Safari Holiday Information - South Africa

►  Passports.   

      Ensure passports are valid up to six months after your return home and have three to four clear pages for stamps in them; ensure your return air tickets are available for inspection at port of entry.  No visas are needed for UK passport holders.

►  Medical

      Tell your doctor several weeks before you leave where you are going on safari holiday.   British visitors do not need medical certificates for entry into South Africa, unless arriving from a yellow fever zone.   Malaria is a problem in safari areas.   The country has excellent medical facilities.

► Departure taxes

Departure taxes are included on your ticket invoice.

► Aircraft Seats

It is sometimes possible to book preferred seats for your flight.  No airline will guarantee this.  If you want to make a seat request let us know when you pay for the ticket and we will see if anything can be arranged.

► Diets

Special diets can be arranged on flights and on holiday. Early notification is essential and will help us make sure most of your dietary requests are met.   

►  Airline schedule changes  

      Please check with airlines 72 hours before departures to confirm your booking and ensure no schedule changes have occurred.   This is important in Africa.  Published information may be inaccurate.

► Luggage and travelling.

Pack in non-rigid, strong bags.   Light aircraft charters are restricted to 12kg per person (10kg on some routes) including cameras, etc.   On safari laundry happens every day and you don't need to take much to wear.   Leave jewellery at home.  On safari it is unsuitable and will cause stress.   Check baggage is properly ticketed and labelled and keep the baggage slips.   Get to the airport early.   It is more relaxing and check-in staff are easier on luggage that is slightly overweight.   Most airlines ban smoking.   Do not leave belongings unattended.   Drink lots of water on the 'plane and all the time you are on safari holiday.

► On arrival.

At Johannesburg International Airport, if not being met by a K&K representative or Aerospace, you can use buses which run into Johannesburg and Pretoria and reasonably inexpensive taxis (check the metre at the start of the journey).  Buses and taxis are also available at the international gateways of Cape Town and Durban.   In the luggage area check your baggage for damage and refer at once to airport interline staff if there is any problem with your luggage.

► South African Customs

Before or after landing you may be given a form asking you to state how much foreign currency you are taking into South Africa.   You are allowed to take in up to R5000 worth of South African currency.   We recommend you take about GBP300 / USD500 per couple in travellers cheques as a back up and keep them safe. 

Allowances: 400 cigarettes, 250 grams of tobacco and 50 cigars, one litre of spirit, two litres of wine, 50ml of perfume, 250ml of toilet water, gifts, souvenirs, etc up to R500.

►  Money

      The South African Rand is divided into 100 cents.   Travellers cheques and cards are safer but you may well need cash for postcards, self drive fuel, memorabilia, curios, tips, etc.   Visitors can use their own bank cards to obtain cash from the many ATMs outside banks.   Main overseas clearing banks have branches in the larger South African centres.

► In town.

Petty crime has increased in southern Africa.   If you are spending time in any urban area it helps to dress and act like locals.   Walk purposefully and walk in pairs, not alone.   Body belts are a sure give-away.   Don't leave cameras, binoculars etc. in full view of passers-by on car seats, or hang them from shoulder or neck.  As in most cities you are advised to be extra vigilant and take local advice, especially about walking anywhere after dark.

► Itineraries.

A detailed itinerary will be sent to you with your air tickets or after you confirm your safari holiday.  Detailed historical, fauna/flora safari background notes unique to your holiday area available - as an added extra.

► Driving.

Drive on the left. Give way to the right.   In a few urban areas near or in townships driving can be hazardous when South Africans drive through orange traffic lights and weave from lane to lane.   On the open road speed traps with sophisticated radar equipment and fast chase cars are common .   Maximum speeds on freeways is 120kph; 100kph on rural roads and 60kph in urban areas. Police like driving licenses with photographs but if you produce a passport and an old style paper license that will suffice.  Avoid driving at night. Under-lit vehicles and billowing exhaust smoke may be hazards in some rural areas.   Fuel is cheaper than in Britain but has to be PAID FOR IN CASH – not credit card.  Fuel attendants clean windscreens, check oil etc. for which a tip of two or three rand is expected. Travelling by train or bus is a viable alternative.  Car hire is recommended. 

►Health and welfare

        Skin cancer is becoming more common everywhere.   People with pale skin and fair or red hair and anyone prone to sunburn or who has not been in the sun for some months should not sunbathe between 10am and 3pm for the first few days and even then for a maximum of 20 minutes each side.

Sunblock preparations are of questionable value for fair skins but those rated at SPF 30 or above are available at most chemists in South Africa and may provide some protection.  Whatever sunblock is applied and whatever your skin type be aware that the sun is strong and can burn.

Malaria occurs in Northern Province, Mpumalanga, and the north of KwaZulu Natal.   Mosquitoes are developing resistance to prophylactics.   Lariam may be prescribed but it has a devastating effect on those who react adversely to it.   The best way to prevent malaria is to avoid being bitten.   Keep limbs covered at dusk.   Use a repellent.   Don’t wear perfume or after-shave lotion at dusk.   Lodges usually supply repellents.   Ask for a net if one is not provided.   Mossies don't like fans or high winds; they can’t settle.

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Tap water in South Africa is safe to drink.  This applies to nearly all lodges and camps but it does no harm to check with local management.  Bottled water will be available at most places.   Take Immodium, as an upset stomach sometimes accompanies people on safari holidays.  Meals are lavish.   Drinks are sometimes on the house.   Excessive drinking lowers concentration in the bush and is hazardous to health.  Smoking may be allowed, with the consent of other guests.   Don’t smoke in thatched rooms.

