Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact us.
What are the Big Five and will I see them?
Skip to the AnswerWhich part of the Kruger National Park should I visit?
Skip to the AnswerWhich area is the best for game viewing?
Skip to the AnswerWhat animals can we expect to see in the Kruger Park?
Skip to the AnswerWhat is the difference between the Kruger Park and the Sabi Sand Game Reserve?
Skip to the AnswerIs Sabi Sand part of the Kruger National Park?
Skip to the AnswerShould I be worried about crime?
Skip to the AnswerIs it safe to visit Victoria Falls?
Skip to the AnswerIs it safe to visit South Africa?
Skip to the AnswerIs it safe to go on safari?
Skip to the AnswerWhat activities can we do on safari?
Skip to the AnswerI have limited time available. What can we all see or do in this time?
Skip to the AnswerWhich game lodges are family friendly?
Skip to the AnswerWhich camp or game lodge is the best?
Skip to the AnswerWhat do you recommend for a honeymoon destination?
Skip to the AnswerHow should I decide which lodge to visit?
Skip to the AnswerHow many people will be in the group?
Skip to the AnswerWhat are the distances like in South Africa?
Skip to the AnswerHow far is the Kruger Park from Cape Town / Johannesburg?
Skip to the AnswerWill there be mosquito nets?
Skip to the AnswerShould I be worried about malaria?
Skip to the AnswerHow can I prevent malaria?
Skip to the AnswerDo you have insurance?
Skip to the AnswerDo you have guides that speak my language?
Skip to the AnswerDo you use open vehicles for game drives?
Skip to the AnswerDo you drive off-road during game drives?
Skip to the AnswerWhy should we book through Wild Wings?
Skip to the AnswerIs it not cheaper to book directly?
Skip to the AnswerDo you charge a booking fee?
Skip to the AnswerWhen and how should I book flights?
Skip to the AnswerCan we fly directly between Cape Town and Kruger Park?
Skip to the AnswerCan we fly directly from the Kruger Park to Victoria Falls?
Skip to the AnswerDo you book flights?
Skip to the AnswerDo the vehicles have seat belts?
Skip to the AnswerDo the vehicles have airconditioning?
Skip to the AnswerDo you offer camping safaris?
Skip to the AnswerDo the rooms have air conditioning?
Skip to the AnswerWhat accommodation do you use?
Skip to the AnswerWhat is your electricity / voltage in South Africa?
Skip to the AnswerDo I need to bring a travel adapter?
Skip to the AnswerDo you offer discounts for children?
Skip to the AnswerCan I take my children on safari?
Skip to the AnswerWhat currency should I bring?
Skip to the AnswerHow does payment work?
Skip to the AnswerCan I pay in USD / EURO / Pounds?
Skip to the Answer
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What are the Big Five and will I see them?
The Big Five (or Big 5) were traditionally considered to be the five most dangerous animals to hunt in Africa. Today, they are among the five most popular animals tourists wish to see in Africa - the lion, the elephant, the rhino, the buffalo and the leopard.
In Botswana, thanks to a successful rhino reintroduction programme, certain areas in the Okavango Delta (like Chiefs Island) are now once again Big Five areas, although most of the other game reserves in Botswana do not have rhinos.
In South Africa, there are various Big Five game reserves of which the Kruger Park is the most famous one. Even if you visit a Big Five game reserve, remember that no sightings are guaranteed. The animals roam around freely and part of the excitement of a safari is not knowing what you will find on each game drive. Our records show that we have found the Big Five on 76% of all our Kruger Park safaris. So although seeing all of them is not a certainty, we can assure you that you will see at least some of them on your safari!
Our advice is to not only focus on the Big Five during your safari. There are so many other animals and exciting things to see, that a drive on which you see none of the Big Five can still be one of the most interesting game drives! Have a go at finding some of the Little Big Five - elephant shrew, leopard tortoise, ant lion, buffalo weaver and rhino beetle!
Of course certain areas are known for certain animals, for example if you want to see leopards, go to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. For wild dogs, try Madikwe or Moremi Game Reserve. For cheetah, your best bet is Phinda Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Lions and elephants can best be found in the Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Moremi Game Reserve or Chobe Game Reserve. Rhinos are most common in the southern Kruger National Park, Phinda or Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve (KwaZulu-Natal).
