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Pelican Safaris |
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Destinations |
South Africa Travel Notes:
A passport that is valid for 6 months after departure from South Africa is required. Please carry your passport at all times during the trip. 2. MEDICAL Please take advice on malaria in Kruger Park. If your doctor recommends taking prophylactics for Kruger it is possible for you to purchase your medication at Johannesburg Airport as pharmacies there have to be up-to-date with supplies and you will pay much less than at home. Bring sun cream and insect repellent though these can also be purchased locally. Ensure that you have full medical insurance. 3. TRANSPORT We will use comfortable, airconditioned VW microbuses, each with 5 window seats and designed to carry up to 7 passengers. Seating is usually rotated on a daily basis. Depending on group size we will use up to 3 vehicles and each will be driven by a driver/guide who has a valid Public Driver’s Permit to transport passengers. In the game parks where much of our tour activity takes place, we are not allowed out of the vehicle due to the presence of dangerous game eg. lions, so any walking in these areas is restricted to the fenced camp areas. Toilets are placed at strategically located picnic sites in the parks but expect drives of up to 3 hours without facilities. 4. LUGGAGE Storage space for luggage is limited and this is therefore restricted to one soft holdall (30x30x60cms) per person with the total weight not exceeding 15kg. No large/rigid suitcases are permitted but a pulley bag of similar size can be used instead. Please note that there is no porterage and participants must be able to handle their own luggage. It is also the responsibility of every participant to load and unload their own luggage each day. 5. WEATHER From October to April, days will usually be very hot except at the coast (28 to 35 C), and nights cooler (18 to 22 C). Low humidity. Rain – expect some late afternoon/evening showers. The rest of the year is generally cooler with day temperatures between 22 & 28C. Night time temperatures may go as low as 2 degrees in mid winter. Generally there is no rain in winter. 6. CLOTHING & LAUNDRY The weather generally does not require the use of heavy clothing and there are ample opportunities for clothes to be hand washed - they dry very quickly. Lightweight cottons are good. Coin operated washing machines are available at most Kruger Camps. Where hotels are scheduled on the itinerary for 2 consecutive nights, a laundry service is usually offered. 7. DRINKS & WATER Water is drinkable everywhere but flavour varies and bottled water can be purchased if preferred. Bring a water bottle (about 700ml) and carry this with you at all times. 8. FOOD The evening meal is the main meal of the day and is either eaten at a restaurant or sometimes prepared by our caterer/guide. In the latter case, the meal typically comprises of a meat dish (stew, roast chicken, beef curry, pork casserole, lasagne, fish, etc.) with two or more vegetables followed by a dessert and tea/coffee. When restaurant meals are a la carte and not buffet/set menus , starters and entrees are for your own account. Most lunches are eaten en route and are therefore light with bread or rolls, cheese, tomato or other fillers being provided for you to make your own sandwiches, and fruit plus fruit juice. Breakfasts are usually cereals, toast/bread, jams, tea & coffee with the occasional cooked breakfast when the schedule permits. Barbecues are also a popular evening meal and will be arranged where venues are suitable. 9. BOOKS, SCOPES, TAPES & BIRDLISTS Reference books pertaining to the area are available in the vehicle. The most popular local bird field guides are
2. "Birds of Southern Africa" by Ian Sinclair, Hockey & Tarboton - published by Struik ISBN 1868727211 Pelican Safaris supplies each participant with a comprehensive bird & mammal list for each tour. A full set of local bird call tapes are available to call in difficult birds, but their use is limited to minimise disruption. Scopes can be brought but must be bagged as they are transported with the luggage. 10. SMOKING In order to ensure that all participants enjoy their tour, Pelican Safaris has a no smoking policy. 11. TELEPHONES Card phones are available in most areas and can be used for calls abroad. Mobile phones have fairly good coverage in South Africa. Contact telephone numbers and descriptions of overnight accommodation are provided. 12. ELECTRICAL Electrical supply is 220V and appliance sockets are large 3-pin (15 amps) with round holes in South Africa. These are the old English style fittings and the distance between holes is about 30mm – in foreign ports the adapters are sold as for India. Bring your adapter to suit your appliance or replace your plugs locally – cost about 50p each. Shaver plug sockets are not available everywhere. 13. MONEY Credit cards can be used for most purchases in larger stores. Cash & travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks but this is a slow process. Preferably exchange money at bureaux at the airports – much quicker. 14. INSURANCE It is the responsibility of each tour participant to obtain comprehensive insurance when making a booking. You are advised to include CANCELLATION insurance as well as accident, medical, medical evacuation, loss of/damage to baggage, etc. 15. GENERAL Items which you should bring on tour include a hat, towel (essential), torch, soap, suncream, waterproof, and bathing costumes. Swimming pools are available at some venues. Heavy boots and clothing are not required unless specified in the itinerary. Trainers are adequate for most of the walking we will do. 16. OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS The optional excursions include a night drive in Kruger with a parks ranger, Zululand bird/game viewing walk with ranger (about 3 hours), any boat trips and the Sani Pass all day 4x4 excursion, drinks and items of a personal nature. There is also a daily Conservation Levy payable at National Parks including Kruger. The costs (given in your itinerary) of optional activities are generally paid directly to the local operator. 17. ACCOMMODATION Accommodation will vary with each tour and details of overnight facilities will be provided with your itinerary. Visitors are typically accommodated in comfortable thatched lodges, cottages or chalets in the National Parks while good B&B's or guest houses are used in other areas. Accommodation is chosen for its scenic locality, facilities, suitability to the group and close proximity to our activity area. Accommodation standards generally exceed visitor's expectations.
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