- Allergies/food preferences - this is not going to be a problem. Tell your booking agency about it and they will inform the camps. If you have a good booking agency they will ask about it. My son has some severe allergies and on our last trip we informed ATR of this and with about a month to go, some of the camps got in touch with us to confirm the allergies and were actually asking about substitute ingredients or products. Once we got to the camps they already knew about his needs and would have specially prepared items for him when he couldn't have the regular fare. At one camp the head chef would actually walk him through the buffet and tell him exactly what he could or could not have. It was even easier than going out to eat in the US. The same is also true for those people eating vegan or other dietary needs.
- Money - here is where I'm going to refer you to your regular tax accountant. It costs plenty to take this sort of trip so the extra costs seem like pouring salt on a wound but there will be some times where you need money in some form. Do your homework. Some of the obvious ones are visas for entering various countries - you have to pay these in cash. Park entrance fees - if you are visiting some park on your own (Victoria Falls for example), then you will need to pay. Sometimes the credit card machines work, other times they don't - cash is king. Tips, tips and more tips. There are all sorts of recommendations on the web for how much and who to tip. I won't bother repeating all of that except to say the following. Tip your guides and trackers in camp and tip the camp staff (general and kitchen) - the camp will let you know how to do this. In theory, you can tip with a credit card, but that doesn't always work so bring cash. If you are driven long distances from the international airport or across borders, then tip these folks as well… in cash. This means that you will end up bringing a large chunk of cash with you on the trip. Just about all the countries will take US dollars and some even prefer it. Most airports will have a cash machine somewhere so if you run out but know you will travel through a real airport (not just a camp airstrip) then you can probably get some local currency at that point.
- Visas/Border crossings - as mentioned above you will need them for some countries and getting them as you enter the country is just fine. In southern Africa there is this somewhat new visa call a UniVisa or KAZA visa. Currently it allows you to go back and forth between Zimbabwe and Zambia on a single visa - this is actually quite handy and saves you some cash. In theory it will be expanding to Botswana and then other countries, but I'm guessing that expansion will take a bit of time. As far as the actual border crossings are concerned. They are all relatively
painless. There will be some lines but nothing horrendous unless you arrive at the same time as some huge tour group or a massive flight. - Victoria Falls - it's amazing and somewhat difficult to fully comprehend how big it is. I would highly recommend a visit if you can. One full day there is probably enough, but two days will give you some time to do some shopping at the local craft stores and stands. If you go well into the dry season (I'm guessing August and beyond) the water levels will drop, but this will allow you to see more of the falls without being drenched in spray. If you go at this time of year, force yourself to get up early and head to the left when you get into the park and take pictures of the falls with the sun rising in the background. Absolutely beautiful!
- Speaking of shopping. It's been mentioned before, but picking up some local craft items is not a bad idea. Just don't get so much that you are over your luggage weight limit!
That's about it - at least for now. I'm sure I have other thoughts rattling around between my ears, but they will have to wait for another opportunity to emerge.