Let us know what your game viewing expectations are, and we will recommend the best possible destination.
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Which area is the best for game viewing?
There is no quick answer to this question, because game viewing will depend on the time of year, rainfall patterns, and the choice of lodge you visit.
Undoubtedly, some of the best game viewing areas in Southern Africa are the Kruger National Park, Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta, including the Moremi Game Reserve. That said, the game viewing within these reserves differs tremendously from area to area, and between wet and dry season.
In Botswana, the Chobe River, Savute area and Boteti River areas are great for game viewing in the dry season, from May to October. The Moremi Game Reserve, Chiefs Island in the Okavango, the Kwando and Linyanti areas are great for game viewing all year round. In the Okavango, there are land-based lodges and water-based lodges. Generally, the land based lodges offer better big game viewing than strictly water-based lodges.
In South Africa's Kruger National Park, the central and southern areas offer the best game viewing. Game viewing in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve is good all year round.
Let us help you choose the right lodge and the best area to maximize your game viewing.
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What animals can we expect to see in the Kruger Park?
The game viewing differs quite a bit, depending on which region of the Kruger National Park you visit. The southern part is known for its high animal density and excellent game viewing, due to an abundance of food. The landscape and vegetation is characterised by thorny thickets and some rocky granite outcrops. Game viewing along the river banks and dry river beds is usually very good.
The central area has more open grasslands and larger herds of grazers. This, in turn, means a high concentration of lions (reputedly the highest lion concentration in the world) and other predators. On our Wild Wings Safaris, we focus on the southern and central areas, which usually offer the best game viewing.
The northern regions are characterised by mopane shrubs and game viewing is a bit more difficult here. However, the remoteness, beautiful landscape and lower visitor density are some of the reasons why many people prefer this upper section of Kruger. Birdwatching in the north is also excellent. Elephants are also in abundance here.
The animals you can expect to see on an average 3-day safari include elephants, buffalo, rhino, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, kudu, impala, waterbuck, warthog, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas, lions, leopards (if you are lucky), wild dogs (if you are lucky), cheetah (if you are lucky) and various smaller antelopes and predators, as well as birds and reptiles.
Sightings can never be guaranteed, because the animals move around freely. This is part of the excitement of game viewing - you never know what you might find. Our records show that we have found the Big Five animals (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) on 76% of all our safaris. So while there is a good chance you will see all of the Big Five, we can say with certainty that you will see at least some of them.
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Is Sabi Sand part of the Kruger National Park?
The Kruger National Park is South Africa's largest national park. Adjacent to the Park are a number of privately-owned game reserves. By mutual agreement, the fences between these reserves and the Kruger Park have been dropped, to enlarge the area under conservation and encourage free movement of animals. This entire conservation area is known as the Greater Kruger National Park, and is over 2.2 million hectares in size.
The most famous of these private reserves within Greater Kruger is the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, and the Timbavati Game Reserve further north. The lodges in these game reserves are privately owned and their open safari vehicles are able to go off-road to get closer to an animal sighting - which is not permitted in the Kruger National Park itself. This is one of the main differences between the Sabi Sand and Kruger, as well as the fact that all the game vehicles are in radio contact. This makes your chances of seeing the Big Five, especially leopards, much better in the Sabi Sand than in the Kruger Park. Another difference is cost. Generally the accommodation in the Sabi Sand is more expensive and more luxurious than in the Kruger Park.
Other than the differences mentioned above, the vegetation and animals found in the Sabi Sand are exactly the same as in the Kruger National Park.
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Should I be worried about crime?
Many visitors are concerned about crime, but we have never had any problems or incidents of crime on our safaris. Crime is a reality in every major city in the world, and the key is to use common sense and avoid risky situations or known problem areas. Your guide and lodge will be happy to advise you.
Safety is paramount for us, and we will never recommend a destination or activity we consider unsafe for tourists. We consider South Africa to be as safe - if not safer - than many other major tourist destinations around the world.
Going on safari is also quite safe. As long as you abide by the rules and stay in your vehicle or with your safari guide, there is no need to be concerned about wild animals. In the Kruger Park, each camp is safely enclosed with an electric fence. At private lodges that are not fenced, you will always be in the company of a trained ranger or safari guide.
