Explore Chobe by boat, admire the stunning views of Victoria Falls, enjoy game drives through some of Africa's best parks and take a jouney into the stunning Okavango Delta by canoe. This is a true adventure into the untouched African wilderness of Botswana. Botswana and Falls Adventure Original 2008 GPF 6 14 Max 14, Avg 8 Africa Zambia, Botswana Livingstone Livingstone Wildlife/Nature 13 3 4 http://www.gapadventures.com/images/banners/botswana/botswana_suvuti_elephants.jpg Arrive in Livingstone at any time. Cross the Kazungula ferry into Botswana and head south to the shimmering saltpans of Makgadikgadi for a night of wild camping in this expansive wilderness. Enter the Nxai Pan National Park and visit the ancient Baines Baobabs before making camp near the Nxai Pans. Take an afternoon game drive around the waterhole to see the springbok, gemsbok and hopefully lions! Head to Maun, the bustling frontier town and prepare for the Moremi and Chobe leg of our tour. Local guides and mokoro polers will take us into the Okavango Delta on Mokoros (dugout canoes). Up before the sun, set out on foot to explore the area in search of game, then cruise back down the crystal clear channels of the Okavango Delta. Return to Maun for the night. Take an open 4WD vehicle into Moremi for fantastic game viewing. Grasslands, floodplains, forests, lily lagoons and winding water channels combine to form a variety of game viewing habitats. Move north over the sand ridge and into the Mababe depression, arriving at the Savuti Marsh. This open grassland area attracts herds of zebra and wildebeest, which in turn draw the large lion prides that Savuti is famous for. The Chobe River flows lazily along the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park attracting some of the largest herds of elephant in Africa. Enjoy a morning game drive and a late afternoon game viewing sundowner cruise. Stay for one night in Zambia near Livingstone town on the banks of the Zambezi River. Enjoy a walk through tropical vegetation to Victoria Falls where thrills abound. Arrive in Livingstone and make your way to our camp site. Meet with your leader this evening for the pre-departure group meeting.

David Livingstone was born on March 19, 1813 in the village of Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. He first studied Greek, medicine, and theology at the University of Glasgow and while working in London, joined the London Missionary Society became a minister. He originally planned to gain access to China through his medical knowledge. The Opium Wars, which were raging at this stage with no signs of peace on the horizon, forced Livingstone to consider other options. From 1840 he worked in Bechuanaland (present-day Botswana), and in the period 1852–56, he explored the African interior, and was the first European to see the Mosi-oa-Tunya waterfall (which he renamed Victoria Falls after his monarch, Queen Victoria). Livingstone was one of the first Westerners to make a transcontinental journey across Africa. The purpose of his journey was to open the routes, while accumulating useful information about the African continent. In particular, Livingstone was a proponent of trade and Christian missions to be established in central Africa. His motto, inscribed in the base of the statue to him at Victoria Falls, was “Christianity, Commerce and Civilization.”

The town of Livingstone is a regional transport center, being located near the borders of Botswana and Zimbabwe, and serves as a base for the many visitors to see this part of Africa, and the impressive Victoria Falls, a mere 12km from Livingstone.

The Victoria Falls waterfalls occur in a country that is perfectly flat. From its source on the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Zambezi River meanders for 1300 km across the wooded plateau of Zambia, eroding for itself a shallow valley on its mild descent to the site of the falls. The river eventually found a weak spot on the lower lip of the surface over which it passed, and forced a passage which was steadily deepened into an exit gorge. During the last half million years the river has scoured out eight of these cracks across its bed. The Victoria falls occurs where the river is 1688 m wide, presents the spectacle of an average maximum of 550 million liters of water a minute tumbling over the lip of the trench in five main falls, the Devil’s Cataract, Main falls, Horseshoe Falls, Rainbow falls and the Eastern Cataract. The highest of these is Rainbow falls, on an average 108 m high. A peak flood sees 750 million liters of water in one minute hurtling over the falls.

The name Zambezi comes from the Tonka tribe, also meaning Great River, but the Sotho-speaking Kololo people of the upper reaches of the river gave it the well-known name of Mosi o a Thunya (smoke that rises). The Lozi people call it by the same name but translated it into smoke that sounds. The Ndebele call it aManza Thunqayo (the water that rises like smoke). The Namibian people call it Chinotimba (a noise-making place like the distant sound of digging). Distance: 330km

Cross the Kazungula ferry into Botswana and head south to the shimmering saltpans of Makgadikgadi. The pans are the size of Switzerland and most of the time, appear as white, endless plains. Head out on the pans for a night of wild camping in this expansive wilderness and catch a magnificent sunset.

What is known today as the Makgadikgadi Pans is only a relic of what used to be one of the biggest inland lakes Africa has ever seen-Lake Makgadikgadi. The Makgadikgadi pan consists of two main pans, Namely Ntwetwe and Sowa pan, both of which are surrounded by a myriad of smaller pans. The pans are situated between the Nata-Maun road and the Francistown-Orapa-Rakops road. The pans are about 12 000 square km.

The abundance of established villages of the periphery and between the two main pans is ample evidence that the Makgadikgadi Pans have supported humans and their livestock for a long time. There is evidence at Lekhubu Island of stone age tools. During the middle 1800’s, the Makgadikgadi pans area became increasingly important as a major trade route. It all began when Livingston announced the existence of Lake Ngami, which, at the time, was brimming at the edges. Traders and explorers flocked to the area. The major trade routes during the time of the early explorers ran through the narrowest section of Ntwetwe pan, the journey was usually done at night to avoid the heat, which was intensified by the reflection of the white pans. Traders also planned their journeys according to the availability of Tsamma Melon which was and still is a source of water for humans and animals. On the northern side of the pan was permanent water at Gutsha Pan. The local San inhabitants pointed out this pan to the traders. The only evidence of the presence of early traders, explorers, missionaries and thieves are the names inscribed on the Baobab trees,

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is situated 162 km east of Maun and 143 km west of Nata (to the left of the Makgadikgadi pans). It was declared a game reserve in 1970, but in December 1992 it was enlarged and declared a national park. Today it comprises 4900 square km. It was initially state land. Although it is totally devoid of any water, people used to live there before it was declared state land. Villagers where allowed to graze their livestock inside the boundaries during dry season.

