Beachcomber

Mauritius Travel Tips

Travel and medical insurance is strongly recommended. This should cover loss of baggage, personal effects, medical expenses and loss of deposit or tour fare through cancellation. Please check policies carefully and be aware that most do not cover airline schedule changes or delays. Expenses incurred for these must be paid for by the person travelling. Beachcomber Tours will accept no responsibility or liability for passengers whether covered by insurance or not.

HOTEL INTERCHANGE - exclusive to Beachcomber
Clients staying seven or more consecutive nights at a Beachcomber hotel have the possibility of spending two of these nights at another Beachcomber hotel. A supplement is applicable for Royal Palm, Dinarobin and Paradis. Interchange excludes inter-hotel transfers, and all-inclusive supplements - these can be organised at the hotels. HOTEL INTERCHANGE IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY and can only be organised in Mauritius. Contact the hotel reception for details. At

certain times, it may not always be possible for resorts to accept clients from other resorts to use their facilities. For this reason Resort, Restaurant, Sports and Service Interchanges remain subject to availability. Please check availability for the above with your resort’s concierge.

HOTEL TRANSFERS
Look for the MTTB Mautourco counter as you leave the Airport Customs Hall (a map is included with your transfer voucher). Present your transfer voucher to the Mautourco representative.

FLIGHT CHECK-IN AND RECONFIRMATIONS
Contact the MTTB Mautourco representative at your Beachcomber resort to have your flights reconfirmed at least 72 hours prior to departure. Check in at the airport is a minimum of 2 hours prior to departure. Pre-paid transfers will be arranged accordingly (if required).

AIRPORT TAX
Airport taxes for Australia and Mauritius are included in your airline tickets. Any non-ticketable taxes must be paid directly at the airport by the client.

CHECK-IN & CHECK-OUT TIMES
Check-In & Check-Out time may vary at resorts. Check-in time at Beachcomber resorts is 1400 hrs. Check-out is at midday unless prior arrangements have been made. Early check-in and / or late check-out must be pre-booked (extra charge) before departing Australia. Departure and arrival facilities are available for guests not requiring a pre-paid early check-in or late check-out.

CURRENCY
The legal unit of currency is the Mauritian Rupee. Australian and other major currency notes may be exchanged at the airport, banks and resort cashiers. Enclosed in your travel wallet is a Currency Guide to help you convert from Mauritian Rupees to Australian dollars.

CUSTOMS / DUTY
You are allowed the following items duty free upon entry to Mauritius:
• 2 bottles of wine • 1 litre of spirits
• 200 cigarettes • 250ml Eau de Toilette
Foreign currency and some credit cards are acceptable at Mauritius International Airport. Please note that Duty free allowances are subject to change without notice.

CREDIT CARDS
Beachcomber resorts accept American Express, Diners, MasterCard and Visa. Most shops and some of the friendly licensed beach vendors may accept credit cards.

ELECTRICITY
An adaptor is essential as wall sockets are for European 2 pin and British square 3 pin plugs. Standard power supply is 220V.

TEA & COFFEE FACILITIES
These facilities vary from resort to resort. A charge for tea and coffee facilities is applicable at most resorts. Check with the resort for details on availability and costs.

RESTAURANTS
Beachcomber Resorts offer a unique variety of eating atmospheres with a choice of restaurants. Each resort (except Royal Palm which offers a la carte dining) has one restaurant based on buffets, which vary throughout the week. Other restaurants are a la carte and offer a variety of cuisine for clients to select from the menu. Most a la carte restaurants at Beachcomber resorts offer a ‘Menu of the Day’ or set menu for clients at no extra charge (no credit given). When selecting from the a la carte menu a credit is given towards the cost of the meal selection (excludes Set Menu). If the meal is more than the credit given, the difference is charged to your room account. Check with the resort on arrival for details. Some restaurants require you to make a reservation. NB: Gentlemen must wear long pants to the restaurants in the evening.

CUISINE
The cuisine in Mauritius is a gourmet’s delight with an abundance of seafood, tropical fruits, vegetables, spices and other mouth-watering temptations offered around the island. With such an assortment of rich flavours, a wide variety of spices and the culinary diversity, it is possible that certain people may sometimes react adversely to some foods. We recommend that you take the necessary precautions with you to avoid any inconvenience.

