Namibia: Epic Safari

If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally, you will need a valid passport to enter Namibia. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the scheduled departure date and a minimum of 3 blank pages to enable the entry visa to be issued. American and British citizens can currently receive tourist visas on arrival with no requirement for pre-arrangement. A maximum of 90 days is granted for a tourist visa.

If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally, you should contact a consulate or embassy of each of the countries visited on this itinerary to determine what travel documentation is required.

We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

To facilitate Travel Requirements, destinations are increasingly utilizing online forms that require digital proof that you've successfully completed your submission (via an email, QR code, etc.) To ensure smooth travels and peace of mind, we strongly recommend all guests carry a personal smart phone and sign up for international data plans before traveling overseas.

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN AS A GUARDIAN: If you are traveling as the guardian of a child/children, we strongly suggest that you carry a letter from both parents of the child authorizing emergency treatment in the event of illness or accident. For travel abroad, many foreign countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling internationally without BOTH parents. In the case of one parent travelling with a child, he or she must produce a certified n unabridged birth certificate as well as a court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights of legal guardianship in respect of the child, if he/she is the parent or legal guardian of the child; or where applicable, a death certificate of the other parent registered as a parent of the child on the birth certificate. A letter of consent from the absent parent, should the minor be traveling with one parent only

(These requirements are in response to the increased incidence of children being abducted and taken abroad.) PLEASE NOTE THAT TAUCK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for children traveling without both parents.

• U.S. citizens require a valid passport to enter the countries on this itinerary, and that passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the completion of travel.
• Signed, Notarized Letter from Parents: For guardians or grandparents traveling with minors, it is highly required to bring a signed, notarized letter from the children's parents. This letter should authorize travel and emergency medical treatment in case of injury or illness. Please note that the legal definition of a minor can vary by location and may be up to 21 years of age.
• Unabridged Birth Certificate of the child: An Unabridged Birth Certificate is a document that includes detailed information about both biological parents or legal guardians to cross into Botswana.
• In the case of one parent traveling with a child, he or she must produce a certified unabridged birth certificate of the child.
• A letter of consent from the absent parent, should the minor be traveling with one parent only.

For more information, please click on the link below:

Detailed information regarding Namibia can be found at:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Namibia.html 

Deposits:

Deposits and fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking.

The deposit amount is $600 per person

Final Payments:

Final Payment is due to Tauck 90 days before departure for lands trips, and 120 days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Effective for plans purchased as of July 1, 2021:

Tauck's Guest Protection

Tauck's Guest Protection provides you with cancellation protection before your journey begins as well as insurance benefits while you are traveling. Guest Protection includes the following:

Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost, based on your original method of payment.

*Extreme Circumstances: In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.

Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.

• Trip Cancellation – If you must cancel your tour due to a covered reason, the plan provides coverage for the amount you paid for your travel arrangements. Since the non-insurance cancellation waiver takes care of the land package cancellation fees already, this benefit reimburses the airfare cancellation charges up to the value of your original airfare purchase.
  
  
• Trip Interruption – If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement to catch up to your tour or return home.
  
  
• Travel Delay – Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.
  
  
• Medical Expense – Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 
  
  
• Baggage / Personal Effects Protection – Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.

• Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services – Provided by CareFree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

The cost of Tauck's Guest Protection is: $769 per person

This protection provides insurance coverage that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Fees are based on costs as of July 2021, and are subject to change. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined below, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost.

To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit  affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACGPPINTL.

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit

Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees.

If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit

Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply.

Loss of Guest Protection fee, per person 

Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

90 days or more before departure = $600 per person

89-8 days before departure = $1250 per person

7-1 days before departure = $2000 per person

Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

Note: All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

Click here to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

AIRFARE: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) in the My Account section of Tauck.com.

TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for any pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance. Details on locating your transfer upon arrival to the tour start city will be included in your final documents.

AIRLINES and CHECKED LUGGAGE: Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and are free to revise luggage policies without notice. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.

Carry-on Luggage - General

To help in your packing, Tauck will provide each guest with a duffel bag. This journey includes multiple internal flights on smaller planes, and the duffel bag will be your only piece of checked luggage for the most of this tour. The duffel bag has been specially designed to provide more than adequate space for essential items needed while on safari. Its dimensions are 24" long x 12" wide x 11" high and weights 1lb 12ozs.  The duffel bag will be used for days 2-9 and larger suitcases will be stored with our ground operator, Ultimate Safaris in Windhoek. Guests will be reunited with their large suitcases on the afternoon of Day 9. All of the accommodations on this tour have laundry services.

Please Note: Packing lightly is recommended as the Tauck-issued duffel bag will be the only piece of luggage allowed with you on safari. 

Strict limitations on our on-tour flights require that each guest take only one piece of soft-sided luggage (the duffel bag) weighing no more than 44 pounds, or 20 kilograms (this number includes any additional luggage such as a carry-on and any camera equipment). Soft-sided luggage is required to ensure your piece fits into irregularly shaped luggage compartments. Any additional bags may be stored with Ultimate Safari's and will be claimed upon return to Windhoek.

If you reside in the United States, a Tauck duffel bag will be sent to your home and should arrive approximately two weeks prior to your departure for Namibia. Guests residing outside the U.S. will receive their duffel bags upon arrival in Windhoek.

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for safari vehicle travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern safari vehicles offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, valuables, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the seat must be stored in the luggage truck, and will be inaccessible during daytime travel.

