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Important Information

South Africa & Victoria Falls In Style
Authentic safaris, cosmopolitan Cape Town and glorious Victoria Falls await.
Special Booking Conditions

This trip is subject to special payment terms and cancellation penalties:

If booked prior to October 5, 2023, the following cancellation terms apply:

  • a 25% deposit is required to secure your space, with final payment due 90 days prior to departure.
  • up to 90 days before departure, we will hold 100% of your payment as a credit for future travel, less unrecoverable costs and a processing fee of $150 USD per person. If you have paid more than our minimum deposit and require a refund, we will retain the minimum deposit and refund the balance.
  • Between 89 and 45 days before departure, we will retain 50% of your full payment as a cancellation fee, and we will offer a 50% credit for future travel.
  • under 45 days, we will retain the full amount of your booking as a cancellation fee.

If booked after October 5, 2023, the following cancellation terms apply:

  • a 25% deposit is required to secure your space, with final payment due 90 days prior to departure.
  • up to 90 days before departure, we will hold 100% of your payment as a credit for future travel, less unrecoverable costs and a processing fee of $250 USD per person. If you have paid more than our minimum deposit and require a refund, we will retain the minimum deposit and refund the balance.
  • Between 89 and 60 days before departure, we will retain 50% of your full payment as a cancellation fee, and we will offer a 50% credit for future travel.
  • Between 59 and 30 days before departure, we will retain 75% of your full payment as a cancellation fee, and we will offer a 25% credit for future travel.
  • under 30 days, we will retain the full amount of your booking as a cancellation fee.

If full payment is not received 90 days prior to departure, Out Adventures reserves the right to cancel your booking based on the above cancellation terms. 

Country info

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/70F, 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.

VACCINATIONS: Based on the entry requirements, there are no other immunizations needed for entry. 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.

COVID-19 Information

We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, but it is our belief that each traveler has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travelers from COVID-19. As of May 1, 2023, Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on most of our tours. If vaccination is a requirement for entry, or on select cruises, this will be communicated at the time a trip is confirmed to depart. Before booking, we recommend that you read our COVID-19 Information Page and our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions to understand what we’re doing to minimize risk, and what will happen if you contract COVID-19 before or during an Out Adventures tour.

How we travel

Out Adventures is all about good times with like-minded 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.

Domestic Airfare

On this tour domestic airfare is not included. We will provide the recommended flight details in the official Trip Guarantee email. If you are booking your trip less than 90 days to departure, there is a chance you will have to purchase a different flight than the rest of the group.

Travel Insurance

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.

Your guide

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!

Fellow adventurers

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.

Flying solo

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.

Itinerary disclaimer

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.

Optional activities

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.

Meals

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.

Starting Point

Palm River Hotel
Stand 1403 Parkway Drive, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Phone: +263 83 2844737

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.

Finishing Point

Camissa House
28 Bridle Road, Oranjezicht, Cape Town
Phone: +27 21 001 5885

or

Kensington Place
38 Kensington Cres, Higgovale Gardens, Cape Town
Phone: +27 21 424 4744

Money

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.

Tipping

Gratuities for local guides, safari guides, included meals and drivers are all included in your tour costs. However, gratuities for the lodge and hotel staff (approx $175) and Out Adventures Host (approx $100 USD) are not included.

Gratuities for the host are not necessary for the October 2024 departure, which will be hosted by the owner of Out Adventures.

What to bring

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:

  • Passport/Visas/Flight Itineraries/Travel Insurance
  • Pre-trip packet
  • Credit/ATM card

General Personal Items:

  • Eye mask/ear plugs
  • Smartphone/camera/tablet/charging cords/International travel plug
  • Daypack
  • Luggage lock
  • Personal Wipes
  • Guidebook/Phrase book/Reading material
  • Protection for your devices from water
  • Travel-size towel
  • Glasses if you wear a prescription, as contacts can get dusty on safari
  • COVID-19 rapid antigen tests (Out Adventures can not guarantee easy access to tests)

Shoes:

  • Socks
  • Walking shoes
  • Sandals
  • ‘Nice’ shoes for dinners

Bottoms:

  • Underwear
  • Pants/Jeans
  • Shorts
  • Swimwear
  • ‘Nice’ pants for dinners

Tops:

  • Short-sleeved shirts
  • Long-sleeved shirts
  • Sweaters
  • ‘Nice’ shirts for dinners

Jackets:

  • Light jacket for morning game drives and cool evenings
  • Waterproof jacket/poncho

Other:

  • Warm hat and gloves for morning game drives
  • Sunglasses/Hat
  • Small Umbrella
  • Refillable water bottle(s)

Health-related Items:

  • Small First aid kit including ibuprofen, acetaminophen, zinc oxide tape and small scissors, blister pads, diarrhea tablets, dioralyte rehydration packs
  • Personal Medication
  • High protection sunscreen/lip balm
  • Insect repellent/bite cream/antihistamine
  • Antibacterial gel/wipes
  • Toiletries including toothbrush, toothpaste & deodorant
*Please note dull/neutral colours – khaki, beige, green – are best for safari. White and black attract bugs that bite!
Groups within Groups

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:

  • Sit with (and get to know) different people at different meals
  • Mix up walking partners on excursions
  • Invite solo travellers to join you for an optional excursion or meal
  • Enjoy inside jokes in privacy, or let the group in on the secret 😉

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.

Physical ratings & considerations

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

  • Very little or no hiking
  • Light activities such as walking, bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
  • Low altitude
  • Suitable for all fitness levels

2 – Light

  • Light walking and hiking (2 hours or less per day and at low altitude)
  • Light activities such as bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
  • Suitable for most fitness levels

3 – Average

  • Light walking and hiking (3 hours or less per day, rarely at high altitude)
  • Some activities such as biking, paddling or swimming. Active days are mixed with relaxed days
  • Suitable for an average fitness level

4 – Demanding

  • Walking, hiking is a component of the tour (can range from 2 hours to 6 hours per day, at various altitudes)
  • Activities such as biking, paddling or swimming may be mixed in
  • Suitable for a good fitness level

5 – Challenging

  • Walking, hiking, biking, paddling or kayaking are the vast majority of the trip (can range from 2 hours to 8 hours per day, generally at high altitude)
  • Activities will likely happen day after day with limited rest days
  • Suitable for above average fitness level

CHOOSE YOUR DEPARTURE

From 8995 USD

We can’t wait to help you plan an awesome adventure, but due to a high level of fake inquiries we now record your IP address when you submit an inquiry. This helps local authorities identify and prevent harassment against Out Adventures, or any intended recipients.

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CHOOSE YOUR DEPARTURE

From 8995 USD
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We can’t wait to help you plan an awesome adventure, but due to a high level of fake inquiries we now record your IP address when you submit an inquiry. This helps local authorities identify and prevent harassment against Out Adventures, or any intended recipients.

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