SPORTS
Beachcomber resorts offer free use of water and land sports as per the hotel program including water skiing. Group lessons are free but private lessons will require an additional charge. Other non-resort activities are generally available from beach vendors at a charge.

GOLF & TENNIS
Green fees apply for golf at Dinarobin/Paradis, Trou aux Biches and Shandrani resorts. These courses are available for use by all Beachcomber guests. Golf clubs and buggies are available for hire. Motorised carts are available at Dinarobin/Paradis only. Tennis racquets are available free of charge at the resort but tennis balls are not included. Accessories such as golf balls, tees, tennis balls etc should be brought from Australia. These items are also for sale at the resorts.

TELEPHONE CALLS
International calls can be expensive. Contact the resort reception for information on call charges.

TAXIS
Taxis are available at all Beachcomber resorts. Drivers often base themselves at or near resorts. Fares are metered however you can bargain a fare price with the driver prior to departing. A fares guide is usually located at the resort.

CAR HIRE
A current Australian driver’s licence is required for car hire. Hirers must be at least 21yrs and have had their licence for at least 1yr. Driving is on the left-hand side and strict speed limits apply.
Car hire can be booked from Australia and the dates advised in Mauritius (conditions apply).

CLIMATE
The climate of Mauritius varies throughout the island. Inland temperatures vary more from summer to winter than along the coastline. Coastal temperatures do not vary much from summer
to winter with average winter temperatures being 25˚.

WHAT TO WEAR
Beachwear, pareos and sports apparel are worn during the day. Protective foot-ware may be required in certain areas when swimming. Smart casual is the dress for evenings. During the winter months a lightweight jumper is suggested for cooler evenings. Proper golf attire must be worn on golf courses. Gentlemen must wear long pants to restaurants in the evening.

LANGUAGE
English is the official language and is understood by most Mauritians. French and Creole are the more dominate languages used by Mauritians in their daily conversation.

BEACH VENDORS/ HAWKERS
The vendors and hawkers are very friendly and are a popular attraction on Mauritian beaches. They are all required to carry a licence issued by the government. Bargaining for your goods is considered an enjoyable challenge and is part of every day life.

EXTENDING YOUR STAY IN MAURITIUS
Should you wish to extend your stay in Mauritius, please contact the MTTB Mautourco representative
located at your Beachcomber resort to organise with the airline and resort. Subject to approval, Beachcomber Tours Australia may accept a guarantee (signed form) from the client. Payment to Beachcomber Tours Australia is due within 7 days of returning to Australia. A credit card guarantee may also be required.

DELAYS & CYCLONE POLICY
Being a sub-tropical island there is always a possibility of a cyclone during the summer months. Beachcomber resorts policy covering any delays or extra accommodation that may be required is:
• No shows incur the normal cancellation fees
• If nights are missed due to a flight delay a credit is given for missed meals.
• If additional nights are needed due to a flight delay the resort will charge 50% of the rack rate. This is to be paid directly to the resort prior to departure.

COMPLAINTS - Important
Should you encounter any problems during your stay please contact the Guest Relations team or resort management. If the matter is not handled to your satisfaction please contact Beachcomber Tours in Australia immediately. Any complaint on your return must be received in writing and within 14 days of returning. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Office Phone No: +61 7 3353 6204 24 hr Emergency Phone No: +61 438 155 265

Africa Travel Tips

SOUTH AFRICA TOURIST INFORMATION

How to get there
International flights service Johannesburg and Cape Town and an excellent network of domestic scheduled flights service all tourist centres within the country.

Currency
Rand (R) = 100 cents.
Denominations: coins - 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2, R5
notes - R10, R20, R50, R100, R200

Drinking water
Tap water is 100% purified and safe to drink in major cities, towns and game reserves.
Electricity 220/230 volts AC

Health and entry requirements
A valid passport is required. Passport holders of more than 80 countries, including the USA, Canada, Japan and the EU, can visit without visas. Contact your nearest SA Tourism office or South African Consulate for an updated list. Visitors arriving from a yellow fever zone require a valid international yellow fever inoculation certificate (Infants under the age of one are exempt). Anti malaria prophylactics are advisable year round.

Medical Services
South Africa has excellent medical facilities, with doctors listed under ‘Medical Practitioners’ in the local telephone directories. Insurance covering travel, accidents, illness and hospitalisation is advised for the duration of your stay and must be arranged at time of booking.

