ugab River. Afternoon guided walk through petrified forest. Departing after breakfast we drive across Namibia s desert landscapes heading south towards Brandberg Mountain. This evening our lodge is situated in the dry Ugab River, home to the rare desert elephants. Slightly smaller in size, with wider feet to adapt to desert conditions, desert elephants are often seen with broken or worn tusks as they are used to dig through hard dry ground in search of water. Along the way we take a guided walk to a nearby petrified forest and have the opportunity to view nomadic San rock art. Approx drive time: 6 hours LODGE Day 10: Head to the Atlantic Coastal resort of Swakopmund. Crossing the incredible plains of Spitzkoppe our destination today is the breezy Atlantic town of Swakopmund. Namibia s rugged coastline stretches almost a 1000 miles and has become a world renowned breeding ground for Cape Fur seals. We will have the opportunity to view these larger than life characters, basking on the beach and bobbing in and out of the surf before arriving at Namibia s premier coastal resort. Approx drive time: 3.5 hours

5 PAGE 5 HOTEL MEALS BL Day 11: Free day to kick back and relax or try out the adrenalin activities of Swakopmund. Founded in the last decade of the nineteenth century, as the principal deepwater port of German South West Africa, today Swakopmund is a rather unusual place, with a quaint and atmospheric feel, sandwiched between the Namib Desert and the cold Atlantic Ocean. Amongst the distinctly Germanic architecture, an eclectic community have made Swakopmund their own from artists to world travellers and big-game fishermen to stately African tribesmen, all contribute to Swakopmunds distinct character. There are lots of activities that can be arranged locally, such as boat trips in search of dolphins, or to visit a nearby seal colony, dune-boarding and even scenic flights over the Namib and along the Skeleton Coast these are entirely optional and payable directly. Alternatively, you may choose to take it easy, visit the Crystal Galley, the aquarium, or stroll along the beach. We spend a second night at our Swakopmund Guesthouse. HOTEL MEALS B Day 12: Drive to iconic red dunes of Sossusvlei for an afternoon of desert walking. Leaving the sea breeze of Swakopmund we turn inland and drive south towards the headline experience of the Namib Desert. The towering sharp-edged dunes of the Namib Desert have become an iconic image and a must see of any visit to Namibia. The ever shifting sands of the dunes of Sossusvlei are worth ever sinking footstep of exploration! Amongst some of the highest dunes in the world (rising up to 383m), we ll take up several vantage points today to ensure we get the picture postcard shots! For those clients who do not want to walk, there are optional 4WD vehicles that can drive you in. Spending the night in the desert, we can appreciate a night of star gazing from the comfort of our desert lodge. Approx drive time: 5 hours TENTED LODGE Day 13: Visit the Sesriem Canyon and discover the natural wonders of the Namib Desert. Today we further explore the Namib Desert and Sesriem Canyon. Carved out by the Tsauchab River, Sesriem is Afrikaan for six belts which was given by the settlers who had to knot six belt lengths to reach water from the bottom of the canyon. A place of arid beauty the dreamscape of Sesriem, stretches from towering lunar rock formations through to a natural sphinx formation close to the canyon mouth. Under the guidance of our leader, we aim to seek out the weird and the wonderful which makes Sesriem one of the most unique natural wonders of Southern Africa. With ample time to catch the ever-changing colours of a Namib Desert sunset, we return to our tented lodge for a second night of desert skies. TENTED LODGE Day 14: Morning drive to the cosmopolitan capital city of Windhoek. Located in a basin between the Khomas Highlands and Eros Mountains, Windhoek s charm is its fusion of African and European cultures. With a cosmopolitan atmosphere, we drive from African bush into the heart of a Germanic colonial era. More of a charming town than a bustling capital city, Windhoek s friendly centre makes for easy exploration of this unique African city. With the opportunity to spend some time hunting out traditional souvenirs, or to simply admire the city s Neo-Baroque cathedral spires and colonial architecture, Windhoek is a wonderful city break within this safari adventure and enjoy a spot of African nightlife. Approx drive time: 4.5 hours