About 20 000 years ago the Makgadikgadi Lake was filled to capacity and the waters had to find another outlet to the Indian Ocean. The waters were forced northwards and then eastwards, causing the middle and lower Zambezi to connect, an event that resulted in the formation of Victoria Falls. This partly drained the Lake. At the same time a drier climate period followed, which increased evaporation and decreased river flow. The increasing evaporation eventually resulted in the Makgadikgadi pans as we know them today. By 10,000 years ago much of Lake Makgadikgadi had dried up. The sediments carried by the Okavango River were increasingly deposited in Lake Okavango and the lake gradually filled up with debris and windblown sand. Another geological fault, namely the Gumare fault, which is directly in line with the Selinda Spillway and the Lynyanti River, was then formed. It constitutes the southern most point of the Great Rift Valley Distance: 260km

Enter the Nxai Pan National Park and visit the ancient Baines Baobabs before making camp near the Nxai Pans. Take an afternoon game drive around the waterhole to see the springbok, gemsbok and hopefully lions!

Nxai Pan is an extensive grass plain and the smaller of two pans. To the North-East is the similar but smaller Kgamagama Pan and to the South-East the beautiful Kudiakam Pan, graced by a striking group of baobab trees. These trees, towering majestically above Kubu Island, are known as the ‘sleeping sisters’, the ‘seven sisters’ and ‘Baines' baobabs’, after a painting Baines did of them in May 1862. The trees, with their ghostly arms and fingered branches, have supposedly not changed since then. Both the Makgadikgadi Pan and the Nxai Pan have been designated national game reserves.
Distance: 180km

Head to Maun, the bustling frontier town where we prepare for the Moremi and Chobe leg of our tour. After setting up camp, have a relaxing afternoon at the swimming pool and, time permitting, view game during a flight over the Okavango Delta (at own expense).

Maun is the gateway to the Okavango Delta and has for a long time enjoyed the reputation of being Botswana’s own frontier town. Today it is one of the fastest growing towns in Africa. It was originally established in 1915 by the Batawana, a splinter group of the Bangwato. The name Maun means “place of reeds”.

Distance 70km

After leaving some of our luggage in Maun, we begin our fantastic overnight excursion into the delta as we drive in customized safari vehicles about 1-2 hours (depending on which dock we go to) to the "dock" where we hop into a mokoro, a dug-out canoe that will take us deep into the delta. After a couple hours in mokoro, we arrive to our basic “bush camp”. In the afternoon, enjoy game walks, mokoros (occasionally unavailable due to seasonality), birdlife and game viewing in the pristine wilderness area of the Okavango Delta, the world's largest inland delta.

"Where all this water goes is a mystery", Aurel Schultz, 1897

The area of the delta was once part of Lake Makgadikgadi, an ancient lake that dried up some 10,000 years ago. Today, the Okavango River has no outlet to the sea. Instead, it empties onto the sands of the Kalahari Desert, irrigating 15,000 km_ of the desert. Each year some 11 cubic kilometers of water reach the delta. Some of this water reaches further south to create Lake Ngami. The water entering the delta is unusually pure, due to the lack of agriculture and industry along the Okavango River. It passes through the sand aquifers of the numerous delta islands and evaporates/transpirates by leaving enormous quantities of salt behind. This precipitation processes are so strong that the vegetation disappears in the center of the islands and thick salt crusts are formed. The waters of the Okavango Delta are subject to seasonal flooding, which begins about mid-summer in the north and six months later in the south (May/June). The water from the delta is evaporated relatively rapidly by the high temperatures, resulting in a cycle of cresting and dropping water in the south. Islands can disappear completely during the peak flood, then reappear at the end of the season. Distance: 70km

Up before the sun, set out on foot to explore the delta area in search of game. Cruise back down the crystal clear channels of the Okavango Delta. Arrive back in Maun and spend the afternoon taking a guided tour of a commercial crocodile farm (at your own expense). We return to Maun for the night.

Maun, although officially still a village, is the fifth largest town in Botswana. It is an eclectic mix of modern buildings and native huts. Maun is the "tourism capital" of Botswana and the administrative centre of Ngamiland district. Maun has developed rapidly from a rural frontier town and has spread along the Thamalakane River. It now boasts good shopping centres, hotels and lodges as well as car and 4-wheel drive vehicle hire. It still retains a rural atmosphere and local tribesmen continue to bring their cattle to Maun to sell. This community is now distributed along the wide banks of the Thamalakane River where red lechwe can still be seen grazing next to local donkeys, goats and cattle.
Distance: 150km

Moremi Game Reserve rates as one of the leading wildlife areas of the world. Take an open 4WD vehicle into Moremi for fantastic game viewing. Grasslands, floodplains, forests, lily lagoons and winding water channels combine to form a variety of game viewing habitats. Spend your days on game drives watching the plentiful wildlife including wild dog, elephant, hippo, buffalo, lion and other game.

Covering about one third of the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve is undoubtedly one of the top wildlife destinations in Africa. It is nestled within wildlife management areas, allowing free movement of game across its borders and offering a safety zone during the hunting season. The landscape is friendly, consisting mainly of Mopane trees and gray-white tracks that wind their way through the landscape. In parts the Mopane trees attain great proportions, forming a magnificent cathedral forest that dwarfs everything in its wake. The giant forest contrasts beautifully with the wide open spaces of the Kwai floodplain and the lush island vegetation of the Xakanaxa area. There are seasonal pans, salt pans and rivers that attract a multitude of wildlife and birds.

When it was first established in 1963, it covered only a dry land triangle. During the 1970’s it was enlarged to include Chief’s Island, covering an area of 3,825 square km. In 1991 a section between the Nqoga and Jao rivers in the north-east was added to the reserve, bringing the total surface area to 4,871 sq km. Distance: 150km

Move north over the sand ridge and into the Mababe depression to arrive at the Savuti Marsh. This open grassland area attracts herds of zebra and wildebeest, which in turn draw the large lion prides that Savuti is famous for. The waterhole near camp is also a favourite drinking point for many elephant and the sunsets here are fantastic.

