Showing posts with label PCR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PCR. Show all posts

Wednesday, 28 July 2021

Zambia: Zambezi Collection Chundukwa River Lodge news | Чундуква Лодж Замбия

AN OASIS OF TRANQUILITY ON THE ZAMBEZI RIVER!

A very warm hello from Zambia!

We would just like to wrap our arms around the travel community and thank you for your continued support, friendship and smiles during the last few months. We are so grateful to still be here, welcoming clients and chatting to our agents regularly.

Thank you.

There's been a lot of communication and confusion regarding entry to Zambia in the last few months! We are grateful to report that we've been able to welcome guests from all over Africa and beyond here at Chundukwa River Lodge - and to date, all guests have experienced an extremely smooth and stress-free arrival (and departure) at Livingstone International Airport. Our team is on hand to guide you and your clients through the airport process!

Relax, Recover & Rediscover

Located on a horse ranch only 25 km from Livingstone and Victoria Falls, Chundukwa River Lodge is one-of-a-kind farm stay experience. We welcome guests who love being in nature, horse-riders, safari-goers, adventurers and retreaters. We offer a wonderful destination for both family holidays and couples - travellers who want an authentic experience; getting to know about the local culture, people and wildlife while visiting Victoria Falls and enjoying a peaceful haven alongside the Zambezi River.

A stay at Chundukwa River Lodge allows visitors the opportunity to experience and appreciate the magnificent beauty of the Zambezi River in a space that actively seeks to conserve and minimize their effect on the surrounding environment and to support the local economy. Our sister operation Simalaha Horse Safaris - the first of it's kind in Zambia - is now open for the (dry) season, and there's never been a better time to experience the thrill of a horseback safari in the Zambian wilderness -  a place to reconnect with nature, reconnect with yourself!

ZAMBIA IS (STILL) OPEN FOR REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL TOURISM!

CLARIFICATION OF ZAMBIA'S COVID-19 TESTING & QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS AT POINT OF ENTRY.

Zambia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs circulated a revision to the tourism industry on 23 June 2021, clarifying the Covid-19 testing and quarantine requirements at point of entry for our visitors.

Please take note of the below protocols when traveling to Zambia:

° All scheduled and non-scheduled international flights to all Airports are open.

° All passengers coming from international flights need to present negative SARS CoV-2 PCR test result. The test should be conducted within the previous 72 hours.

° Entry screening will be conducted at all airports. All travellers entering the airport will be subjected to temperature and symptom screening.

° Only travellers deemed from High Risk Countries will be tested for Covid-19 by PCR test upon arrival into Zambia (free or USD$50.00 per person subject to change, payable by the traveller if the same test result is required for exit). These travellers will only be subject to 14-day quarantine if they have a positive result for COVID. If they have a negative result on arrival, the travellers are free to proceed on their travels as planned!

° Travellers that transit through High Risk Countries are not considered high risk if the transit time is less than 24 hrs. 

The list of "High-Risk" countries that will be required to undergo SARS CoV-2 PCR testing on arrival are as follows - as stated by Ministry of Foreign Affairs & ZNPHI. The list will be reviewed and updated regularly.

1. Argentina

2. Columbia 

3. Chile

4. Brazil

5. Netherlands 

6. Belgium

7. India

8. Peru

9. Iran 

10. Turkey

11. Iraq

12. Spain

13. Tunisia

DEPARTURE TESTING FOR ONWARD TRAVEL

Chundukwa River Lodge will make all the arrangements on behalf of our guests who require a negative SARS CoV-2 PCR for onward travel! The test will be performed on-site at the lodge for the convenience of our guests, with results delivered within 24hrs. Quick and easy! The current fee is USD$100.00 per person subject to change.

FAQ'S FROM VALUED AGENTS REGARDING ENTRY

NB! We are in communication with both the Zambian Ministry of Tourism & Arts and Ministry of Health on an extremely regular basis receiving updates. They are working on a pre-arrival app system for COVID certificates, which will be implemented in due course - we will advise once this actually comes on line and how it will work.

FAQ - "What of people from High Risk countries - will they be quarantined for 14 days?"

The answer is no - and we can explain. After High Risk travellers have had their PCR tests on arrival, they meet our driver and proceed to Chundukwa River Lodge - where they "lay low" for 24-48 hrs until their PCR test results are ready. To date, no traveller coming to Chundukwa River Lodge through Livingstone International Airport has been prevented from going about their holiday.

FAQ - "My guests are leaving Zambia again within 72 hours, so will they need to do another PCR test at Chundukwa?"

Only travellers deemed from High Risk Countries will be tested for Covid-19 by PCR test upon arrival into Zambia. The fee is USD$50.00 per person (subject to change), payable by the traveller if the same test result is required for exit. The traveller needs to request this on arrival. Travellers not from High Risk countries may arrange their departure test at Chundukwa River Lodge - the current fee is USD$100.00 per person (subject to change).

THE CHUNDUKWA EXPERIENCE

If you've always wanted to explore the magical Zambezi River and Victoria Falls without the hustle & bustle of big crowds, there is no better time! Chundukwa River Lodge is located 25kms from Livingstone Town and Victoria Falls - far enough to be away from it all, but close enough to experience it all.

Our boutique lodge offers five river-facing stilted chalets and a family-friendly cottage on a fully-inclusive basis.

° We offer a unique safe and relaxed tourist experience -clients may take advantage of private-use vehicles, private transfers and private boat cruises.

° All FI stays include a sunset cruise experience and a private vehicle for a day trip to Victoria Falls & Livingstone Town at leisure. Additional/optional experiences may be arranged for this day in advance by the lodge on clients behalf.

° Chundu Cottage offers a family-friendly and private accommodation experience for up to six guests should clients opt not to mix with any other guests during their stay. 

