- Continents
- Countries
VISAS: There is no visa requirement for American, Australian, British and Canadian travellers to South Africa and Botswana for less than 90 days. However, all travellers will require a visa for Zimbabwe and Zambia which can be obtained upon entry. There may be an opportunity to purchase a UNI/KAZA VISA on arrival which will give you multiple entry access to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana for the price of $50 USD. Visit https://www.zambiatourism.com/access-granted-the-new-2-for-1-kaza-univisa/ to read more. This is the preferred choice, however there is a chance they will not be available on arrival, in which case you will need to purchase a multi-entry visa for Zimbabwe on arrival ($30-$45 USD), then a multi-entry visa when crossing to Zambia. Cash is required for all options, as credit card machines often lose signal.
CULTURE SHOCK: When travelling to Southern Africa, you’ll see both good and bad. but Locals tend to be very friendly and welcoming. However, poverty is widespread. Most people speak English, and the food at restaurants and hotels is generally safe to eat. That said, tourists can be easy targets for petty crime, so be extremely cautious with personal belongings in public, and avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
LOCAL LGBT SCENE: While South Africa is quite progressive, the rest of Africa still generally condemns homosexuality. Homosexual sex is actually illegal in Zambia and Zimbabwe, so we recommend that you avoid public displays of affection in these countries, for the safety and security of not only yourself, but also your fellow travellers. On a bright note, Botswana just decriminalized same-sex relationships on June 11, 2019.
WEATHER: We will be travelling to the area during Spring, which is near the end of dry season. In Cape Town, you’ll likely experience a mix of sun and cloud, with a chance of rain. Daytime temperatures hover around 20C/50F, while evenings can drop to 11C/52F. During the rest of your trip in Sabi Sands/Kruger Park and Victoria Falls, it should be fairly dry with sunny skies – although there is a chance of short rain storms. Daytime highs will be around 27C/80F, with evening temperatures around 15C/60F.
REQUIRED VACCINATIONS: Based on entry requirements, there are no vaccinations needed for entry unless your home country, or a country you are travelling to before or after this tour, has restrictions in place. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, consult with your doctor or a travel medical clinic. Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
ELECTRICITY: You will need an international travel plug/adapter for type C/D/M/N sockets. Visit http://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/south-africa/ for more information.
CONNECTIVITY: All of our hotels will have Wi-Fi access, so feel free to tweet, pin, post and share your experience with your friends and family at home. They might be a tad jealous!
MALARIA: Some of the areas we’ll travel to on this trip have a moderate risk for Malaria. You should consult your physician at least two weeks prior to travel in order to consider the options available to you for prevention.
YELLOW FEVER: To prevent introduction of this disease into the country, South Africa requires a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate from all citizens and non-citizens over one year of age travelling from an infected area, or who have been in transit through infected areas.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS: The Zambian Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has recently detained a number of tourists for possession of seemingly innocuous over-the-counter medications like Benadryl, which contain small quantities of diphenhydramine, an active ingredient that is on Zambia’s list of controlled substances. A full list of prohibited medications will be provided in your pre-trip packet.
Out Adventures is all about good times with likeminded guys. Whatever’s on the itinerary – from fireside camping to five-star decadence – our goal is to make the experience magical. We’re also committed to supporting the communities we visit by hiring local guides, staying at locally-owned accommodations when possible, and celebrating local cuisine. It all adds up to a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.
For everybody’s peace of mind, medical travel insurance is required on all Out Adventures tours. At a minimum, your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability, with a minimum medical coverage of US $200,000.
Click here for more details on our requirements and how to obtain coverage. We highly recommend that you insure your full purchase, including trip cancellation and medical.
All Out Adventures are led by a gay (or gay-welcoming) guide. Whenever possible, we hire destination locals. And we can also connect you with the right people if you’d like to delve deeper into the local culture. If you’re pleased with your guide, we recommend a tip of US $5-10 per person, per day…they’ll certainly appreciate it!
