Guided Trekking in the Drakensberg & Zululand

Passport

A full passport is required to enter South Africa, with at least 2 blank pages for entry stamps.

Visa

Holders of EU passports and nationals of the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can stay in South Africa for up to 3 months without a visa. Other nationals should check with their nearest South African embassy for details of entry requirements.

Health advice

Before booking, you should check with your doctor to see if any health precautions are needed. The following websites provide a wealth of information on travelling and health: http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk   www.traveldoctor.co.uk

Climate

Holidays are scheduled for the South African summer when the weather will be warm.  Some days can be quite hot, and you should experience plenty of sun. It is cooler in the evenings in the mountains and there is always the chance of rain. This can sometimes be in the form of heavy downpours, though they are often fairly brief and don’t affect the daily activities greatly. The lowland valley of KwaZulu Natal and down to the coast is generally hotter and more humid than the Drakensberg, and there can be some rainy days.

Money

The South African currency is the rand. Banks are open Monday to Friday 9am to 3.30pm and Saturdays 9am to 11am and are the most convenient place for exchanging money. Credit cards are also a convenient way of obtaining money and Visa and Mastercard (but not American Express) are all widely recognised. Cash machines are found in most towns.

Tipping

Tipping is not compulsory, but is a means of recognising good service in most countries. Previously we have included tipping in the price of our holidays, but guest feedback has shown that guests would prefer this to be at their own discretion – to give more, or less, as a reflection of the service.

Here are some guidelines for tips on your holiday:
Local guides half day – R20 per person
Local guides full day – R40 per person
Safari Ranger – R100 per person per day
Group driver – R40 per person per day
Group Tour Leader – R50 per person per day

Some lodges will have a staff gratuity box in which you can leave any tips for chamber maids, waiters etc. Suggested amount is R100 per day for all of the staff.

Gratuities for all meals and baggage handling at hotels and airports have been included in your holiday price.

For flights information please see the Dates and Prices tab.