FAQ

Question 1

Passport, visa & entry requirements

Accepted Answer

- In order to enter Namibia and South Africa, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
- U.S. and Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter Namibia or South Africa.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- Minors traveling with only one parent must present an affidavit proving the missing parent’s consent to their trip. This requirement is waived if the missing parent’s name doesn’t appear on the minor’s birth certificate.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to [**goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements**](/entry-requirements?tourCode=NAM) and searching the code NAM.

Question 2

Tour pacing & mobility

Accepted Answer

- You’ll walk for about two hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads and unpaved trails, with some steep hills.
- You should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- You should feel comfortable managing your own luggage at times, as well as getting in and out of boats.
- This tour includes long, bumpy rides in safari vehicles.
- If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Question 3

Transportation & arrival information

Accepted Answer

- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Johannesburg. (They will depart from Cape Town if you book the tour’s extension.) Due to airline scheduling and availability, you may need to depart a day early and stay overnight in Washington, D.C. or New York before boarding your flight to Namibia. In these instances, Go Ahead Tours will book an overnight hotel on your behalf, and a representative will meet you at the airport to take you there. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
- Transfers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the tour are included for travelers who purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
- During game drives, you’ll travel in safari buses, open-air vehicles, and on foot. Rides are often long and rough, so we recommend bringing a small pillow to ease the bumps.

Question 4

Baggage allowance

Accepted Answer

- Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
- Contact your airline(s) for the luggage restrictions for your itinerary. However, please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other modes of transportation.
- You’ll need one overnight bag, such as a backpack or small collapsible duffle. One small carry-on is also permitted (and can double as your overnight bag).
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Question 5

Clothing & packing tips

Accepted Answer

- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear. Quick-dry material is best for hot days outside, and a warmer layer may be needed for chilly evenings and early mornings.
- On game drives, blue and black clothing can attract tsetse flies, while bright pieces may scare animals away. For these outings, we recommend packing muted, light-colored, medium-weight clothes.
- Comfortable closed-toe shoes, such as sneakers or lightweight hiking boots, are best for walking during the day.
- Pack a swimsuit: Many of the hotels have pools that you are free to use at your leisure.
- Sun protection is very important. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a broad-brimmed hat to protect your face and the back of your neck.
- Occasional rain showers are common during certain seasons, so lightweight rainwear may be necessary depending on the timing of your trip.
- Insect repellent and binoculars are highly recommended. We also suggest bringing a flashlight: Some hotels turn off the electricity at night or experience unpredictable blackouts.
- A small bottle of hand sanitizer may be helpful on the road when other facilities aren’t readily available.

Question 6

Health

Accepted Answer

- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your healthcare provider, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at [**cdc.gov**](https://www.cdc.gov/), for the latest updates and entry requirements.
- Local governments may require proof of a yellow fever vaccination (often referred to as a yellow card) or a statement of medical exemption from the vaccine. This is only required of travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever virus transmission. (Please note: The U.S. and Canada are not on that list.) Visit cdc.gov/yellowfever for more information.
- Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, including when brushing your teeth, and avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they’re peeled and cooked or washed in clean water.
- Bring a small first aid kit—including antacids, antidiarrheals, motion sickness treatments, and any prescription medications—in your carry-on bag.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays you may encounter.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to [**goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements**](/entry-requirements?tourCode=NAM) and searching the code NAM.

Question 7

Cuisine

Accepted Answer

- The cooking in game lodges reflects the region’s German and British colonial influences. Porridge and maize-based dishes are staples, as are locally raised beef, goat, and fish. A variety of fresh melons are often served for dessert.

Question 8

Electricity & air conditioning

Accepted Answer

- Namibia operates on 220–230 volts and uses a Type M plug with two small round pins and one larger round pin.
- South Africa operates on 220–240 volts and also uses Type M plugs.
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other devices without built-in converters.
- South Africa regularly experiences load shedding: Also known as rolling blackouts, this occurs when the demand for electricity exceeds available supply and utility providers cease delivery to certain areas to prevent a total outage. You should only be briefly impacted on tour, as all accommodations are equipped with generators and activities aren’t reliant on the grid.
- Not all of the hotels on this tour will have air conditioning.
- Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Question 9

Connectivity

Accepted Answer

*   Wi-Fi is available in some hotels, though charges may apply.
*   Wi-Fi is often not available in the safari lodges in Namibia.
*   There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
*   Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Question 10

Time zones

Accepted Answer

- Namibia and South Africa are two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
- When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.

Question 11

Currency

Accepted Answer

- The official currency of Namibia is the Namibian dollar, but U.S. dollars are widely accepted.
- You will use the South African rand when in South Africa.
- We recommend that you carry as little local cash as possible, as well as small amounts of U.S. dollars—only crisp bills printed in 2004 or later.
- ATMs are not readily available in more rural locations.
- Major North American credit cards are accepted, but can be difficult to use in certain remote locations. Visa cards are the most widely accepted.
- You can use most debit and credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they don’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Question 12

Tipping

Accepted Answer

- At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in USD.
- We recommend tipping $10–$12 per person, per day for your Tour Director and $3 per person, per day for your driver.
- We also recommend tipping $5 per person, per game excursion for your local wildlife guides.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- Gratuities for baggage handling are included in the price of your tour.

Question 13

Shopping

Accepted Answer

- You’ll have the opportunity to shop for local handicrafts, such as wood carvings and textiles, at outdoor markets and roadside stalls. Some lodges will have boutiques on the premises as well.
- Prices at most markets are negotiable, so don’t be afraid to haggle—it’s a great way to strike up a conversation with a local.

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Hotels

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