ARRIVE IN MAUN

On arrival at the Maun Airport guests will be met by the Drifters transfer driver and after exchanging money be taken to the Drifters Maun Lodge where they will spend the night.

NATIONAL PARKS

Setting off from the Maun Lodge after breakfast, our professional guide will take guests to the pristine wilderness areas of the National Parks. An example of our route could be: starting with Moremi, camping the first night near the well-known 3rd Bridge. Drift off to sleep to the howl of the Hyena or the earthy roar of a Lion, and even the deep grunt of a half-submerged Hippo. We then head on north via Xakanaxa to camp near North Gate. This area is generally excellent for game viewing and we will conduct afternoon and morning drives along the wetland areas.
On the last day of our time in the National Parks we make our way back to the Drifters Maun Lodge. This afternoon we will relax at the Lodge before enjoying a catered meal and a comfortable night.

MAKGADIKGADI SALT PANS

Our adventure continues and after a leisurely morning at the Maun Lodge we make our way to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Besides the stark scenery, the Pans are known for their prolific bird life and the other desert adapted animals. Without disturbing the surface, we make our way to a remote site where we set up camp and take in the isolation and serenity of this expanse.

MAUN LODGE

After exploring the Salt Pans for the last time in the morning we make our way back to the Drifters Maun Lodge where we will have time to relax around the pool and soak up the serenity of the area. Tonight we enjoy catered meal at the Lodge Restaurant.

DEPARTURE

After breakfast guests will be transferred back to the Maun Airport in time for their flight back home.

The day by day descriptions published are intended as a rough guideline only. Adventure travel by nature is unpredictable, weather patterns, game migrations, road conditions and a multitude of other factors may necessitate itinerary changes that ultimately are for the client’s benefit. It is essential that clients are flexible and open minded in this regard.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Please ensure that you are in possession of valid travel documents for all the countries, (Botswana) that you will visit. If you have any queries in this regard, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please ensure that you have proof of further travel arrangements if you do not have a South African passport, permanent residency permit, work permit or study permit. Although we will endeavor to assist, we do not accept any liability or obligation for your travel documents.
• Telephone number: Botswana Consulate in Johannesburg: (011)403-3748 / 9
• Or visit: Botswana Tourism at www.botswanatourism.co.bw

Make sure that your passport has at least six months’ validity from your planned date of return to your home country. Make two photocopies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, visas. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home. Please note that all guests travelling to South Africa will require two blank facing pages in their passport.

FOREIGN CURRENCY

Upon arrival in any respective country we operate in, you will be able to find a Bureau de Change OR ATM Facilities at the airport or in the Town/City the tour is departing from. It is advised to bring any major world currency (US Dollar, Euro or British Pounds) in small denominations and not dated older than 2009. It is advised to get a small amount of local currency upon arrival just to get around until your tour starts.
On Tour – Please be advised that our guides will inform and show you the best places to exchange any Major World Currency with the best possible exchange rates either before your tour starts or during the course of the tour. Our guides will brief you exactly on where to exchange and roughly how much you will need to exchange after discussing possible optional activities, own expense meals or possible curio stops.
The preferred currency in Botswana is Pula.

INSURANCE
It is compulsory that all passengers make arrangements for adequate travel insurance to financially safeguard against unforeseen circumstances. If you need further information please do not hesitate to contact us. Drifters Adventure Tours do not accept responsibility for any loss, injury, damage, accident, fatality, delay or inconvenience experienced whilst on tour. You will be required to complete and sign a full indemnity prior to your tour departure.
Your insurance should include all the countries and territories that your tour will pass through. You must ensure that you have sufficient cover for medical and evacuation costs, and should base this on advice from your insurer. A minimum benefit of USD 60 000.00 is recommended for evacuation from any area in which Drifters Adventure Tours operates in Africa to South Africa, with further benefits for medical costs in South Africa, and for possible repatriation to your home country. Please note that you will be required to furnish details of your travel insurance to Drifters Adventure Tours before you will be allowed to travel with us. Please ensure that these details are completely and accurately recorded in order to facilitate a claim should this be necessary.

HEALTH PRECAUTIONS & REQUIREMENTS

The only necessary prophylaxis for Southern Africa is against Malaria (Botswana). Adequate chemo-prophylaxis is essential. Prevention is better than cure, so we do advise to also use insect repellent on exposed areas after sunset. Please consult with your general practitioner regarding this. All Drifters Adventure Tours guides have first aid boxes for use in emergencies, however we recommend that you bring along your own basic supply of medication, headache tablets etc.
***Personal medication
Please bring along any personal medication that you might need on your tour as specific medication could be difficult to find or might not be obtainable in most places we visit. General medication for headaches, colds and fever are easy to get.
Please also inform your guide of any medical conditions. This information will be received professionally and kept confidential.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Please note that Southern African weather conditions vary tremendously from season to season. During summer months temperatures of up to 40°C can be experienced. During the winter months of June, July and August the nights are very cold, temperatures may drop well below 0°C, although the day temperatures will be pleasant at around 20°C.

CLOTHING & PERSONAL EFFECTS

Herewith a recommended guide of what to bring along:
For walking, hiking and Safaris
Sport Shoes / Sneakers
Sandals
Hat
Sun Cream
Water Bottle
Smaller day pack
Camera, Binoculars
Books (Birds, Mammals, personal reading books, Optional)

For general travelling (to keep yourself entertained on the longer drives)
Personal iPod
Personal Reading Books
A deck of cards or something similar
Battery chargers for your personal devices (Ipods, Ipads, E-Readers, Handy’s etc)

Our vehicles are well equipped with charging facilities while driving. A Two-pin charger is perfect.

Clothing and Toiletries
Long Trousers / Tracksuit
Shorts
Waterproof Windbreaker
Jersey / Jumper
Socks & Underwear
T-Shirts / Shirts
Hat or cap
Swimming Costume & Towel
Personal toiletries
Insect Repellent

General Accessories
Mosquito Net (Optional)
Malaria Prophylaxis (please inquire from your general Doctor at home)
Money (Sundry expenses, gratuities)
Torch / Flashlight / Batteries
Refreshments
Pen
Passport / Visas (if applicable)
Luggage and Packing space on our vehicles
** Luggage should be limited to a maximum of 15kg’s. Backpacks, Barrelbags or Soft Suitcases are strongly advisable.

MEALS AND REFRESHMENTS

Meals are provided as indicated in the brochure/website. Soft drinks, bottled water and alcohol are for your own expense; there is ample opportunity during the tour to buy refreshments. The guide will advise when you need to stock up for a couple of days.

PERSONAL EXPENSES

A reasonable amount of personal spending money must be brought on our tours. This is to cover own expense meals, bottled water, soft drinks, alcohol, sundry goods purchased- such as suntan cream etc., curios, optional extra excursions, airport tax, transfers and tips.

In Africa things work a little different to the rest of the World. Tipping or gratuity, unless otherwise specified, is not included in the price you pay for services delivered. This accounts for restaurant meals, casual help and the services of the guide or guides that you will meet on your tour.
In Southern and East Africa it is classified as a common courtesy to TIP “casual help (guides)”.
This TIP is not something that is forced upon you by any means, but in many industries of tourism it is customary. It works as follows: if you believe your guide has lived up to your expectations and has performed his/her job in a way that you respect and are happy with the services rendered, an amount of R 50 per day or equivalent amount of R50 per day in any major currency per person per day would constitute a fantastic tip. Remember that this is just a guideline and is not by any means compulsory, but seen as common courtesy in Southern and East Africa.