6 PAGE 6 GUESTHOUSE MEALS BL Day 15: Departure day. KE Land Only services end at the accommodation in Windhoek after breakfast. Windhoek Airport transfers are not provided, but can easily be arranged on request. MEALS B Holiday Information What's Included 2 English-speaking local guides Airport transfer as described on day 1 All accommodation as described Meals as per the Meal Plan All land transport as described National park entrance fees Excursions as mentioned in the itinerary. What's Not Included Travel insurance Visas Airport taxes Airport transfers other than those described Some meals as per the Meal Plan Extra activities and excursions Tips for local staff Miscellaneous personal expenditure Meal Plan Included in your holiday price are 14 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 9 dinners. On free days or where there is a variety of options it makes sense not to include your meals other than breakfast in your holiday price leaving the choice to you. We recommend you budget 8-15 for each non included meal. Food Food throughout the trip will mostly be prepared by the guides, although everyone is expected to lend a hand! This is usually a fun and sociable time. Breakfast will be cereals and yoghurt, with coffee, tea, toast and the occasional cooked breakfast. Lunch will typically be picnic style - cold meats, cheese, salads, bread, rolls and fruit. Dinner will be potjies (traditional stews), braais (barbecue), stir fries and pasta. Very often cooking will be on an open fire. Fresh produce will be used wherever possible and fruit squash, tea and coffee will be served with breakfast and dinner. Bottled water is not provided, however it is readily available to purchase.

7 PAGE 7 Joining Arrangements & Transfers Transfers are included for clients travelling on the group flight that arrives into Livingstone Airport on day 1 of the Land Only itinerary. Should you be arriving before day 1 of the land only itinerary we can also arrange an airport transfer at an additional cost. Clients MUST provide the KE office with full details of their flight. On departure day, transfers to Windhoek Airport are not included. These are easy (and cheaper) to book on arrival at the last nights hotel, and to pay for locally. Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation. Accommodation During this trip the group will spend 14 nights in comfortable lodges, hotels, tented camps or guesthouses with ensuite facilities. If you are travelling by yourself you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. Single rooms are available at an additional cost. Please refer to the dates and prices page for costs. Pre/post tour additional nights in Livingstone and in Windhoek are also available. SAFARI TRUCKS Years of safari experience have been put into the design of the trucks. They are built to comply with the latest South African transport and safety regulations. Your comfort is catered for with individual seats (with safety belts), ample legroom and large vertical sliding windows for unobstructed viewing and photography. They have 12 forward facing seats (the roof rack and a trailer is used for equipment and baggage). The trucks either have pullout steps or a single rung of steps and grab handles to climb on/off the vehicles. There are roof hatches for excellent 'open' views and an integral cab and passenger compartment so contact with the driver is easy. Each truck also has large packing compartments, a built in kitchen, freezer, drinking water tank, interior lights and a gas stove (to minimise use of wood and destruction of forest areas). There is a USB point or South African plug point to charge cameras as well. Please bring your own international adaptor. A cool box is on the truck so we have access to cool drinks during the drives. We also use Mercedes sprinters for some small group safaris. All of our vehicles are bought new and serviced by Mercedes and Toyota agents, thus ensuring trouble free touring with backup support in practically every town in Southern Africa. Group Leader & Support Staff Group leaders are the key to any successful safari. On this adventure safari, you will travel with two qualified and experienced, registered field guides (FGASA). Two guides as crew, not a guide and a driver, adds up to an informative and interesting small group holiday. Our guides have a passion for Africa, her people and wildlife, and they love nothing more than sharing their knowledge with you. Altitude This holiday does not involve any significant ascent to altitude and we would not expect any altitude issues with this trip. Spending Money