Out adventures are a great way to meet people from around the world and all walks of life. Bear in mind that everybody’s there for a good time, so mutual respect will go a long way. Please be on time for any meet ups, empathetic to the needs of others, and ready to roll with whatever the adventure brings.
Although we can’t tell you who your fellow travellers will be for privacy reasons, we can tell you many great friendships began with an Out Adventure. And just because we’re a gay tour operator doesn’t mean we’re exclusive: friends and family are always welcome to join the fun.
If you’ve never travelled on your own, it’s an amazing way to get to know yourself while making new friends along the way. We can arrange for you to share a room with people in your age range at no charge, or you can pay a supplement for your own room. If there’s an odd number of solos, we’ll rotate a single room on a random basis.
The itinerary is correct at time of publishing. If anything, it will only improve with feedback from prior travellers and our own research. It’s best to reference your final trip documents, rather than our website, in case there have been any changes that affect your departure.
Every Out Adventure offers optional excursions that are not included in price of this trip. Please see the daily itinerary in your final pre-trip packet to learn what’s available.
To keep things flexible, not all meals are included in the trip price. Although we typically dine together so that everybody can get a taste of everything, feel free to explore on your own…your guide will always have some restaurant recommendations.
Stanley and Livingstone Boutique Hotel
Old Ursula’s Road, Stanley & Livingstone Private Game Reserve, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Phone: +263 213 284 1005
Standard check-in time is between 2PM and 3PM. We are unable to arrange early check ins, however you are able to store your luggage and explore the central area near the hotel while you wait. If you would like a guaranteed early check-in, you will need to reserve a pre-tour night of accommodation.
If you are checking in to the hotel under your Out Adventures reservation, a complimentary arrival transfer will be included.
MannaBay
8 Bridle Road, Oranjezicht, Cape Town
Phone: +27 21 461 8915
The local currency is the South African Rand, however USD is widely accepted for tourism purposes. We recommend carrying local currency or small USD bills for small purchases, although credit cards are accepted at most upscale restaurants and hotels. We also recommend carrying approximately $400 USD to be used in case of an emergency, or if your credit/ATM cards are placed on hold.
Gratuities for local guides, included meals and drivers are all included in your tour costs. However, all lodge gratuities are not included. We recommend budgeting approximately $200 USD.
Most Out Adventures entail carrying your own luggage on occasion. And while you’ll never schlep far, things can quickly get costlier than a celebrity breakup if you don’t keep your baggage under 20kg/44lb thanks to costly surcharges on domestic flights. You should also bring something smaller for day trips to carry water, your camera, and any souvenirs you find along the way.
The following packing list is a guideline, not gospel. Our Out Adventure Specialists are happy to answer any specific questions about how much or little to bring.
Travel Documents:
General Personal Items:
Shoes:
Bottoms:
Tops:
Jackets:
Other:
Health-related Items:
We love when groups of friends join us on an OUT Adventure, whether you’re celebrating a major milestone, or you just love to travel together. However, since we have travellers that will be flying solo, or as a couple, we would love your help ensuring everybody feels welcome and has an epic time. Here are some ways you can give us a hand, while also getting to know and befriending your fellow travellers:
If you’d rather relish an exclusive escape with just your own party, we also offer private departures. This is a great way to create and manage your own holiday guest list, while possibly saving money as well. Please contact one of our Adventure Specialists if you’re interested in a customized quote.
All Out Adventures guests must have a good level of health. All tours, regardless of activity level, involve uneven steps, stairs, walking tours, and you will be required to carry your own luggage from time to time. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate individuals with limited mobility unless they are willing to absorb the cost of a private guide/assistant which varies by country and is only possible on a case by case basis. It is also your responsibility to advise Out Adventures of any pre-existing medical conditions that may increase the risk of you requiring medical attention, or that may affect the normal conduct of the tour and the enjoyment of the tour by other participants.
Below is a breakdown of our Physical Rating guide.
1 – Relaxing
2 – Light
3 – Average
4 – Demanding
5 – Challenging