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Is it safe to visit Victoria Falls?
Yes, Victoria Falls is safe to visit on both the Zambian (Livingstone) and Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls) side, in our experience. Safety is a top priority for us, and we would never recommend a destination or activity we consider unsafe for tourists.
The situation in Victoria Falls is calm and peaceful, and there is no reason not to visit this beautiful area. There have been no reports of cholera, violence, unrest or turmoil from Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean side, and our personal experience over multiple visits has confirmed that the region is 100% safe to visit.
Since 2011 we have found that tourism has picked up, hotels are busy, and both towns on either side of the 'Falls are buzzing with tourists (Livingstone and Victoria Falls).
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Is it safe to visit South Africa?
Yes! We've been running safaris in South Africa for almost 10 years and we've never had any incidents or problems with crime. However, crime is a worldwide phenomenon and the key is to use common sense and avoid any dangerous situations or known high-risk areas - your guide and lodge will be happy to advise you.
At Wild Wings Safaris, the safety of our guests is paramount. We'd never recommend a destination or activity where you'd be remotely at risk. We consider South Africa to be a safe tourist destination - and welcome millions of tourists every year to our shores (often returnees). It's safer, in fact, than many other major tourist destinations worldwide.
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Is it safe to go on safari?
Safety is a top priority for us, and we will never recommend a destination or activity we consider unsafe for tourists. Visiting South Africa or Victoria Falls as a tourist is quite safe. We consider South Africa to be as safe - if not more safe - than many other major tourist destinations around the world.
Many visitors are concerned about crime, but we have never had any problems or incidents of crime on our safaris. Crime occurs in every major city in the world, and the key is to use common sense and avoid risky situations or known problem areas. We have visited Zimbabwe recently and found that Victoria Falls is calm, safe and peaceful, and business goes on as usual, in spite of the political and economic problems in that country. We have no problem recommending a visit to Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean side.
Going on safari is also quite safe. As long as you abide by the rules and stay in your vehicle or with your safari guide, there is no need to be concerned about wild animals. In the Kruger Park, each camp is safely fenced with an electric fence. At private lodges that are not fenced, you will always be in the company of a trained ranger or safari guide.
Your accommodation is usually designed to be as insect-proof as possible.
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I have limited time available. What can we all see or do in this time?
Each destination has a range of available activities. We can send you a list of things to do in Cape Town, Victoria Falls, the Garden Route, the Panorama Route, and other destinations.
While on safari in the Kruger Park or at a game lodge, the main activity is game viewing, either by vehicle, by boat or on foot. Other activities at certain lodges include star gazing, birding, guided interpretive bush walks, spa and beauty treatments, working out in the gym, games rooms, reading or video lounge, mountain biking, horse back riding, elephant back safaris, boat cruises, and more. Or, you may simply want to relax around the pool or on the game viewing deck.
The activities you can do will depend on your choice of lodge, interests, available time, and budget.
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Which game lodges are family friendly?
How will you know which lodges to choose when you're travelling as a family? Which are the best options for children?
Some lodges give specials for children sharing. Others charge children at adult rates. Still others do not accommodate children under a certain age. However, there are many child-friendly lodges where the staff go out of their way to include, entertain and educate the little ones - and provide excellent activities and child-minding services so that you can simply relax and enjoy your safari to the fullest.
There are also some very good safari destinations that are malaria-free, which make them a popular choice for families as there's no need for anti-malaria medication - such as Madikwe Game Reserve and Pilanesberg Game Reserve, for example.
Please talk to us about your wishes and concerns and we'll gladly advise you. Our suggestions are backed by personal experience as we aim to visit the lodges and destinations we recommend, so that we can provide you with honest, unbiased advice. We always ask our clients for feedback and constantly monitor reviews on trusted internet sites to make sure we stay informed and up-to-date about the various lodges and safari camps we have to offer you.
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How should I decide which lodge to visit?
Throughout Southern Africa there are hundreds of different safari camps and game lodges, in different game reserves. On their websites and in the brochures, they all look great. With so much variety, how do you decide which lodge to visit?
How will you know which lodges are best for honeymoon couples, or for families with children? How does the game viewing and accommodation compare from lodge to lodge?
