Best Safari Seasons |
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South Africa |
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Safety in the Wild Obviously, there is a certain degree of danger when you are in the bush with wild animals. However, you will always be accompanied by an experienced guide. Accidents are infrequent and the camps have excellent safety records. Provided you use common sense you should be perfectly safe. As your safari will bring you into relatively close proximity with wild animals, you will no doubt want to be sure that you are protected by insurance, should something unforeseen happens. Too many lodges and safari operators in southern Africa do not have enough liability insurance. |
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Travel Safety Southern Africa is in general a safe destination for international travellers. However, it is wise to take certain standard security precautions while travelling. These precautions should be applied while travelling anywhere in the world. Following basic advice can avoid most potential problems. Most safaris take place in remote wildlife areas and game reserves, away from villages, towns and cities. This means that you will most probably not find other people around, except those who look after your every need while on safari! The transfers (by road, air or water) between airports, hotels and lodges are operated by reputable companies or by the properties themselves. This means that you will not be unattended at any time during your safari. A few tips to consider are the following: make photocopies of your passport, airline tickets, driver’s license and other important documentation. Also keep a record of the numbers of your traveller’s cheques. These should be kept in a safe place. Rather leave expensive jewellery at home. When in towns and cities, do not carry large amounts of cash in your pocket. Keep enough for the expenses of the day and place the rest in a safety deposit box at the hotel/lodge or money pouch under your shirt. Also be discreet with an expensive camera or jewellery. Take note of onlookers and keep your possessions in sight at all times to avoid opportunistic theft. Make use of your hotel safety deposit box for expensive items. Never leave baggage or personal items unattended, especially at airports. It is best not to wander around the streets after dark. If you are travelling in a car (self drive safari), it is important to lock all the car doors and keep the windows as far up as possible. Plan ahead and know which route you intend to take using clear maps. Leave valuable like bags etc in the boot of your vehicle. - rather keep them in the car boot.. South Africa and Namibia and ideal self-drive destinations. |
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Traveller Safety Tips South Africa is as safe as any other destination in the world. As a visitor to and guest of our beautiful country, your enjoyment and wellbeing are of utmost importance to us. As in other countries, there are a few basic precautions you should take during your visit to ensure that your stay is as pleasant and safe as possible. • Separate your cash and credit cards and don’t carry all your cash with you. • Store parcels out of sight in the boot of the car. • Never leave your luggage unattended. • Do not allow strangers to assist you in your transactions at automated teller machines. • Try to obtain a route map before you set out and plan your route beforehand. • Try to explore in groups and stick to well-lit streets especially at night. • Never pick up strangers. • Park in well-lit areas at night. • Always drive with your doors locked and your windows closed. |
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VISA’s IMPORTANT NOTICE: While we will help to facilitate the obtaining of visas, the onus is on the traveller to ensure that all visa requirements are met. We will put you in touch with consulates and representatives in your home country If you are extending your journey to other countries, please establish entry conditions for those countries as well. It is vital that prior to departure, all visa requirements are met, as these cannot be obtained when you are at your destination. It is the sole responsibility of the client to ensure that they have the required visas to visit the countries as per the itinerary. Please also be aware that certain itineraries require double entry visas, please take note of this when applying for visas. Although some countries do supply visas at the border, we kindly request that ALL NATIONALITIES OBTAIN THEIR VISAS IN ADVANCE in order to avoid lengthy delays at the border. We strongly urge you to allow at least 3 months to apply for all of you visas. We recommend that you use a visa service or your local travel agent for assistance, as applying for visas can take a lot of time and effort. Please note that for entering South Africa, immigration requires that all passengers have a valid passport and at least four pages are needed to remain blank for the issuing of stamps. The passport also needs to be valid for the duration of the stay and six months after departure. Visas are not required for Germany, U.S.A and U.K passengers if their stay does not exceed 90 days. Namibian passengers are not required to have visas if their stay does not exceed 30 days. Who should apply Entry permits are issued free on arrival to visitors on holiday from many Commonwealth and Western European countries, as well as Japan and the United States of America. If you are not entitled to an entry permit, you will need to get a visa (also free) from your local South African Embassy. You will need a visa if you (as a passport holder) intend to stay in South Africa for longer than the exemption period of two weeks. You will also require a visa if you intend to work or study, take part in a sport event or take up permanent residence. How to apply If you are subject to visa requirements, you will need to apply for your visa at least 4 (four) weeks before you depart. You will have to await the outcome of your visa application before you depart. You can apply for your visa at your nearest South African Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. For more information on who needs to apply, i.e. visa requirements and how to apply, please visit: Foreigners travel requirements. For more general visa information, online forms and to confirm which categories do not need visa’s, please visit the Department of Home Affairs. |
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Taxes and Duty You can bring all your personal effects duty free to the value of R 3 000. For additional goods of up to R 12 000, a flat rate of 20% duty is charged. Thereafter, normal custom duties apply. You are also allowed to bring limited quantities of luxury items into South Africa, duty free. These items include: Wine – up to 2 litres per person Spirits and other alcoholic beverages – up to one litre per person. Cigarettes – up to 200 per person. Cigars – up to 20 per person. Perfume – up to 50ml per person. Eau de toilette – up to 250ml per person. The alcohol and tobacco allowance only apply to people over 18 years of age. Persons younger than 18 years of age will not be permitted with any tobacco or alcohol products. When leaving South Africa, you are permitted to take up to R 500,00 in South African Reserve Bank notes. A 20% levy is applicable on amounts above R 500,00. |
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Local Phrases Become part of the Cape by learning a few phrases that will make you understand the locals better. Braai A braai is a barbecue. South Africans love to braai. Fish, meat or chicken, we enjoy it best when it has been over the coals. Biltong Similar to jerky, it is dried meat. You may choose to enjoy it plain or lightly salted, or to have it spiced. Biltong is mostly made of beef, mutton and ostrich meat, however, South Africa also has a variety of game (springbok and kudu) biltong. Eina Widely used by all, this word, derived from the Afrikaans, means “ouch”. Pronounced “Aynah”. Lekker Also pronounced “lekka”. An Afrikaans word meaning nice, it is used to express approval. The connotation of the term implies more than just approval. It also implies enjoyment. Robot A robot is a traffic light. Ag shame What a pity. An expression of sympathy. Often used as sarcasm. Cool drink Canned or bottled soft drink. Jislaaik You don’t say. Used to express surprise or amazement. Sharp Means good or okay. Sis An expression of disgust. May mean “ugh” or “eewh”. Used to express an extreme dislike to something. Eh Pronounced as “hay”. Often used as an ending to sentences. For example; “Thanks, eh”. Kwaai Pronounced as “k-why”. Means great or terrific. Used to emphasise your agreement to something. For example; “That’s a kwaai car”. |
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