TRAVEL TIPS & LINKS
HEALTH There are a few basic health matters that require care and attention. We are obviously not medical practitioners and the following points are recommended guidelines only. Please consult your doctor and also check with your health department prior to departure for any changes in health regulations. a) MALARIA Malaria within South Africa 's borders is only prevalent in a few areas. It is encountered mainly in northern and eastern Mpumalanga , northern Kwa-Zulu Natal, and the border areas of the Northern and North West Provinces . Malaria is also common in the lower lying areas of Swaziland . It can also be found throughout Mozambique and Zimbabwe , and much of Botswana . Northern Namibia is also a malaria area. Should you be visiting these areas malaria precautions are advised. Malaria transmission is at its highest during the warmer and wetter months of November through to April. From May through to October the risks of acquiring malaria are reduced. The malaria parasite requires a human host in order to complete its life cycle. In most cases, the chances of contracting malaria are very slim. Nonetheless, it is worth taking preventative measures. Both chloroquine-resistant and normal strains of malaria are prevalent in Africa . Malaria is transmitted by a very small percentage of female Anopheles mosquitoes. They are only active in the early evening and throughout the night, at the times when one is usually sleeping or sitting around the campfire. MALARIA prophylactic recommendations for southern African travelers: Expert opinion differs regarding the best approach to malaria prophylaxis. It is important to bear in mind that malaria may be contracted despite chemoprophylaxis, especially in areas where chloroquine resistance has been reported. Please remember that the best insurance is the preventative kind: avoid being bitten by using mosquito repellents liberally. Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers/slacks in the evenings. If staying in a bungalow or tent, spray with an insecticide like DOOM to kill any mosquitoes that may have flown into your room. Mosquito coils are effective. Roll-on ‘Buzz Off’ (a pure Citronella produced in Africa ) is available from Safari Junction. Apply to the ankles, behind the ears & neck, along your arms, etc. If you become ill on your return, while still on prophylaxis or even once you have stopped taking them, ensure that your doctor does everything to establish that your illness is not malaria. Malaria is not a serious problem if you are sensible and take basic precautions. b) WATER It is very important that you drink plenty of water especially during the warmer months. It is generally recommended that guests drink at least 2 to 3 litres (4 to 6 pints) of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration. This excludes tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages, which act as diuretics and can actually contribute to dehydration. Generally, water throughout Southern Africa is safe to drink directly from the tap. However, the levels of harmless bacteria found in water in Africa , may not agree with your metabolism, so if your stomach is easily upset – stick with bottled water which is readily available. PHOTOGRAPHY The choice of the correct camera equipment and film will determine the quality of your photographs on the trip. For good photography of birds and animals, a good SLR camera and telephoto lens is necessary. A zoom lens can be extremely useful on safari and the minimum recommended size is 200mm. Consideration should be given before traveling with any lens bigger than 400 mm as most interesting shots are taken using hand held equipment. The new high-resolution digital cameras are outstanding and give great quality images, especially if you are using a digital camera body which takes normal camera lenses. Camera bodies like the Canon D60 and 1D are superb. Colour reversal film (slides) will give far better quality than prints. The guides have found that they are getting the best results using Fuji film. Fuji has brought out a good high-speed film that gives good colour with very little grain (less so than any of their competitors). This is especially useful when using a big lens in low light situations. The guides' personal preference is the slower film (either 50 or 100 ASA) as this gives almost perfect quality for normal light. However, you may consider going to 200 ASA for a larger lens in low lighting conditions. The new Fuji 400, we believe is giving great results too. The only disadvantage with the low ASA film is that you need a tripod for the early morning and evening shots. IMPORTANT: Bring spare film (although it is available in most camps/lodges) and a spare camera battery. PROBLEM SOLVING We pride ourselves in offering quality, knowledge-based, personal itineraries and offering the best experience for each and every client. If there is anything you feel that we can do to enhance your experience, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you do have a problem whilst on your trip, please bring it to the attention of your host at that time, or ourselves (if you are not satisfied that the host is doing their best to resolve the matter). If you wait until after your trip to bring a problem to our attention, you will not receive a sympathetic ear. SUGGESTED LUGGAGE LIST Following is a list of suggested items to bring on your holiday. Please bear in mind the luggage restrictions of 12kg (26lbs) on light aircraft transfers and 20kg (44lbs) on most scheduled airline flights As no formal clothes are needed throughout most of southern Africa , we recommend that you limit your luggage to the basics. Almost all accommodations have laundering facilities, so what you carry can be washed regularly. More formal attire is usually required only when staying in the more prestigious city hotel establishments or on any of the luxury trains. On a wildlife safari, casual clothing is the order of the day.