That is where our expertise comes in. We make it our business to visit all the lodges and destinations we recommend, so we can give advice based on personal experience. We also request feedback from our clients, and we keep a close eye on reviews posted on the internet, to ensure we stay up-to-date about the various camps and lodges.
Tell us what your requirements are, and we will recommend the right lodge for you. The lodges we recommend will depend on your interests, budget, game viewing expectations, accommodation requirements, whether you are traveling with children, and so on. The time of year and availability may also play a role. For example, if the lodge of your choice is fully booked, we will know which other similar lodges to recommend, where you will have similar accommodation and game viewing, hopefully at a similar price.
Please, contact us with your requirements and give us as much detail as possible about your dream safari. We'll really try and do whatever we can to make sure your every wish becomes a treasured and memorable experience.
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How many people will be in the group?
If you book a scheduled Kruger Park safari with us, the average group size is between 4 and 7 people per safari. The maximum group size is 10 per vehicle. For larger groups, we will use extra vehicles (one vehicle and guide per 10 people).
For private lodge safaris, there is no minimum group size, and the maximum depends on the capacity of the lodge. Most open safari vehicles take between 6 and 9 people at a time.
We do not make use of shared accommodation, except for couples and families that book as a group. We will never expect you to share accommodation with people you do not know. It is also possible to book an exclusive departure or exclusive vehicle if you prefer. Please let us know whatever you require - and we'll do our utmost to help.
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What are the distances like in South Africa?
South Africa is a fairly large country - 1,219,912 km² or 471,011 miles² to be precise. It's supposedly the 25th biggest country in the world, five times larger than Great Britain and three times the size of Texas.
To give you a better idea, here are some of the approximate distances and travelling times between some popular destinations - by road, travelling time & by air (if possible).
Approximate Distances and Travel Times From To Distance Drive Time Flight Time Johannesburg Cape Town 1405 km 13 hours 2 hours Johannesburg Kruger Park (Skukuza) 450 km 5.5 hours 3/4 hour Johannesburg Madikwe (North West) 350 km 4.5 hours 3/4 hour Johannesburg George (Garden Route) 1170 km 11 hours 1.8 hours Cape Town Port Elizabeth 750 km 7.7 hours 1.5 hours Johannesburg Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) 1320 km 17.5 hours 1.5 hours Johannesburg Durban (KZN) 570km 5.5 hours 1 hour Please let us know which safari destinations you're interested in and we'll glady assist you with the best ways to get there. We also arrange car hire and road transfers and can advise on best flights, where to book, and so on.
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How far is the Kruger Park from Cape Town / Johannesburg?
The Kruger National Park is in the north-eastern corner of South Africa, against the border with Mozambique. Please see our map page to orientate yourself and get to know the region.
The Kruger Park is an easy five hours' drive from Johannesburg, or a one-hour flight. Coming from Cape Town, it is best to fly to Johannesburg or to Nelspruit, the closest city (Nelspruit Airport/Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (IATA:MQP). Cape Town to Nelspruit is a three-hour flight, and from Nelspruit it is another hour by road to reach the Kruger Park.
Some other distances:
Cape Town to Johannesburg is a 2 hour flight, or 12 hours by road.
Johannesburg to Durban is a 1 hour flight, or 6 hours by road.
Cape Town to Port Elizabeth via the Garden Route is a 90 minute flight or 8 hours by road.
Johannesburg to George (Garden Route) is just less than a 2 hour flight.
Johannesburg to Victoria Falls is a 2 hour flight. -
Will there be mosquito nets?
Yes, most safari lodges have mosquito nets hanging over the bed. There are some that don't, but they usually will have mosquito screens on the windows and doors. This is also the case in the standard bungalows in South Africa's national parks, like the Kruger Park. Electric ceiling fans are also great for keeping mosquitos away, and most lodges and camps have these.
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Should I be worried about malaria?
You do not need to be worried about malaria, just informed. The risk of malaria should not stop you from going on safari - malaria is preventable and treatable. The only people who should perhaps avoid malaria areas are pregnant women, small children and those with a compromised immune system, e.g. no spleen. And there are several exciting malaria-free safari options available - see malari information page link below.
