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you are met and transferred by staff of your arrival hotel, No visas are needed for passport holders in the UK and B&B, lodge or camp, or by someone we designate to EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan meet you. Some itineraries involve flying on to another and US and many others for visits of up to 90 days. En- bush airstrip. First, though, in the luggage area, check sure passports are valid up to six months after your re- your baggage for damage and refer at once to airport turn home and have three to four clear pages for stamps interline staff if there is a problem with your luggage. in them; ensure your return air tickets are available for Before or after landing you may be given a form ask- Tell your doctor several weeks before you leave you ing you to state how much foreign currency you are are going on safari holiday to South Africa. Visitors do taking into South Africa. You are allowed to take in up not need medical certificates for entry into South Africa, to R5000 worth of South African currency. We recom- unless arriving from a yellow fever zone. Malaria is mend about GBP300 / USD500 per couple in travel- a problem in safari areas. The country has excellent lers cheques as a back up and keep them safe. [SEE medical facilities [including emergency air evacuation] in urban areas but payment in cash is often required so Allowances: 400 cigarettes, 250 grams of tobacco and make sure you are comprehensively insured.
50 cigars, one litre of spirit, two litres of wine, 50ml of perfume, 250ml of toilet water, gifts, souvenirs, etc up to Outbound departure taxes are included on your ticket invoice. Departure taxes in South Africa are included in The South African Rand is divided into 100 cents. Trav- ellers cheques and cards are safer but you may well need cash for postcards, self drive fuel, memorabilia, cu- You can ask to book preferred seats for your flight if, for rios, tips, etc. Visitors can use their own bank cards to instance, you can produce a relevant doctor’s letter. No obtain rand from the many ATMs outside banks. Main airline will guarantee this. Make a seat request direct overseas clearing banks have branches in the larger with the airline when you pay for the ticket South African centres. A back up of small denomination USD notes is a good idea. Take USD50 bills as well. They get a better rate of exchange. USD100 bills are Special diets can be arranged on flights and on holiday. regarded with suspicion in some places due to counter- Early notification is essential to help us make sure most feiting. If you are going to use ATMs check the charges.
Petty crime has increased in southern Africa. If you are Please check with airlines 72 hours before departures to spending time in any urban area it helps to dress and confirm your booking and ensure no schedule changes act like locals. Walk purposefully and walk in pairs, not have occurred. This is important in Africa. Published alone. Body belts are a sure give-away. Don’t leave information may be inaccurate. We strongly recommend cameras, binoculars etc. in full view of passers-by on car you do this at your destination airport when you arrive.
seats, or hang them from shoulder or neck. As in most cities you are advised to be extra vigilant and take local advice, especially about walking anywhere after dark. Pack in non-rigid, strong bags. Light aircraft luggage is restricted to 10kg, 12kg or 20 kg per person depending on the air charter company, and usually includes cam- A detailed itinerary will be sent to you with your air tickets eras, binoculars etc. On safari laundry happens every or after you confirm your safari holiday. A 70 -80 page day. You don’t need to take many clothes. Leave jewel- travelogue covering historical, fauna/flora safari back- lery at home. On safari it is unsuitable and will cause ground notes unique to your holiday is available as an stress. Check baggage is properly ticketed and labelled and keep the baggage slips. Get to the airport early. It is more relaxing and check-in staff are easier on luggage that is slightly overweight. Smoking is banned on most Drive on the left. Give way to the right. In a few urban airlines. Do not leave belongings unattended. Drink areas near or in townships driving can be hazardous lots of water on the ‘plane and all the time you are on when South Africans drive through orange traffic lights and jump from lane to lane. On the open road courtesy is often very good but the standard of driving results in many fatal accidents. Speed traps with sophisticated Smile. At your gateway international airport - Cape Town, radar equipment and fast chase cars are common. Being Durban or Johannesburg - you can elect to be met by a a visitor is not treated as an excuse. Maximum speeds K&K representative to assist you with catching your next on freeways is 120kph; 100kph on rural roads and 60kph scheduled flight to your final destination airport. There in urban areas. Police like driving licenses with photo- graphs but if you produce a passport and an old style boots or robust sandals but not new footwear. Socks paper license that will suffice. Avoid driving at night. attract prickly grass seeds. A bush hat is essential to Under-lit vehicles and billowing exhaust smoke may be cut glare and protect you against sunburn; the wide- hazards in some rural areas. Fuel is cheaper than in brimmed variety is best. Sunglasses are not necessary Britain but has to be paid for IN CASH – not credit card. but useful in open vehicles against grass seeds and Fuel attendants clean wind-screens, check oil etc., for flying insects. In winter (May to August) wear pullovers, which a tip of two or three rand is expected. Travelling by jackets, long trousers, socks and gloves at night. Daily train or bus is a viable alternative in South Africa. Take laundry is often available and often free at bush camps. your own refreshments on all but long-distance luxury trains. Car hire is recommended. Ask K&K.
