Things to know
Meals & Drinks
Breakfast included every day of ten night tour.
All meals, soft drinks, house wines, local branded spirits, local beers, teas, and coffees, included during &Beyond Nxabega Tented Camp (Day 23 to Day 26) & Rovos Rail (Day 26 to 29).
Dietary Requirements
While most dietary requirements can be catered for in the hotels and accommodation included and outlined in the itinerary, any specific dietary requirements should be communicated ahead of time – to both your cruise consultant and all the properties you will be visiting on the tour.
If you require kosher meals, this will incur an additional cost (as they are flown into the remote areas specifically) and two weeks’ prior notice is required.
Transfers
Transfers will be shared with other guests
Insurance
Emergency evacuation insurance does not cover treatment costs and does not replace normal travel insurance
It’s recommended to purchase travel insurance within 14 days of paying for your deposit
Money & Payments
The official currency of South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR). In Botswana the currency is Pula (P), although US Dollars cash is widely accepted. If paying with cash, officials may not be in a position to issue large amounts of change, so carrying small denominations of cash where possible is a good idea.
Credit cards, however, are widely accepted. It’s just worth keeping in mind that transactions can take anything up to a few months to go through and appear on your statements, especially when payments are made in remote areas.
Gratuities
Throughout this tour, gratuities are to be paid at your own discretion and expense. While not compulsory, the following is a guideline on gratuity rates:
South Africa:
Waiters and Drivers: 10% of the fare or bill
Safari Ranger/Guide: R 500 per couple per day
Safari Tracker: R 250 per couple per day
Safari Lodge Butler: R 250 per couple per day
Safari Lodge Camp Staff: R 500 per couple per day
Botswana:
Ranger/Guide: USD 35 per couple per day
Butler: USD 20 per couple per day
Lodge/Camp Staff: USD 35 per couple per day
Tracker: USD 25 per couple per day
Airport Meet and Greet : USD 3 -USD 5 per meet and greet
Baggage Handlers/Porters : USD 3 -USD 5 per couple
Hotel Doormen/Baggage Handlers: USD 3-USD 5 per couple
Health & Safety
You must consult your medical practitioner or a travel clinic before travelling to any destination on this tour to determine whether you’re required to get a yellow fever vaccination, and this must be done no less than 10 days prior to travel. If a vaccination was required, you must be able to produce a yellow fever certificate as proof of vaccination.
Similarly, you should consult your medical practitioner or a travel clinic on malaria precautions before you travel to South Africa and Africa. You should also ensure you pack an adequate amount of any medication you may need for your trip, as it will be difficult to obtain after arrival – this is something that applies to any malaria prophylaxis, prescriptions, chronic or preferred brand medication.
Ticks can also be found in Africa’s wilderness areas; to avoid getting bitten, you should wear long trousers, socks, and boots when going on bush walks.
Luggage Allowances
Due to the fact that you will be travelling in vehicles and small aircraft with limited storage space during some stages of this tour, luggage is required to be packed in a soft bag. Bags must be regularly shaped with at least one flat surface and bags with long hanging straps will not be accepted. Laundry services are available throughout the tour.
General Requirement for Light Aircraft :
Please use soft bags with a maximum size of 30cm wide, 35cm high and 70cm long. Hard suitcases are not allowed and oversized bags cannot be carried on your lap. Wheels on a bag are only permissible if they are not part of a solid frame or rigid structure.
It’s also important to be aware that it’s a criminal offence to be in possession of, to deal with, or to traffic wildlife products. This includes, without limitation, ivory, rhino horns, furs, claws, teeth, bones, eggs, meat, and feathers. Punishment is severe for anyone violating this legislation and any wildlife products should be purchased from legitimate vendor establishments located within the duty free demarcated area of the airport as these vendors are required by law to hold the necessary legal permits to enable them to offer for sale the wildlife products on display in their establishments
Rovos Rail
When travelling on Rovos Rail, you will hear the mechanical sounds typical of rail travel. Because African railway networks are managed by local governments, schedules can occasionally change due to maintenance, border delays or power outages. If there is a delay, the train may travel overnight to stay on track. In some cases, your train manager might suggest using an alternative mode of transport, such as a bus, to ensure you reach your destination on time. You will always have the choice to stay on board and accept a later arrival or take the alternative transport provided. While we aim to stick to your itinerary, these factors are outside the rail operator's control, and changes may occur without warning.