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Immigration authorities in some nations require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against certain diseases in order to enter those countries. These requirements are subject to frequent change as outbreaks occur and subside, and it is therefore crucial that you obtain the very latest information on entry requirements as you prepare for your journey.

For the most current information possible vaccination requirements, please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by clicking here and the World Health Organization (WHO) by clicking here. You may also wish to visit the web sites for the embassies of the countries you will be visiting. Besides providing details on vaccination requirements, these sites can also provide information on vaccinations that may be recommended (but aren't required) and other potential health issues for which no vaccines are available.

Any decisions relating to your health, of course, should not be based solely on information provided by a web site. It is critically important that you consult with your personal physician prior to your journey to obtain any required vaccinations and to review any optional recommendations offered by the CDC or other sources.

Please be sure to discuss your journey with your physician at least four to six weeks in advance of your departure, as certain vaccinations take time to become fully effective. Also, be certain to ask your physician for proof of any vaccinations you receive, and to pack this proof along with your other travel documents in your carry-on luggage (not in your checked luggage).

Researching and complying with vaccination entry requirements for the countries visited on this itinerary is the responsibility of the traveler and not Tauck. Tauck is therefore not responsible for any expenses incurred or disruptions to travel caused by improper or incomplete vaccinations, or by the failure to provide proof of required vaccinations.

If you do not obtain the necessary vaccinations and proper documentation, you may be denied entry into one or more countries, or temporarily quarantined until the necessary vaccinations are administered, or until proper documentation is provided.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. However, given the diverse nature of those food providers (from small wineries to grand hotels to world-famous restaurants in more than 70 countries worldwide), some of our partners are better able than others to accommodate such requests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal. Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited.

Please note that all Tauck guests will dine at Tauck Designated tables for meals. The majority of meals while on safari, are buffet due to the international guests that stay at the lodges.

MOBILITY

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

There are certain rules and regulations that one should be aware of while on safari. It is important that you listen to your tour director, local guide or ranger, as they are trained to be aware of the environment around them.

Guests should be aware that while on safari, you will be traveling in smaller groups and will travel on small bush planes and/or helicopters.

Guests will share smaller safari vehicles, where they will be required to rotate not only safari guides, rangers and cars, but also seats within the car. Please note that there are limited medical facilities, and guests will not have exclusive use to a vehicle should they need special attention or consideration.

The safari vehicles are not air conditioned. The cars have six window seats, and many are open air cars for animal viewing. Please note that the areas traversed on game drives are typically unpaved and will often be bumpy and dusty.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE ON SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN AND MOBILITY ISSUES: This Tauck itinerary cannot accommodate oxygen tanks, wheelchairs or motorized scooters. Oxygen tanks are strictly prohibited in many foreign countries on regional flights aboard small aircraft, such as those intra-tour flights featured on this Tauck journey. Likewise, the very limited cargo capacity on such flights prohibits the transport of wheelchairs or motorized scooters.

Guests should also bear in mind that the infrastructure in many foreign countries, particularly in developing countries, often presents severe and even insurmountable challenges for those with walking difficulties or other mobility issues. The responsibility of the Tauck Director is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey!

You can view the reading list here.

Winter (May to September) – Temperatures range in the interior from 18C to 25C during the day. Below freezing and frost are common at night.

Summer (October to April) – Average temperatures range from 20C to 35C during the day and temperatures above 40C are often recorded in the extreme north and south of the country. At the coast the temperature is generally much cooler, ranging from 15C to 25C, and fog is common. 

Rainfall – Early rains may occur from October onwards and the main rainy season falls between January and April. During this time flash floods are common.

To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website by clicking here.

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

For the welcome and farewell dinners, and for dining in the larger cities, many guests like to dress up, but by all means be comfortable.

While on safari you may wish to wear natural earth-colored clothing, such as khakis, tans, browns, and greens mainly to show less of the dust you will encounter.  However, it is not necessary and you can wear any color clothing on safari. Comfortable closed-toed walking shoes are essential especially when walking in the sand of the desert. It is also a good idea to bring a swimsuit, wide brim hat, sunscreen, sunglasses (a necessity and preferably polarized), and lip protection. 

Game drives can be dusty, so wear something that can be washed while on safari. Valet service is available at all lodges and hotels.A personal kit with medication for possible upset stomach, aspirin, and allergy medicine may also be useful. If you are taking prescription drugs, bring a prescription signed by your doctor in case you need an emergency refill while traveling. Insect repellent with DEET is a very important item to include in your kit. Pre-moistened towelettes, antibacterial lotion, and a flashlight will also be useful on your safari.

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

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

We suggest that you pack the following items your journey:

• Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks, long and short-sleeved shirts 
• Smart casual evening wear for welcome and farewell dinners
• Sunglasses (preferably polarized), sunscreen, wide brimmed hat 
• Swimwear 
• Undergarments for entire tour as some camps will not launder underwear.  Sports bra recommended for game drive as roads can be bumpy
• A sweater and fleece or windbreaker jacket for cold early morning and evenings 
• Binoculars (7x50 preferably) 
• Insect repellent 
• Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and chargers
• Lightweight, comfortable, closed-toed sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in – tennis shoes or hiking shoes are fine
• Travel alarm clock/cell phone with alarm functions 
• Rain poncho 
• Daypack for camera equipment 
• Sundries and toiletries that may be difficult to find en route Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling

Please refer to the Necessary Gear website at www.necessarygear.com as one option available to you for renting and purchasing apparel, PPEs, and other items appropriate for your journey.