The Savuti Marsh area, 10,878 km large, constitutes the western stretch of the park (50 km north of Mababe Gate). The Savuti Marsh is the relic of a large inland lake whose water supply was cut a long time ago by tectonic movements. Nowadays the marsh is fed by the erratic Savuti Channel, which dries up when rainfall is abundant and floods up at other times. The channel can also stop flowing during long periods then curiously flows again, a consequence of tectonic activity in the area. As a result of this variable flow, there are hundred of dead trees along the channel's bank. The region is also covered with extensive savannahs and rolling grasslands, which makes wildlife particularly dynamic in this section of the park. At dry seasons, tourists going on safari often view warthogs, kudus, impalas, zebras, wildebeests and above all elephants bullying each other. At rain seasons, the rich birdlife of the park (450 species in the whole park) is well represented. Packs of lions, hyenas, zebras or more rarely cheetahs are visible as well. This region is indeed reputed for its annual migration of zebras and predators.
Distance: 140km

Proceed towards Chobe National Park in the morning and stay just outside of the park near the town of Kasane. Spend the afternoon, relaxing at the campsite. The next morning, take a game drive (own tour vehicle) in the national park, and then take the afternoon sunset cruise on the Chobe River - your best opportunity to view hippo, crocodiles and watch many elephants wallow in the water.

Kasane is situated on the banks of the Chobe River, near its mouth. This is where the Chobe and Zambezi rivers meet, creating a border area of four countries – Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Chobe National Park is Botswana’s first national park, and is situated along the Chobe River. It has one of the largest concentration of wildlife in all the Africa continent and one of the world's last remaining sizeable wilderness area. By size, this is the third largest park (11,000 sq km) of the country, though it is definitely the most diverse and spectacular.

The park is probably best known for its spectacular elephant population: with over 120,000 it has the highest elephant concentration of Africa. Moreover, most of them are probably part of the largest continuous surviving elephant population on Earth. The elephant population seems to have solidly built up since 1990, from the few initial thousands. By chance, they have not been affected by the massive illicit exploitation of the 1970's and 1980's. Elephants living here are Kalahari elephants, the largest in size of all known elephant species. Yet they are characterized by rather brittle ivory and short tusks. Damage caused by the high numbers of elephants is rife in some areas. In fact, concentration is so high throughout Chobe that culls have been considered, but are too controversial and have thus far been rejected. During the dry season, these elephants sojourn in Chobe River and the Linyanti River areas. During the rain season, they make a 200 km migration to the south-east region of the park. Their distribution zone however outreaches the park and spreads to north-western Zimbabwe.

Chobe National Park is also known for its lion population, who on occasion do hunt the elephants. The original inhabitants of this area were the San bushmen (also known as the Basarwa people). They were nomadic hunter-gatherers who were constantly moving from place to place to find food sources, namely fruits, water and wild animals. Nowadays one can find San paintings inside rocky hills of the park. Distance: 100km

Cross the Zambezi River to enter into Zambia and continue to Livingstone. We will spend the last night of our tour here, a great base to see both some natural wonders and take part in some exciting activities. Get up close (and wet from the spray) while awing at the immense Victoria Falls, raft the whitewater of the mighty Zambezi, for the more adventurous, bungee jump with the Victoria Falls in view.

David Livingstone was born on March 19, 1813 in the village of Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. He first studied Greek, medicine, and theology at the University of Glasgow and while working in London, joined the London Missionary Society became a minister. He originally planned to gain access to China through his medical knowledge. The Opium Wars, which were raging at this stage with no signs of peace on the horizon, forced Livingstone to consider other options. From 1840 he worked in Bechuanaland (present-day Botswana), and in the period 1852–56, he explored the African interior, and was the first European to see the Mosi-oa-Tunya waterfall (which he renamed Victoria Falls after his monarch, Queen Victoria). Livingstone was one of the first Westerners to make a transcontinental journey across Africa. The purpose of his journey was to open the routes, while accumulating useful information about the African continent. In particular, Livingstone was a proponent of trade and Christian missions to be established in central Africa. His motto, inscribed in the base of the statue to him at Victoria Falls, was “Christianity, Commerce and Civilization.”

The town of Livingstone is a regional transport center, being located near the borders of Botswana and Zimbabwe, and serves as a base for the many visitors to see this part of Africa, and the impressive Victoria Falls, a mere 12km from Livingstone.

The Victoria Falls waterfalls occur in a country that is perfectly flat. From its source on the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Zambezi River meanders for 1300 km across the wooded plateau of Zambia, eroding for itself a shallow valley on its mild descent to the site of the falls. The river eventually found a weak spot on the lower lip of the surface over which it passed, and forced a passage which was steadily deepened into an exit gorge. During the last half million years the river has scoured out eight of these cracks across its bed. The Victoria falls occurs where the river is 1688 m wide, presents the spectacle of an average maximum of 550 million liters of water a minute tumbling over the lip of the trench in five main falls, the Devil’s Cataract, Main falls, Horseshoe Falls, Rainbow falls and the Eastern Cataract. The highest of these is Rainbow falls, on an average 108 m high. A peak flood sees 750 million liters of water in one minute hurtling over the falls.

The name Zambezi comes from the Tonka tribe, also meaning Great River, but the Sotho-speaking Kololo people of the upper reaches of the river gave it the well-known name of Mosi o a Thunya (smoke that rises). The Lozi people call it by the same name but translated it into smoke that sounds. The Ndebele call it aManza Thunqayo (the water that rises like smoke). The Namibian people call it Chinotimba (a noise-making place like the distant sound of digging). Tour ends at 8:00 am after breakfast. Accommodation Participation camping (11 nts), Adventure Tents (1 nt). Brief Highlights Makgadikgadi Pans, Nxai Pans National Park, Chobe National Park, Moremi National Park, Okavango Delta, Savuti National Park, Victoria Falls, Maun. Brochure Notes Departure Departs monthly DepEnd Sun-Fri
Wed-Mon Group Leader Tour leader, driver, local guides. Group Size Max 14, Avg 8 Included Highlights - Makgadikgadi Pans entrance
- Nxai Pans National Park entrance
- Chobe National Park entrance with game drive and river cruise
- Moremi National Park entrance with game drive
- Okavango Delta entrance with mokoro excursion
- Savuti National Park entrance with game drive Local Payment USD300 Max Pax 14 Meal Budget Allow USD60 for meals not included. For additional expenses, see trip details. Meals Included 12 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 9 dinners. Min Pax 6 StartFinish ex Victoria Falls (Livingstone) Testimonial "We were interested in experiencing African wildlife in as natural a setting as possible...our trip certainly lived up to expectation in Botswana where we loved the Okavango, Moremi and Chobe." - Hilary Packham travelled on Botsawana and Falls Adventure Transport Safari Vehicle, Mokoro. A Couple of Rules Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for G.A.P Adventures Adventure travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our group leader has the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or they use prostitutes.
About our Transportation This trip is done in private 4x4 safari vehicles. We use a few different types of vehicles, depending on the group sizes. The common factor that links these vehicles is the design – these vehicles are designed for game viewing. The driver’s cab is separated from the back passenger’s area, which has a set-up of several rows of bench-style seats, covered by a solid roof, with no windows. In the region, this is known as an “open-vehicle”, as there is a roof with a frame, but the vehicle is open to the elements. This type of vehicle is advantageous because while travelling, it allows you feel a part of the African landscape, as opposed to be travelling through it. There are flaps to cover the windows in needed. Please note that for early mornings, it may be cool while in the vehicle, and as such, a sweater or light jacket is recommended. In addition, you will be exposed quite a bit to dust from the roads, and as such, you should ensure that you have a protective cover for you camera