We recommend that you take anti-malarial prophylactic medication as prescribed by your doctor or travel clinic, before travelling to Africa. See the most up-to-date medications on the South African Travel Clinic site.
Preventing mosquito bites is important, so remember to bring insect repellant. Most (but not all) game lodges and safari camps have mosquito nets hanging over the bed, and even the basic bungalows in the Kruger National Park have mosquito screens at the windows and doors. Electric fans and air-conditioning are also very effective to keep mosquitos away.
Please also see our malaria information page for practical advice, malaria-free safari options and a map showing areas where malaria can occur.
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How can I prevent malaria?
If you are visiting an at-risk malaria area, we recommend that you take anti-malaria medication as prescribed by your doctor or travel clinic, before travelling to Africa. The most up-to-date malaria prophylaxis can be found on the Travel Clinic site.
That said, the best way to prevent malaria is to not get bitten. Be sure to bring insect repellant with you - the best ones contain 30 to 50% DEET (diethyltolumide) - such as Mylol, Peaceful Sleep and Tabard, but these shouldn't be applied directly to the skin during pregnancy.
Most (but not all) game lodges and safari camps have mosquito nets hanging over the bed, and even the basic bungalows in the Kruger National Park have insect screens at the windows and doors. Electric fans and air-conditioning are also very effective at keeping mosquitos away.
Please also visit our malaria information page for more info and a malaria map.
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Do you have insurance?
Yes, as a SATSA member (Southern Africa Tourism Services Association) we are covered by bonding insurance, which guarantees that you can never lose any money paid in advance. We also have extensive public and passenger liability insurance, underwritten by Lloyds of London.
That said, it is important that you take out comprehensive personal travel insurance for your trip.
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Do you have guides that speak my language?
We often get requests for safari guides that speak a particular language. Sometimes we are able to meet these requests, but it depends on availability. We can usually assist you in English, Dutch, German and Flemish/Afrikaans.
However, French, Spanish and Chinese-speaking guides are harder to find.
Our Kruger Park safaris and game drives at most game lodges are conducted in English.
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Do you drive off-road during game drives?
All game drives are conducted on open 4x4 safari vehicles or Land Rovers, unless you specifically request otherwise.
In the national parks and government game reserves, no off-road driving is permitted and vehicles need to stay on designated roads (tarred or dirt). At private game lodges and on private safari concession areas, off-road driving and night drives are permitted, and trackers/rangers will take you as close to animal sightings as they can, within reason.
On our own Wild Wings Safaris, we offer courtesy binoculars, bottled water and blankets on each drive.
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Why should we book through Wild Wings?
Booking through Wild Wings Safaris gives you the security of knowing that your safari is in the hands of a trusted, professional tour operator. We pride ourselves on being friendly, straight-talking safari experts with in-depth local knowledge.
Being completely familiar with local destinations and conditions is critical when it comes to putting together an itinerary that works - this is what sets us apart from other operators in the US or UK who may not have as good an understanding of Southern Africa as a destination.
We make it our aim to regularly visit each lodge and destination we sell, so we can monitor standards and give first-hand advice to our clients. We are a small team but, collectively, we have over 70 years experience in the African travel industry. We pay attention to detail and ensure that everything runs like clockwork, from start to finish. All of this means that you can relax and simply enjoy your trip.
It also costs less to book through us. We do not add any booking fees, and you will always pay the same or less if you book with us than booking with any other operator or directly with the lodge or hotel. Because of our established reputation with the lodges, a client of Wild Wings always receives the best possible treatment.
Still not 100% convinced? Please read our guest comments or request references from previous clients who've come on safari with us. And we'd love you to see our growing list of great reviews on Tripadvisor. In 2011, we won our first Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence and, in September 2012, we were extremely proud to feature on Tripadvisor's global list of 10 Great Wildlife Tours.
We are very proud of our reputation for excellence and top-notch service. And we'll be more than happy to help you plan your dream safari.
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Is it not cheaper to book directly?
No, in fact it costs less to book through us. Because of our buying power, we negotiate bulk discounts and, most often, our rate is slightly less than the normal rate at the lodge or hotel of your choice. We add no booking fees and there are no hidden costs.
