Thank you for booking our 2026 Journey into Africa land tour. Your adventure will be here before you know it!
Approximately 30 days before the trip, your personalized travel documents will be sent out via email confirming all of your trip inclusions and airport transfer details. Below you will find additional information to help you prepare for the adventure that lies ahead.
PERSONAL TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
All documentation required for this trip is the sole responsibility of the guest. Brand g Vacations is not responsible for advising on or obtaining travel documents, or for any delays or losses related to improper or missing documentation. Keep copies of your passport and any visas in a separate location in case originals are lost or stolen.
Passport: Citizens of the US and Canada are required to have a valid passport, which expires at least 6 months after their last day in the programme. Citizens of all other countries should check with the European Union consulate in their home country to verify entry requirements.
Visas: Citizens of almost every country require tourist visas to enter Zimbabwe & Zambia (the location of Victoria Falls). It is not necessary to obtain visas in advance. The required visa(s) may be obtained upon entry to the Victoria Falls airport in Zimbabwe.
Visas are not required for US citizens to enter South Africa. Citizens of other countries should check visa requirements with their nearest embassies or consulates for the countries visited.
Please plan to bring cash for your Zimbabwe visa fee. Credit card facilities at the border are unavailable, so US dollars are required. Bills should be clean, undamaged, and new (printed after 2006), and in small or exact denominations.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is strongly recommended. If you have not yet purchased a policy, contact your travel agent, Brand g Vacations, or visit Travel Insured International to get a quote. Carry all policy information with you during the trip.
HEALTH AND MOBILITY
Vaccinations: No vaccinations are currently required for the countries visited on this program. We recommend consulting your personal physician or a travel medicine specialist before departure. US travelers may also visit CDC.gov for current recommendations.
Physical Limitations: Some excursions involve moderate walking over uneven terrain. Facilities for guests with disabilities may be limited. We recommend all guests be in good physical condition for this program.
Medical: Brand g Vacations and our local providers do not employ medical staff. Medical facilities in Cape Town and Victoria Falls are available should any issues arise. During the safari, guests have access to 24-hour on-call medical assistance handled by a fully trained medical team. All medical expenses are the guest’s responsibility. Bring all medications with you, and ensure your travel insurance includes medical coverage.
Dietary Preferences: Please notify us of any dietary restrictions at least 45 days prior (September 8, 2026) to departure. We will share this information with the appropriate teams and do our best to accommodate your needs within local conditions. Please provide as much detail as possible for any medically related dietary concerns.
LUGGAGE
International Flights (independently booked): Check directly with your airline for current luggage restrictions on your international flights. Weight and size limits for checked and carry-on bags vary by carrier and are subject to change.
Intra-Africa Flights (included in your itinerary): These flights have stricter limits. You are allowed one checked bag at a maximum of 20kg (44 lbs) and one carry-on at a maximum of 8kg (17.5 lbs). A slim laptop bag is also permitted.
Overweight or oversized bags may not be accepted or may incur additional fees.
All luggage and personal belongings are your responsibility throughout the trip. Brand g is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items. We recommend selecting a travel insurance plan that includes luggage coverage.
Place luggage tags on all bags including carry-ons, and keep a copy of your trip contact information inside your checked bags. Pack valuables and medications in your carry-on unless your airline requires otherwise.
AIRPORT SECURITY AND CHECK-IN
Contact your airline before departure to confirm there are no changes to your flight number or schedule. If you have a transfer confirmed with Brand g, please notify us of any schedule changes right away.
Arrive at the airport at least 2.5 hours before departure. During peak travel periods, plan for 3 hours.
CUSTOMS
Carry your identification with you at all times and never place it in checked luggage. Complete all immigration forms as requested and be aware of local entry regulations.
HOTEL CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT
Standard check-in is 2:00 p.m. and check-out is 11:00 a.m. If you arrive early or depart late, the hotel can store your luggage while you explore. Early check-in or late check-out can sometimes be arranged for an additional fee. Contact your travel agent or Brand g if you have specific needs around your arrival or departure times.
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
This program officially begins on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Arrival transfers are provided for guests arriving on or before October 23 from Cape Town Airport to Belmond Mount Nelson, or to another area hotel if you are arriving early. Your personalized travel documents, sent at least 30 days before departure, will include exact meeting instructions.