Swimming in rivers and lakes is stupid; they are home to crocs, hippos and bilharzia snails.   South Africa's seawater is among the cleanest in the world but check locally before swimming.  Shark nets are needed in some areas.

►Clothing   

Safari clothing should be comfortable and blend with the bush: khaki, tan, dark green cotton shirts, shorts or trousers - never white.  Camouflage is illegal.  Wear trainers, veldshoen, light leather boots or robust sandals but not new footwear.  Socks attract prickly grass seeds. A bush hat is essential to cut glare and protect you against sunburn; the wide-brimmed variety is best.   Daily laundry is available and often free at bush camps.   Sunglasses are not vital but useful in open vehicles against grass seeds and flying insects.   In winter (May to August) wear pullovers, jackets, long trousers, socks and gloves at night.

►Game and bird spotting

   Your safari holiday will be enhanced by good reference works of which a wide variety is available.   We recommend an all-in-one compendium, 'The Wildlife of Southern Africa' edited by Vincent Carruthers, and for those interested in game animals' social behaviour and statistics 'The Safari Companion' by Richard Estes makes fascinating reading, as does Smithers‘ Mammals of Southern Africa.   Both Newman’s and Robert’s bird books are in wide use as well as the Sasol book of Southern African birds.   Children especially get a thrill from keeping checklists and looking up relevant information in wildlife books.  With adequate notice we can arrange for bird and mammal reference works to be bought on your behalf in advance from specialist book dealers in UK.   South Africa boasts 870 different bird species, from breeding flocks of pelicans and flamingos in northern KwaZulu-Natal to huge flocks of curlews and sandpipers in the south-western Cape.

►Photography

   Memory cards and film are widely available in South Africa, including the latest fast films, but it is wise to take your own specialist requirements.  Serious photographers use digital and SLR formats.   Even in the rainy season, the sun is bright.   Good results are obtained by working around 250th/sec at f11, two hours after dawn and before sunset.   Bright light means saturated colours.  Sunsets and skyscapes are often memorable.

Taking photographs from safari vehicles can be tricky.  Always ask guides to stop for that special pic. but be aware animals become alarmed when vehicles are no longer moving and vehicle profiles change as people leave them.  If not provided, ask for a sack of sand or cushion on which to rest arms and camera.  A monopod is invaluable; doubling as a walking aid.  Inland water birdlife has to be seen to be believed, often numbering more than 300 species in one area.  In SLR-speak a 200mm lens will do for most animal shots but a 500mm will be required for good bird shots.

Photographing people can cause problems.  Courtesy means you tell your guide who you want to photograph.  He may decide a financial inducement is in order; even better - buy something from the subject.  

 ►Communications  

    Direct dialling connects all major centres.

It is useful to have a phone card and to know the prefix numbers to ring from the country you are visiting.   Making calls overseas from hotels attracts a surcharge.   'Phone cards can be used in green call boxes.  

Mobile ‘phones may be hired on a daily, weekly or monthly basis and are often supplied by car hirers.  You can take your own and pay about R100 to change the SIM card and buy pay-as-you–go cards at newsagents.   Faxes are available in many hotels. 

► Advice and assistance

Ask staff for assistance with any domestic queries you may have. 

Trackers and guides at most camps are well trained and will include a briefing session before they take you out in vehicles or on foot.   If they don’t, ask for it.   If you have any doubts about a situation express them straightaway to a responsible person.   If at any stage in your holiday you have a problem do not hesitate to seek the advice of, or complain to, local management first.  That invariably fixes the problem.   If that does not work call the K&K handling agents listed in your K&K itinerary. And, please make a note of the incident and report it to us when you return home.   Action will be taken.   Please read K&K terms and conditions and do not hesitate to contact us before you leave if you have any queries.

►Tips

Staff are keen to please and appreciate it when their efforts are recognized by tips which are best worked out with local management.   A rough rule of thumb is five to ten US dollars per person per night but ask.  Most organisations spread tips over the range of employees – not just the high profile workers.  

►South African departure tax.

    Departure taxes are included in the price of your airticket.

►Wild animals and liability

    Enjoy your wildlife experience to the full by observing animals silently without disturbing their natural surroundings.   Talking, attracting animals’ attention, imitating animal sounds (except bird calls), clapping hands, slapping the side of the vehicle and throwing objects are taboo.  

Guides are experienced.   They know how close or how far away to be from wild animals or reptiles, many of which are potentially dangerous.   Neither King & King  nor its associates, nor its suppliers can be held liable for any injuries caused during an incident involving wild animals.   Some camps may insist on indemnity forms being signed.   The best ocean lodges have experienced diving instructors.   Listen to them. 

►Electricty and video batteries   

    Some lodges are remote.   Usually they generate electricity when guests are out on activities to charge batteries for 12v lights in rooms and cookers.   220v and 110v sockets may not be available.   Video batteries may be charged while generators are running – so bring a spare.

►The following checklist may be helpful:

►UK Customs

    You may import free into the UK 200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco), one litre of spirits or strong liqueurs over 22% volume, or two litres of wine, sparkling wine or other liqueurs, 60cc/ml of perfume, 250cc/ml of toilet water and goods to the total value of £145, per adult.

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