Your safari holiday will be enhanced by good reference works of which a wide variety is available. We recom- Skin cancer is becoming more common every-where. mend an all-in-one compendium, The Wildlife of South- People with pale skin and fair or red hair and anyone ern Africa edited by Vincent Carruthers, and for those in- prone to sunburn or who has not been in the sun for terested in game animals’ social behaviour and statistics some months should not sunbathe between 10am and The Safari Companion by Richard Estes makes fascinat- 3pm for the first few days and even then for a maximum ing reading, as does Smithers’ Mammals of Southern of 20 minutes each side. Sunblock preparations are of Africa. Both Newman’s and Robert’s bird books are in questionable value for fair skins but those rated at SPF wide use as well as the Sasol Book Of Southern Afri- 60 or above are available at most chemists in South can Birds. Children especially get a thrill from keeping Africa and may provide some protection. Whatever sun- checklists and looking up relevant information in wildlife block is applied and whatever your skin type be aware books. With adequate notice we can arrange for bird and mammal reference works to be bought on your Malaria occurs in Northern Province, Mpumalanga, and behalf in advance of your safari holiday. South Africa is the north of KwaZulu Natal. Although it is exceedingly host to hundreds of different bird species, from breeding rare to contract malaria on a safari holiday mosquitoes flocks of penguins, to albatrosses, inland waterfowl and are developing resistance to prophylactics so take birds which survive drought. Colours are dramatic. The advice from you local surgery. Lariam may be pre- scribed but it has a devastating effect on those who react adversely to it. The best way to prevent malaria is to avoid being bitten. Keep limbs covered at dusk. Use a Memory cards and film are available in a few urban out- repellent or mosquito smoke coils. Don’t wear perfume lets including fast film, but it is best to take your own spe- or after-shave lotion at dusk. Lodges usually supply cialist requirements. Even in the rainy season, the sun repellents. Ask for a net if one is not provided. Moss- is bright. Good results are obtained by working around ies don’t like fans or high winds; they can’t settle.
250th/sec at f11, two hours after dawn and before sun- set. Bright light means saturated colours. Sunsets and Tap water in South Africa is safe to drink. This applies to nearly all lodges and camps but it does no harm to Taking photographs from safari vehicles [or open boats check with local management. Bottled water is available bobbing about in the ocean] can be tricky. Always ask at most places. Take Immodium, as an upset stomach guides to stop for that special pic. but be aware animals may afflict people on safari holidays, though rarely in become alarmed when vehicles are no longer moving South Africa. Meals are lavish. Drinks are sometimes and vehicle profiles change as people leave them. If included, sometimes not. Excessive drinking lowers not provided, ask for a sack of sand or cushion on which concentration in the bush and is hazardous to health. to rest arms and camera. A monopod is invaluable; Smoking may be allowed, with the consent of other doubling as a walking aid. Inland water birdlife has to guests. Don’t smoke in thatched rooms. be seen to be believed, often numbering more than 300 species in one area. In SLR-speak a 200mm lens will Use water sparingly. It is a scarce resource.
do for most animal shots but a 500mm and a tripod will be required for good bird shots. For seagoing shots of Swimming in rivers and lakes is stupid; they are home to whales, dolphins etc. take extra equipment precautions Photographing people can cause problems. Courtesy South Africa’s seawater is among the cleanest in the means you tell your guide who you want to photograph. world. Always check locally before swimming. Sharks He may decide a financial inducement is in order; even may be a problem. Nets are needed in some areas.
better - buy something from the subject. Safari clothing should be comfortable and blend with Direct dialling connects all major centres. the bush: khaki, tan or dark green cotton shirts, shorts It is useful to have a phone card and to know the prefix or trousers - never white, a colour which does not occur numbers to ring from South Africa. Making calls over- in Nature. [Paper can be seen a long way off.] Camou- seas from hotels attracts a surcharge. ‘Phone cards flage is illegal. Wear trainers, veldshoen, light leather Mobile ‘phones may be hired on a daily, weekly or ►Electricty and video/camera batteries monthly basis and are often supplied by car hirers. You Lodges can be remote. Usually they generate electricity can take your own and pay about R100 to change the when guests are out on activities to charge batteries for SIM card and buy pay-as-you–go cards at newsagents. 12v lights in rooms and cookers. 220v and 110v sockets Or, leave your mobile behind and relax. Faxes are avail- may not be available. Video batteries may be charged while generators are running. Bring spare batteries.
►The following checklist may be helpful: Ask staff for assistance with any domestic queries you Trackers and guides at most camps are well trained and will include a briefing session before they take you out in vehicles or on foot. If they don’t, ask for it. If you have any doubts about a situation express them straightaway to a responsible person. If at any stage in your holiday you have a problem do not hesitate to seek the advice of, or complain to, local management first. That invari- ably fixes the problem. If that does not work call the K&K handling agents listed in your K&K itinerary. And, please make a note of the incident and report it to us when you return home. Action will be taken. Please read K&K terms and conditions and do not hesitate to contact us before you leave if you have any queries.
Staff are keen to please and appreciate it when their efforts are recognized by tips which are best worked out with local management. A rough rule of thumb is five to ten US dollars per person per night but ask. Most organisations spread tips over the range of employees Departure taxes are included in the price of your Disturbances occur without much warning in many coun- Enjoy your wildlife experience to the full by observing tries of the world, including those in Africa. King & King animals silently without disturbing their natural surround- and other responsible tour operators have people on the ings. Talking, attracting animals’ attention, imitating ani- ground who know what is going on [and may be better mal sounds (except bird calls), clapping hands, slapping informed than embassy staff] so you can rest assured the side of the vehicle and throwing objects are taboo. you will not be put in harm’s way on your safari holiday. Guides are experienced. They know how close or how Political rallies, for example, may descend into violence far away to be from wild animals or reptiles, many of but they occur hundreds of kilometres from your safari which are potentially dangerous. Ocean lodges may of- accommodation and in the bush you are unlikely to know fer PADI standard guides and diving instruction. Listen about such an event. It is essential, however, that you to all guides. Neither King & King, nor its associates, nor follow the advice of responsible individuals at all times its suppliers can be held liable for any injuries caused and do not take risks. If in doubt, ask - always. during an incident involving wild animals. Some camps may insist on indemnity forms being signed.
In Africa the rules and the pace are different. It’s how it

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