Disabled travel information, visa requirements, compulsory vaccinations

1. Visa requirements for foreign visitors to:

BOTSWANA

All nationals of foreign countries require a visa, except those from countries which have reached visa abolition agreements with Botswana.

The following do not require visas to Botswana:

Nationals of Commonwealth countries (except Ghana, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh) Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, German Federal Rep, Greece Iceland, Ireland Rep, Italy, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, Samoa (Western), San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, USA and Yugoslavia.

NAMIBIA

Citizens from the following countries are exempted from visa requirements if they are entering Namibia as bone fide tourists and they meet the minimum requirements stipulated below:

Angola, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Lesotho, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Malawi, Malaysia, Mozambique, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, the Scandinavian countries, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Singapore, Switzerland, Tanzania, UK, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

2. Health Requirements:

BOTSWANA

Compulsory vaccinations: none
Recommended vaccinations: Hepatitus A and Tetanus
Precautions: Malaria Prophylaxis

NAMIBIA

• For medications or any other similar requirements please consult your own doctor.
• If you take medications, then always tale more with you than you require, and split them up into more than one holder to reduce the risk of total loss. Your medications may not be as easily available where you are going.
• Ask your doctor for a broad-spectrum anti-biotic in case of problems. Get this script filled and carry it with any other medications.
• Get your doctor to give you a list of all the medications you will be carrying in case of border questions. The likelihood of this is rare, but it's better to be safe.
• The biggest killer in Africa is malaria. You should get your doctor to give you something to take regularly while away to prevent this.
• Yellow fever is prevalent in some central African countries, but not in countries that Endeavour Safairs conduct tours. No certificate is required for this unless you are travelling from an endemic area. Caccinations for yellow fever are usually only available from a specialist travel doctor.
• No caccinations are currently required for access to the countries Endeavour Safaris currently conductuct tours in. However it is strongly advised that you do get vaccinations under the advice of your own doctor.
• You can carry a medical sheepskin to Africa for skin protection, if this is required.

• Always take more (cathethers etc) than you require because, as with medications, extra ones may be hard to get get in the areas you will be visiting. Damage or loss may then not be as large a risk if more are carried.

• You should not bring valuable possessions such as expensive watches, diamond rings etc. Although the likelihood of theft is small, it is betterif a cheap watch were lost rather than an expensive one.
• We do advise that you bring a good camera, even if it is expensive. It is better that you get a good record of your tour, than a poor one.

• Direct flights are available between Australia and South Africa by using Qanta or South African Airways (SAA).
• All those that use a wheelchair will be required by the airline to transfer to an aisle chair to negotiate the aircraft aisle to their seat. Help is usually available from airline staff.
• Any special food requirements for a flight should be done in arrangement with the airline prior to the day of departure.
• You should check to see if any special carer discount is given by the airline prior to departure if you plan to travel with a carer.
• Travel companions, between Australia and South Africa, are not currently provided by Endeavour Safaris.

• Arrival is usually at Johannesburg and travel from there depends on your final destination - this may be by road or plane.
• Plane travel in Africa is usually done on smaller jets, which by their nature are more confining than a 747.
• Road travel in Africa is done by adapted four wheel drives or small buses. Main roads are usually asphalt, but minor/side roads are usually dirt and in poor condition when outside South Africa.
• Border crossings may invoolve a lengthy delay depending on the amount of traffic being processed by the border post.
• If sitting in a wheelchair, it is usually possible to remain in the bus while your passport is taken in for inspection and updating.

• Hotels used by Endeavour Safaris are wither 3 star or 5 star, and prices vary accordingly.
• Chalets/cabins will be of a good Australian 'motel' standard.
• All hotels/chalets/cabins used by Endeavour Safaris are wheelchair accessible.

• Tent beds are basically canvas cots that are stable and can accommodate a normal transfer from a wheelchair. If you cannot transfer, then staff can help you if required.
• A chemical toilet is provided in each tent.
• A shower is provided in each tent, which is filled with warm water each morning in readiness for your shower.
• All tents have separate access doors to allow toilet and shower servicing.
• A basic canvas toilet chair is available. If you require a commode, then you need to advise Endeavour Safaris prior to final payment of your account.
• If you require special food, then you need to advise Endeavour Safairs prior to final payment of your account. A wide variety of food will be cooked on a daily basis by the camp cook who travels with the group.
• Each tent is able to be sipped up and is insect proof.
• There is no need to exit the tent at night, as this prevents meeting any animals which may be wandering throught the camp while dark.
• Separate tour are encouraged to be arranged when small children are included.
• Satellite phones are carried by staff.
• Emergency medical airlifts to nearest main hospital can be arranged if required.
• Electricity (230v) generators are carried and power is available to those who psefically require it to charge batteries etc., but is not supplied to each tent.
• Mobile phones are useable whne connected to 'International Roaming'. Telstra generally have the better number of agreements with foreign countries, however during most of a camping safari, you will be out of range. Hiring a personal satellite phone to carry with you may be costly.
• Platform hoists are used to enable enable a wheelchair user , if they choose, to remain in their chair while travelling in one of the four wheel drives.
• If you require an interpreter (language/sign), then one should be able to be obtained at cost to you, and advance notice will need to be given.
• The pace of the safari can be altered. This would need ot be done by the concensus of all in the tour group, but their are no hard rules as to how early get get up or how many times a day you leave camp. Safety will always be of prime consideration, and any flight times which are needed to be met will also be taken into consideration.