If there is a large group, 2 vehicles may be used, and the group could be split up. Road conditions can run the full range of conditions from new to very poor. This style of travel is by no means luxurious, but the seats are comfortable and having our own private vehicles allow us the flexibility of making stops when needed, and to stay and watch that crouching lion prepare for an attack.
Arrival Complications We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, as soon as possible please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your trip leader (if you are not on a group tour please refer to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier). If you are unable to get in touch with your leader, please refer to our emergency contact details. If you have pre-booked an airport transfer and have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.
Associated Planeterra Project
Brochure Intro Explore Chobe by boat, admire the stunning views of Victoria Falls, enjoy game drives through some of Africa's best parks and take a jouney into the stunning Okavango Delta by canoe. This is a true adventure into the untouched African wilderness of Botswana. Checklist •Fleece top
•Windproof/waterproof jacket
•Small towel and swimwear
•4 shirts/t-shirts
•Sun hat
•Warm sleeping bag
•1 pair of shorts
•2 pairs of long trousers
•1 pair hiking pants/track pants
•Hiking boots/sturdy walking shoes
•Sport sandals
•Sunblock
•Sunglasses
•Toiletries (biodegradable)
•Watch or alarm clock
•Water bottle
•Purification tablets or filter
•Pocketknife
•Flashlight (with extra batteries and bulbs)
•Money belt
•First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)

NOTE: Insect netting covering windows and door of tent is provided. We also recommend to bring individual mosquito nets for better protection.

Optional Items:
Camera and film, reading/writing material, binoculars, cover for backpacks.

Documents:
•Passport (with photocopies)
•Travel insurance (with photocopies)
•Yellow fever certificate
•Airline tickets (with photocopies)
•USD cash and traveller's cheques
•Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
•G.A.P Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information and dossier
•Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
Departure Tax USD20, may be included in the international air ticket (when departing from Livingstone the tax is payable only in USD, ZAR & GBP). Detailed Trip Notes American Dollars that are series 1996 or earlier are not accepted and very difficult to change in Southern and Eastern Africa, as there are a lot of forgeries. As a result, these notes CANNOT be accepted as Local Payment.

Anyone who is generally active and in good health should enjoy this trip. This is not a physically demanding journey; however, travelling can be difficult, with long drives and poor road conditions at times. Despite this, most clients feel that the diversity of the African landscape, culture and wildlife are all well worth the experience. We use a comfortable and safe customized safari truck for the long open road drives. This is a true African experience for outdoor enthusiasts interested in culture, adventure and wildlife, who enjoy simple campsites and basic wild camps. We will get dusty on occasion; but this is Africa!

Other Trip Comments
An essential part of your safari is participation - from putting up your tent (while camping) or packing away in the morning, to helping with meal preparation and cleaning up - it is all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Your tour leaders will do all the meal preparation, but we do ask the clients to help with the washing up. Team spirit is part of the fun!

Accommodation/Transport
Camping
While on safari (6 nights), we stay at designated campsites in Maun, Kasane and Livingstone. Campsite facilities are generally very good. There are hot and cold showers, restaurants, washing facilities and telephones available. Some camps in Botswana have simple reed enclosures for showers, but do have flush toilets. All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow) is supplied. We supply dome tents and assembly/disassembly takes only 5 minutes. All tents have built-in insect nets. Mattresses are also available, which are warm and comfortable. All camp chairs have a comfortable backrest.

Wild Camping
While in the Makgadikgadi, Nxai Pan, Moremi and Savuti, we camp wild in the African bush. Wild camps have very limited facilities; we will take our own water, toilets and showers (in most cases) and all equipment. Wild camping can be very enjoyable, however please remember that we leave no trace of our stay and take all rubbish away with us. Toilets will be of the 'dig and bury' variety and we will provide 'bucket in a tree' style showers (with canvas screen for privacy). Wild camping is the ultimate African bush experience as we camp right in amongst the wildlife, so there is a possibility of elephant and other game coming very close to camp. Your safari guides will have your safety as a priority, so please ensure that you obey all their bush camping instructions. (6 nts).

Transportation
Walking: easy to moderate walks in Victoria Falls and Makgadikgadi (from .5 - 4 hours)
Mokoro (dugout canoe): poled by our local guides in the Okavango (subject to water levels)

4WD vehicle: we use open game viewing 4WD vehicles.
This allows us the opportunity to really feel part of the bush, the smells, sounds and of course great views! These vehicles have canvas top to protect from the sun, but the views are unsurpassed.

Food
This trip includes three healthy meals per day, except where otherwise indicated in the itinerary, when we will try out local restaurants. The tour leaders do the shopping and meal planning for each group. He/she will always try to obtain fresh produce wherever possible. A rough idea of what these will consist of is: breakfast - cereals or coffee and toast or the occasional fried breakfast; lunch - cheese, cold meats, salads on bread or rolls; dinner - braais (local barbecue), potjies (stews), stir fries etc. We use regular plates, cups and cutlery. All cooking and eating utensils will also be provided. All beverages will be at your own expense. We will not supply bottled drinking water although it is available at many shops along the tour.

REGIONAL INFORMATION
Climate
Southern Africa is renowned for its excellent outdoor living climate. The winter months are from May to September and are characterized by cold nights and pleasant days. Summer is from October to April and starts off with increasing dry heat and dust. Rains generally only start from mid to late December and last until March; this period is hot and humid. For the winter months, we recommend a sleeping bag rating of 3Page 7/7 seasons.