8 PAGE 8 We estimate that a total of around 350 per person (or equivalent in euros/dollars) should be allowed for personal spending. This amount should be sufficient to cover non-included meals and miscellaneous expenses, including tips to local staff. If you are intending to buy expensive souvenirs or undertake any additional activities or excursions, you should budget accordingly (credit cards can be useful in this respect). If you expect to buy considerable quantities of soft drinks or beer, you should make an allowance for this. You can choose to take your money in pounds Sterling, dollars or euros. There will be the opportunity to change money into local currency on arrival at the airport and your local leader will advise the best places to change money en-route and at borders. Additionally, you will be able to get currency from bank ATMs in many of the towns that we will visit. Credit cards are often accepted but if you intend to bring your travel money with you, we recommend that you bring this in the form of cash. Sterling, US Dollars and Euros are readily exchanged. There are many optional activities which you can take part in along this trip. These include a scenic flight over the Okavango (from USD $95-120) and rafting (from $160), canoeing the Zambezi ½ day (from $120) or microlight trips (from $ ) at Victoria Falls. All of these optional activities should be booked on arrival with your leader and paid for locally. All prices are approximate and are subject to change without notice. All optional activities taken outside the KE holiday are at your own risk. Guidance On Tipping Your tour leader also works extremely hard to ensure that your holiday runs smoothly and that you are happy. We suggest that a tip of 2 5 per client per day for your tour leader is reasonable. When it comes to tipping the guides that we sometimes use for various activities (e.g. game walks, polers in the Okavango Delta etc) we suggest that a tip of 1-3 per client per ½ day activity, or the local currency equivalent, is acceptable. As in all cases with tipping, the final decision of the amount tipped is up to the individual. It is up to you to decide if you thought the service was poor, or exceptional, and the amount tipped should reflect that. The amounts quoted above are guidelines for you to get an idea of what to tip. Beat The Jet Lag Our holidays are normally designed with minimal 'down time' at the start of the trip, but having a day or two at the beginning will have the additional benefit of allowing you time to get over the stress of travelling across time zones, leaving you refreshed and ready for your holiday. We can easily arrange for you to have additional nights and airport transfers. Free KE Gift We give you a free gift as a way to thank all our clients who book a KE holiday. Choose from KE T-shirts, buffs, KE trek bags* (where applicable) plus many more. Alternatively you can choose to make a 10 donation to the Juniper Trust Charity. You can make your selection in your My KE account after booking. * A free KE trek bag is available on this holiday. Delivery outside of the UK will be charged. Baggage Allowance For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage and a daypack. Your baggage will travel in the gear compartment of the truck with the group, and there is a finite amount of space. Please keep the weight of your main luggage to 12kg. You should bring a soft bag, such as the KE kit bag, as these are more suitable to pack in the vehicle. Group Size & Holiday Status

9 PAGE 9 For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in Dates and Prices table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements. Group Members We sell this holiday in conjunction with our local operator in Southern Africa. This enables us to gather together sufficient numbers of like-minded adventurers to get the holiday up and running quickly. For this holiday the minimum age is 12 yrs, however it is unusal to have people under 16yrs. General Information Passport & Visas A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU. The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice. If you are travelling outside the EU you should have at least 2 blank pages in your passport for each country that you visit. Visa Zambia UK and USA passport holders do require a visa. The visa fee is $50 (single entry) or $85 (multi-entry) and is obtainable on arrival. Payment must be in cash. Important Note for Victoria Falls: If your itinerary goes to Victoria Falls please check if your accommodation is in the town of Victoria Falls which is in Zimbabwe, or the town of Livingstone which is in Zambia. If you visit the falls (on the border) and wish to cross the bridge you will require a visa for both countries, or a multi-entry visa. Visa Zimbabwe UK and USA passport holders do require a visa. The visa fee is $50 single entry and more (up to $75) for double or multi-entry, and is obtainable on arrival. Payment must be in cash. Important Note: Please check your itinerary at Victoria Falls if your accommodation is the town of Victoria Falls which is in Zimbabwe, or in the town of Livingstone which is in Zambia. If you visit the falls (on the border) and wish to cross the bridge to the other side you will require a visa for both countries. Visa Namibia UK and USA passport holders do not require a visa for short stays. You should carry a photocopy of your passport with you at all times when in Namibia for identification.

