Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best months of the year for safaris:

• The best time for a safari in Southern Africa is during the dry winter season, from April to October, when vegetation thins and animals gather at waterholes, making them easier to spot, especially for the Big Five. In Kenya and Tanzania – from May – October.
• Please refer to the website under destinations for general information on each destination of your chosen tour.

Can I add additional tours to our chosen package:

• We can tailor-make a package with extension options available.

Are visas required to travel to South Africa:

• No visas are required for Australian passport holders travelling to South Africa
• Travellers who hold South African citizenship or passports – please refer to the South African Embassy for details.

Travel to Victoria Falls:

• Visas are required for Australian passport holders travelling to Victoria Falls (please refer to the Zimbabwe Embassy for details) and if you are arriving and departing from Livingstone Airport (Zambia) – please refer to the Zambia Embassy for details.

Travel to Namibia:

• Visas are required to travel to Namibia from 1 April 2025. All visa applications are recommended to be completed online prior to your travel date  – please refer to the Namibia Embassy for details.

Travel to Kenya and Tanzania:

• Visas are required for Australian passport holders and must be purchased prior to travel.
• Please refer to the Kenya Embassy for details.
• Please refer to the Tanzania Embassy for details.

Vaccinations:

• No vaccinations are a prerequisite for travel to Southern Africa
• Yellow fever vaccinations are required for clients travelling to Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and vaccinations certificates must be presented on arrival.
• For any medical advice, please consult your GP for any medical queries

Travel from Botswana (Chobe) to Victoria Falls or vice versa.

• No visas are required for Australian passport holders travelling to Botswana.
• Visas for travel from Botswana (Chobe) to Vic Falls can be purchased at the border of Botswana and Zimbabwe. The tour operator will assist you with the purchase of the visas.

Land Transfers:

• Land transfers are included in your package, and your vouchers will indicate the time of collection of each tour and airport transfers. You will be collected at the airport by a representative of the Lodge or hotel by the tour operator and your name will be displayed on arrival at the airport.

Domestic and international flights:

• Domestic flights in Southern Africa are included in your chosen package
• We can arrange international flights on your behalf (recommended) to ensure you have one point of contact for your tours and safari. Our preferred airlines are Qantas, Singapore and South Africa Airways

Currencies:

• The currency in South Africa is the ZAR – South African Rand
• The accepted currency in Vic Falls (Zimbabwe), Chobe (Botswana) and Kenya is the USD
• It is recommended that you have USD or ZAR for smaller purchases, and most hotels, restaurants and retailers accept MasterCard or Visa debit and credit cards. Craft markets only accept cash.

Clothing:

• It is recommended that comfortable casual wear is worn while on safaris with comfortable walking shoes or trainers
• The dress code is casual on most safaris and a warm jersey and trousers are worn for the early morning or evening game drives. In general, the temperature normally warms up during the course of morning game drives.
• Rovos Rail – The dinners require men to have smart casual wear and a jacket – ladies are required to wear smart casual evening wear

Johannesburg Accommodation and transfers – D’O Reale Grande:

• The hotel provides return airport transfers, and the collection point is 40 meters from the exist of OR Tambo (JHB) International Airport. Directions for the collection point will be provided with your vouchers and please make arrangements at the Concierge Desk for your transfer time for your connecting flight.
• The check in time at the hotel is approximately 2.00 pm and the luggage can be stored at the office of the reception until check in time.

Tipping:

There are no set fees for the tipping of guides on the tours and safaris and hotel staff, and it is solely at your own discretion. The tips can range from AUD15 upwards, and every amount tipped is greatly appreciated by the guides

The standard tip at restaurants etc is 10% of the bill.

• The currencies to be used for tipping are as follows:
• Victoria Falls and Chobe (Botswana): USD
• South Africa – Kruger and Cape Town: ZAR (South African Rand)

Welcome letters – vouchers:

• The vouchers for your tours, accommodation and land transfers will be emailed to you approximately 1 month prior to your departure date and must be printed and taken with you as part of your travel documentation. The vouchers must be presented to the accommodation and tour operators if required. No vouchers are required for the Kruger sector of the tour, and the booking confirmation is suffice.

Robben Island tour and cable car up Table Mountain:

• Both tours are always subject to weather conditions
• Kindly note that no transfers are included in the Robben Island tour, and you can arrange a taxi from the Hotel which is not far (+-10 minutes’ drive) to the drop off point for the Robben Island tour. Taxi services are available once the tour has concluded. All tours are subject to weather conditions.