Climate and Temperature in South Africa

 

Africa has opposite seasons to the Northern Hemisphere, so April to May is the beginning of the dry season and their winter. The humidity during this period averages 36% (no discomfort) In May the temperature range is an average high of 30’C to a of low 13C (86F -55F) The humidity is low and they average 1 -3 rainy days per month

 

Money

 

South Africa’s currency is the Rand. You can check exchange rates at www.XE.com. It is best to get your currency before you travel by ordering it from your bank (give them a week or more to order it in), or at the airport where you board the SA flight (Atlanta, Dulles, JFK). We do not want to delay the group waiting in the always long lines at the exchange in the Johannesburg airport: When you get off that long flight that is the last thing you want to be doing! You can change back leftover cash in the J’Burg airport or spend it in the nice shops there while you wait for your return flight.

 

The lodge will take a credit card as will the shops in Kruger, but other places we stop will not be able to use cards or could be down due to phone outages. Cash is recommended for all food and small purchases and is easier for the lodge when offering a tip for staff. A secure option would be to carry your regular credit card in case of emergency and for US expenses, but also to have a gift card style (prepaid) temporary Visa to use for in shops in South Africa. Please inform your credit card fraud monitoring service that you will use your card overseas so they do not deny and cancel your card when they see an international purchase.

 

Debit cards are not advised. I have never used a debit card and can not be sure they will work over there.

 

Staying Healthy

 

Normal vaccinations such as measles and polio are advised as well as an up to date tetanus shot. You will be at a very low risk to catch Hepatitis A & B or Typhoid, but if you travel a lot this may be a good excuse to get these immunizations. These diseases occur in the USA too.

 

Bug Insurance

 

We travel in the dry season and have experienced few and sometimes no mosquitoes on our trips. Areas of South Africa have spraying programs that have reduced the populations of mosquitoes. The first best insurance for “mozzies” is a spray with a high % of DEET available at camping and outdoors stores and some long pants, socks and closed shoes. If you are committed to these simple precautions, your risk of malaria is minimal, if not you may wish to see your doctor for an anti-malarial prophylactic medication. Ask you doctor about Malarone and be sure they discuss the side effects of Larium and all the prophylactics before you decide on a regiment. These are not the only two medications available.

Information About Kruger National Park

 

 

In 1926 the National Parks Act was passed and two existing game reserves were merged to become the Kruger National Park. The aim of the park is to preserve all that has been achieved in a way which balances three important factors; the wise conservation of this priceless wildlife heritage, include the interests of the local rural inhabitants in the overall conservation picture, and the discreet, unobtrusive development of amenities for the park’s visitors.

 

Kruger Park is approximately 20,000 square kilometers of pristine Africa. It is comprised of 20 different ecozones. The zones can help predict what sort of flora and animals will be found in a given area, but many other factors , both seasonal and climatic, influence the game viewing as well. For this reason, you can always expect some surprises on our journey through Kruger.

 

We will enter the park through the Orpen gate