:: Useful Links

Our useful links are split into the following categories:

- Responsible Toursim
- Carbon Offsetting
- Visas & Pasports
- Safari Gear, Travel Guides, and other Accessories
- Health & Travel Clinics
- Foreign & Commonwealth Office
- Travel Insurance

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

At Okavango Tours and Safaris we are all too aware of the fragility of the cultures, environments and economies of the African countries with whom we work. The respect that we hold for these people and places, along with the very nature of our tour operation, reflects our commitment towards responsible tourism and sustainable development.

Our business can have a lasting positive effect, providing income and a financial incentive to protect the natural environment. In this meaningful and supportive manner, the cultures of local communities can also be retained and assimilated into a more global way of life. As well as encouraging the joint ownership by local people of the camps and lodges thereby benefiting the area even more directly, there are income generation projects to which guests can contribute while on holiday – just ask wherever you stay about their community projects. In our culture we might consider these projects as being ‘charity’ but they are just a natural part of the safari business.

And we, from a distance, support the work of Wateraid and Farm Africa along with community development initiatives including schools and clinics.

WaterAid works in 17 countries providing water, sanitation and hygiene education to some of the world's poorest people.

Click here to visit the website

FARM-Africa supports rural Africans to work their way out of poverty with improved ways to manage crops, livestock, forests and access to water.

Click here to visit the website

In our everyday office practices we aim to reduce the levels of energy use and to increase recycling where possible.

Carbon Offsetting

We acknowledge that we all have a responsibility to reduce our energy consumption and our carbon dioxide emissions. While this is a rather inexact science, we are guided by TICOS (Tourism Industry Carbon Offset Service) and aim to offset the carbon emitted by our own travels via a project providing fuel efficient stoves in Africa.

"Aviation is one of the fastest growing sources of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions which contribute towards climate change and acknowledge that we all have a responsibility to reduce our energy consumption and our carbon dioxide emissions.. Okavango Tours is offering you the opportunity to offset the CO2 emitted during the flight element of your holiday by supporting projects which will contribute to significant CO2 reductions across the globe through The Tourism Industry Carbon Service (TICOS).

TICOS is an industry-wide programme supported by international agencies and tourism industry bodies; it is the preferred scheme of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO). TICOS aims to stimulate collective action by tour operators and travel agents selling holidays which include air or other forms of travel. Revenue raised from the service will fund projects where there is a real additional and measurable carbon saving and wider social benefits which favour the environment, wildlife, pro-poor policies, community improvements and education.

Contributing towards offsetting your flight on an Okavango Tours trip will enable you to reduce CO2 emissions by funding a TICOS project in a tourism destination”.

PLEASE CONTACT US AND WE WILL TELL YOU HOW YOU CAN MAKE YOUR CONTRIBUTION

TICOS- Please follow the links below to read about the work of TICOS and the project we have selected.

SOUTH AFRICA BVCO - SunFire Solutions Solar Stoves

Click here to visit the website

Carbon Calculations

There are a few different carbon calculators on the market but the one that has been recommended to us is below. You can calculate your carbon footprint and then give us a call if you would like to contribute to our chosen project.

Calculate your carbon emissions

Click here to visit the website

VISAS & PASSORTS

Your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months after your intended return date. We recommend that you obtain all necessary visas in advance to avoid delays on arrival although some can easily be obtained at the point of entry.

CIBT - To save you trusting your passport to the post or a journey to deliver it to the relevant Consulate or High Commission, take advantage of the service offer by CIBT for a sum on top of the normal visa fees. Contact them direct or call us for the forms.

Click here to visit the website

It is your responsibility to ensure that you check the requirements applicable to you before you depart, that you comply with them and that all necessary passports and visas do not expire until at least six months after your return. We can accept no liability for the non validity of your visas or passports.

SAFARI GEAR, TRAVEL GUIDES & OTHER ACCESSORIES

It is not necessary to invest in specialist clothing for your safari holiday!
You probably have many articles of clothing in your wardrobe that are suitable - green, brown and neutral colours are best, especially when walking; black and white (both easily seen by animals) and royal blue (attract tsetse flies) are not encouraged.
However, there are specialist stores that sell some wonderfully tempting clothing and footwear, not to mention luggage! For an extra treat, especially if your itinerary will take you to the beach, take a look at The Safari Store and Nomad Travel Clinic website site. And for useful guide books and maps we have selected Bradt Guides.

The Safari Store is fast becoming the UK’s leading supplier of safari clothing and accessories - and provides expert packing advice. They have recently taken the step of designing their own range of Rufiji safari clothing and luggage, made for travel to Africa. We have built up a close relationship with The Safari Store team, so please do contact them for free tailormade packing lists. We have also arranged a 10% discount for our clients – simply enter ‘okavango’ when you check out.

Click here to visit the website

'Nomad Travel Stores and Clinics' have been kitting out travellers with clothing, equipment, books and maps, medical supplies and vaccinations for more than 16 years. A voucher for a 10% discount for equipment (and vaccinations) will be sent with your deposit invoice and safari confirmation.