Climate
Seasons are opposite to those of the northern hemisphere. Warm temperate conditions are typical of South Africa, making it a popular destination for sunshine-seekers. South Africa is renowned for almost twelve months of sunshine. From May to August, temperatures drop. However, generally speaking, April and May are the most temperate months. In certain areas, however, notably the hot, humid KwaZulu-Natal coast, Mpumalanga and the Limpopo Province, June and July are the ideal holiday months. The wide expanses of ocean on three sides of South Africa have a moderating influence on its climate. More apparent, however, are the effects of the warm Agulhas and cold Benguela currents along the east and west coasts, respectively. While Durban (east coast) and Port Nolloth (west coast) lie more or less on the same latitude, there is a difference of at least 6 degrees centigrade in their mean annual temperatures.

Temperatures
Despite a latitudinal span of 13 degrees, average annual temperatures are remarkably uniform throughout the country. Owing to the increase in the height of the plateau towards the northeast, there is hardly any increase in temperature from south to north, as might be expected. There is a striking contrast between temperatures on the east and west coasts. Temperatures above 32°C are fairly common in summer, and frequently exceed 38°C in the lower Orange River valley and the Mpumalanga lowveld.

The average temperatures in degrees Celsius are:
Tourist Centre Summer / Winter
Johannesburg (Gauteng) 24.7°C / 18.0°C
Cape Town (Western Cape) 24.0°C / 22.6°C
Durban (KwaZulu-Natal) 25.5°C / 22.6°C
Bloemfontein (Free State) 29.0°C / 18.5°C
Pretoria / Tshwane (Gauteng) 27.5°C / 21.0°C
Nelspruit (Mpumalanga) 28.5°C / 23.0°C
Kimberley (Northern Cape) 32.0°C / 20.0°C

South Africa has an average annual rainfall of 464 mm, compared with a world average of 860 mm. About 20% of the country has a total annual rainfall of less than 200 mm, 48% between 200 and 600 mm, while only about 30% records more than 600 mm. Only the Western Cape experiences winter rainfall whilst the rest of the country has summer rains.


BOTSWANA TOURIST INFORMATION

How to get there
Major international airlines fly into Gaborone, Botswana’s capital. Daily flights from Johannesburg are available on Air Botswana to Maun and regular charter flights into Kasane and the Tuli area, ensure easy access into the tourist areas. A number of private charter companies provide light aircraft internal flights throughout the country. Although Botswana has a good system of roads from neighbouring countries, the distances involved result in most visitors preferring to fly.

Health and entry requirements
A valid passport is required and visas are required by some nationalities. We recommend clients check requirements with visa authorities well in advance. No inoculations are required at this time but ant-malaria tablets are advisable year-round.

Clothing and climate
Light weight tropical clothing with rainwear from November to March. The evenings can be cool from May to August, during the winter months. Neutral colours are best on safari and smart casual is suitable for the evenings (camouflage clothing is not permitted). There is a 12 kg baggage limit on internal flights and soft bags are essential. There is a daily laundry service in most camps. Sunblock, sunglasses, hats and insect repellent are essential. A good pair of binoculars, a camera and comfortable walking shoes will enhance your stay. Summer (September-April): Average temperature is between 19°-33° C. Winter (May-August): Average temperature is 5°-23° C.

Currency
Botswana currency is the Pula. The South African Rand, US Dollars, Euro’s, Pounds and most major credit cards will be accepted at most lodges and camps.

Electric current
Camps which have generators produce 220/240 voltage. Few camps have electrical power, however, most offer facilities to generate battery operated camcorders/video cameras.


ZIMBABWE TOURIST INFORMATION

How to get there
International flights service both Harare and Victoria Falls. Bulawayo, Hwange and Kariba can be linked internally. A good network of major highways means that Zimbabwe can be readily visited and toured by road from its neighbouring countries.

Health and entry requirements
A valid passport is required and visas are required by some nationalities. We recommend clients check requirements with visa authorities well in advance. No inoculations are required at this time but anti-malaria tablets are advisable year round.

Clothing and climate
Light tropical clothing with rainwear from November to March. The evenings during the winter months, from May to August, can be cool. September to October is hot and dry whilst November to March is hot and wet. Neutral colours on safari and smart casual evening wear for top hotels and restaurants is recommended. All camouflage clothing is prohibited in Zimbabwe.

