Travel Documents & Money
It is important you have the correct documents and information with you before you arrive in Africa.
For peace of mind, make sure you have a secure lockable bag to keep them in for the duration of your tour and use hotel/truck safes wherever possible.
We recommend you bring a money belt which can be worn securely under the clothes.
Travel Documents
Passport
Make sure you are in possession of a full valid passport. This must be valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date of your EXIT from Africa.
You also need to ensure you have enough blank pages (free of any stamps) to cover each country on your trip.
As a general rule allow one page per country although South African authorities require a completely clean blank double page spread.
It is not usually possible to use more than one passport for the duration of the tour.
Travel & Accommodation Vouchers
After you have paid your final balance we will send you your vouchers. Your Travel Voucher should be handed to your guide on arrival as proof of your place on the tour.
It will be sent to you by Acacia (if you book direct) or by your agent and will be sent by email or post.
If you have booked any pre-tour or post-tour accommodation through us we will also send you Accommodation Vouchers.
If you have not received your necessary vouchers within two weeks of departure please contact us immediately.
Airport Transfer Details
If you have pre purchased an airport transfer, your pick-up details will be on your voucher. It is your responsibility to ensure that we have your correct flight arrival details.
Please let us know your time of arrival and flight number as soon as you know them. If you do not think you have given us your flight details or your flight details have changed please contact us.
Vaccination Certificate
If you have a vaccination booklet, we suggest you bring it as proof of immunisation should any problems occur.
If you are travelling to countries requiring proof of Yellow Fever immunisation you must bring your yellow fever certificate.
In extreme cases you may be refused entry into a country without it. The certificates are seldom re-issued so keep it in a safe place.
To find out if you need a yellow fever certificate see our vaccination chart.
Insurance Policy & Certificate
All our tours legally require you to show proof of insurance (namely medical cover and repatriation) before we can take you on the tour.
It is vital you bring your insurance certificate and policy booklet on tour so your guide can check this cover.
Please ensure you have cover for the full period of travel and that this is shown on the certificate.
If you require insurance please contact us and we can recommend a policy to cover the activities you'll on tour.
Money
You will require money on your tour for the following things:
Items not included in the tour price of local payment
Personal Items
Local Payment - see below
Optional Activities - please see individual tour dossier for prices
Any visas required en route
Tips - this is entirely at your discretion but is a common way to say thank you to your guide and drivers on tour.
For more detailed information on how to carry money in your destination please read your tour dossier.
Local Payment
This is part of the cost of your tour, but paid locally, and can be used by the guide to cover ground running costs on tour.
It is paid to your guide at the start of your tour in cash at the currency specified. It is usually payable in US dollars cash (although some tours ask for Euros or South African rand - please check).
Please ensure notes are clean, un-torn post-2001 dollar bills.
Spending Money
It is best to carry your spending money in a variety of ways. Please consult your tour dossier for any information specific to your destination.
Cash
Bring the majority of your spending money in cash in USD, Sterling or Euros. Generally US dollars are the easiest to exchange.
If your tour remains within Southern Africa South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Swaziland, Lesotho, Mozambique you may like to bring all your spending money in South African Rand and you can change the money before you leave your own country.
If you carry US dollar bills in East Africa please ensure they are clean, un-torn and post-2001. Anything else will incur a poor exchange rate or be refused.
Your guide can advise you where it is best to change money into the local currency on your tour and how much you are likely to require.
Some tours may require you to have money already changed after arrival in the airport. Please check your tour dossier.
ATMs
ATMs are becoming more prevalent and reliable over Africa. In North and Southern Africa they are relatively common. In East Africa they are only found in the larger centres and cities and do not accept all cards.
You can only obtain local currency from these machines and you will usually be charged commission for their use. Do not rely on ATMs for all your money (especially East Africa) but they make a good back-up to cash.
Credit Cards
Mastercard and Visa can be used in some places, particularly South Africa, Namibia and parts of North Africa but should not be relied upon for anything other than large purchases in cities or tourist centres.
Balloon or helicopter rides also can be paid for with a credit card. Cash advances on your card are possible, but in Africa is often time consuming and should not be relied upon, bearing in mind you are often travelling with a group.
On all credit card activities you will be charged a fee (3-5% is not unusual).
Travellers Cheques
Travellers Cheques are the most secure way of carrying money as they can be replaced if lost or stolen, but they can be difficult to cash in rural areas.
They are ideal for emergency funds or keeping funds 'dormant' if you're on a longer journey. Ensure your travellers cheques are a well known brand - Thomas Cook, American Express or Visa - as these are the most widely accepted.
You must also carry your proof of purchase receipt - many banks in Africa may not encash your cheques if you cannot provide the receipt on demand. Please note that a commission may be charged (which may be up to 10%) when cashing travellers cheques even with well known brands.
Australian, Canadian and New Zealand Dollars cash/ travellers cheques are not widely accepted.