That means, for no extra cost whatsoever, you can make use of our local expertise and have us make all the arrangements on your behalf, ensuring a seamless trip for less effort and less money than if you book everything directly.
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Do you charge a booking fee?
No, we charge no booking fees. If you book through us, it will cost you the same or less as when you book directly with each lodge or hotel, and you get the benefit of getting detailed advice, having someone to arrange all the details of your trip, and someone to turn to should anything go wrong.
In many cases we offer a rate that is slightly below the normal rate at the lodge or hotel of our choice, due to bulk discounts we have negotiated.
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When and how should I book flights?
We recommend that, if possible, your flights are booked after your itinerary is planned, which gives you a good deal more flexibility.
With regards to international flights, these are not included on any of our packages. It's best to book these yourself, and it often works out cheaper to book your domestic or regional flights together with your international tickets.
We often include local flights in our packages, and we can assist you with booking them, but you may be able to secure a better rate by booking directly on the internet. Please let us know if you would like a quote with local flights included.
There are several airlines offering domestic and regional flights:
SA Airlink
SAA (South African Airways)
SA Express
Kulula
Mango -
Can we fly directly between Cape Town and Kruger Park?
Yes, SAA (South African Airways) flies direct to Nelspruit daily (Nelspruit Airport/Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport - IATA:MQP), and the flight takes about 2½ hours . From Nelspruit, the closest major town, it's another hour's drive to Kruger National Park.
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Can we fly directly from the Kruger Park to Victoria Falls?
Unfortunately not, unless we arrange a charter flight for you. The best option is to fly via Johannesburg. Flying from Kruger Park to Johannesburg takes just over an hour, and flying from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls takes about two hours.
Usually these flights are scheduled in the mornings only, and often flight times necessitate a one-night stopover in Johannesburg. If so, we will gladly recommend suitable accommodation for you.
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Do you book flights?
None of our packages include international flights. It's best to book these yourself, and it often works out cheaper to book your domestic or regional flights together with your international tickets.
We often include local flights in our packages, and we can assist you with booking them, but you may be able to secure a better rate by booking directly on the internet. Please let us know if you would like a quote with local flights included.
It is not possible to fly between the Kruger National Park and Victoria Falls directly. You would have to fly via Johannesburg, and the flight times are such that in most cases you will have to spend one night in Johannesburg. It is possible to fly direct from Cape Town to the Kruger National Park . There is one flight daily on SAA between Cape Town and Nelspruit (about 1 hour from the Kruger Park). Alternatively you can fly via Johannesburg.
Unless your booking is short notice, it is usually best to book your flights after your itinerary is planned. This gives you more flexiblity and a better chance of securing availability at the destinations of your choice.
There are various airlines that conduct flights within South Africa and in the region, for example:
- SA Airlink
- SAA (South African Airways)
- SA Express
- Kulula
- Mango
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Do the vehicles have seat belts?
All our vehicles are late models with low mileage and we have extensive passenger liability insurance. Day tours and transfers are usually conducted in a luxury air-conditioned vehicle. All our vehicles have proper seatbelts for your safety. Whenever we use third party operators, we ensure that their vehicles are of a similar standard, and properly licensed and insured.
Our vehicles are meticulously maintained and serviced regularly. Game drives are usually conducted on open Land Rovers or an open safari vehicle with canopy.
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Do the vehicles have airconditioning?
All our day tours and transfers are usually conducted in luxury air-conditioned vehicles. Whenever we use third party operators, we ensure that their vehicles are of a similar standard, properly licensed and insured.
All off-road open safari vehicles are, of course, not air-conditioned, but some are fitted with canopies to provide protection against the sun. Please bring sun hats for daytime game drives and you'll need to wrap up warmly for late afternoon/early evening game drives on the open safari vehicles when the wind chill factor can really drop temperatures quickly. Bring good jackets, scarves, gloves, beanies and even knee-rugs.
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Do the rooms have air conditioning?
At most lodges and hotels the rooms have air conditioning. However, some of the safari camps (especially tented camps) only have fans. Often, the lodges may have both air conditioning and ceiling fans. When sending your quote, we will specify whether or not the accommodation is air conditioned.
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What accommodation do you use?
