You will need a passport valid for 6 months beyond your return date. Your passport must have a minimum of two entirely blank visa pages, side-by-side, for each country you will visit.

Traveling on a USA passport, no visa is required to enter South Africa.

All travelers entering or departing South Africa are required to complete an online Traveler Declaration before travel.

The declaration can only be submitted within 24 hours of your scheduled arrival into South Africa.

Downloading the app is not compulsory. The declaration can be completed online here:

https://tools.sars.gov.za/sarsonlinequery/traveller

At present, no vaccinations are required for entry into South Africa unless you are arriving from a region that they consider to be at risk of Yellow Fever (in which case proof of vaccination is required). Take the time to review the CDC Health Information for Travelers to South Africa by clicking here. Know that throughout your experience, you will be in luxury properties and in the hands of hospitality teams who are subject to international hospitality standards. You will have bottled water within reach at all times and should never find yourself drinking water from a local well or similar.

It is recommended that you consult with your physician, as the individual who knows the most about your health and previous vaccinations, to inform them that you will be visiting South Africa and on safari in an area where Malaria is present. Knowing your medical history, your physician will advise and direct you on how to best medically prepare.

Electrical outlets are powered by 220v, however, most modern devices will make a currency conversion automatically when necessary.

Travel Adapters can often be provided by properties, but we do recommend carrying your own for good measure. Outlets are most commonly 15 amp round 3 pins or 5 amp 2 pin prong with round pins. Type M electrical plugs will be most often encountered, but a type C and G are used in some areas. Below are images of each in order of those most commonly used from left to right.

WiFi is available at all camps, inside your accommodation

The currency unit is the Rand (ZAR), denoted by the symbol R, with 100 cents making up R1 (one Rand). Foreign currency can be exchanged at local banks and Bureaux de Change, but you will find the best exchange rates by removing cash directly from the international airport ATM machines. Please click here for the current USD to ZAR rate of exchange.

It is important that you protect both yourself and the investment you have made in this experience if unforeseen circumstances arise. Your personal Travel Advisor will provide a policy recommendation and full details on taking these preventative measures. Please note that in some instances, proof of travel insurance is required by suppliers as a condition of booking.

Summer

Over summer (mid-October to mid-February), much of South Africa is characterized by hot, sunny weather – often with afternoon thunderstorms that clear quickly. the western Cape with its Mediterranean climate is the exception, getting its rain in winter.

Autumn

Autumn (fall) in South Africa (mid-February to April) offers the best weather in some respects. Very little rain falls over the whole country, and it is warm but not too hot, getting cooler as the season progresses. In Cape Town, autumn is fantastic, with hot sunny days and warm, balmy nights which many people spend outdoors.

Winter

Winter in South Africa (May to July) is characterized by dry, sunny, crisp days and cold nights. The hot, humid KwaZulu-Natal coast, as well as the Lowveld (lower-lying areas) of Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces, offer fantastic winter weather with sunny, warmish days and virtually no wind or rain. the western Cape gets most of its rain in winter, with quite a few days of cloudy, rainy weather. However, these are always interspersed with wonderful days to rival the best of a British summer.

Spring

Nowhere in South Africa is spring (August to mid-October) more spectacular than in the Cape provinces. Here the grey winter is forgotten as thousands of small, otherwise insignificant plants cover the plains in an iridescent carpet of flowers.

Packing for a trip can be stressful, particularly for a new destination with some unique considerations. To assist below is a brief recommended packing list. *Please consider both the time of year you will be traveling and the luggage restrictions outlined below when preparing these items for your luggage.

• Closed-toed walking shoes

• Golf Shirts or T-shirts – long sleeve for travel in the winter

• Long trousers/slack – khakis or jeans

• Pajamas - lightweight for summer and warm/thermal for the cooler nights in winter.

• Underwear - (sports bra recommended for game drives as the roads can be bumpy and uneven) and socks – thermal option recommended for the winter months.

• Scarf/bandana – particularly for dusty dry regions.

• Sandals – preferably low heeled or flat if you are on safari.

• Bathing Suit

• Jacket/Fleece – ideally with a wind & water-resistant outer layer and fleece inner lining in winter

• Gloves and beanies/woolen hats in winter

• Light rain gear for summer months

• More formal attire (slacks and collared shirts or dresses) for your stay at prestigious city hotels

 Equipment/Other

• Photographic Equipment – bring the best you have and are comfortable using. Be sure to include a backup battery and ample memory cards for storage.

• Binoculars - 8x40/8x42 or 10x40/10x42 are the recommended general-purpose binocular specification for both birding and mammal viewing

• Sunscreen and Sunglasses (ideally polarized)

• Small Flashlight

• If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case you get irritation from the dust.

• Personal toiletries (most establishments supply basic amenities)

• Basic personal medical items (aspirin, Imodium, antiseptic cream, and antihistamine cream)

• Malaria tablets (if applicable)

• Southern African bird guide if you are a keen birder, e.g., Newman’s or Sasol