Botswana:
Full country name: Republic of Botswana
Area: 600,370 sq km (231,800 sq mi)
Population: 1.6 million Capital city: Gaborone (pop 192,000)
People: Botswana 60%, Bakalanga, Basarwa, Bakgalagadi
Languages: English, Setswana
Religions: indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 50%
Government: parliamentary republic
President: Festus Mogae
Major industries: diamonds, copper, nickel, coal, salt, soda ash, potash, livestock processing, sorghum, maize, millet, pulses, groundnuts (peanuts), beans, cowpeas, sunflower seed, livestock
Major trading partners: EU, Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Zimbabwe

The first inhabitants of Botswana were the San (Bushmen). They still populate the country, but the Tswana tribe is now more prominent. Other tribes include the Kalanga, Nbukushy, Yei and the Herero. The Herero women still wear the full-length Victorian-style dresses, which were introduced to them by German missionaries in the late 1800’s, however it is now a tribal trademark. The British controlled Bechuanaland (as Botswana was then known) from 1885 until the country received their independence on September 30th 1966. Ironically diamonds were discovered in Botswana in 1967! Interesting fact – Botswana’s diamonds do very well on the International market as they are classified as “Blood free,” meaning they are not used to fund guerrilla warfare. Botswana has the strongest economy and currency in Africa, mostly due to their diamonds and livestock. The European Union put many stipulations on their imported meats and Botswana’s tight vetenary checks, aiming at controlling foot and mouth, mean that the EU are happy to buy their meat. Agricultural income will improve when they have combated the problem of widespread drought. They are currently installing irrigation systems around the country to try to feed the most water-deprived areas. Botswana handles it’s international debt much better than any other African country with the interest being paid with one months export earnings, rather than the six months earnings it takes most other African countries. With the amount of for ex the have saved up the country could survive with no income for 36 months. Botswana has the world’s highest birth rate at 3.5%, and average women have 5 children. The country has a strong currency, the Pula meaning rain and the Thebe meaning raindrop. Government policies and poaching: Their policy on tourism is “high cost and low impact” therefore rather having a few less tourists and charging more money for the privilege of a visit to a park or similar. The country has a very good army, which has an anti poaching unit. Poaching has in the past been a problem in the country but in now almost under control. The army is allowed to shoot to kill without asking questions if you are caught poaching. Rhinos are very few due to poaching and they have breeding programs in place.

Okavango Delta:
The Okavango delta is one of the world’s largest inland water systems. It's headwaters start in Angola’s western highlands, with numerous tributaries joining to form the Cubango River, which then flows through Namibia (called the Kavango) and finally enters Botswana, where it is then called the Okavango. Millions of years ago the Okavango River use to flow into a large inland lake called Lake Makgadikgadi (now Makgadikgadi Pans). Tectonic activity and faulting interrupted the flow of the river causing it to backup and form what is now the Okavango delta. This has created a unique system of waterways that now supports a vast array of animal and plant life that would have otherwise been a dry Kalahari savanna. The delta’s floods are fed from the Angolan rains, which start in October and finish sometime in April. The floods only cross the border between Botswana and Namibia in December and will only reach the bottom end of the delta (Maun) sometime in July, taking almost nine months from the source to the bottom. This slow meandering pace of the flood is due to the lack of drop in elevation, which drops a little more than 60 metres over a distance of 450 kilometres. The delta’s water dead-ends in the Kalahari – via the Botetle River, with over 95 per cent of the water eventually evaporating. During the peak of the flooding the delta’s area can expand to over 16,000 square kilometres, shrinking to less than 9,000 square kilometres in the low period. As the water travels through the delta, the wildlife starts to move back into the region. The areas surrounding the delta are beginning to try out (the rains in Botswana occur approximately the same time as in Angola) and the wildlife starts to congregate on the edge of the newly flooded areas, May through October. The delta environment has large numbers of animal populations that are otherwise rare, such as crocodile, red lechwe, Sitatunga, elephant, wild dogs, buffalo, wattled crane as well as the other more common mammals and bird life. The best time for game viewing in the delta is during the May-October period, as the animal life is concentrated along the flooded areas and the vegetation has dried out. The best time for birding and vegetation is during the rainy season (Nov.- April) as the migrant bird populations are returning and the plants are flowering and green.

ZAMBIA
Full country name: Zambia
Area: 752,615km2 (17th largest in Africa)
Population: 10.4 million
Capital city: Lusaka
Largest Towns: Lusaka, Ndola, Livingstone, Kabwe, Kitwe.
People: Bemba, Tonga, Nyanja, Ngoni, Lozi plus many other different groups as well as Colonial ex-pats and people of Asian descent
Official Language: English
Other Languages: Bemba, Tonga, Nyanja, Lozi
Religion: Christian, ZCC and Islam
Government: Multiparty parliamentary democracy
President: Levy Mwanawasa
Currency: Kwacha
Major industries: Agriculture (mainly subsistence farming), mining, tourism

• Formally called Northern Rhodesia, Zambia gained its independence from colonial Great Britain in 1964.
• By the end of 1970, Zambia has become one of the poorest countries in the world due to corruption, mismanagement of the economy and a fall in the world copper price.
• In the 1990s Kuanda, the president since independence, was forced to amend the constitution, legalizing opposition parties and setting full elections in 1991. They were defeated by Frederick Chiluba. However, Zambia’s situation has not improved.
• The country has three distinct seasons: cool and dry from May to August, hot and dry in September and October and rainy between November and April.
• The majority of the population are subsistence farmers and there are also some large commercial farms growing sugar cane.

INTERESTING FACTS
1. Zambia is the fourth-largest supplier of copper in the world and the leading producer of cobalt. Combined the mining of these two minerals accounts for 75% of Zambia’s foreign exchange and 5% of employment in the country.
2. There are 73 officially recognized ethnic groups living within Zambia’s borders, each with their own culture and language.
3. Unlike many African countries, Zambia’s borders do not adhere to any logical language or tribal boundaries.
4. Unlike neighbouring Botswana the Zambian government does not have a comprehensive anti-poaching policy and poaching remains a major problem facing Zambia’s wildlife.
5. Approx 750 different species of bird have been recorded in Zambia.
6. The Victoria Falls on the Zambian side is known as “Mosi oa Tunya” (the smoke that thunders)

THE ZAMBEZI RIVER
• The mighty Zambezi River, 2,700km in length, is Africa’s 4th longest river. This river is one of the largest and most impressive rivers in southern Africa.
• It crosses southern Africa from west to east flowing through 6 countries.
• The river rises in the far northwestern corner of Zambia and flows briefly through Angola before entering Zambia again. Further down the Zambezi forms a natural border between Zambia and Namibia and also briefly Botswana before plummeting over the Victoria Falls. It then acts as a border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and forces its way down the Batoka Gorge and enters Lake Kariba.
• Beyond the lake the Kafue River adds to the flow of the Zambezi as it runs through the Mana Pools and the Lower Zambezi National Park. The Luangwa River then joins it and the Zambezi enters Mozambique where it is again constrained by a dam, the Cahora Bassa Dam. Downstream from here the river slows and broadens and is joined by the Shire River, which drains Lake Malawi, and flows over coastal plains on its way to the Indian Ocean.

