This advise will enable you to have an unforgetable Safari, helping you to plan and to be prepared.
Before You Go
Airport taxes are sometimes extra and due before departure. Airlines servicing your destination(s) should be able to help with more info. Refer to Flight Bookings for assistance with airtravel.
Check duty free allowances regarding alcohol and cigarettes for each country if you intend taking "stock" with. Leave a copy of your passport & itinerary with someone at home and also place a copy in your travel bag.
Safari travel insurance - It is advisable to take out travel insurance for any safari, if you're planning to take part in adventure activities like bungi jumping, rafting and quad biking ensure your policy covers this.
Medication - Get your jabs and medication from your local travel clinic or GP.
Research - Learn about the country's history and current affairs to better understand people's behaviour. Read about African wildlife before you go - it will enrich your game viewing experiences, e.g. you can really appreciate the thrill of seeing one of the world's rarest animals - the black rhino - if you know how few there are left on earth. To save a bit of money, consult your library for travel guidebooks before you buy - they often have great ones you can borrow for free. Land Lover Safaris have an onboard library on the exclusive Safari packages.
Electricity in Africa is 220-240V AC50Hz. Make sure to pack adaptors for your camera or cellphone, but also ensure that your adaptor can plug into an African 3 point adaptor. All exclusive Safari vehicles are equiped with 220-240V powersuplies (Inverter power).
You can exchange money/travellers cheques at banks (hours are usually Mon-Fri and Sat mornings), airports, most hotels and lodges and some camps. Beware of changing money at smaller camps where you have no choice but to accept the exchange rate of the camp manager! It's wise not to exchange money on the black market or if you do at least be very careful. These guys slip plain paper or small denomination notes in between 20s for instance. They can swap a roll of the right money very quickly for a worthless one and disappear into crowds even quicker. The best curencies to travel with is US$, Euro and South African Rand. Visa or MasterCard credit card and/or traveller's cheques - Diners and American Express are not always accepted. Keep travel documents in a safe place - many airlines no longer resubmit lost tickets and require a police affidavit if you want to avoid paying the full fare for their replacement.
Drink plenty of fluids in hot weather. Support local enterprise (markets, curios - but stay away from any illegal trade/product). Use all your senses for the best experience and great memories, e.g. taste the local food, brews and fruit. Don't give kids sweets/money/pens as it encourages begging - it's more productive to make a donation to a recognised project or school.
Health Try to prevent mosquito bites by wearing long sleeves and trousers after sunset and apply plenty of insect repellent. If you're travelling to a malaria area, you'll need to take the following precautions:Apply insect repellent to exposed skin. Recommended repellents contain 20-35% DEET, and there are a number of brands on the market. As soon as the sun sets change into long-sleeved clothing and long pants if you're outdoors. Use a mosquito net if your tent or room isn't screened or air-conditioned; and spray insecticide or burn a mosquito coil before going to bed. Take the malaria tablets recommended for the region you're travelling to, and keep taking them until the course is complete. If you're planning on scuba diving in a malaria area notify your doctor as this will determine which anti-malaria tablets are prescribed.Always consult your local doctor or travel clinic.If you come down with flu-like symptoms either during or within four to six weeks after your visit to a malaria area, seek a doctor's advice immediately and let him know that you've been in a malaria area.(This is only a guideline and it is advisable that you consult your doctor).Besides malaria, there are other insect-borne diseases such as dengue, tick bite fever and sleeping sickness that you should guard against. These are less common, and you can use the same precautions you would use against mosquito bites: long-sleeved clothes and trousers, repellents and mosquito nets. In countries where drinking water isn't properly regulated, stick to bottled or boiled water and avoid tap water, water fountains and ice cubes. Ask your travel consultant or safari guide about the safety of drinking water in the areas you'll be visiting. Use common sense when it comes to food and beverages. If you're unsure of their origin, don't touch them. If you're walking, it's best to wear shoes at all times. Avoid handling animals, especially monkeys, dogs and cats. Avoid swimming in stagnant water.
AIDS is rife throughout Africa, so if you're planning to have intimate contact with the locals always use condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following vaccines. See your doctor at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow time for them to take effect: Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG) Hepatitis B if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than six months, or be exposed through medical treatment. Rabies, if you come into direct contact with wild or domestic animals. Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting developing countries Booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria, measles and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults, as needed. A yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required for entry into certain African countries, particularly if you are coming from tropical South America or elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is no risk of yellow fever in southern Africa.
The British Airways Travel Clinics provide a comprehensive malaria avoidance programme. You can contact them in Johannesburg at +27 11 807 3132, and in Cape Town at +27 21 419 3172.
Please check the exact health requirements for your destination with your medical practitioner prior to departure. Land Lover Safaris is not responsible for providing medical advice and cannot be held liable for illness and/or associated costs that may be incurred during or after your trip.
Customs - Always ask permission if you wish to photograph people - not everyone is keen due to certian traditional beliefs. Save precious nature resources (water) and respect local etiquette - even ways of being polite differ from country to country. Be patient, friendly and sensitive - remember you're on holiday in "Africa time". Leave only footprints, take only photographs. Keep noise to a minimum to avoid disturbing wildlife. Don't feed animals or get out of the vehicle near them: wild animals are unpredictable and can be dangerous.
Gratitude - It is custom to add an additional 10% tip to your bill for services rendered.
General Safety and Security - The best advice for security when you travel is to simply stay aware of what's going on around you. If you do this, you have a good chance of enjoying a problem-free holiday.