° Our team are fully vaccinated.

° We are the prime location for river-watching, birding, boating, walking, pool-time, horse-riding or pure off-the-grid relaxation. WiFi is available in the lounge.

° We offer a simple rate structure featuring Low & High Season Rates on a fully-inclusive stay basis. 

° Stays of three nights or longer may add an additional inclusive experience from several options.

THE SIMALAHA HORSE SAFARI EXPERIENCE

RIDE WITH DOUG EVANS

NOW OPEN FOR THE 2021 SEASON!

We welcome all horse-lovers -those searching for something different - something authentic, somewhere you leave only a (hoof)print behind. Where your visit contributes to the greater good of wildlife and people.

The first of it's kind in Zambia, our equestrian safari in the beautiful Simalaha Conservancy is an experience like no other! Hosted by renown horseman, Doug Evans - and with riding access to the whole Conservancy, from vast open plains to mopane and acacia woodlands, there is plenty varied terrain and wildlife to make rides interesting and fun. What is significant about our horse safaris is the story behind the place, the land, the people, its cultural history and relevance to sustainable community and wildlife development.

° A truly boutique experience – the camp takes a maximum of 8 people in four tents only, ensuring the rare opportunity for clients to go off-the-grid and immerse themselves in the experience.

° A sustainable / responsible tourism option; employing environmentally friendly practices; protecting cultural and natural heritage; and providing tangible social and economic benefits for local communities.

° We offer a simple rate structure, starting with a 3-night package or longer, on a full-board basis, including return transfers between Livingstone and Simalaha Conservancy by road.

° Simalaha Horse Safaris allows a provision of 2 horses for each rider, plus saddles and all tack with approximately 6-7 hours of riding per day, dependent on client preference.

Monday Smile! Cape Clawless Otters are a real favourite at Chundukwa River Lodge.

Guests may lookout for these shy creatures nesting in our gardens and waterways.. and sometimes, you'll find them in our guest rooms!

Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com

Wednesday, 16 June 2021

Namibia: Chobe Water Villas news & Kasane border opening | Чобе Вилла Намибия

Opening of the Kasane Border - Chobe Water Villas

I trust this email finds you well in these challenging times.

It is with great pleasure, to share with the industry that the Kasane border between Botswana and Namibia is now open, which makes access to Chobe Water Villas much smoother.

We would thus like to share the process when entering from Kasane. All guests can travel through Kasane again. However, if they do not want to go the PCR route, it is still possible to gain access to the lodge through the Namibian side (please check in with the lodge as it very much depends on the dry/wet season). However, if guests enter through Kasane, please note that a valid negative PCR test is required (please familiarize yourself with the travel regulations for the respective countries you will be traveling through).

If guests depart via Kasane, the tests can be done at Kasane River Border the day before departure. Please note that it is a nose and throat swab and results will be available the next day. It’s an easy process & is 15 minutes (one way) by boat from our lodge. The cost is Pula 500 and the guest/s need to pay in CASH and in Pula. This is very important as they do not have card facilities.

Once guests arrive at Kasane immigration we will pick them up by boat to Impalila Island for passport stamping, the drive by boat is 20 minutes to go to Impalila Island and 20 minutes to Chobe Water Villas.

If guests would be interested in doing day trips to Vic Falls, we can also facilitate this. Zimbabwe’s land borders are still closed but we can arrange the flights and transfers.

As for Chobe Park land activities, we are offering this again, guests however will need a valid negative PCR test (which will be an additional charge for the guest). We have done both activities and it has worked very well.

Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com

Thursday, 22 October 2020

Updated new COVID19 rules in Namibia

New regulations in Namibia

The situation with Corona and Covid-19 is still very difficult all over the world.

But there are some good news we want to share with you:

As the infection rates in Namibia have gone down and 85% of the infected persons in Namibia have completely recovered, the Namibian Government has released the travel related restrictions.

As from today the new rules are:

1. ALL travelers (including tourists, business travelers and all Namibians and Permit Holders) who arrive in Namibia with a negative PCR test result, that is not older than 72 hours, will be permitted to proceed to their final destination in the country. The requirement for the mandatory 5 day retest has been withdrawn.

2. All travelers who arrive in Namibia with a negative PCR test result that is older than 72 hours but not older than 7 days, will be permitted to enter the country. However, they will be required to undergo 7-days supervised quarantine at home or tourism facility. In the event that these environments do not fulfill quarantine requirements, the travelers will be placed under mandatory Government quarantine facilities at own cost.

3. Non-Namibians, who do not present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, will not be granted entry into the country.

4. Returning Namibian citizens or Permit Holders may enter the country with or without a COVID-19 PCR test result. In the event such persons present a positive test result or no result at all, they will be subjected to mandatory quarantine and testing or isolation, after arrival. This provision shall also apply to aircraft and

4. marine vessel crew members; humanitarian aid workers, essential service providers, as well as operators and drivers of cross-border transport vehicles who arrive in the country without the requisite test.

5. Any person who develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19 after arrival in Namibia, will be required to undergo a COVID-19 test.

6. Similarly, in line with our contact tracing protocols, any person, who is identified as contact of a positive COVID-19 case, will be placed in a quarantine facility or in supervised home quarantine for seven (7) days. Such person will also be tested for COVID-19. This includes travelers who may have arrived in the country for different reasons.

According to the Robert Koch Institute, Namibia is no longer regarded as Risk Area (since 17th October 2020).

We are very glad, that Namibia seems to have passed the very difficult time and that it is possible now again to welcome guests to this wonderful, wast country. There is lots of space and after long months in lockdown and staying at home, its time to enjoy nature and space.

There is no better place than Namibia to breathe again.

Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com