Please note that bright colours and white are NOT advised whilst on safari. Remember that there may be a restriction on luggage limits on your safari – so you need to familiarize yourself with these terms and conditions, or ask in advance, if you would like details on the feasibility and costs of taking excess luggage with you. AFRICA TIME Summer: From the first Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April - two hours ahead of GMT Winter: From the first Sunday in April to the first Sunday in September - one hour ahead GMT. CONTACTS If you have a problem while traveling, our contact details are: safarijunction@rogers.com Telephone: 705-445-3646. You will also be provided with contact details applicable to your hosts in the visiting country, and should contact them prior to contacting ourselves (due to the time difference) to expedite resolution. Gary ’s cell phone # will be provided for contact whilst he is in South Africa and Namibia , and Johan of Buzz Adventures will have his number. RECONFIRMING FLIGHTS Please ensure that all your onward flights are reconfirmed at least 72 hours prior to flying. FLIGHT CHECK-IN TIMES Please check in early at all airports (at least one hour prior for domestic flights, three hours for all international flights. (Please verify prior to departure for international as the rules are changing almost daily, as you are no doubt aware). Please also be aware that during peak season, delays are often encountered on scheduled flights. Remember that you are on holiday ... relax and enjoy the ambience, which sometimes has no sense of urgency at all! RESPECTING WILDLIFE & SAFETY WHEN STAYING AT SAFARI CAMPS/LODGES The wild animals are not like those found in theme parks - they aren't tame.
LUGGAGE ON AIR TRANSFERS There are strict weight restrictions in place on any itinerary including light aircraft transfers to ensure passenger safety. Please adhere to those restrictions. Remember: The aircraft are designed with a maximum bodyweight and luggage weight allowance.
Some serious issues must please be noted for these types of fly-in safaris: Luggage is restricted to 12kg maximum per person for travel to Botswana , Namibia , Zambia and Zimbabwe . Air transfers in South Africa have a luggage restriction of 20kg maximum per person.
DRINKS POLICY All properties have their own drinks policy. Please adhere to them. EXCESS BAGGAGE If your itinerary includes light aircraft sectors and you have to bring more baggage than the stipulated allowance, please consult us for details on the options available to you. These will be at an extra cost. CELL PHONES Telecommunications in the urban areas are easily accessible but please note that the safari lodges and camps you may be visiting could be located in very remote parts of Southern Africa and often do not have telephones. An increasing number of guests bring cell phones along with them on safari. As most people come on safari to ‘get away from it all’, we suggest the following guidelines in consideration of all parties:
TRAVELLERS CHEQUES: Travelers cheques are the safest way to carry money - if lost, you can always get them refunded provided you have a clear log on the ones that have been cashed, when and where. The best traveler’s cheques to take are Barclays Bank, Thomas Cook and American Express. There are some downfalls with only taking traveler’s cheques:
We suggest taking about 20% + of your funds in Travelers Cheques. Please note that ATM’s are located throughout South Africa and you get a better rate of exchange using your debit card. **Advise your bank prior to departure that you will be using your debit card in Africa to avoid problems. They may block transactions like this as they would be seen as unusual activity, if they have not been notified in advance. ** CASH Definitely ensure that you take some cash – we have listed the currencies you may be utilizing for your ease of reference. Country Currency South Africa- Rand Zambia- Kwacha Botswana Pula Namibia Dollar Kenya Shilling Tanzania Shilling Generally, game park entrance fees must be paid for in Foreign currency.
NOTE: When you do exchange money, exchange plenty - it is often a time consuming task and banks are not always open. In remote areas you may not be able to exchange money. Money can be exchanged in many hotels. Always get a receipt when changing money through the official channels. When using ATM’s (particularly outdoor) – be extra alert as to who is around you before making the transaction. CREDIT CARDS Most hotels and restaurants in South Africa , Zambia , Namibia and Botswana , will accept payment by credit card. (*** Fuel stations accept CASH only).
KEEPING YOUR MONEY SAFE It goes without saying that if you lose your money - your holiday will be ruined - there are many tips on ensuring the safety of your money and valuables. Always have a small bit of money available in a pocket or close to hand - you do not want to dig into your bag or Money Belt or pull out a whole wedge of money when paying for something.
