How much cash do we need for our tour?

Most guests ask this question at some point in the booking process. Find below, a list of extra costs you may encounter during your holiday with Tailor Made Safaris.
Self-drive Related costs

Additional costs from car rental agencies

​​If you choose to start and end your tour in Johannesburg your car will be booked with AVIS. ​There are a few additional costs to consider. These cannot be paid in advance by Tailor Made Safaris and therefore will be charged to your credit card on collection by Avis.

    AVIS charges
​
    Price

    Contract fees
​
    ZAR 85

    Additional driver
​
    ZAR 385

    Car seat
​
    From ZAR 413
     plus ZAR 1850 deposit

    Deposit
  • if all is well, this will be deposited back into your account after returning the car
​​​
    ZAR 3500 - 4000​

    Fuel
  • when returning the car with an empty fuel tank.
​​
    Varies depending on how empty the tank is.
These are generally the only additional costs relevant to vehicle rental. Contact us if you would like to receive a list of all AVIS' potencial extra charges. 
If you choose to start and end your tour in Maun:

    Extra charges
​
    Price

    Deposit
  • if all is well, this will be deposited back into your account after returning the car​​
​
    USD 340

    Fuel
  • when returning the car with an empty fuel tank.​​
​
    Varies depending on how empty the tank is.

Fuel

Fuel costs around BWP 10 per litre. Expect to spend roughly BWP 0.8 per kilometre. Tours in Botswana depending on the 
start and end location vary between 2000-3000km.  ​

Toll roads

If you are starting your tour in Johannesburg you will encounter some toll roads as you drive to the border. To date they are less than ZAR100 for a standard car. Please note, toll fees are payable in cash only. 
Toll roads have been discussed by the parliament in Botswana, but at the time of writing this none have been implemented.
Crossing borders

    Border
​
    Cost

    South Africa / Botswana
​
    Approximately BWP 150 (best to pay in Pula or USD)

    Botswana / Namibia
​
    Approximately NAD 250
National Parks Entrance Fees
Most national parks have entrance fees (per person per day). At Chobe National Park, Moremi Game Reserve, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park the entrance fees were last listed as BWP 
120 per day for non-residents. These fees must be paid in Pula, other currencies are not accepted.
Optional activities
Most of your activities are included in our tours, but you might want to book extra. Prices are roughly as follows:

    Activity
​
    Price per person
    Full day game drive Chobe (min. 4 guests)
    USD 165
    Flight over the Okavango Delta
    USD 120
    Fishing tour
    USD 155
    Sunset boat cruise Camp Kwando
    USD 35
    Game drive Camp Kwando
    USD 45
    Rhino Walk
    USD 55
Grocery Shopping
This lists contains average prices of some items, so you have a general idea of groceries costs.

    Product
​
    Average price
    Milk (1 litre)
    BWP 13
    Bread
    BWP 7
    Water (1 litre)
    BWP 18
    Coke (1 litre)
    BWP 30
    Domestic beer bottle (0.5 litre)
    BWP 10
    Wine bottle (mid-range)
    BWP 55
Internet - Laundry - Souvenirs

Internet & WiFi

​Most lodges have WIFI, often this is free of charge but sometimes there will be a small fee of around BWP 80.

Laundry services

Many of the lodges offer laundry services, some free of charge, others charge a fee of approximately BWP 80 – 150 per load. 
Beware some lodges can charge per item, so be sure to check first.

Souvenirs

​Most people like to bring some souvenirs home with them. Prices vary from BWP 30 to BWP 5000 depending on whether 
you buy a simple bracelet or more expensive art. ​
Restaurants
Restaurant prices largely depend on what you order and location. Please find the average prices of a meal below.

    Meal
​
    Average price
    Lunch
    BWP 60 - 120
    Dinner
    BWP 100 - 200
Tipping
​If you go out for dinner in a restaurant and the service is good, a tip of 10% of the total bill is the norm. 
 
To petrol and parking attendants, BWP 2 is appropriate.
 
It is also customary to tip your activities guide (game drives, boat trips etc) if he/she is cordial and sufficiently knowledgeable. A rate of BWP 40 - 50 per person per activity is
the norm. The longer the activity the more you can tip if you are happy.

​If you stay at 4 or 5 star lodges, tips are usually higher. You tip around BWP 100 per person per day for the safari guide. Housekeeping staff also appreciate tips, often the lodges will provide suggested guidelines.