Click here to visit the website

Bradt authors are constantly on the lookout for what's new and what's changed. Get the latest info on your destination here

Click here to visit the website

Experience Kenya Airways
As a national airline, Kenya Airways is one of the leading modern international carriers to Africa. The onward destinations from their hub in Nairobi allow Kenya Airways to offer convenient connections to over 30 cities throughout Africa. Flying Kenya Airways from Europe to Nairobi has never been easier with a choice of departures out of London, Amsterdam and Paris. There are daily direct flights from Terminal 4 London-Heathrow or use their partner KLM from over 13 UK regional airports via Amsterdam to Nairobi. There are so many flights to choose from.

Click here to visit the website

HEALTH & TRAVEL CLINICS

Since we are not medical practitioners we can only offer guidelines based on our experiences and would recommend that you consult your GP or Pharmacist or follow any of the useful links shown below for any specific concerns.

MALARIA - It is important to take professional advice about anti-malaria drugs but, to minimise the risk of contracting the disease, the most important concern is to avoid being bitten. The disease is only transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes that are active in the early evening and throughout the night, so care should be taken when sitting around the campfire or dining table and when asleep. The wearing of long-sleeved shirts, trousers, socks and shoes together with the liberal use of insect repellents, will certainly help avoid bites. Should you prefer, we can propose an itinerary to an area which is malaria-free.

VACCINATIONS - Health regulations in some countries may require you to have certificates showing certain inoculations. For example, a yellow fever vaccination certificate can sometimes be required, so up-to-date information should be sought before travel.

Experts in travel health a leading provider of travel vaccines and travel health advice to the NHS and many companies and organisations · the UK’s largest network of private travel health clinics· travel health Nurse Experts have extensive experience in this specialised area of medicine · can provide a personalised Travel Health Brief

Click here to visit the website

The Fleet Street Clinic provides specialist care in a growing range of medical and health-related fields, and is the home of one of the best-known specialist travel clinics in the UK. The Clinic's medical director is Dr Richard Dawood. It aims to offer the highest professional standards, a fast, friendly and competitively priced service, geared to making everything as easy as possible for clients.

Click here to visit the website

The Hospital for Tropical Diseases is the only NHS Hospital dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of tropical diseases and travel related infections. Its Department of Travel Medicine and Travel Clinic offers a fee paying consultant-led service which provides up-to date information on all anti-malarials, prophylactic drugs and pre-travel advice.There is also a Travellers Healthline Advisory Service, telephone 020 7950 7799

Click here to visit the website

Nomad Travel Clinics have been providing specialist travel vaccinations and health advice since 1991. Travel clinics and pharmacies in London, Bristol, Manchester and Southampton are run by experienced travel health doctors, nurses and pharmacists to cater for all travellers. There is also a Travel Health Advice Line, telephone 0906 863 3414

Click here to visit the website

Incognito anti-mosquito spray new formulation is one of the most powerful repellents on the planet. It will keep away nearly all insects. Amazingly it is still 100% natural! It has a lovely fragrance and is a non greasy formulation. Unlike ordinary toxic insect repellents it is kind to the environment. The new active spray is clinically proven to help protect against malaria. It works simultaneously by repelling insects, including all mosquitoes, (and Ticks, sandflies, wasps, fleas, bees, midges, gnats, etc.) and camouflaging your kairomones.

Click here to visit the website

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) Travel Advice Notices aim to ensure that British travellers are well prepared before departure. Follow the link for Travel Advice by Country for lots of useful information.

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TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is a condition of booking with us that our clients take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy. You can take advantage of Campbel Irvine below or arrange independent cover. You will need to ensure that your policy includes medical air evacuation and full cancellation cover. If you are looking at booking a holiday from outside the United Kingdom then you will need to talk to a company that can do this. We have given you one suggestion below but please call us if you would like us to suggest anyone else to you. We have not used this company ourselves but it has come recommended to us.

Campbell Irvine - Campbell Irvine is a privately owned and entirely independent firm of Registered Insurance Brokers. Established by Chairman Ian Irvine over 35 years ago. It prides itself in offering the highest levels of service from their very experienced staff. They specilise in arranging travel insurance to the far flung corners of the Globe. They are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, are affiliate members of AITO and members of the Association of travel Insurance Intermediaries.

Click here to visit the website

HealthCare International - HealthCare International is a specialist provider of global personal insurances, designed to provide not just the basic health cover, but also a wide range of benefits providing peace of mind for you and your family. Using the website below you can obtain a quotation, via the 'Fast Quote' section of the home page. You can apply online, via the 'Apply' section, by completing the application form and submitting it. If you have any further questions on travel insurance please do not hesitate to contact us.

Click here to visit the website

:: Where we go

 Botswana

 Kenya

 Madagascar

 Malawi

 Namibia

 Rwanda

 South Africa

 Tanzania

 Uganda

 Zambia

 Zimbabwe

 Indian Ocean