10 PAGE 10 Transit Via South Africa On arrival into South Africa, parents travelling with children under 18 years will be asked to show the child s full unabridged birth certificate, and where one parent is accompanying, proof of parental or legal authority. Please note that they are very strict and they do not accept photocopies of birth certificates. For further details please see the South Africa High Commission in your country. For the UK NOTE: This is required if you are transiting through South Africa (e.g. Johannesburg). UNI-VISA Zimbabwe And Zambia As of the 21st December 2016 the KAZA UNIVISA for Zimbabwe and Zambia is available for British passport holders, which is cheaper than purchasing the two visas for Zambia and Zimbabwe separately. The visa is valid for 30 days as long as you remain within Zimbabwe and Zambia. It is also valid for day trips to Botswana crossing over the Kazangula borders. It will not be valid if you overnight in Botswana. The visa cost US$50 which must be paid in cash, and can be obtained from these borders: Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls Airport, Victoria Falls Land Border, Kazangula Land Border (border with Botswana) and Harare Airport. Zambia: Harry Mwaanga Airport (Livingstone), Victoria Falls Land Border, Kazangula Land Border (border with Botswana), Kenneth Kaunda Airport (Lusaka). UPDATE - 13 Sep 17 - Currently there are no KAZA UNIVISA stickers available at any border crossing into Zimbabwe or Zambia. So expect to have to purchase separate visas. Health & Vaccinations You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you specific require any vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella), along with hepatitis A and typhoid. Malarial prophylaxis are required. A certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required if travelling from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited for more than 12 hrs through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. On holidays to more remote areas you should also have a dentist check up. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro. Currency The unit of currency in Zambia is the Zambian Kwacha. The unit of currency in Zimbabwe is the US dollar and the South African Rand. The unit of currency in Namibia is the Namibian Dollar. Electricity Supply & Plug We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: Preparing For Your Holiday It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on an adventure holiday getting some additional exercise. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience.

11 PAGE 11 Travel Aware As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Offices' Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: for essential travel advice and tips. KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates direct from the FCO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office. Climate Botswana & Zambia: This Central region of Southern Africa is subtropical and generally warm and mild / humid. October and November are hot, day and night. November to April is the hottest time of the year with chances of showers to heavy rains later in the season. May to September is cool and dry. Namibia is largely a desert environment with hot clear days from September to April. May to August can be very cold at night but pleasant and sunny during the day. Rains are infrequent but most likely in January to March. The coast is subject to heavy morning fogs throughout the year and cooler weather in the winter months. Books Sands of Silence by Peter H Capstick (Tales of travels and the Bushmen's culture and their political persecution) Skeleton Coast by John H Marsh (Wreck of the Dunedin Star and its survivors) The Diamond Hunters by Wilbur Smith (Fictional family feud set in Namibia) The Skeleton Coast by Benedict Allen (A journey through the Namib Desert) The Smell of Apples by Mark Behr (Story of boy in Cape Town and then army on Caprivi) Etosha by Daryl and Sharna Balfour (A coffee table book of photography) Newman's Birds of Southern Africa by Kenneth Newman Sasol Birds of Southern Africa by Ian Sinclair, Phil Hockey, and W.R. Tarboton The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, and Primates by Richard D. Estes and Daniel Otte Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa (Field Guides) by Braam Van Wyk, Keith Coates Palgrav, and Piet Van Wyk Maps African Southern, 1: The southern half of Africa on a double-sided road map at 1:3,500,000 from the South African publishers Map Studio, with GPS waypoints for numerous locations and important road junctions. National parks and game reserves are prominently highlighted.