Upon arrival, proceed through immigration, collect your luggage, and exit through customs. A Brand g representative will be waiting with a Brand g Vacations sign. If you cannot locate the representative, stay outside the customs area and they will come to you. Depending on flight groupings, there may be a wait of up to one hour.
Departure transfers are provided from the Victoria Falls Hotel to Victoria Falls Airport based on flight information submitted to Brand g no later than 45 days prior (September 8, 2026) to departure. Guests who have booked additional nights will be transferred to the airport at the end of their stay.
TRAVEL DELAYS
If you experience a delay while still in your home country, contact your airline to revise your itinerary and then call Brand g at 952 405 9309. If you reach voicemail or are calling outside business hours, please leave a message.
If you have already departed, contact our local staff or your Brand g host using the numbers in the Emergency Contact section of your travel documents.
If your delay causes you to miss the start of the trip, any additional hotel or flight costs to rejoin the group are your responsibility. Contact your travel insurance provider to begin a claim if applicable.
BAGGAGE DELAYS
If a bag does not arrive with you, do not leave the baggage claim area without filing a Lost Baggage Report with your airline. This report is required to track your claim.
If you have a transfer waiting and are traveling with a companion, have one person locate the Brand g representative while the other completes the report. Provide the airline with your travel itinerary and the hotel and emergency contact information from your travel documents. Share a copy of the Lost Baggage Report with your Brand g Tour Leader.
Brand g is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage or personal belongings. Travel insurance that includes luggage coverage is strongly recommended.
PROGRAM STAFF
A Brand g Tour Leader will be with you throughout the program to handle all logistics so you can focus on enjoying your trip.
CONTACTING HOME
We recommend contacting your carrier before departure to review international roaming plans for South Africa and Zimbabwe. In some countries, purchasing a local SIM card for an unlocked phone can significantly reduce costs. Making calls directly from hotel phones is possible but typically expensive.
INTERNET ACCESS
Wi-Fi is available at all included properties, though some may charge a fee. Check with the front desk for details upon arrival.
CURRENCY
Zimbabwe uses the US dollar and Euro. Bring enough small denomination cash to cover your UNIVISA ($50 USD per person) and incidental expenses. Zimbabwe can experience cash shortages, and ATM access is not always reliable. Some credit cards may not work there. Since most meals and activities are already included, you should not need a large amount of cash. It is important that the bills are fresh and new looking.
South Africa uses the Rand. ATMs and currency exchange are available at Cape Town Airport and throughout the city. Credit cards are widely accepted.
Notify your bank and credit card companies before you depart to avoid any issues with overseas transactions.
GRATUITIES
Gratuities for all included program components have been pre-paid. Additional tips are welcome at your discretion.
SMOKING
Smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor areas. All hotel rooms are non-smoking. Please refrain from smoking during excursions.
ELECTRICAL CURRENT
Both South Africa and Zimbabwe use 220-240V/50Hz current. If your devices are not dual voltage, you will need a converter. South Africa uses Type M outlets (three prong), though Types C, D, and N may also appear. Zimbabwe uses Types C, D, or G. Adapters will likely be needed for both countries. Unplug devices when not in use or when leaving them unattended, as voltage can fluctuate.
EXCURSIONS
Included excursions are led by local English-speaking guides. Difficulty levels vary and are noted in the daily itinerary. Your Brand g Tour Leader will provide details and timing each day. If you have any concerns about a specific excursion, let your guide or Tour Leader know.
ETIQUETTE
Always ask permission before photographing locals. A simple gesture toward your camera and waiting for a nod is sufficient. When around wildlife, keep noise to a minimum and set your phone or tablet to silent. Your guide will let you know when photos or flash are not permitted.
FACILITIES FOR GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES
Many locations on this itinerary are not fully accessible. Some excursions involve walking over uneven ground or are walking-only tours. We recommend all guests be in good physical condition. Brand g reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to refuse passage or ask a guest to end their trip if their condition affects their own safety or the experience of other guests.
SECURITY
Pickpocketing can occur in the areas we visit. Exercise normal caution with valuables. Brand g is not liable for loss of money, jewelry, or personal items. Travel insurance typically covers theft and loss.
