Bench International

PASSPORTS AND VISAS
Passport must have a validity of at least 6 months longer than your stay. Ensure your air ticket is in the same name as it appears in your passport, and ensure there are enough spare pages for visas. Visas are required for Australian Passport holders for Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda and currently can be obtained on arrival into each country, or in advance. Visa fees are payable in US Dollars cash. For Zambia a Visa waiver can be arranged in advance from Australia. For Egypt a visas need to be organised in Australia

HEALTH
Many adventure destinations expose people to unfamiliar environments. These risks are easily managed provided you have up to date pre - departure health information and immunisations, and a travellers medical kit.

We strongly recommend all our clients seek EXPERT advice about the best way to safeguard their health while away. These days there are specialised Travel Medicine Doctors that are familiar with the exact risks in the various countries, regions and itineraries etc and how to best manage those risks. You will get more up to date advice from a doctor with more knowledge in that area. Also some destinations require Yellow Fever vaccination which is not given by General Practitioners.

For more information about how to safeguard your health on your great adventure go to www.TravelMedicine.com.au/bench/

CURRENCY
Travellers cheques & Credit cards - Major credit cards are usually accepted at most large hotels and lodges, with wider usage in South Africa and Botswana. There is limited use in East Africa. US$ Travellers cheques are recommended and are the only ones accepted in Tanzania. AU$ cheques may be used in South Africa. Credit card use is currently not recommended in Zimbabwe - US Dollars in cash only.

ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation in this brochure varies from tented camps to luxurious hotels. Lodge accommodation can vary from rondavel type accommodation with central dining/lounge area to luxury suites all with private facilities, while tented camps offer a true "Out of Africa" bush experience with or without the luxury depending on your budget.

CLOTHING
The emphasis should be on informality and comfort. Lightweight clothing is recommended throughout the year with a jacket or jumper for the evenings, winter months and rainy days. Bush and neutral colours are suggested while on safari in order to blend in with the environment as well as a hat and comfortable walking shoes being a must. Dress is modest on the Swahili coast and Zanzibar in respect of Muslim traditions. When dining in large hotels, city restaurants and the Mt Kenya Safari Club, Rovos Rail and The Palace at Sun City, dress is more formal in the evenings. Comfortable shoes are a must. Most lodges have a swimming pool, so take your swimsuit.

ELECTRICAL
The voltage is 220-240 AC throughout. In some areas a generator is used and usage is limited to mornings and evenings. You will also need a multiadaptor for appliances.

LUGGAGE
Luggage should be kept to a minimum. On some tours, luggage is restricted to 10-15 kilogram so a smaller lightweight, soft bag should be used. Most city hotels have facilities for storing luggage.

MEALS
Food is generally buffet style with the added luxury of tropical fruits, excellent seafood and curries. Meal inclusions are shown in the itinerary B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Take adequate memory cards and camera batteries as although available locally, they may be hard to find at times. There can be a problem obtaining most film. It can be expensive and stocks are limited. A telephoto lens hood and filters will be useful for the enthusiast. Be sensitive when photographing local people and always ask permission which is usually given with a barter exchange of either copies of the pictures, cash or goods

SAFARI TRANSPORT
Transportation is by car, mini-bus, four-wheel-drive vehicle, coach or aircraft, depending on the tour arrangements and numbers of participants.

TIPPING
Tipping is not compulsory, but in Africa is customary dependant on the level of service provided. $2.00 per person is a fair tip at the airport and to hotel porters. Ten percent of a restaurant bill. Gratuities for driver and guides are entirely dependent upon the level of service provided - approximately US$7.00 per person per day, and US$7.00 per day for the general lodge and camp staff. Most lodges/camps have a staff tipping box.

COUNTRY SPECIFIC ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Note Departure taxes vary from time to time

SOUTH AFRICA
Climate - a continually sunny climate means that it’s a
pleasure to travel all year round. Mid-winter occurs in
June and July, mid-summer in December and January.
Language - English is the official languages with a
variety of tribal languages.
Currency - South African Rand, denoted by the R.
R1 = 100 cents
Visa - No visa is required for Australian passport
holders.
Local Time - GMT plus two hours.
Driving - On the left hand side and roads are in good
condition.

ZIMBABWE
Climate - Temperate all year round with the most rain
falling between November and March.
Language - English is widely spoken, along with Shona
and Ndebele.
Currency - Zimbabwe Dollar ZW$1 = 100 cents.
Visa - A Visa is required for Australian passport holders,
obtainable on arrival in Zimbabwe.
Local Time - GMT plus two hours.

BOTSWANA
Climate - Sunny all year round. Best game viewing
months April to October. Most rain falls during the
months of December to March.
Language - English is widely spoken
Currency - Botswana Pula divided into 100 Thebe.
Visa - No Visa is required for Australian passport
holders.
Local Time - GMT plus two hours.

