CHIMP
EDEN & SAFARI TRAVEL – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Africa
is a wonderfully vast continent with endless safe
and exciting safari travel options, so it’s
worth planning ahead to ensure that you experience
the best of your safari.
GUEST
SAFETY
Q: Will I be safe?
A:
Guest safety is of paramount importance
and even though South Africa is a safe
destination, it is wise to take certain standard
security precautions. Please carry a record of
your passport number, airline tickets and
travellers cheques, and ensure that these items
are kept in a safe place. Make use of your hotel
safety deposit box for expensive items and never
leave baggage or personal items unattended,
especially at airports. Fully trained uniformed
security guards monitor animal activity within
Safari lodge areas and escort guests to/from their
suites.
HEALTH
Q: What kind of medical precautions do I
need to take?
A:
Please consult your physician or health
department for the latest health and anti-malaria
precautions. Some countries require advance
inoculations (and certificates thereof) – we
will advise you of these.
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
Please ensure that you are holding a valid
passport with sufficient blank pages for entry
stamps in each country visited, and that you apply
for visas prior to your departure. Nationals of
certain countries do not require visas depending
on the country you are visiting. It is advisable
to check with the Consulate of the country you
intend visiting for the latest visa and entry
requirements beforehand or contact us and we’ll
gladly advise you with regard to documentation
Q: HOW IS EMERGENCY MEDICAL COVER AND
TRAVEL INSURANCE ARRANGED?
A: Emergency medical evacuation
insurance is included in the rate at all the
lodges African Duet Travel
utilises.
Please note that this insurance covers cost of
evacuation to the nearest suitable hospital and
does not replace normal travel insurance. Please
ensure that you arrange your own insurance for
personal effects, personal accident, medical
travel expenses, baggage, cancellation and
curtailment prior to your arrival. Trained
first-aiders are on standby at the lodges at all
times, and emergency evacuation by air is
available.
MONEY
Q: Where can I change currency?
A: As certain African currencies are
difficult to change outside the country of origin
it is advisable to only change money as required.
Most international airports have banks where money
can be changed, and facilities are usually
available at hotels and lodges. Most major credit
cards are accepted at lodges/hotels, shops and
restaurants. As exchange rates fluctuate, please
check with your local bank or business media prior
to departure. ATMs are available throughout South
Africa.
SEASONS
AND TEMPERATURES
Q: What is the weather like?
A: Each region usually experiences lovely
hot summers and mild winters and offers
exceptional game viewing opportunities throughout
the year.
South
Africa:
Daytime summer temperatures (September – April)
are high and may soar above 36°C/97°F. Winters
(May – August) have chilly nights and crisp
early mornings (minimum 3°C/38°F), but the days
are fine and warm. Rainfall occurs predominantly
in the summer months from September to April in
the form of magnificent late afternoon/evening
thundershowers.
Namibia:enjoys
sunshine virtually every day of the year and you
can expect hot summers (November – April) and
pleasant winters (May – October) in this arid
climate. Daytime summer temperatures can rise to
35°C/95°F and drop to around 18°C/65°F at
night. Winter days are sunny and mild to warm with
temperatures of about 23°C/73°F, which may drop
to as low as 5°C/41°F at night. The coastal
region is cool and dry throughout the year.
Botswana:
Subtropical climate with hot, humid, wet summers
(September to April) and warm to cool, dry winters
(May to August). Daytime summer temperatures may
rise above 35ºC/95ºF, and winter nights rarely
drop below 10ºC/50ºF.
Zimbabwe:
Hot, wet summers (November to March) and warm to
cool, dry winters (April to October). Daytime
summer temperatures may rise above 35°C/95°F,
while the nights in winter rarely drop below 10°C/50°F.
The weather is mild with little rain from April to
May and August to September.
FOOD
Q: Do you cater for specific diets?
A:
Yes, all dietary requirements will be
catered for in Southern Africa. When making your
reservation, please advise us of any specific
dietary requirements that you may have, and these
will be communicated immediately to the Lodge.
Should specific items such as kosher meals need to
be flown in, there will be an additional charge,
which will be quoted separately. Two weeks’
notice is required for kosher meals. Unfortunately
we cannot cater for strictly kosher diets in East
Africa.
WATER
Q: Can I drink the water?
A: Tap water is safe to drink in South
Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe but bottled
water is available if you prefer. It is best to
drink bottled water in Kenya and Tanzania. All
Safari Lodges supplies complimentary bottles of
mineral water in lodge rooms and with meals.
CLOTHING
Q: What should I wear?
A: You will require comfortable, casual and
semi-casual clothes for your safari to Africa.
Please note that bright colors are not suitable
for game-viewing and that game-drives are
conducted in the early morning and late afternoon
which can be cold, especially in winter.
Q:
WHAT SHOULD I PACK?
A: Here are some packing suggestions:
Light
cotton trousers *
Cotton
shorts *
Light
cotton shirts (long and short sleeved) *
Comfortable
walking shoes
Sandals
*
Shower-proof
rain jacket/windbreaker
Sunhat
*
Fleece
Insect
repellent *
Small
torch *
Bathing
suit *
Suntan
lotion *
Sunglasses
*
Camera
(telephoto lens recommended)
Binoculars
For
winter, pack an extra:
Warm
jacket
Woollen
hat
Scarf
and gloves
Batteries,
camera film, sunscreen and an extensive range of
branded safari wear can be bought from most of our
lodge safari shops.
FAMILY
SAFARIS
Q: Is Africa a good family destination?
A: At many of our selected lodges they have
a host of fascinating and entertaining activities
for children between the ages of three and 12
years old. For safety reasons, children five years
and younger, are generally not allowed on open
vehicle game-drives.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Q: What wildlife photography advice can
you give?
Southern African safaris offer many excellent
photographic opportunities. We recommend that you
use a telephoto lens (at least 80-300mm in size)
for the photography of birds and game, as well as
a wide-angle lens. As most game-drives are in the
early morning or late afternoon, high-speed film
(200/400ASA) should be used.
Film and batteries are usually available along
major tourist routes and from lodges, but we
advise that you purchase film, bulbs and batteries
prior to your departure. A lens hood and
ultra-violet filter are advisable and a good bag
for your equipment including a dust cover (plastic
bag) is essential.
SAFARI
GUIDES
Professional safari rangers, trackers and guides
are rigorously trained
exceptionally experienced, with unmatched
wildlife tracking skills. Each guide has an
in-depth knowledge of the areas you will visit,
offering you an incomparable, personal,
informative and interpretive experience.
TIPPING GUIDELINES
Q: What should I tip?
A: Tips are not included in the cost of
your safari. We recommend you tender small amounts
to your lodge/hotel staff. Your lodge manager will
provide you with guidelines for tipping if
required. Where restaurant meals are involved, the
tipping standard is usually 10% of the bill.
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Q: How do I get to the lodges from the
airport?
A: All safari lodges are easily accessible
by either road or air and we will assist you every
step of the way to ensure seamless and safe travel
arrangements.
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