WATER
Tap water in South Africa is safe to drink… I’m willing to bet our gut is not conditioned for tap water here. In Zimbabwe, do not drink tap water or use it to brush your teeth. Bottled water is provided at the hotel and on excursions.
WEATHER
Average temperatures for late October and early November:
WHAT TO BRING
Travel Essentials: The following items are essential for any destination: sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, rain coat and umbrella. It is recommended that you bring; Electrical convertor and adaptors, duplicates of prescription eyewear, copies of prescriptions for any medications (generic equivalents are usually easier to obtain), copies of credit card information, and copies of your passport information pages and visas.
Clothing: Comfortable, sporty, casual clothing is appropriate throughout this program. We suggest lightweight, light-colored, “expedition style” clothing in natural, moisture-wicking fabrics that may be layered. A mix of shirts, everyday slacks/pants, skirts/dresses, and walking shorts are appropriate. Early mornings, late evenings, and air-conditioned spaces may also require a light sweater or jacket.
On excursions/safari, you may wish to bring long pants and long-sleeve shirts to protect against both sun and insects. Many companies now offer expedition-style clothing in lightweight materials with sun protection and/or insect repellent in the fabric. We also recommend packing a swimsuit since there are pools in the hotels. If you plan to visit Table Mountain, you should bring warm clothing as it is at an elevation of 3500 ft and it can be quite cold. Sport jackets and cocktail dresses are not needed at any time during this program; however, you may wish to pack a few nicer outfits for evening meals or nights out on your own.
Footwear: Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes, with good ankle support are highly recommended, as there is a significant amount of walking on many excursions.
Packing Suggestions
For detailed information about the accommodations throughout this trip, including hotel or ship descriptions, room or cabin types, and independently booked pre and post trip hotel nights, please visit our sales page by clicking here. Each property listing includes a link to the property’s own website where you can read more directly.
We’d love for you to join this trip on our Brand g app. In addition to viewing the full trip itinerary, you can use the group chat to connect with fellow travelers before and during the trip, and access the same reference material found on this page in the Notes section of the app.
There are two steps to get started.
Step 1: Download the app and set up your profile. Search for “Brand g Vacations” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or use the links below.
Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/brand-g-vacations/id6744705654
Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.frienzy.brandgvacations.app
Step 2: Once your profile is set up, join the trip by entering code PZL7G2 in the Join By Code option in the app, or by scanning the QR code or clicking the link below.
https://www.frienzy.com/mobile/brandgvacations/join/PZL7G2
A summary itinerary is available in the app now for your review. The detailed daily schedule will be added as we get closer to the trip start date.
If you have any trouble downloading or setting up your profile, give us a call Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Central Time at 952-405-9309 and we will get you all set up.
We hope you’ll find the linked page below useful when planning your free time before, during and after your trip. It contains city insight information for Cape Town, including nightlife and restaurant recommendations as well as other things to do and see.
Below is a list of emergency contact details
Please bring this information with you and provide a copy to your family members or friends in case they need to reach you in the event of an emergency.
Cape Town is in the South Africa Standard Time Zone, so when it is Noon in New York City it is 6:00pm in Cape Town.
International telephone calls may be made by dialing the International Access Code (011), the country code and then the phone number. If you are dialing from inside South Africa, you do not need to dial the country code of 27.
Brand g Hosts:
James Mayo +1 801-209-4523
Les Porter
Local Representatives:
South Africa (Cape Town): Johan Herbst +27 (0) 82 574 2992
Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls): Lister Nyathi Office: +263-213-2844571/2842313 Emergency: +263-782-745111
Prior to departure you may contact the Brand g office at the number listed below. If outside of our normal office hours, please leave a message.
PROGRAM HOTELS
Belmond Mount Nelson
Telephone: +27 21 483 1000
76 Orange St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001
Dates of Stay: October 23 – 27
Thornybush Game Lodge – Thornybush Nature Reserve On Safari – South Africa
Dates of Stay: October 27 – 31
Victoria Falls Hotel
Telephone: +263-213-2844751/9
1 Mallet Drive
Victoria Falls, Harare
Dates of Stay: October 31 – November 3
Departure Local Representative: To Be Communicated
Brand g Vacations +1 952-405-9309 info@brandgvacations.com
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