THE VICTORIA FALLS
• Rising in Northern Zambia, the Zambezi River flows in a southwesterly direction, passing through Angola and winding its way through the Barotse Plain in Zambia before entering the Caprivi Swamps where it is joined by the Chobe River. From this point the Zambezi takes an easterly course creating the boundary between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Here the river plunges 108 metres into the gorge below, forming the Victoria Falls, named in 1855 by David Livingstone in honour of his queen.
• In the season of floods – March to June – the river swells greatly, but the shallow valley contains it and the movement of the water is slow.
• Only a few minor rapids high up the valley, and the small Gonye falls, give it a flurry of speed. Along the full width of its course the river tumbles into a deep trench only about 200m wide.
• The Falls measure 1708 metres across and have a mean maximum flow of 700,000 cubic metres per minute. The river has eroded the soft earth-filled cracks in the original volcanic basalt plateau and has, during the past half a million years, cut back a deep zigzag path forming a gorge 100 kilometres in length.
• The falls are divided into the Devil’s Cataract (27m wide and 60m high), the main falls, which in turn are divided by a projecting rock (524m + 297m wide and 83m high) and the Eastern Cataract 304m wide and 96m high.
• In 1960 the flow of the Zambezi was constrained by a massive wall, the Kariba Dam, at the time the largest dam ever built, creating a lake 220 km long and in places 30 km wide. After escaping the confines of the Kariba Dam, the Zambezi continues flowing on through Cahora Bassa Dam in Mozambique, finally reaching the Indian Ocean.

Local Currency
Botswana Pula; Zambian Kwacha. Please note that you will not be able to change Zambian Kwacha back to US$. Traveller's cheques are difficult to change, and they also attract a very poor exchange rate. Therefore we recommend you bring US$ cash in small denominations (no US$100's).

Electricity
220-240V, 50Hz. Electric plug types come in two sizes and are standard throughout the countries. The two and three square pin standard plug are acceptable in most parts of these countries.

Language
English is widely understood throughout Botswana. There are also numerous dialects spoken throughout different parts of both countries. Dossier Disclaimer The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and G.A.P Adventures. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Dossier Intro Explore Chobe by boat, admire the stunning views of Victoria Falls, enjoy game drives through some of Africa's best parks, and take a jouney into the stunning Okavango Delta by canoe. This is a true adventure into the untouched African wilderness of Botswana. Emergency Contact Should you need to contact G.A.P Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call our local G.A.P Adventures operator - Indaba Explorations (South Africa). If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.

G.A.P Adventures Operator - Indaba Explorations (South Africa)
Open 5 days a week, 9am to 6pm local time (GMT +2).
Tel: Int. Dialing Code +27 21 845 7400 +27 21 887 7661 (during office hours)
Indaba Emergency Cell Phone: +27 (0) 82 556 4562 (Rudolf) or +27 (0) 82 444 4303 (Yolanda), after hours

If you are unable for any reason to contact Indaba, we have a toll-free line for North America, which will connect you directly with our Toronto office. In the event that you cannot get through, you can reach a member of our Operations department at the mobile number below.

Toll-free, North America only: 1 800 465 5600.
Calls from the UK: 0870 999 0144.
Outside North America and the UK: +1 416 260 0999.
Mobile: + 1 647 504 6467 Emergency Fund Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (eg. a natural disaster) necessitate a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!
Feedback After your travels, we want to hear from you! Your feedback information is so important to us that you'll receive a special discount code for free online prints and we'll give you 5% off the price of your next G.A.P Adventures trip if your feedback is completed on-line within 30 days of finishing your trip. Please visit http://www.gapadventures.com/evaluations
Free Online Trip Journals An online Trip Journal is a great way to record stories and photos as you travel, not to mention sharing your experiences with friends. Encourage your family and friends to follow in your footsteps as you explore the world! With templates for over 300 G.A.P Adventures trips already online all you have to do to get started is log in, choose your trip and your departure date, it's quick and easy! Head to http://www.gapadventures.com/trip_journal. Group Leader Description Each trip will have a tour leader / guide on the trip. All trips that operate in Botswana must be run by a Botswana Registered Guide who will meet the group at predeparture and stay with the group for the duration of the trip. Depending on the number of clients on each trip will depend on the number of crew. If there is over 10 paxs there will be second Botswana registered guide on the safari. In the Okavango Delta we also use the services of Mokoro Polers and Guides. There is one Polers for every two passengers. Health We recommend you contact your family physician, or your local travel clinic for the most up-to-date health information at least one month before departure. Travelers should also carry a basic first-aid kit. Travelers to Botswana and Zambia should observe similar precautions to those taken elsewhere in Africa. Medical facilities are basic throughout these countries. For your own safety, we strongly recommend that you advise your tour leader of any medical condition that may affect you while travelling with the group. Be aware that all safaris enter malaria areas. Your doctor should be able to recommend the necessary prophylactics for the country you will visit. Please ensure you have all the inoculations recommended by your doctor.

On some days there will be no shops (such as in the National Parks) and water will need to be purchased in advance. Your guide will give you advance notice of the need to purchase bottled water. Hygiene is very important and special attention must be given during meal preparation and cleanup. Sterilising products and detol soaps will be provided. It is also recommend to bring along a personal hand sanitizer. Important Notes 1. A valid passport and visas are required for entry into Botswana and re-entry into Zambia.

2. An essential part of your safari is participation - from putting up your tent (while camping) or packing away in the morning, to helping with meal preparation and cleaning up - it is all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Your tour leaders will do all the meal preparation, but we do ask the clients to help with the washing up. Team spirit is part of the fun! All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow) is supplied. We supply dome tents and assembly/disassembly takes only 5 minutes. All tents have built-in insect nets. Mattresses are also available, which are approximately 4cm thick, warm and comfortable.

