I've heard so many good things about this trip - I hope you have a wonderful time!

In terms of currency you can change US dollars or Sterling to the local currency when you are in Zambia. If you choose to do the Botswana excursion remember you will need to purchase a double entry visa into Zambia which is currently $80USD.

According to one of our Tour Managers, for the Botswana excursion there are some snacks and a drink included with safari and boat trip and we have been advised that you should be OK to use dollars for any smaller purchases that you may make.

In terms of a rough idea of the price of a meal in Zambia, lunch and dinners are within the range of ZMW200.00 per person.

Kindest regards,

Julia

One of the most fun things about the trip for me was when we were waiting to head back to the hotel after the Chobe tour, at the riverside where Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia meet and the hawkers were trying to sell us souvenirs etc. They have changed the currency since in Zimbabwe but I was able to buy a 100 trillion dollar note (for the princely sum of $10) - it has been a great talking point ever since!!

I understand they are stricter in Zambia now about transactions being carried out in kwatcha rather than US dollars, but there is a bureau de change at the hotel complex so that won't be a problem. Two years and four holidays later it is still my best holiday ever - have an amazing time!

Any other questions, fire ahead!

Best wishes,

Bob

Could you pay for any of the optional excursions by card?

Hi Daffiegirl - please note that you'll need to pay for optional excursions in resort in the local currency, in cash.

Thanks,

Tim

Cheers,

Bob

Hi Tim, when I did this hol we paid locally in SA in Rand but in Zambia we paid in US dollars. Has this changed since? I also gathered from some folks who did this holiday after me that some of the excursions can now be pre-booked, is this still the case or has it reverted to paying for them all in resort (which was a major hassle carrying so much cash)?

Cheers,

Bob

Hi Bob - this is the information we now provide to travellers regarding currency in South Africa and Zambia:

"The national currency of South Africa is the Rand (R). We recommend you take local currency as US Dollars are not accepted in South Africa. We recommend that you do not take travellers cheques. MasterCard and Visa are preferred. American Express and Diners Club are also widely accepted. ATMs are available in all towns, cities and shopping malls and most petrol stations, and accept international cards. Almost all hotels, shops and restaurants, and even national parks and game reserves, accept credit cards. They are rarely accepted at petrol stations, however.

The currency in Zambia is the Kwacha. Payments within Zambia can be made in kwachas only, by law, even if the price is quoted in USD; foreign currency will not be accepted once you have cleared immigration at the airport. You can take US Dollars into Zambia but you must change this into Kwacha at the bank (the resort in Zambia does have a bank). Most hotels, restaurants and larger shops accept credit cards. Visa is more readily accepted than MasterCard or American Express in Zambia.

ATMs are available within some of the major towns in Zambia. Standard Chartered and Barclays Bank have ATMs which accept Visa but not MasterCard.

Money can be changed at banks, bureaux de change and some hotels. Proof of identity may be requested; therefore, it is advisable to carry a passport. Visitors are restricted to bringing in and taking out a maximum of R5,000 in cash into South Africa and ZMK100 for Zambia. Import and export of foreign currency must not exceed US$10,000 or equivalent."

Regarding optional excursions, certain ones are now pre-bookable. These are:

Cape Peninsula (SA)

Afternoon game driver in Kruger (SA)

Livingstone Orientation & Museum (Zambia)

Chobe (Zambia/Botswana)

Thanks,

Tim

Hi Daffiegirl, as the schedule is action packed in Zambia, I'd say you could happily miss the Livingstone museum visit - most of our tour party did. The Chobe excursion is a must, as is the Livingstone Express!

Cheers,

Bob

All the best,

Bob

I can guarantee those twelve and a bit weeks will fly by!

The numbers are going well - At the moment there are 15 of you travelling to South Africa in total with 11 of you staying behind to take the Zambia add-on.

Kindest regards,

Julia

Kindest regards,

Julia

There is a little green tick in the system that indicates that this tour has been cleared to operate.

Kindest regards,

Julia

Thanks Julia