Lions, Hippos & Zebras, Oh My! An African Safari With Your Family

After you enroll, we’ll ask you to provide or update your personal information and preferences, which includes your health information, lodging and meal preferences for your program.

U.S. passports need a minimum of 5 blank visa pages for this program. Signed liability waivers are required before the program by EXPLORE. While in Africa, you'll be required to sign liability waivers for safari lodges; examples are in the first mailing. Immigration regulations in Botswana require that parents traveling with children under 18 years produce the original or a notarized copy of the unabridged (full) birth certificate for each child under 18. If the child is adopted, then the adoption certificate must be produced. If the child is traveling with only one parent, then the following must also be produced: 1) consent, in the form of an affidavit from the other parent registered on the birth certificate, authorizing the traveling parent to enter Botswana with the child, as well as a notarized copy of the non-traveling parent’s passport and contact details (NOTE that this affidavit must be notarized within six months of travel date), 2) a court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship of the child, if he or she is the parent or legal guardian of the child, or 3) where applicable, a death certificate of the other parent registered as a parent of the child on the birth certificate. If the child is traveling with someone who is not his/her biological parent (i.e. a grandparent), then the following must be produced: 1) original or notarized copy of the unabridged (full) birth certificate of the child, 2) an affidavit from the parents or legal guardian of the child confirming that he/she has permission to travel with the child (a notarized copy of the Parental Consent Form will fulfill this need – NOTE that this form should be notarized within six months of travel date), 3) notarized copies of the passports of the parents or legal guardian of the child, and 4) the contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the child, listing the parents’ name and surname, physical address, telephone and cell phone numbers.

A passport is required for this program. It must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

This information about travel documents pertains to participants holding U.S. passports. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

Zimbabwe

• Your passport must have 1 blank passport page(s) for entry/exit visas in this country.

• A travel visa is required and it may be obtained upon arrival.

• This visa is included in the cost of your trip.

• You’ll receive detailed information about your required entry documents in the information packet we send after you enroll.

South Africa

• Your passport must have 2 blank passport page(s) for entry/exit visas in this country.

• A travel visa is not required

• The cost of this visa is not included in the cost of your trip.

Please note: You must have two blank visa pages in your passport, plus one blank visa page for each other country you plan to visit, to gain entry to South Africa.

Zambia

• Your passport must have 1 blank passport page(s) for entry/exit visas in this country.

• A travel visa is not required

• The cost of this visa is not included in the cost of your trip.

Botswana

• Your passport must have 1 blank passport page(s) for entry/exit visas in this country.

• A travel visa is not required

• The cost of this visa is not included in the cost of your trip.

A signed Parental Consent form is required for this program. The form must be signed by both parent(s)/legal guardian(s) of the child participating in the program and returned to the program provider prior to the start of the program. You will receive the form as part of your program information packet. You will also be able to access the form through your online account.

Malaria does occur in Southern Africa. It is essential that you consult your health care professional as to which medications are recommended against malaria. S/he will probably suggest a prophylactic course of one of the anti-malarial drugs, which may need to be started two weeks prior to departure. For this reason, you should consult with your health professional well in advance of your departure. Tell your physician that you will spend 7 days in malarial areas. Your travel doctor may recommend other vaccinations besides malaria precautions - any vaccinations are your personal preference on if you would like to get them or not. If you are doing any pre-program travel in a Yellow Fever infected country, such as Kenya (amongst others), then proof of Yellow Fever vaccination will be required upon entry in South Africa; if you are simply flying to South Africa from North America or Europe, then Yellow Fever proof is not needed. Since game drives can be bumpy, pack motion sickness medication if you are sensitive. If you have any unusual prescriptions, carry a letter from your physician explaining your need for the drug. Make sure your medication supply will be sufficient to last the entire trip. Avoiding scented bath products will deter bugs, but if you are allergic to bee stings or other insect bites be sure to to bring a sufficient supply of antidote. Safari camps will have basic first-aid kits for minor medical needs. In case of more serious matters, evacuation to a hospital will be arranged. Contact EXPLORE Inc. with questions or concerns.

If Road Scholar is arranging your air travel to and from the program, and you travel on the scheduled start and end dates, you’ll receive free round-trip transfers from the airport to the hotel.

Arrival day is on July 9, 2025

Meet the group at City Lodge Hotel Eastgate in Johannesburg

Start of Trip:  2:00 p.m. hotel check-in; 7:00 p.m. Welcome Dinner followed by Orientation.

Getting to the site: The arrival transfer from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport to the hotel in Johannesburg is provided by hired coach for participants who booked their flights through Road Scholar and are arriving on the correct start date; transfer time is approximately 15 minutes. If you have booked your own international flights, you are welcome to get on the scheduled group transfers if times coincide. Please send full flight details to EXPLORE for coordination purposes. Taking a taxi is not recommended for safety reasons. EXPLORE can help arrange a separate transfer if desired.

Your trip ends on: Sunday, July 20, 2025 in Livingstone (Victoria Falls) at David Livingstone Safari Lodge and Spa

End of Trip: 3:30 p.m. after arrival of flight from Livingstone, Zambia, at O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

Getting to the airport: Group transfer from the last location (David Livingstone Safari Lodge) to the Livingstone Airport is included for everyone. The flight from Livingstone, Zambia to Johannesburg is also included in the program price for all participants. Upon arrival in Johannesburg you connect to international departures; no further ground transfers are needed unless ongoing travel is planned. Program Provider can help with ongoing travel arrangements if needed.

Information if you are purchasing your own airfare: Participants who have not purchased airfare through Road Scholar are responsible for making their own transfer arrangements to the first site at the beginning of the program, as well as from the last site at the end of the program. The Information Packet Road Scholar sends in advance of the program includes details needed to make your transfer arrangements. If you wish to purchase airfare through Road Scholar, please call (800) 241-1404. Please note: In the unlikely event Road Scholar must make changes to the program's arrival or departure details, we will notify all participants as soon as possible. Participants who have purchased Road Scholar airfare are protected against airline change fees; however, anyone who has not purchased Road Scholar airfare will be required to make their own adjustments and may incur fees imposed by the airline.