3. This is not a physically demanding journey; however, travelling can be difficult, with long drives and poor road conditions at times. Despite this, most clients feel that the diversity of the African landscape, countries, culture and wildlife are all well worth the experience. We use a comfortable and safe customized safari truck for the long drives.

4. It may be required to show a Yellow Fever certificate if you are traveling to Zambia from a Yellow Fever endemic country.
Itinerary Disclaimer While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit travel with G.A.P Adventures can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances. Joining Hotel Livingstone
ZAMBEZI WATERFRONT CAMPGROUND
1942B Sichango Road
Livingstone, Zambia
Tel: +260 33 20606 Joining Instructions A brief departure meeting will be held in the hotel reception area in the evening on Day 1 of your tour.

Taxi:
When arriving at the international terminal, depart the arrival hall and outside you will find taxis to town. It is apporximately 5km from the city centre and takes about 20 minutes (Cost is about $15usd for a taxi).

Pre-arranged:
You will be approached by every transfer person and asked your name. Do not volunteer this information. The transfer person should have a sign with G.A.P Adventures and the hotel name on it (at times the sign will have your name but not the hotel). Ask him/her who they are waiting for (or which hotel they are taking you to) and once they confirm, present your passport for proof of identity.

Tour ends in Livingstone on Day 13 at 08:00 am.
Keeping in Touch If you need to be contacted while travelling we recommend that you set up an email address that can be accessed on the road, rather than relying on postal mail. Email cafes are becoming increasingly commonplace and cheap throughout the regions we visit, and have quickly become the preferred way for our leaders and travellers to stay in touch. If someone wishes to contact you in an emergency while you are on one of our trips we recommend that they contact your local booking agent, or refer to our Emergency Contact. We recommend that family and friends don't try to contact you through phoning hotels en route, as our hotels are subject to change, and our hotel receptions often don't have English speaking staff.
Laundry Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap. Aboard the expedition ships Explorer and Andrea laundry facilities are provided at a charge. Aboard the Amazon Explorer laundry facilities are provided free of charge for each passenger once a week.
Local Flights All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure. Local payment description Most of our adventure tours involve a local payment. This is the final payment of your tour price, paid locally. Paying locally facilitates the flow of funds into countries that we travel through and also helps to reduce the overall price of the tour. This helps G.A.P Adventures keep our prices competitive and in-turn, pass our cost savings onto you. Payment is to be made to your leader or G.A.P Adventures representative upon arrival in cash in the requested currency. Please see our website, brochure or your trip documents and invoice for Local Payment.
Meals As mentioned above, most of the meals on this tour are included in the tour price. When a meal is not included, this is because there are often many options available - we would like to give you the opportunity to explore a bit and test the local cuisine yourself. In these cases, your tour leader will be able to suggest some good local restaurants or options for you to choose from.

All included meals will be prepared from fresh local produce. The majority of the shopping for foodstuffs will be done before the trip departs, and fresh goods, such as meats, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, will be bought en route during the trip from supermarkets, local shops and markets. Breakfasts will generally consist of breads and cereals, if time allows a warm breakfast may be prepared. Many lunches will be provided en-route and will be light meals such as sandwiches and/or salads. All evening meals will be freshly-prepared hot meals, and will consist of a variety of continental and local dishes.

Our cook will organize the meal preparation and lead the way here, but will prepare a duty schedule for ensuring a fair, rotating participation from you and your group members in the meal preparation and dish washing duties.

Vegetarian meals and other dietary requirements need to be specified prior to arrival. Medical Form Our small group adventures bring together people of all ages. It is very important you are aware that, as a minimum, an average level of fitness and mobility' is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travellers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum. Travellers with a pre-existing medical condition are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. This is to ensure that travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our leaders work hard to ensure that all our travellers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day's activities unaided. Please refer to the physical ratings in this Trip Details document for more information.
Please note that all passengers traveling to Antarctica are required to fill out this questionnaire.

The medical questionnaire can be found online at:

www.gapadventures.com/online_medical_form.
Money Exchange Both Zambia and Botswana have their own currencies. Please see below in this section for more details.

The easiest foreign currency to exchange for locally for any of the local currencies is the $; however the British Pound and Euro may also be exchanged as well. $US notes that are older than year 2002 are not accepted everywhere and can be difficult to change. In addition, $US notes prior to 2000 are worthless in some areas of Africa, as they are rarely accepted and impossible to exchange. We recommend $US 50 notes, and $US 100 notes can be difficult to change in some places.

If you plan to rely on cash, please bring foreign currency (Euro, Pound, USD) with you, as it is often expensive to buy these currencies locally. And in more rural areas, it is often not likely. Please note that South African Rand is widely accepted in throughout southern Africa, and you may use this as you “foreign currency” while travelling in other countries in the region.

Travelers’ cheques are not recommended in Africa. They are difficult if not impossible to exchange in many places. Where they are excepted, you often need the receipt of the purchase of the cheques, and the process of changes cheques where possible is extremely time consuming. Please no not expect to rely on traveller’s cheques for access to cash in Africa.

Debit cards are very useful for cash advances, but you must remember to bring your PIN number (be aware that many ATM machines only accept a 4-digit PIN). The Visa/Plus system cards are the most widely accepted debit cards; it is harder to find machines Master Card/Cirrus cards. While there are many ATMs in the major centres, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work in Africa. Check with your bank.

Credit cards can be used in major cities and towns ONLY but please do not rely on them as a method of payment because they are generally not widely accepted. You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 5%-10% usually applies. Credit cards, especially Visa cards, ARE INDEED USEFUL, HOWEVER, for taking cash advanced in ATMs

Please note that in many areas there may be occasional power-outages, where there will be no electricity for hours at a time. In addition, ATMs outside of larger centers often run out of cash or can be out of order unexpectedly. These factors could affect your ability to access money from ATMs. As such, please do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money.

A combination of foreign currency and debit/credit cards for cash advances is best, with traveller's cheques being a distant third option. Always take more rather than less, as you don't want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds. Experience has shown that upon arrival at the in Livingstone, that it is wise to change foreign currency to both Zambian and Botswanan currency. On day 2 once in Botswana, money can be changed and ATMs are available in Kasane. Maun also has a number of Bureau de changes and ATM machines.

As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com.

The currency of Botswana, the Botswana Pula (BWP), which again is divided into 100 thebe. There are notes of 10, 20, 50 and 100. The coins are as follows: 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 1 and 5 pula.

