Accommodation general - all accommodation and transfers should be paid locally, not to the African Trails office. The rates advertised below are subject to change at a moment's notice and must be used as a guide only.
Accommodation - Trips departing from Johannesburg, South Africa - We depart from Backpackers Ritz,1A North Road, Dunkeld West, Johannesburg, South Africa. Phone: +27 +11 325 7125/2520 www.backpackers-ritz.co.za/ If you would like to stay at the Backpackers Ritz, please book on line through the above link or e mail: ritz@iafrica.com Twin/Double R350 per room.
Airport pick up in Johannesburg airport to Backpackers Ritz - Transfers:Airport to Ritz R80 per person. Airport to Ritz @ 8am, 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm, 5pm, 7.30pm. "meet-and-greet" Transfers A driver meets your flight with a sign with your name on it – R300pp. Before 7am and after 7.30pm only a "meet-and-greet" Transfers. Book "meet-and-greet" 48 hours in advance @ R170pp.
Pre Departure Information
Included in the trip price & Local Payment - The tour cost and local payment includes transport, road taxes and tolls, services of the driver-leader, accommodation fees, entrance to gameparks as specified, two meals a day while travelling. Generally at lunchtimes we eat at small cafes or restaurants where you can try cheap and tasty local food.
Local Payment - Payable in £ Pounds Sterling cash but you can pay in $US dollars or Euros cash at the current cross exchange rate on date of departure, check with the driver for the rate. Travellers cheques, cards or other forms of payment can’t be not accepted.
Not included in the trip price and local payment - flights, visas, side trips, lunches and meals out. There are a number of optional side trips that you can choose from and pay for on the route.
Deposit and balance & Insurance - Once booked, your deposit and balance (within two months of trip departure) is non refundable. Insure yourself when you book for the full duration of your whole time away.
Buying your Flight - when you buy your flight, don't go just on price alone, check conditions and flexibility. Take into consideration that you may be buying your flight well ahead of time and the nature of your trip you are doing. It may be worthwhile paying more to have a flexible flight with a better airline that flies frequently to your destination.
Return Flight - Although it is our intention to finish the trip on the finishing date, book your flight to leave the day after the trip finishes.
Visas - Please see the Visa page
Insurance - You must be insured against personal accident, medical expenses and repatriation expenses. We only carry passengers on the understanding that, in most African countries through which we travel no passenger or vehicle liability is available whatsoever. You should take out insurance when you pay your deposit for the tour or for flights so that you are insured against cancellation (for medical or family reasons, for example). Bring your policy with you. Be aware if you travel without insurance and you need to get home urgently due to ill health or family problems, you or those responsible for you could incur bills running into many thousands. The medical coverage is the most important part of the insurance policy, loss of belongings less so. For UK, Australian and NZ residents, we can point you in the right direction for insurance if you contact us. For other nations, it is best to search online - there are some good online insurance companies catering for US, Canadian and European residents.
Inoculations - It is advisable to be vaccinated against Typhoid; Rabies; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Tetanus; Polio and Meningitis.
If possible start your vaccinations two months, but as late as two weeks before departure. Your GP can also inoculate but may take a while to get to get the vaccine in. Medical centre with their own travel educated Doctors can supply up-to-date medical advice and also administer vaccinations. Consult your medical people regarding the need to have a Yellow Fever vaccination.
Malaria - The risk of contracting malaria in the areas we visit is high. You should be aware that malaria tablets offer only partial protection against malaria and that you should couple taking the tablets with mosquito bite avoidance. The malarial mosquitoes come out at night that is from the beginning of sunset onwards, from this time cover up in long sleeves, jeans or track suit pants plus socks - mosquitoes tend to bite around the feet and ankles. Use insect repellent containing Deet, bring some you will need it. The use of repellents and covering up can be as effective as the use of tablets, by coupling both methods of protection you should be malaria free. Whatever type of prophylactic you choose try a sample of it before you go. In Africa buy a can of fly/bug repellant to clear your sleeping area of mosquitoes and bugs before you sleep.
Medical Kits - We carry First Aid kits on board for emergency use only. However, the crew is not entitled to recommend or prescribe any medicine. We advise a health check with your GP and Dentist before you start your journey and that you carry your own medical kit with you.
Your Electrical Equipment – Mobiles, Cameras, Laptops - In most camps you can charge from the mains, so bring a travel adaptor plug, as outlet power points are of different types. Most countries run on 220 or 240 volt current. To increase your battery time get a spare battery.
Mobile Phone - Will work abroad with the roaming facility enabled on a dual band phone; coverage is generally good. Although convenient for outgoing calls, incoming are expensive. An option is to buy a local number in each country.
Language - English is the predominant second language on route.
Security in General. When you’re off the vehicle wear a money belt that fits under your shirt. Do not wear a bum bag around your waist, or a money belt that hangs from your neck. In certain problem areas a passenger roster will be drawn up to guard the vehicle during the day. Don’t take items of value that are not essential for your journey, ie. jewellery.
Spending Money - For side trips and visas you need $US cash. Not having enough US$ cash is the biggest spending money problem people face on the trip. The dilemma been that though cash is easiest you risk losing your money with no chance of getting it back.
For general spending £10 - £30 a day is a good start excluding side trips. Depending on how much you drink, eat out and the souvenirs you buy.
Credit cards - bring at least two credit/debit cards as one might be rejected by the cash machine. Tell your bank before you travel to stop them blocking your card. In East and Southern Africa ATM machines are available about every three days - ATM machines only pay out local currency.
Visa credit and debit cards are better than MasterCard/American Express/ Maestro/Cirrus for acceptability.
On most borders you can change excess left over currency for the next country's money.
Side trips & optional excursions - Are paid for on the spot. Please see the separate page - Side Trips & Extras
Maps - It's good to have your own map to follow the trip as you go. In Africa use the Michelin 955 of Africa, central and south.
Washing - Most of the time you can wash every day and at camps you can do your laundry or often have it done for you quite cheaply.
Drinking Water – We advise you drink bottled water which is cheap and readily available.
Photography - African authorities require that tourists do not take pictures of airports, railway stations or military installations. We are often in areas where locals are not used to being photographed and we ask you to show them every respect and courtesy.
Accommodation at the end of the trip.There are numerous hostels so no need to book. Your driver can help with this.
Suggested list of clothing and equipment - The less you take the less you have to pack, wash, lug home and you'll always pick up extras along the way. The best type of carrier is a kit bag or duffel bag
Medical kit - Bring your own simple kit
Re-hydration sachets available from any chemist
Insect repellent containing Deet e.g. Jungle Juice
Sun cream
Headache tablets
Plasters
Malaria tablets
Toiletries - You can buy most basic toiletries easily in Africa
Toothbrush and toothpaste, dental floss
Soap in a container & razors
Towel & shampoo
Tampons/condoms
Clothes
Socks
Shirts
Jeans/long trousers
Underwear
Sweatshirt/jumper
Shorts, T-shirts, swimsuit
Skirt
Sandals/flip flops/jandals/thongs
Walking shoes
Small day-pack or bag to carry your daily items
Hat and sunglasses
Camera (in a protective case), spare batteries
Money belt or pouch to hold your passport
Vaccination book
Travellers cheques
Books, personal CD player and CD's
Torch & spare batteries
Water bottle at least 1.5 litres, any old water bottle is fine and these are available in most shops on the way
The easiest and best way to travel is as lightly as possible, taking just what is necessary. Most people make the mistake of bringing too much luggage. |