12 PAGE 12 Flight Information Flight Inclusive Or Land Only? On our website we display a UK Flight inclusive package price and Land only package price for the majority of our holidays. Flight Inclusive Notes The FLIGHT INCLUSIVE dates and prices are based on UK flights from London (Heathrow) to Livingstone with South African Airways. Outbound flights will depart from the UK in the evening, arriving the next day (day 1 of the Land Only itinerary). Return flights will depart Windhoek in the afternoon on the last day of the itinerary, arriving in the UK the following morning. Regional departures and/or alternative carriers are available on request. Please be aware that there are often only a limited number of seats available at the advertised price. To avoid paying flight supplements, we recommend that you book as early as possible, especially during peak times. If we are unable to secure seats at the price shown, or you have requested regional departures, we will contact you with an alternative quote. Please note that you may be asked to pay for your flights in advance of your final holiday balance. Note that if you book a package including flights with KE you will benefit from full financial protection. Land Only Notes The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary joining in Livingstone. For clients making their own flight arrangements, Livingstone is the most convenient for transfers to the group hotel. Please refer to 'Joining Arrangements and Transfers' for further details. Flights SHOULD NOT be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the departure is showing 'Guaranteed to Run' or 'Limited'. Flight Options From The US For help and advice with booking your flights, we recommend you consult our friends at Exito Travel, airfare specialists since The air team at Exito are familiar with our destinations and know the airports, best airlines and potential pitfalls. If there is ever a flight change, cancellation or air-related issue before or during your travels, it's nice to know you have someone on the Exito air team looking after you. Visit their website at: or contact the team on: keadventure@exitotravel.com &/or via phone at: ext Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Experience KE has 31 years experience of adventure travel worldwide. All of our holidays are accompanied by an experienced leader, some of whom have worked with KE groups for many years. Many are professional guides and instructors with an unrivalled knowledge of the areas in which they work. In many parts of the world, we recruit local guides with appropriate training and experience. In addition to having the technical skills to ensure your safety, KE expects its leaders to be active members of the group. A leader should be fun to travel with and ready to share with you their enthusiasm for adventure travel and their knowledge of the area. Alongside the group leader, there will be a local support crew, which could be just a driver, or a complete team of guides, drivers, porters, mule-

13 PAGE 13 herders and cooks. The hard work of our support crews, along with the fascinating insight they can offer into their local culture, is integral to providing you with the very best adventure travel experience. The team of KE office staff is amongst the most experienced in the business, with the proven ability to set up and operate a worldwide programme of adventures. Every one has adventure travel at heart and joins at least one trip a year. It is this depth of experience that makes KE stand out from other adventure travel operators. When you contact KE, by phone or , or visit our office, you will find the help and advice you need, from someone who has actually done the trip and can give you the benefit of their first-hand experience. KE can guarantee the very best in trek support, excellent food, a good standard of hotel and camp accommodation, plus the back up of one of the most respected companies in the business. Client satisfaction is at the top of our agenda and almost 50% of our bookings each year come from repeat business. If you are looking for adventure then look no further than KE. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AND AWARDS Responsible Tourism has always fitted naturally with KEs travel ethic. It is important to us that our clients are not the only beneficiaries of the travel experience, but that we share a two-way relationship with the areas that we visit. We make sure that our local staff are well treated and well paid, we respect indigenous cultures, take care to protect the environment and make the most of every opportunity to make a positive contribution wherever we travel. In addition to holding an AITO 5-star Sustainable Tourism rating, we are recipients of AITO s Achievement in Sustainable Tourism Award in recognition of the work carried out over the past 20 years, giving back to the communities and areas we visit. We have been awarded Highly Commended status in the Best Tour Operator category of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, and were named Best Trekking Operator on Earth by National Geographic Magazine, whose criteria included commitment to responsible tourism. We continue to travel responsibly, and more information on our policy, practice, and specific projects can be found at and on the website of our partner charity the Juniper Trust: KEs Mountain Code is issued to our staff, trek leaders and overseas agents, and we recommend it to our clients, too! Your Complete Financial Protection KE Adventure Travel is a fully licensed and bonded tour operator. We are a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), bonded with the CAA (ATOL 2808) and ABTA licensed (W4341). You can book your trip with KE Adventure Travel in complete confidence that all monies you pay for a trip are fully protected. BOOKING YOUR HOLIDAY Making a Booking The easiest way to make your booking is online. You will need to pay a deposit at the time of booking. This is normally 200 but for some holidays with special permit fees or internal flights, this may be more. The amount of deposit required for an individual holiday is given on the dates and prices page of the holiday. Late bookings will require full payment. We cannot confirm any booking until we receive your fully completed booking form. Adventure Travel Insurance IMPORTANT - It is a condition of joining any of our trips that you are insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services). We also strongly

