Information to Help You Prepare For Your Journey
Being prepared and informed will make your trip more sucessful and enjoyable especially if you are a serious photographer and wish to get the best results.
Overpacking is as big (and expensive) a mistake as not having the basics you need. Because I carry great amounts of camera gear, my clothing and personal items are multifunctional and high performance. My wardrobe is based on layering and my personal items are light and items such as toothpaste are in the smallest container possible. See what is in my bag on our Suggested Packing List page.
Before you leave on a trip is the time to think of the possible negatives such as cancellation and illness. Planning to minimize loss will free you to enjoy the anticipation of the journey and the adventure itself. Travel and health insurance are worth looking into as is examining your passport well in advanced of your trip.
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 winte and September / October is the start of spring. The humidity during these periods averages 36% (no discomfort). 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 shops in Kruger will take a credit card, 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 tips, food, and small purchases as we are out in the bush away from anything. 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 due to our clean water at the lodge and places we visit of catching 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/ Malaria Prevention
We travel in the dry seasons 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 your 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.
The short answer is that we travel in a low-bug season therefore low malaria risk.
Visas and Visitor's Permits to South Africa
Canada or US passport holders who are visiting only and staying less than 90 day are not required to obtain a visa prior to travel. They will be issued a visitor’s permit upon arrival and screening provided the following conditions are met:
Visitors must have valid passport which will not expire within 6 months of your departure
Passport must contain at least two empty pages for your permit and endorsements
Those with passports other than US and Canada should check South Africa Tourist information for visa requirements. Please take the time to check you passports now to be sure that you have at a minimum, two sheets (a front & a back) of paper in your passport that is blank for the South African government to attach your visa and the same for every country you plan to visit on this trip or any other country you will be visiting before your trip to South Africa.
Authorities are very strict on this and they will deny you entry and put you right back on the plane! The US Passport Agency will add pages to your passport. Visa and entry/exit fees are usually added to the price of your airline ticket (under “taxes”). If they are not, most countries require payment in cash in local currency.
Africa Wild Safaris leads our tours when the weather is comfortable and ideal for photography: in South Africa's Fall and Spring. In an effort to guests who are prepared and comfortable with visiting South Africa, we suggest obtaining cash in Rands before travel and to travel with the proper clothing and repelent to minimize annoyance from bugs.