We work with a large number of different safari camps, lodges and hotels. We make it our aim to personally visit each lodge or hotel we recommend, to ensure it is up to standard. We will never recommend a substandard lodge or hotel.
At most lodges and hotels the rooms will have a private bathroom as well as air-conditioning, but some of the safari camps (especially tented camps) only have fans. When sending your quote we will specify whether or not the accommodation is air conditioned.
Accommodation standards differ and rates vary enormously. We will make recommendations based on your budget and preferences. We can offer you options ranging from basic, budget accommodation to exclusive, luxury five-star accommodation. Generally, we do not offer camping safaris (where you have to pitch your own tent), but we do sell a number of tented safari camps, which offer permanent canvas tents as accommodation.
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What is your electricity / voltage in South Africa?
Our electricity supply is 220/230 V, with a type M, large 15 amp plug. We always suggest that you bring your own travel adapter with you - here's a useful site about electrical plug/voltage information and appliance compatibilities for South Africa as well as the recommended travel adapter you'll need.
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Do I need to bring a travel adapter?
South Africa and its neighbouring countries have 220V power. It is best to bring your own travel adapter. Have a look at Amazon's Universal Travel Plug for South Africa and International Electrical Supplies' travel adapters for details of various adapters.
You will need WA7 for northern Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and WA10L for South Africa.
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Do you offer discounts for children?
Some lodges offer discounts for children sharing with adults, while others charge the same rates for children as for adults. Some lodges do not accommodate children under a certain age, yet other lodges are extremely child-friendly with a host of activities and services to welcome, involve and entertain children of all ages.
Please speak to us about your particular safari plans and concerns and we'll gladly advise on the best options for you and your family to suit your budget, time constraints and peace of mind. We have personal knowledge of the lodges and game camps we offer, and understand the demands of travelling with children (we are all parents, too), and we'll do our best to make sure you enjoy the safari of a lifetime.
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Can I take my children on safari?
Absolutely! Children are welcome on most of our safaris, but if they are under 12 years of age we normally arrange an exclusive departure just for your group, so as not to inconvenience other guests. We have some great options and destinations for family-friendly safaris - for example, the malaria-free, Big 5 Madikwe Game Reserve in North West Province, South Africa.
Each lodge has its own policy regarding children. Some lodges accept children under 12 years old, and some don't. Some lodges offer discounts for children, others don't.
On our own Kruger Park safaris, we normally offer discounts for children under 12 years old. Please ask us about specific conditions and discounts for children for whichever lodge or safari you are interested in.
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What currency should I bring?
The currency in South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR). If you're travelling in Southern Africa, the most useful currency to have with you is Rand or US Dollars (US$).
However, you shouldn't need to carry a lot of cash around with you as most places accept credit cards as well as traveller's cheques.
You can exchange money easily at any bank in South Africa. There is also a widespread network of ATMs at most shopping centres, petrol stations and so on where you can withdraw cash.
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How does payment work?
Once you're happy with your proposed itinerary, we'll ask you to complete our booking form, subject to our terms and conditions, and pay a 30% deposit to secure your booking. The balance of payment is required at least 6 weeks (45 days) prior to departure. However, if you book within 7 weeks of departure, the full amount will be payable at the time of booking.
We accept payment by wire transfer or by credit card. Our secure online payment facility accepts most major credit cards. If paying by wire transfer, all costs, foreign exchange conversion fees and bank routing fees are for your account. The full quoted amount needs to clear into our account. We do not charge any extra fees for credit card payments and there are no hidden costs.
Remember, we're also fully bonded members of SATSA so you have the peace of mind of knowing that you will never lose any monies you've paid up front.
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Can I pay in USD / EURO / Pounds?
The currency in South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR). We may quote you in USD, Euro or Pounds, but at the time of making payment this will be converted to South African Rand. For easy, accurate online currency conversion, please use Oanda's online Currency Converter.
We accept payment by wire transfer or by credit card. Our secure online payment facility accepts most major credit cards.
When travelling in Southern Africa, the most useful currency to have with you is South African Rand or US Dollars. You do not need to carry a lot of cash around with you - most places accept credit cards as well as traveller's cheques. You can exchange money easily at any bank in South Africa. There is also a good network of ATMs at most shopping centres, petrol stations and so on.
