South Africa FAQs

Value for money travel tip – travel between May to September to take advantage of low season rates. If you love wildlife this is the best time of year for game viewing with the bush opening up and the grass thinning out. Africa by Ayu loves the rates offered by our South African travel partners during this period.

• South Africa is an all year destination and a complete destination which caters to any and every interest. From wildlife to food, music, culture, sports, adventure and breathtaking scenery, South Africa has got it all.

• May to September –is the best time for wildlife with the bush opening up after the grass is flattened, lovely time for walking safaris as well. Although it rains in Cape Town, the bush will be dry. Since it’s the Winter season, during this period the weather on average can be between 1C in the nights to 18C during the day.

• December to March – Summer season. Sunny and dry in Cape Town. Since South Africa runs on the Cape Town seasons, prices are high during this period. However, this is the rainy season for the game parks in the Kruger area.

Victoria Falls Seasons

• Victoria Falls also has it’s own seasons.

• End Jan – March is when the volume of water rises and aerial photography is great

• April – May It is quite magnificent as the volume of water is at its peak

• June, July and August – the falls are easier to view – although not as spectacular, when the water is much less but the mist does not block the view. White water rafting starts in August.

• September to December– the water will be a mere trickle on the Zambian side and it’s better viewed from Zimbabwe. Great time to swim in the Devils Pool.

Africa by Ayu has only partnered with operators and lodges that carry a valid insurance for their operations and are accredited by the relevant licensing authorities in each African country.

Note – that we do not divulge the names of the tour operators we partner with.

Each hotel, lodge or camp included into an Africa by Ayu itinerary will be selected for the value for money offering it brings to each itinerary, after discussions with our partners in each African destination and careful consideration of all available options for your travel dates.

• Our team loves to curate Africa holidays and are happy to spend time to share our expertise with those clients who are keenly interested to book our curated itineraries, through us but we are compelled to bring in this policy as some guests attempt to obtain all information and then proceed to book on their own.

• Names of all hotels, lodges and camps will only be divulged upon payment of a non-refundable deposit. This will be set off against the cost of the tour booked with Africa by Ayu. Subsequent to the above deposit, we will divulge the names of hotels. If you wish, you are certainly free to request amendments to the hotels/itinerary and we will be happy to further curate the entire itinerary and suggest alternative names of hotels, subject to availability – (except on scheduled group tours where the accommodation cannot be changed unless the entire group requests it).

• Accommodation cannot be held unless an advance is paid on the due date.

The wildlife and game viewing are excellent in all National Parks and Private Game Reserves. The public areas of Kruger Park may get a bit crowded during the peak season and during South African school holidays.

If you choose to visit a Private Game Reserve the game drives and walks will be in exclusive areas where the public will not be permitted. The guiding during safari activities and the service levels at lodges and camps in Private Game Reserves will be of a very high standard and nocturnal wildlife can be seen as afternoon safari drives continue into the night.

In low carbon footprint camps permanent electricity is not be available, guests should always carry fully charged additional batteries on safari and have sufficient memory cards as they are difficult to purchase. These Camps though rustic it’s certainly not roughing out – think, comfy beds, soft linen, ensuite eco-loos and great food.

A typical day on safaris starts at the crack of dawn as this is the best time to view wildlife. You will then come back for a brunch/lunch and relax during the middle of the day. Most lodges/hotels will have a swimming pool, lounge, library. Please note each lodge may have different times for safaris.

Sri Lankan Passport Holders should apply for a visa prior to traveling to South Africa through the South African High Commission in Colombo (http://www.dirco.gov.za/colombo/consularservices.html)

Ensure your passport is valid for at least 30 days after the expiry of the intended visit and should have two unused pages (facing each other) available. Multiple entry visas are required if you intend traveling to South Africa’s neighboring countries and back – e.g., visiting the Victoria Falls in Zambia/ Zimbabwe or Namibia/ Botswana/ Lesotho/ Swaziland.

Africa by Ayu has connections to the right hotels, villas, camps and lodges in South Africa which are great for multi generational family holidays. Different lodges and camps especially in wilderness areas have different child policies and a minimum age on walking safaris. Please enquire for specific details for your tour.

Note:

To enter South Africa or if you are traveling via Botswana - You are required by law to travel with your children’s “Unabridged” Birth Certificate to enter South Africa and/or Botswana. If you are traveling without one parent, you will also require an affidavit from the absent parent giving permission for the child to enter the country. This must be dated no more than 3 months before the travel date.

The currency is the South African Rand (ZAR)

US dollars - dated after 2003 are accepted, but, high denomination notes may not be accepted.

ATM machines are available in most towns and Credit Cards are accepted.

South Africa has 11 official languages. English is widely spoken.

Travel insurance will be required before the final payment for your tour as tour operators and camps require your insurance details. Please ensure that the insurance is comprehensive and covers any medical situations such as hospitalization, emergency air-evacuation as well as cancellation, curtailment of arrangements and loss of baggage.

Most urban areas have good medical facilities and if you do not have adequate cover you risk being turned away from the hospital.

Currently there are no specific requirements for visitors to have any inoculations prior to their arrival in South Africa. However, a valid International Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever is required for any person entering South Africa from, or via, a yellow fever infected area (please check latest WHO- World Health Organization current classification). In Sri Lanka, you can obtain the Yellow Fever vaccine at the MRI.

