General Information
- Passports:
Visitors to South Africa holding passports from USA, UK, and most European countries do not require a visa to South Africa if their stay is less than 90 days. Please ensure that passports have a minimum of two blank pages and are valid for 6 months after departure from Africa. It is your responsibility to ensure that passports and visas are valid for countries visited.
- Health:
Should guests have any particular ailments requiring specialized medication, they must ensure that they have sufficient stocks with them. If they are carrying prescription medicine, they must carry a copy of the prescription with them.
This tour will not pass through any malaria areas.
Drinking Water: The water from the taps in South Africa is drinkable, but it is always best to check with your host.
Sun Protection: It is most important to apply a good high protection factor sunscreen as the sun is extremely harsh here.
- General:
Don’t forget your camera and binoculars! Be sure you have enough memory cards for your digital cameras. You will undoubtedly find yourself taking far more photos than you imagine.
Your guide will usually carry a good selection of reference books in the vehicle, as well as a spotting scope.
- Money Matters:
Most places will take credit cards, and travelers checks may be cashed in the larger city banks but the process can prove protracted. SA has a sophisticated banking infrastructure and even small towns will generally have ATM’s that dispense cash if your bank account permits this using your credit or debit card. There is also a bank in the airport when you arrive. Our recommendation is that you make sure your credit / debit card has the necessary authorization to enable you to draw cash from the ATM’s as and when required as standing in banks to cash travelers checks or change money can be extremely time consuming.
- Electricity:
Voltage is 230V;
Our plug fittings take15 amp plugs with three round pins (one large pin and two smaller pins: TYPE M). Converters can be purchased in most travel stores. We also use two-pin plugs (two small round pins: TYPE C) with local adaptors – these can be purchased here if necessary.
See www.kropla.com/electric2.htm for more info
- Baggage
On scheduled commercial flights luggage allowance for checked-in luggage is 44 lbs with one piece of hand luggage weighing no more than 15 lbs allowed, unless otherwise stated.
- Tipping
Tipping is customary in South Africa. A guideline for visitors is the following: Porters R5 per item, taxis 10%, waiters and waitresses in restaurants 10 - 15%, parking attendants R2 - R5.
Tipping of site guides: if you are very happy with your site guide you may wish to consider a gratuity of around R50-R100 per person per outing.
A website with more useful information is
www.sa-venues.com/tourist_and_visitor_information_.htm