As with anywhere in the world, when you're in a city don't carry valuables openly, and if you must carry your passport and money then keep them in a buttoned-down pocket or well concealed on your person.
Driving in Africa can often be an adventurous undertaking. In many countries, and particularly in rural areas. Roads and vehicles are often poorly maintained and it's not unusual to come across large domestic animals such as sheep and cattle standing in the middle of the road. Avoid travelling at night! The best advice: stay alert, buckle up and dont drink and drive.
Avoid deserted areas, particularly at night. If you're in a car, park in well-lit, populated areas; always keep it locked - even when you're in it; and don't leave valuables where they can be seen.
Conservation areas - All reserves have a set of rules that you need to follow to ensure your safety. Many of the animals you'll come across, particularly lion, hippo, elephant and buffalo, are dangerous. Stay in your car and keep a reasonable distance - especially with elephant - in case you need to beat a hasty retreat! Africa has its fair share of poisonous snakes - though they are rarely encountered. When they are, they usually try to get away as quickly as possible. But if you're planning on doing any walking, wear boots, socks and long trousers as a precautionary measure - and always watch where you're about to tread. Ticks are another unwelcome aspect of going walking in the bush. Boots, socks and long trousers will help keep them off you. Don't swim in rivers and lakes where there are hippos and crocodiles. Also, many rivers and lakes in Africa host a parasite called bilharzia.If you're going on safari, pack comfortable walking shoes and khaki, brown or beige casual clothes. Long-sleeved shirts and trousers will help protect you against the sun and insect bites. Take a warm jacket for game drives and, if you're going in summer, make sure it's waterproof. Smart-casual clothes for eveningwear, although a few upmarket destinations will expect something more formal - check with your travel consultant if you're not sure. Malaria tablets, insect repellent and (if necessary) a mosquito net, sunblock, sunglasses, contact lens solution(if you wear contact lenses) and a hat.
Prescription medications: make sure you have enough to last during your trip, as well as a copy of the prescription(s). Over-the-counter anti-diarrhoea medicine (just in case!) if you think you'll have trouble finding a pharmacy on your trip.
Binoculars, camera and plenty of film or memory for a digital camera.
Documentation - A valid passport is needed for ALL international travel. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months AFTER returning from your trip - this is an international requirement. It is also essential that you have sufficient blank pages in your passport for visas, entry stamps or temporary residence permits. We recommend allowing two blank pages per country that you are planning to visit.
Do I need a visa ? · Some countries will require entry, re-entry or departure permits and/or visas, which are issued at their consulates/embassies. · It is highly recommended that you contact the relevant issuing authorities in good time to double-check the entry requirements, and then arrange for all the necessary permits and visas you need. · Your local visa service agent or shop is also a convenient and useful solution: they will make sure you have all the necessary documentation and will apply for the visa on your behalf. · Land Lover Safaris cannot be held responsible if visa applications are denied for any reason. We also cannot be held responsible for any changes in costs, requirements, delays, or loss of passports caused by the issuing authorities.
What other documents do I need?
Other important documents you may need are:
· an international driver's license
• inoculation certificates (e.g. yellow fever)
• airline, car, hotel, hotel vouchers
· Please check whether you need these before you leave.
If you're on a guided tour, your chances of encountering problems are minimal - tour operators make it their business to know the areas they travel to, so you are never at any unnecessary risk.
- KwaZulu-Natal, on the eastern side of South Africa, is bordered by the warm Indian Ocean to the east and the high escarpment of the Drakensberg Mountains to the west. The province has a warm, sub-tropical climate, with temperatures moderated by the expanse of the Indian Ocean. Summers are hot and humid averaging 28 degrees, and experience the majority of the annual rainfall, while winters, with average temperatures of 23 degrees, are warm, dry and clear. There is occasional frost in the interior and snow often falls in the higher reaches in winter. Winter sunshine averages almost 7 hours a day, some of the highest in the country.
CLIMATE
The climate of KZN is described as all-year-round tourist-friendly. Sea temperatures are also relatively stable, averaging 21 degrees all year, providing possibilities for a diversity of aquatic activities in any season, including diving, fishing, swimming, boating and surfing.
The South African Weather Service provides a host of useful information in terms of the weather and activities dependent upon it for tourists, fishermen, beach-lovers, hikers, and anyone who enjoys the outdoors.
POPULATION FIGURES KwaZulu-Natal is home to 10.2 million people with a rich cultural mix. Additional statistics can be acquired from the Statistics South Africa site.
OFFICIAL LANGUAGES There are eleven official languages in South Africa. In KwaZulu-Natal, English and Zulu are widely spoken.
BANKS Banking hours are from Monday to Friday 09h00-15h30 and Saturday 08h30-11h00. Automated teller machines (ATMs) operate 24 hours a day and can be found in most shopping centres.
CURRENCY The currency in South Africa is the Rand. Bank notes currently available are R200, R100, R50, R10 and coins of R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c. There are 100c in R1.
VALUE ADDED TAX A 14% tax is charged on most purchased goods and services. However, foreign tourists may reclaim this money on their departure from the country provided that the goods purchased exceeds R250. Ask for more information at the airport upon arrival.
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS Police & Flying Squad - 10111 Ambulance - 10177 Tourist Support Unit - (031) 332 5923 Train Enquiries (Spoornet) - (031) 361 3388 Airport Flight Information - (031) 451 6666 Weather Bureau - (031) 469 0099 Department of Home Affairs - (031) 308 7900 Boardwalk Inkwazi Info Hub 0027 (0)796071057
