Time for Travel | General Information

It is mandatory that you have sufficient holiday insurance for cancellation, curtailment and medical cover. We are happy to supply a policy that has been specifically designed for travelling in Africa. Click on 'more' for further information.

In some countries yellow fever, cholera and smallpox - inoculation certificates are required. Malaria (prophylaxis) prevention should be taken dependant on your destination - click on 'more' for further details and other health advice. Please consult with your doctor for the latest health precautions or contact MATSA health line on 0891 224100.

We will supply you with a recommended clothing list prior to your departure. A limited amount of clothing is required on safari and generally there is a 24 hour laundry service available. If you are travelling in light aircraft, there is a weight limit of 12kgs per person and bags should he soft holdalls as large hard suitcases cannot be accommodated in light aircraft. Heavy baggage can be left at airports while you are in the bush.

It is the responsibility of all passport holders to check with the relevant Embassy or High Commission concerned and to have the correct travel documentation and necessary visas prior to departure. Failure to have the necessary documentation could result in immediate repatriation at your expense and loss of your holiday. Up to date information is available from a specialist Visa Express.Tel +44 (0)207 251 4822 or fax +44 (0)207 684 1484.

Please ensure your passport has at least six months validity after your date of return and at least two spare blank pages remaining on departure from the UK. British passport holders do not currently require a visa for any of the destinations on this website with the exception of:

Tanzania and Mozambique which must be purchased in advance of departure and cost about US$50.00 or �30.00

Zambia, visas are required but we will apply for an exception for you, for which you qualify by booking through us and which we will organize free of charge.

Visas required by all UK Passport Holders including those transiting India UK Nationals Visa Cost �30.00, maximum stay 6 months. Transit Visa � for passengers transiting

India

for 72 hours or less � Cost �8.00. (Prices vary for other nationals). Note � Postal Applications may take a minimum of 15 days to process, check with the consulate at the time of application.

Holders of passports from the vast majority of countries, including UK, Ireland, United States, Germany, France, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and India, can holiday in Sri Lanka and the Maldives as bona fida tourists for up to 30 days without a visa. If you are travelling for longer, or on business visa forms and full information are available from the Sri Lankan High Commission, London, at http://www.slhclondon.org/ or tel +44 020 7262 1841 or your nearest Sri Lankan High Commission.

Australia

. Required by all. An Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) Visa is an electronically stored authority for travel to

Australia

that allows people to visit

Australia

for up to 3 months for tourism and short term business. An ETA is invisible and therefore will not show up on your passport. ETA�s may, for some nationals, be obtained online from the main Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA), website (http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/) or from your local travel agent or airline office. Please be advised a service fee of A$20 is charges when applying for an ETA online through the DIMIA ETA Website. Please note, the Australian High Commission, London, no longer offers an automatic ETA Service.

A full and valid passport is essential and must be valid for at least 3 months beyond period of stay.

1) Required by all except nationals of the

and other British Passport holders who have evidence of the right to live permanently in the

, for visits of up to 6 months may be granted a visitors passport on arrival.

2) A visa is not required by nationals of EU countries for visits up to 3 months. Portuguese nationals must have right of residence in

Portugal

. Other nationals should refer to the Consulate for further information.

A full and valid passport is essential and must be valid for at least 1 months beyond period of stay.

Tourist visas for 30 days will be issued on arrival only and free of charge to all visitors in possession of valid travel documents. Visas can be extended for 3 months for a fee of Rf450 (US$40). http://www.maldiveshighcommission.org/

A full and valid passport is essential and must be valid for at least six months beyond intended stay.

Visas are required by all except Omani nationals and can be purchased on arrival Om 6.00.

A full and valid passport is essential and must be valid for a minimum of three months from date of arrival.

(a) 1. Nationals of the

with the endorsement �British Citizen� for a maximum of 30 days.

(b) Transit passengers, provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport for up to 12 hours.

Non-British passport holders should check with the relevant Embassy or High Commission. Regulations do change, so do always check well before your planned departure.

Some countries charge an additional accommodation tax. If so, you will be informed at the time of booking. Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe charge a $25.00 departure tax which cannot he prepaid by us.

Most hotels now accept credit cards but always have some cash (UK� or US$) or local currency available. Travellers cheques are useful. All but the most remote game lodges/camps now accept credit cards. Be aware that particularly in East Africa a charge of as much as 6% of the bill may be made. In Southern Africa Visa and MasterCard are generally free of commission charges but some may charge a fee for Amex transactions. Please check with us before departure.

In South Africa in particular there is a good coverage of ATM Autobank facilities throughout the country from which you can withdraw cash. ATM access also applies to a lesser extent in Namibia and Botswana. Ensure that you have a PIN number that can be used overseas. As a general rule, due to Forex restrictions in many African and Indian Ocean counties, it is often better to exchange your money in the UK prior to departure as it saves time, queuing and form filling.

Remember that if you are travelling in South Africa garages do not accept Credit Cards for Petrol but cash only.

Please let us know when planning your itinerary if you have any special dietary, room or travel requests as it may have an important bearing on the type of accommodation chosen and nature of the holiday.

Our knowledge of the destinations described has led us to become involved in group travel for associations, clubs and groups of friends wanting expert advice on exciting locations. Through our associated agencies in Harare, Nairobi and Johannesburg we are able to arrange innovative and original itineraries based around a theme, be it sporting tours, birding, zoological, horticultural, or other specialist trips. If you are thinking of getting a group together for personal or business reasons, small or large, we would be delighted to advise you on what is most suitable.

Please be aware that safaris take you into close contact with wild animals. You should always behave in a quiet and non-aggressive manner, as you are a guest in their environment. Always listen to instructions from your guide whilst on safari and in from the camp/lodge staff, particularly regarding night time movement in camp .

Your holiday is an adventure in a different continent and will be full of surprises. The pace of life is generally slower and the local customs may seem strange so please be patient and bring along a sense of humour and adventure.