The Zambian kwacha, denoted by ZMK, is the official currency of Zambia. The ZMK, is further divided into 100 ngwee. Coinage consists of nickel-plated-steel 25 and 50 ngwee and brass 1, 5 and 10 kwacha. There are notes of 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 kwacha. The 500 and 1000 kwacha are both printed on polymer.
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Optional Activities Optional activity prices are subject to change and can fluctuate in relation to the high/low season and the number of people on a specific excursion. Not all excursions listed here may be available, due to season, or weather conditions. As generally not a lot of time is spent in start/end cities, you may want to arrange to arrive early, or stay longer after the trip in order to allow sufficient time to participate in optional activities there.

All prices are in US dollar amounts.

BOTSWANA
Chobe Game Walk and Sunset Cruise $75
Chobe Game Drive $40
Bush walk $20
Village tour $15
Makgadikgadi Pans day trip $80
Local Drive $11 (min 4)
Khama II Rhino Sanctuary game drive $25 (min 4)
Moremi Falls $43 (min 4)

ZAMBIA/ZIMBABWE
Vic Falls entry $10
Game drives (2 hours) $40
Elephant riding (2-3 hours) $130
Horse riding (1.5 hrs plus) $45-55
Flight (helicopter) $95 (15 mins) $190 (30 mins)
Flight (microlight) $95 (15 mins) $190 (30 mins)
Rafting (half day) $110
Rafting (full day) $135
River boarding $135
Canoe (upper Zambezi full day) $135
Zambezi cruise $35
Mukuni Village tour $25 Our Commitment to Responsible Travel in Antarctica Planeterra-The G.A.P Adventures Foundation Through G.A.P Adventures’ commitment to responsible tourism we have developed Planeterra – the G.A.P Adventures Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of people and communities around the world through support of international charities, local organizations and community projects in the places that we visit on our tours. G.A.P Adventures matches all individual donations and pays all administration fees, which means that 100% of each donation is doubled and goes directly to support our projects. For more information about Planeterra and the projects we support, or to make a donation, please visit www.planeterra.org

Planeterra Dollar-A-Day Program
Our Dollar-A-Day Program provides travellers with the opportunity to help us give back to the people and places visited on our tours by donating one dollar per day for the duration of their tour. 100% of these proceeds will go directly to support our Planeterra projects.

To participate in this program please indicate at the time of booking that you would like to participate in G.A.P Adventures’ Dollar-A-Day program, either by clicking the check box online, or by advising your GA.P Adventures specialist or travel agent. (Note: Donation will be charged in the currency of your booking) Responsible Travel Being a responsible tour operator is at the heart of what G.A.P Adventures is all about. From the start, G.A.P Adventures has been committed to offering low-impact tours that benefit traveller and host alike. While our sustainable tourism policies are constantly evolving, our commitment to socially conscious, grassroots style travel has never changed. We work with local communities, businesses and individuals to develop sustainable tourism opportunities that help local economies while minimizing negative environmental and cultural impacts.

For more information about our commitment to responsible travel, please visit the Sustainable Tourism section of the G.A.P Adventures website: www.gapadventures.com
Safety and Security Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your group leader will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.

Single Travellers We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Spending Money Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Tipping Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. It is one of the most direct ways that you can have a positive economic impact within the African community. Although it may not be customary for you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, as an important source of income for those in the tourism industry. Giving a tip should be a seen as a formal 'thank you', and the action should in no way be awkward. The best method of tipping someone that has served the whole group is to plan in advance, and not rush when it comes to saying goodbye. A suggestion would be for each group member to contribute anonymously by putting their tip into an envelope. This often works the best and the group as a whole should gather to present the gift to the recipient(s), offering their thanks and showing their appreciation. This method brings the action out into the open, allowing for a friendly and appreciative interaction between the group and the recipient(s).

You may use the following as a guideline, all given in a per client format: Restaurant/Café servers: 10% of cost of bill, especially when in a large group (no envelope required); Driver / Camp Cook / Tour Leader US$1.50 each, per day worked, per traveller. Travel Forum - The Watering Hole Be sure to stop by The Watering Hole, our adventure travel forum. If you're interested in meeting others booked on your upcoming trip, check out the Departure Lounge section of our forum and introduce yourself. Otherwise, just drop in at anytime to share some travel tips, ask questions, meet other travellers and quench your thirst for travel. Our forum is located at wateringhole.gapadventures.com. Travel Insurance Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Trip Specific Safety At the pre-departure your tour leader will give general information on the safety required for the duration of the trip. Each person will be responsible for their own valuables. As a lot of time on this trip is spent camping in the wilderness bush safety is of particular importance. The continent of Africa is beautiful, vibrant and friendly but if under estimated or mistreated she can hold some very unpleasant surprises. It is important to always listen to your guide as he is a professional and has yours and his safety at heart. Noise levels must be kept to a minimum both when in camp and on game drives. Never walk off into the bush unless a staff member accompanies you and tell someone where you are going. Always walk with a torch after dark.

Never walk more the 25 meters from the centre of camp. Don't leave your tent unnecessarily after everybody has retreated for bed. Keep your tent zipped up to keep out unwanted guests. Remember that it is perfectly safe inside your tent - no matter what sounds you might hear outside from some nocturnal visitors. Also keep in mind that the animals that enter the camp are the residents, and that we are the visitors. Validity Valid for all trips departing January 1, 2008 - December 31st 2008. Visas All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION.

As of January 26th, the Zambian government will no longer be issuing any visa waivers to individuals or tour operators. All travelers will be required to obtain a visa prior to entering the country, either at the border or in advance from your local embassy. Please note that the fees associated with Zambian entrance visas have increased for the majority of nationalities. We advise you to contact your local Zambian consulate or embassy to confirm the procedure and costs of obtaining an entrance visa. We Want Your Photos If you've got some great photos form your G.A.P Adventures travels, then post them online in our community! You can share photos - and videos - with our travellers from around the world. Simply go online to www.gapadventures.com/community to check out what other people have shared! We often have photo and video contests running too, so be sure to check our website often!
What to Take You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. Your baggage should be clearly labeled and restricted to one soft compact suitcase, or sports bag, maximum 15kg, plus a daypack. Luggage limits on airlines are strictly enforced and space on vehicles is limited. Porters are not often available, so be prepared to carry your own bags. It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings, as well as a warm jacket for early morning game drives. A set of smart casual clothes is also advisable. Your Fellow Travellers As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and are likely to be of a variety of ages too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part.