Safaris and Tours South Africa

TIPS FOR TOURISTS

PASSPORTS
All visitors are personally responsible for ensuring they are in possession of the correct travel documents prior to their departure from their country of residence

VISA
Visitors must ensure that they have a multiple entry visa for the Republic of South Africa. South African immigration authorities require at least two empty pages in your passport for their entry and exit stamp. Always make inquiries before traveling to South Africa. Visit the visa information page of the Republic of South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs website.

What are the requirements for entering SA?
A valid acceptable passport or travel document good for a sufficient period to cover the intended stay.
A valid visa, if required.
Sufficient funds.
A return or onward ticket.
At least two blank pages in your passport.
Yellow fever certificates are required if the journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.

If you are subject to visa requirements, you should apply for your visa at least four weeks BEFORE your departure for South Africa, and await the outcome of your application before departing. Visas are NOT issued at South African ports of entry, and airline officials are obliged to insist on visas before allowing passengers to board. If you arrive without a visa, immigration officials are obliged by law to refuse you entry to South Africa and to place you on a return flight to your country.

HEALTH
If you're an adult, you won't need any inoculations unless you're traveling from a yellow-fever endemic area (the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America), in which case you will need certification to prove your inoculation status when you arrive in South Africa. It is recommended that you have the required inoculations four to six weeks before you travel to South Africa (a yellow fever inoculation certificate only becomes valid 10 days after inoculation - after which it remains valid for 10 years).

Medical facilities
Medical facilities in cities and larger towns are world-class, but you will find that in rural areas the clinics and hospitals deal with primary health needs, and therefore do not offer the range of medical care that the large metropolitan hospitals do. Trained medical caregivers are deployed round the country, so help is never far away.

The sun
We have a warm sunny climate and you should wear sunscreen and a hat whenever you are out of doors during the day, particularly between 10am and 4pm, regardless of whether there is cloud cover or not. Even if you have a dark complexion, you can still get sunburned if you are from a cooler climate and have not had much exposure to the sun. Sunglasses are also recommended wear, as the glare of the African sun can be strong.

Can I drink the water?
High-quality tap (faucet) water is available almost everywhere in South Africa, treated so as to be free of harmful micro-organisms and in any area other than informal or shack settlements, and is both palatable and safe to drink straight from the tap. In some areas, the water is mineral-rich, and you may experience a bit of gastric distress for a day or two until you get used to it. Bottled mineral water, both sparkling and still, is readily available in most places. Drinking water straight from rivers and streams could put you at risk of waterborne diseases - especially downstream of human settlements. The water in mountain streams, however, is usually pure and wonderful. In the Cape, particularly, the water contains humid acid, which stains it the color of diluted Coca-Cola - this is absolutely harmless, and the water is wonderful. You may also find this coloring in tap water in some areas. It's fine - it just looks a bit weird in the bath.

Do I need to take malaria tablets?
Many of the main tourist areas are malaria-free, so you need not worry at all. However, the Kruger National Park, the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal do pose a malaria risk in the summer months. Many local people and some travelers do not take malaria prophylaxis, but most health professionals recommend you do. Consult your doctor or a specialist travel clinic for the latest advice concerning malaria prophylaxis, as it changes regularly. Whether you take oral prophylaxis or not, always use mosquito repellent, wear long pants, closed shoes and light long-sleeved shirts at night, and sleep under a mosquito net in endemic areas (the anopheles mosquito, which carries malaria, operates almost exclusively after dark). It is advisable to avoid malarial areas if you are pregnant.

CLIMATE
South Africa can be visited any time of the year. The winter season is usually during April to August. Summer season are generally hot with some isolated thunder showers.

The seasons • Summer - October to mid-February
• Autumn - February to April
• Winter - May to July
• Spring – August to November

SAFETY
Crime, like anywhere else in the world, can be a problem, but you really need not do much more than take all the usual sensible precautions. Know where you're going before you set off, particularly at night, watch your possessions, don't walk alone in dodgy areas, and lock your doors at night. Much like anywhere else. When walking through areas that are considered risky, avoid wearing visible jewellery or carrying cameras and bags over your shoulder. Keep cell phones (mobile phones) and wallets tucked away where no one can see them. Always consult your host/guide before exploring. It is better to explore in groups. Aranza Travel and Tours have experienced professional registered guides that know there country and your safety are at utmost importance.