Most parts of South Africa are malaria areas and malaria prophylactics are recommended. Please consult your Doctor prior to travel.

Lodges in wilderness areas generally provide mosquito nets. To avoid mosquito and insect bites, wear long-sleeved clothing, long trousers and socks when outside at night and use an insect repellent which contains at least 20-30% DEET. Although a medical kit is available at each lodge or safari operator, please bring all personal medications.

Comprehensive travel and medical insurance must be taken by each traveller, prior to the final payment of your tour. If you do not have adequate cover you risk being turned away from the hospital.

No one at Africa by Ayu is qualified to give medical advice and as such none of the above should be taken as authorized medical advice but are intended to be guidelines and general tips. Please consult your Doctor prior to travel and obtain accurate and up to date independent medical advice.

Flights

Africa by Ayu arranges all domestic flights from the main Airport to major cities, the national parks and between camps.

Baggage restrictions on flights

• On internal aircraft transfers, strict baggage restrictions apply. Weight, size and style of bag is strictly enforced.

• Each passenger is only allowed a 23Kg soft duffel bag (not in hard top cases or bags with wheels) as checked in luggage and 5Kg as hand luggage (includes camera equipment). For bookings more than 60 days prior to travel the air-fare may be cheaper but the baggage restriction is 15Kg check-in luggage and 5Kg carry-on.

• Large suitcases and rigid, inflexible luggage with “pull along” handle frames and wheels and bags which have soft sides but have a solid or rigid “wheely” frame within the base of the bag are NOT ALLOWED

• These restrictions are enforced for the security of guests as the weight balance is important on light aircraft.

• Pilots on small aircrafts will refuse any luggage which does not fit within the luggage pods of the aircraft.

Tap water in urban areas in South Africa is purified and is safe to drink at hotels, lodges and other public places. However, as a general rule on Safari bottled mineral water is recommended unless the lodge or camp has purified it. Please check with the Manager of the Lodge/ Camp. In South Africa standards of hygiene is generally high with regard to food and health.

Please inform any allergies or dietary restrictions prior to confirming a tour.

Electricity is 220/240 volts. Wall sockets require 3 round pin type plugs so it is recommended that you carry international travel adapters. These adapters are available at major airports.

Permanent electricity is not available on low carbon footprint safaris. Solar or Generators may be used for lighting (of tents and communal areas) and are often switched off at night. Small electronic devices/cameras should be charged during the day but it may not be possible to use electric shavers and hairdryers.

Fully charged spare batteries should always be carried on safari and have sufficient memory cards for your images and videos – these are difficult to purchase here.

Except in remote safari lodges and camps cellular phone coverage and internet connections will be available. However, some remote places of accommodation will have limited Wi-Fi connection in main lounge areas.

For emergencies, all safari operators can connect with their main camp via a radio link or satellite phone connection.

• A 24 hour local point of contact will be provided to you for all emergencies.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is not permitted on any flights

Tipping is entirely at your discretion and will be greatly appreciated by those who provide a good service.

A rough tipping guideline for South Africa

• Guides: US10 dollars per day per guest or per couple

• General lodge staff: US10 dollars per day per guest or per couple (a tip box is usually available at all camps and lodges and this will be distributed among the staff)

• Hotel/restaurant - a service charge is added to the bill but if the service has been great, then a tip not exceeding 10% of the bill is customary.

• It is not customary to tip lodge managers

• During summer – clothes that are cool, light and comfortable.

• To wear on safari: Comfortable and casual clothing, that you can wash and wear in muted colors - khaki, green, beige

• Since game drives are conducted early mornings and evenings – it can be quite cold, especially in winter and warms up during the day, so bring layers you can peel off or put on as needed as well as a jacket, gloves, scarf/beanie and hat.

• For walking safaris and bush-walks - wear a good pair of closed shoes (hiking boots not required) and clothing must be neutral colors (beige, khaki, olive, stone). You must not wear dark or bright colors.

• When relaxing at camps and lodges: casual clothing

• For evenings: Long-sleeved shirts, trousers and shoes to avoid mosquito bites

• When traveling during cold months: Jeans or safari trousers

• A lightweight waterproof jacket/poncho in case of rain

• Swimwear as some lodges and camps do have a pool

• Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, insect repellent, moisturizer and lip salve

• Torch

• Binoculars and camera equipment (with spare batteries and SD/Memory cards)

• Most lodges inside the parks offer complimentary same-day laundry service. So you don’t need to bring too many clothes - please check on arrival.

• Strict luggage restrictions (of 23 Kg per person including camera equipment) applies on all small flights

South Africa attracts many tourists. In public areas in the cities theft and crime can be more common like anywhere else in the world. But visitors on organized wildlife safaris are shielded from public areas. The operators that Africa by Ayu partners with will always have your safety and security in mind throughout your tour. However, for all safari destinations and throughout the tour we offer, we recommend that you do not take any expensive jewelry, watches etc and ensure your bags can be locked.

Traveling or driving at night is not recommended.

Safaris may bring you up close in contact with wild animals and all instructions of your Guide should be strictly followed. However, you should take responsibility for your own safety. Some lodges or operators will require that you sign an indemnity form on your arrival.

A 24 hour local point of contact will be provided to you for all emergencies.