ZAMBIA
Climate - The cool, dry months are May to August; the
hot, dry months August to November and rain falls
between November and April.
Language - English is widely spoken.
Currency - Zambian unit of currency is the Kwacha.
Kw1 = 100ngwee.
Visa – Waiver can be arranged in advance for Australian
passport holders.
Local Time - GMT plus two hours

KENYA
Climate - Due to the proximity of the Equator, Kenya
experiences a pleasant climate throughout the year. The
hotter months are from October through to March with
temperatures ranging in the mid to high 20’s. At the coast
daytime temperatures will be approximately 5 degrees
higher year round with an increase in humidity. There are
two rainy seasons – the long rains in April to May and the
short rains in October to November.
Language - English and Swahili are the official languages.
Currency - Local currency in Kenya is Kenyan Shillings
Local Time - GMT plus three hours

MOZAMBIQUE
Climate - Tropical and warm year round. Best time to
visit is May to October with warm days and cooler
nights. Low rain fall the rest of the year.
Languages -Portuguese and indigenous dialects
Visa - obtainable on arrival
Currency - Metical (MZM) however South African
Rand and US dollars are widely accepted. – cash and
travellers cheques are best
Local Time - GMT + 2

TANZANIA
Climate - Tanzania’s widely varying geography accounts for
its differing climatic conditions. The altitude of the high
plateau considerably tempers what would otherwise be a
tropical climate. The coastal strip along the Indian Ocean
and the offshore islands of Pemba and Zanzibar have a
hot, humid, tropical climate alleviated by sea breezes. Only
on the mountain slopes of the north-east does the country
enjoy a temperate climate for most of the year. The long
rainy season is from March to May, the short rainy season
is from November to January.
Language - Swahili and English are the official languages.
Currency - Local currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian
Shilling (TAS or Tsh)
Local Time - GMT plus three hours

UGANDA
Climate - Uganda lies on the Equator and the climate is
warm with little variation throughout the year, although the
higher areas can be cooler. There are two rainy seasons –
April to May and again October to November
Language - English is the official language with Swahili
widely spoken
Currency - Local currency in Uganda is Ugandan Shillings
(UGX)
Local Time - GMT plus three hours

NAMIBIA
Climate - Rainy season is October to April - daytime
temperatures are hot, and in summer nights are cool
and very cold in winter.
Language - English, German and Afrikaans are widely
spoken.
Currency - Namibian Dollar - 1ND = 100 cents
Visa - Australian passport holders do not require a Visa.
Local Time - GMT plust two hours.
Departure Tax - Included on tickets.
Driving - On the left hand side of the road and roads are
good but a 4-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended for
unsealed roads.

EGYPT
Climate - Most of the year, except for the winter months of Dec, Jan and Feb it is hot and dry. Summer temperatures range from 45C in Aswan to 31C on the Mediterranean coast. At night the temperatures can go down to as low as 8C.
Language - Arabic, however English is spoken widely wherever
tourists travel.
Currency - Local currency in Egypt is Egyptian Pounds (EGL).
1 pound = 100 piastas.
Visa - A three month single/multi entry visa is required for Australian passport holders, obtainable through Egyptian Consulate or on arrival.
Electricity -: Electric current is 220 volts in Cairo. 110/220 on cruise vessels.
Local Time - Standard time is two hours ahead of Greenwich mean time.
Tipping - is part of the earnings of Egyptians. Services such as opening a door or carrying bags warrants a nominal amount.
Depending on the length of your stay, guides and crew approximately EGL10 per day. Restaurants approximately 10% of bill.

JORDAN
Climate - Summers (May to September) are hot and dry with cool
evenings, whilst the coldest weather is in December and January.
Rain falls between November and March, with an average annual
figure of 25 centimeters (10 inches). The Jordan Valley, below sea
level, and the Dead Sea experience warm winters and extremely
hot summers.
Language - Arabic, however English and French are
widely spoken
Currency - Local currency in Jordan is the Jordanian Dinar.
Visa -: A Visa is required for Australian passport holders and can
be obtained on arrival. Passport must have 6 months validity
Local Time - Standard time is two hours ahead of Greenwich mean time

OMAN
Climate - Coastal regions are hot and humid in the summer with
slightly cooler nights due to the coastal breezes. Interior being very
hot and dry in the summer(June to September). Winter is the best
time to go with most areas pleasantly warm and dry with cool nights.
High mountain areas enjoy a moderate climate year round however
tend to get cold at higher altitudes. Strong southwest Summer
Monsoon in far south.
Language - Arabic and English widely spoken
Currency - Omani Rial
Visa - Visas are required for Australian passport holders and may
be obtained on arrival. Passport must have 6 months validity for a
single entry visa and 1 year for multiple entry.
Local Time - GMT +4
Departure Tax - Approximately USD8.00