14 PAGE 14 recommend that you take out holiday cancellation insurance, as all deposits paid are non-refundable. Please ensure that your insurer is aware of your KE Adventure itinerary and can agree to cover the activities being undertaken. You will then need to advise us of your policy details and complete an Insurance Declaration Form. CAMPBELL IRVINE DIRECT travel insurance is available to EU residents and will cover the majority of KE Adventure holidays. It has been designed to provide cover for activities normally excluded by other insurers such as trekking, mountain biking and climbing. Please note that certain activities may attract a higher premium. In addition Campbell Irvine Direct cannot provide cover for KE climbing trips above 6000m. Cover for these can be obtained through either the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) or Snowcard. TRAVELEX is a USA based insurer offering travel insurance, which can be used by US citizens and US residents only. KE recommends the "Travelex Select" package for our holidays. If your holiday involves using mountaineering equipment (ropes, harness or crampons), for climbing or glacial travel, you should consider the "Adventure Plus Pak" optional upgrade on the Travelex Select Plan. Please refer to the 'Description of Coverage' for a summary of the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations of the applicable Protection Plan. This policy will also cover KE climbing trips above 6000m. We hope that this trip notes has answered most of your questions. Please feel free to contact us and speak to one of our experts.

15 PAGE 15 Equipment List Please try to keep the weight of your baggage to a minimum. See the baggage allowance section for further details. You Should Bring The Following Items: Lightweight walking boots/shoes or sturdy trainers Sandals Socks Underwear Long lightweight trousers Shorts Lightweight waterproof jacket & trousers T-shirts Casual shirts with sleeves Fleece jacket or warm jumper Sunhat Sunglasses Several strong plastic bags to keep items separate and dry Daypack litres Headtorch and spare batteries Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.) Water bottles 1 litre (x2) Washbag and toiletries (biodegradable soap is preferred) Antibacterial handwash Small towel/travel towel Insect repellent Basic First Aid Kit including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). The Following Items Are Optional: Travel clothes Light cotton dress or sarong for the ladies Spare laces

16 PAGE 16 Swimwear Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage) Repair kit (eg. needle, thread, duct tape) Camera and batteries Binoculars (highly recommended) Notes Please be aware than in the Southern African the winter months, June-September, the nights can be cold with an average of between 0-5 Degrees Celsius in some places, and the days can be warm between degrees Celsius. Bright bold colours and white are not suitable for game viewing or bush wear as they attract insects and the attention of animals. Please do not bring camouflage or military style clothes as they can cause problems with local authorities. Please dress appropriately for border crossings, village and market visits ie: no bare feet, no bare chests, no bikinis and no hats. A few restaurants are also not keen on T-shirts and jeans either. Please note: This document was downloaded on 27 Nov 2017, and the trip is subject to change.