Currency
Zimbabwe national currency is the Zimbabwe Dollar. Most foreign currencies (US Dollars, Euro, Rand) and most major credit cards are readily accepted.

Electric current
220-240 volts ac, via 14 amp fused, square pinned plugs. 50 hz.


ZAMBIA TOURIST INFORMATION

How to get there
International flights serve Lusaka and Livingstone and internal schedules charter flights transport guests from lodge to lodge. Although the road system is much improved over recent years, the distances involved result in most visitors preferring to fly.

Health and entry requirements
A valid passport is required and visas are required by some nationalities. We recommend clients check requirements with visa authorities well in advance. No inoculations are required at this time and anti-malaria tablets are essential year-round.

Clothing and climate
Light tropical clothing with subdued colours for safaris and casual attire for evenings. It is
advisable to wear long sleeves and trousers in the evenings to reduce the risk of mosquito bites. The winter months, May to Aug, are cold in the evenings.

Currency
The unit of currency is the Kwacha. US Dollars and credit cards are generally widely accepted.
Electric current Camps which have generators produce 220/240 voltage. Few camps have electrical power, however, most offer facilities to generate battery operated camcorders/video cameras.


EAST AFRICA TOURIST INFORMATION

How to get there
The main ports of entry are Nairobi, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Entebbe, Kampala and Kigali. Towns and lodges are linked internally by scheduled or charter flights and roads.

Health and entry requirements
Passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after travel. Visas are required for all East African countries; we recommend clients obtain current visa information directly from appropriate consulates. Kenya and Tanzania issue visas on arrival but this could involve long periods of waiting at the airport. Currently a single-entry visa for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda is good enough for a trip that includes all 3 countries. Yellow Fever inoculations are recommended and may be compulsory for several countries if arriving from a Yellow Fever zone Vaccination, innoculation and medical certificates or receipts should be carried on the trip at all times. All innoculations should be done 4 to 6 weeks before the trip.

Climate
Wet months in East Africa are April, May, Nov and Dec. In Rwanda and Uganda it may rain throughout the year. Weather patterns are changing so the wet season may be delayed or arrive early. Wet seasons are excellent for birding. Dry and warm months are Jan, Feb, Mar, Aug, Sept, Oct. These months are superb for game as water is in short supply and game gathers near water holes or rivers. Wildebeest, zebra and gazelles give birth in Feb and March. Dry and cool months with clear skies and lots of greenery are June and July. Temperatures fall dramatically during the night. Prolific birding and good general game viewing.

Migration
The famous wildebeest migration follows ancient migratory paths between Serengeti and Masai Mara. Between Aug and Oct the migration is based in the Masai Mara. It then moves back into north and north eastern Serengeti in Nov, continuing along the central and eastern flanks towards Gol Mountains until Dec. Between Jan and March the wildebeest are well settled in south Serengeti near Ndutu. They resume migrating in April towards central Serengeti, arriving in western Serengeti in June. They continue to northern Serengeti and are ready to cross back into the Mara between July and Aug. Some of the herds remain behind in Serengeti, thus making northern Serengeti a superb alternative to Masai Masai between June and Nov.

Clothing
We highly recommend that you do not over-pack as there is limited space in the safari vehicles. Pack lightly in a large, soft bag with sturdy zippers and padlock (no hard suitcases). Ensure the bag does not weigh more than 20kgs. If you are using internal flights to travel to game parks, the max weight allowance is strictly 15kgs. Recommended clothing items include: cotton T-shirts, short and long sleeved shirts, socks, shorts, trousers, a jumper, 2 to 3 sets of light-weight smart casual clothes for the evening, swim suit and a light shower-proof anorak. Light hat, scarf or handkerchief that protect your head, neck and nose are essential. A pair of lightweight sandals, walking boots and smart casual shoes are also recommended. Other accessories should include a travel medical kit, sun protection lotions, wet wipes and sunglasses. For gorilla safaris we recommend thicker clothing, gloves and a ski-stick.

Currency
It is best to carry more traveller’s cheques than cash. US Dollars and Pound sterling notes and traveller’s cheques are easy to exchange.

Electricity
Supply is usually from 220V to 240V, 3-pin, square/round plugs.