VAT
Foreign visitors may have there value added tax refunded upon departure at OR Tambo International Airport

USEFUL FACTS
What facilities are open on public holidays?
In the major cities most stores, cinemas and restaurants are open on most public holidays. The exceptions are Christmas Day, 25 December and New Year's Day, 1 January. The calendar of holidays is:
• 1 January – New Year’s Day
• 21 March – Human Rights Day
• 6 April – Good Friday (the Friday before Easter Sunday)
• 9 April – Family Day (the Monday after Easter Sunday)
• 27 April – Freedom Day
• 1 May – Workers Day
• 16 June – Youth Day
• 9 August – Women's Day
• 24 September – Heritage Day
• 16 December – Day of Reconciliation
• 25 December – Christmas Day
• 26 December – Day of Goodwill
If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday following becomes a public holiday.

Where can I smoke?
The law prohibits smoking in most public spaces, including airports and railway stations. Most restaurants have designated smoking and non-smoking areas.

South African time
South Africa does not change its clocks during the year, and there are no regional variations within the country. South African Standard Time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean (or Universal Standard) Time, one hour ahead of Central European Winter Time, and seven hours ahead of the USA's Eastern Standard Winter Time.

Tipping
Tipping is common practice in South Africa for a range of services. In restaurants the accepted standard is around 10% of the bill, although sometimes a gratuity will be included (often in the case of a large party).

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Terms and Conditions

All bookings are subject to terms and conditions

INITIAL ENQUIRY
Please supply us with the following information upon the initial enquiry:
Full name and contact details, any special interest and needs, meal preferences (vegetarian etc.) and what standard of accommodation you require. Aranza Travel and Tours reserve the right in this regards and will not be held responsible for clients who may not enjoy the product as a result of receiving incorrect and/or insufficient information.

DEPOSITS
Aranza Travel and Tours requires a non-refundable deposit of 30 % of your tour price to confirm bookings. The balance of the amount outstanding is payable 30 days before your arrival.

Once deposit is paid, confirmation will be E-Mailed or Faxed to you.

Aranza Travel and Tours reserve the right to cancel any reservation for which the deposit/full payment has not been made by due date. In an event of full payment not received all the deposit will be forfeited to cover our own costs to date and those of our suppliers.

PAYMENT
Payments are to be made in ZAR and are only payable to Aranza Travel and Tours.

The following payment option is accepted:
A) BANK TRANSFERS
International bank transfers are the safest option and must be paid directly into our bank account. Our bank details and the relevant swift code will be E-Mailed to you upon your request. Please note that all bank charges are for the clients account.

B) CASH
Cash is accepted for Day Tours and is payable to the driver.

TOUR PRICES
All tour prices are quoted in ZAR. These prices could fluctuate there for Aranza Travel and Tours reserve the right to increase or decrease all prices at any time without prior notice, accept if the tour price has been paid in full. However Aranza Travel and Tours will resort to price changing only if it is absolutely necessary and beyond our control .

CANCELLATIONS
All cancellations must be sent to us in writing via E-mail or Fax. On receiving such notification the full deposit will be forfeited to cover our own costs to date and those of our suppliers.

The rest of the tour price will be forfeited as calculated below
30 days or more 30%
29 days - 16 days 50%
15 days – 9 days 75%
8 days or less 100%
Clients are strongly advised to arrange cancellation insurance.

RESPONSIBILITY and LIABILITY

Aranza Travel and Tours or any person acting on behalf of the company will not be held responsible for any loss or damage to luggage or personal property. Aranza Travel and Tours will not be held liable for any illness or injury or death of a person that undertake a tour with Aranza Travel and Tours. Africa is a continent with beautiful wild animals that include reptiles that are potential dangerous animals. Although attacks are rare Aranza Travel and Tours, our guides, SANParks, game lodges or contracted tour operators cannot be held responsible for any illness or injuries or death caused during an incident involving the behaviour of wild animals.

You as client agree to indemnify Aranza Travel and Tours from all expenses what so ever may incur in defending legal action or court process arising out of such action or omissions.

We strongly encourage our clients to purchase travel insurance against such eventualities. Please insure that you are adequately covered for the unforeseen.

ALTERATIONS and AMMENDMENTS TO TOURS

Aranza Travel and Tours reserve the right to change any route and/or accommodation if in the opinion of the tour operator when conditions necessitates and substitutes of equal value.

If there is an unscheduled extension to the tour caused by flight delays, bad weather, strikes and/or any other causes beyond the control of Aranza Travel and Tours, the expenses relating to these, including accommodation, food or travel will be the client’s responsibility. Aranza Travel and Tours accepts no responsibility for changes.