GENERAL DRIVING TIPS
LOSS OF ARTICLES Please note that we cannot accept any responsibility for the misplacement of any articles whilst on your travels. Naturally, we will endeavour to re-unite you with your misplaced items. However, logistics may not be favourable for the returning of articles unless you are prepared to pay for the cost to get your goods back to you. Any costs incurred in this process will be for your own account. This issue is possibly the single biggest form of stress for guests who have left their goods behind somewhere en route and who are not prepared to pay for the costs to be reunited with their possessions. So please make sure that you keep all your goods with you. When parking your vehicle – if you are carrying anything you do not wish to lose – place it out of sight. (the ‘boot’ or trunk). There will likely be locals who will offer to ‘look after’ your car when you park somewhere. Look around to see if there are attendants wearing some kind of uniform or coloured apron, as those are likely hired by the premises in which you are parking. They expect to receive a small tip when you return to your vehicle. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS & VACCINATIONS International visitors require a valid passport (with at least 6 months on it before the expiration date) together with onward travel documents and visas. Ensure that your passport is stamped when crossing borders, if not, then you will have a huge problem when you come to leave the country. If traveling to South Africa then guests must please ensure that their passport is valid for at least 6 months after their entry date and that they have a minimum of 2 blank pages (if there is insufficient space in the passport then entry will be denied) in their passport to enable the entry visa to be issued. In addition if a father (or mother) is traveling with his (her) children alone then a letter of consent, certified by their local police, must be signed by the mother (father) and carried with them. All passport holders should verify with their relevant consulate concerning visa entry requirements. If you are extending your journey to other countries, please establish entry requirements for those countries as well. If you are going in and out of a country more than once, you will require a multiple entry visa rather than a single entry visa. Talk to us if you are unsure of what is required. Please ensure that you have all the necessary visas prior to departure (unless available on entry) as none of Safari Junction directors, their staff, their agents nor their operators can be held liable for any errors. It is your responsibility to ensure that passports, visas, travel permits, health certificates, inoculations, international driving license, or other documentation required for the trip are obtained and are in order. It is also your responsibility to meet any additional costs incurred either by yourself (or by the Company on your behalf) as a result of any failure by you to comply with such requirements. TRAVEL & HEALTH INSURANCE IS COMPULSORY It is a condition of booking, that the sole responsibility lies with the guest(s) to ensure that they carry the correct comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover themselves, as well as any dependants/traveling companions for the duration of their trip to Africa . This insurance should include cover in respect of, but not limited to, the following eventualities: cancellation or curtailment of the safari, emergency evacuation expenses, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, damage/theft/loss of personal baggage, money and goods. We will request you supply us with the Policy numbers and Company’s with whom you have taken out Travel and Medical Insurance as many safari companies insist on this information in advance of your arrival. Safari Junction including their representatives, employees and agents will take no responsibility for any costs, losses incurred or suffered by the guest, or guest(s) dependants or travelling companions, with regards to, but not limited to, any of the above mentioned eventualities. Guests will be charged directly by the relevant service providers for any emergency services they may require, and may find themselves in a position unable to access such services should they not be carrying the relevant insurance cover. As mentioned, insurance is compulsory when participating in any of our trips. It is better to purchase a policy locally, so it will cover repatriation back to your home country. Visa and Mastercard offer travel insurance coverage as part of their customer benefits; we suggest you look into this unless you have some other private travel coverage. Summary re Insurance Coverage a) Health Insurance It is compulsory to have full medical, emergency evacuation and repatriation cover for the period of time you are away. b) Cancellation and Curtailment You might have to cancel or curtail your journey due to unforeseen circumstances. If for any reason you cancel a trip close to departure date, you could lose the entire cost of your holiday. Should you have to leave before your holiday is finished, many places have booking policy in effect that will not allow you to be refunded for the cost of the portion of the package you do not complete. In the eventuality of this happening, insurance may cover you, depending on the reason for cancellation and curtailment. Should you decide not to take out Cancellation/curtailment insurance, you understand and agree that neither Safari Junction, nor its associates, suppliers or employees will be liable to refund any monies you have paid. c) Baggage & Money Insurance It is advisable to take out baggage and money insurance, especially if you are carrying a lot of cash or expensive and valuable camera equipment. You should always carry such equipment as "carry-on" luggage. Do not put anything of value in your checked-in baggage! Ensure your baggage is clearly marked, and keep a change of clothes, medication, and essentials in your carry-on, to avoid further inconvenience in the event your luggage is delayed for any reason. d) Claims If you anticipate an insurance claim upon your return, be sure to document as accurately as possible any accident, injury or loss. Doctor's notes and police reports will aid any claim. PURCHASING ‘SUBSTANTIAL’ SOUVENIRS FOR ONWARD SHIPMENT TO NORTH AMERICA Be wary when purchasing an item from any store (including those that appear ‘reputable’) that is too big for you to bring back yourself, and they offer to arrange shipping on your behalf. We’ve heard way too many horror stories in the past seven years, eg:the shipping price suddenly ‘trebles’ from what you were quoted, huge ‘storage’ bills which have to be settled before they can ship, - which can be a serious problem to resolve once you are back in your home country. WEARING JEWELRY AND OTHER EXPENSIVE ITEMS Outside of your lodge/hotel, avoid wearing ‘flashy’ necklaces, bracelets, earrings & watches. It can have the same effect as wearing a ‘money-belt’ on your forehead! ELECTRICITY The voltage in Southern/Central Africa is 220-230 V, AC . Adapters are for sale at most supermarkets, or you could purchase an adapter here and take it with. ITEMS WELCOMED BY LOCAL CHILDREN Should you wish to be able to give something useful to under-privileged local children you may meet during the course of your travels in Africa , the following items are always appreciated: Crayons, pens, pencils, erasers, geometry sets, markers, exercise books – anything that they can use at school. Candy, toothpaste & toothbrushes, Nutella Spread. |
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