When planning a trip to South-Africa, there are many questions that spring to mind. These can vary from; what to wear? Is it safe? What must I bring? What medical or health precautions should I take? and many more. The list of FAQ’s below are some of the more common ones, have a glance through and if you can’t find an answer drop us a line and we will gladly answer the questions you may have.
If your main aim is to go on a wildlife safari in South Africa then our winter months from May to August and even into October are the best. This is the dry season for most of the game park areas so you will have weeks of lovely sun shine and comfortable temperatures during the day. Being the dry season you can see further into the bush as the grass is dead and most of the trees lose their leaves, the animals are also more concentrated as they have to come to water holes to drink.
You will be required to declare all foreign currency in any form when entering/exiting South Africa and therefore we advise that you only change money as required. The international airports have banks where money can be changed, this is the best option as they offer good exchange rates. Facilities are usually available at reputable hotels and lodges but the exchange rate is not very good. The unit of currency is the Rand, which is divided into 100 cents.
Travel to South Africa poses no medical threat. At most properties, and in most areas, the water is safe to drink, and is less chemically treated that you might imagine. In those rare cases where a property itself is concerned about water, bottled water is always provided. Indeed, bottled water is readily available at properties, and on safari. Complications from sunburn should also not be ignored – always wear a hat with a brim, and ensure that you carry a good supply of sun protection cream (the higher the screen factor the better).
Tap water is safe to drink in South Africa but bottled mineral water is available for purchase.
South Africa is a great family destination. There are activities for children of all ages and plenty of adventure for the whole family. During the summer months, the beaches are wonderful for children of all ages and numerous adventure activities like boat rides and cruises, horse riding, surfing, hiking and many others are offered. Sun City is a very popular family destination.
Health insurance is definitely advisable. The health services in South Africa are of a high standard but a private system for which you would require medical insurance is in operation. Insurance is also recommended to cover loss of baggage and flight delays.
All major credit cards, including Visa, American Express, Diners Club and MasterCard, are accepted at most hotels, shops and restaurants. Proof of identity may be requested in some instances and it is useful to carry a passport or some form of photo identification at all times.
The check in luggage limits on the regional commercial flights is 20 kg pp (44 lbs per person) plus you are allowed 1 carry on bag. (South African Airways, British Airways, Nationwide Airlines, Kulula etc) Unless otherwise specified, if your African safari itinerary involves any light aircraft transfers in Botswana, Namibia or South Africa, there is a limit of 15 – 20 kg (44 lbs) per person. This 20 kg includes camera bag and equipment. Please ensure the bag is a soft carry-all (instead of a rigid suitcase).