Info

The best time to travel in South Africa

South Africa is beautiful all year round, but this is a particularly favorable period due the current economic conditions and advantageous exchange rate. The dry months from May to November are the most suitable to visit the Kruger National Park area.

The Kruger National Park

There are many places worth visiting in South Africa, but the Kruger National Park has the best ability to convey the unforgettable sight of nature's magnificence which remains untouched over the centuries. Campe fires, tribal songs, a lion roaring in the distance... a photographic safari in the Kruger Park leaves every visitor with the indelible memory of unique and deep emotions.

Edeni / Karongwe Private Nature Reserve

The Kruger National Park is big, 300 km long and 50 km wide. Is is truly magnificent but the vehicles are not authorized to leave the roads to followed an interesting animal that has been spotted at distance. It is for this reason that after visiting the Kruger it is customary to spend one or two days in a Private Nature Reserve such Edeni / Karongwe or Kapama.

In a Private Nature Reserve the photographic safaris are conducted in open 4x4 vehicles that are allowed to follow lions and leopards in the bush, allowing adrenaline filled close encounters at a few meters distance.

As Private Game Reserves like Edeni / Karongwe and Kapama (about 10.000 hectares in size) are a lot smaller than the Kruger Park 2.000.000 hectares the sighting of wild animals in general is facilitated.

The two experiences are quite different and totally complementary.

Honeymoons

South Africa is the ideal destination for a truly memorable honeymoon and a photographic safari in the Kruger National Park is the best way to start a life as a married couple.

Kruger Tours is specialized in providing newly married couples the professional attentions they require

Package tours

Coach Transfers are often used in group travel in order to cut the costs. Unfortunately the much longer transfer times will erode away the best part of the vacation.

The size of the group will also determine the type of hospitality, excluding all those Lodges that can accommodate only a few participants at a time and offer a more personalized service to their guests.

For this reason package tours by Kruger Tours are generally limited to a maximum of 6 participants.

Golf

Golfing in South Africa is very popular and many towns have their own golf course, which are generally very well kept. Playing golf in South Africa is not at all expensive and many International golfers spend their vacations in South Africa. At Phalaborwa there is the magnificiente Hans Merensky Hotel & Golf Estate that has an 18 hole Par 72 world famous championship golf course designed by Bob Grimsdell, which borders the Kruger National Park. Often players are interrupted by the passing wildlife, such hippo, giraffe and antelopes!

When to book your honeymoon or vacation in South Africa

In South Africa accommodation is usually booked well in advance, sometimes even up to a year. Deciding to travel immediately before the departure date often leads to pay more for flights and accommodation.

The climate in the Kruger National Park

In the months from May to November the Kruger Park is dry and sunny with generally cooler evenings. In the summer (from December to March) it can get very hot, alleviated by occasional rain showers which occur almost always at night.

Vaccinations for South Africa

There are no vaccinations required when visiting South Africa, but in the Kruger National Park area malaria is endemic. A mefloquine hydrochloride-based malaria prophylaxis, if recommended by your physician, may be considered but the risk of contracting the disease when using normal precautions is ridiculouly low, particularly in the dry season from May to November.

Passport

Visitors coming from the European Union need a passport with at least six months validity and two consecutive pages (left and right) totally free. On this regard please consult the nearest South African Consolate.

Upon arrival to South Africa, a free tourist visa is normally granted for a period equivalent to the return date on your ticket, up to a maximum of three months. Again, please confirm this at your nearest South African Consolate.

Currency

In South Africa the official currency is the Rand (ZAR), currently equivalent to about 10 Euro, or 7 US Dollars. Euros in South Africa are preferred to dollars, as there is less chance of counterfeiting. Foreign currency can be changed at any bank, but this can take hours.

We recommend that you use a 'bureaux de change' at international airports in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, which provide a much quicker service.

Credit Cards

In South Africa the most populare credit cards are VISA and MASTERCARD, which are honoured almost everywhere. Petrol purchases must be paid for in cash.

Cirrus and Maestro ATM cards are honoured, and it is usually possible to withdraw up to 2,000 ZAR per day from ATMs, but the transaction fee can by quite expensive. A convenient option is to withdraw money from ATMs using instead an approved credit or prepaid card .

Telephony

To call from South Africa, use the international dialing prefix of '00', followed by the international dialing code, and full phone number including area code.

To call South Africa, the international dialing code is '27' followed by the phone number.

In South Africa the charges levied by hotels and lodges on international telephone calls are usually high, so it is more convenient to use a phone card at a public phone.

For all those who have a GSM mobile phone, coverage is usually guaranteed in all cities and on main roads. In Kruger National Park in the coverage is limited to the Rest Camps and their immediate surrounds.

For local calls, a prepaid cellphone sim card available at any supermarket for less than 1 Euro, inclusive of free immediate activation, is a good choice.

Food & Beverage

Hotels and Lodges in South Africa provides international cuisine, with abundant breakfast and meat dishes, chicken and fish with rice or potatoes.

The local dishes generally reflect Indian and Malaysian influences, with abundant use of spices. Grilled meat is popular and the South African wine is usually good and absolutely natural. 

Voltage

The voltage is 220V but in South Africa is used a completely unique plug so it is necessary a special adapter, available locally at any supermarket. All so-called "universal adapters" marketed in Europe are absolutely useless in South Africa.

Time zone

South Africa is on the GMT+2 timeline, and there is no daylight savings time.

Medicines

The same drugs that are found in Europe in all practicality may be found in South Africa, possibly under a different brand name. However, many drugs are only available on prescription.

Equipment

Before leaving for South Africa, be sure to have with you:

  • Passport that is valid for at least another six months, and has two consecutive free pages (side-by-side)
  • Cash, preferably Euro
  • VISA or MasterCard credit card, and / or a Cirrus / Maestro ATM card
  • Sunscreen, any personal medications you may need and mosquito repellent
  • Your toiletries
  • Sunglasses
  • Small Flashlight (LED preferable)
  • Digital Video Camera, Memory Card, and any other additional accessories
  • Digital Photo camera with spare batteries
  • Folding Binoculars, maximum magnification of 7X

 

Clothing

For a tour of sixteen days in South Africa, whether in summer or winter, the following items of clothing should suffice:

  • Windbreaker jacket, lightweight and waterproof
  • Large-size jersey.
  • Well-fitting light-weight pullover
  • Four or five shirts, including at least a couple with long sleeves
  • Two long cotton trousers
  • Two cotton shorts
  • A robust belt
  • A couple of cotton shirts
  • Underwear
  • Socks
  • Confortable and well-used light-weight takkies
  • Comfortable and robust sandals
  • Pyjama or nighty
  • A couple of dresses for the ladies
  • Swimming costume
  • Peak cap

The preferred colors are always those which blend well with nature, such as brown, beige and dark green. These colours are also best for during photographic safaris, as bright colours can frighten the animals

The jacket should be waterproof and made of cotton, lightweight and a large size so that if necessary it can be worn over a shirt and pullover.

South Africans generally dress very informally. Consequently for a "night on the town" we recommend elegant sportswear, but don't overdo it! Avoid too many layers of clothing wherever possible as it is not essential and leave the jewellery at home.

Hard suitcases are generally not accepted on tour minibuses and on smaller planes used on domestic flights.

Apart from your hand luggage, for a two-week tour you shouldn't need more than a soft bag and it should weigh no more than fifteen kilos.