Visas

There is no visa required for entry into Botswana or South Africa. A Visa will be required for entry into Zimbabwe & Zambia. A single or double entry visa can be purchased either prior to departure or upon arrival*. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity. *If purchasing a visa to Zimbabwe or Zambia upon arrival please ensure you have the correct amount of cash as change isn't always available. Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe/entry-requirements

Insurance

We strongly recommend that all members of your party are insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.

Payment

If booking more than 10 weeks before departure a deposit of €300pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 10 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 10 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.

Flight Information

Flights are with Ethiopian Airlines. Each passenger is entitled to 23kg of hold luggage plus 1 item of hand luggage and 1 personal item such as a handbag, briefcase or laptop case. Weight restrictions will be finalised on your final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-In should be at least 3 hours before departure. Please note that all flight times are subject to change.
IMPORTANT: Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 10 days before departure. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you.
If you wish to arrange Airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras - Tel. 0871 360 2000, quoting HX313.

Health and Vaccinations

It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, or your General Practitioner.

Physical Accessibility

This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves moderate days of walking on uneven paths and small hills, and getting on and off coaches. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

Group Size

The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10, and the maximum is 30. In the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable

Tour Guide

This is an escorted tour, meaning the you will have the services of an English speaking guide during each excursion ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.

Currency Information

The currency in South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR). The currency in Botswana is the Botswana Pula (BWP). The Zimbabwean dollar is no longer valid currency, with all transactions currently conducted in US dollars ($). We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK. Some local banks will not change money back into Euro's or Pound Sterling, so do not change up too much money. It is advisable to carry smaller note denominations as some outlets and vendors may not accept the larger notes. US Dollars are widely accepted in Botswana.

Personal Expenses

You will need to take extra money with you to cover any dinners where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases. Approximately £200-£400 per person should be sufficient for the duration of your tour. Please bear in mind that there will be several shopping opportunities throughout your tour. Tipping is at your discretion, however we recommend approximately £6 per person (100/120 ZAR) per day. Tips are accepted in the local currency, however it is asked that if you do not tip in the local currency that you only pay with notes, as coins cannot be exchanged. As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit.