Passport – Please ensure that you have a minimum of two blank pages as required by South African law and that expiry is atleast 6 months after date of travel.
Visa(s) - Please ensure that you have the necessary visas for all countries you are visiting.
Travel Documentation – Your checklist should include: passport, air tickets, travel vouchers, travel itinerary, travel insurance, drivers licence, scuba diving certificate, foreign exchange.
Make sure that you have made 3 copies of your travel documentation. Keep one with you, the other one in your luggage or at your hotel and the third copy leave with a friend or family who can fax it to you in the event of your documents getting lost or stolen
Health - Please make sure of any vaccinations that may be required for countries you will be visiting. (www.iamat.org) If you are visiting a malaria area, get advice from your doctor on any malaria prophylactics that should be taken. If you have any serious allergies or medical problems, it is best to advise your travel consultant before you travel so people can be advised.
If you are taking medication with you, it is best to get a letter from your doctor in case you get stopped at customs or you lose your medication.
Dietary Requirements - Please ensure that you have advised your travel consultant of any specific dietary requirements in advance such as kosher, halaal, vegetarian, diabetic
Travel Insurance - Ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for the duration of your stay.
Packing – Take cool, comfortable clothing for during the day and a warm sweater for evenings. If you are on safari take neutral colours for game viewing and if you are travelling during the winter months very warm clothes for morning and evening game drives including scarf, woollen hat and gloves as well as a warm jacket . During the summer months you will also need warmer clothes for the early mornings and evenings. Always bring one or two smarter things for the evenings. If you are at the coast the temperatures drop once the sun has gone down.
Always try not to pack too much. Travel light!! This will give you space to buy a few things along the way if you want. If you are travelling by charter flight you are allowed a maximum of 10 kg and they must be in soft bags. It is then advisable to bring a soft bag along which you can use for those days. The rest of your luggage can be stored until you get back. Either squash this flat into your suitcase or use it for hand luggage.
Don’t forget your swimming costume. It is normally not necessary to bring swimming towels as most places provide these.
Don’t forget comfortable walking shoes. It is advisable to buy these a few months before you travel so you can walk them in to avoid blisters.
Don’t take unnecessary valuables and jewellery.
Foreign Currency – always check whether travellers cheques and all cards are accepted at the place you will be staying. It is best to carry a small amount of cash on you on arrival in case you cannot immediately get to a place to draw money.
Certain countries have departure taxes which are payable on departure in cash. Make sure you have the correct amount of cash on departure in the correct currency as they do not give change.
Don’t forget… - Insect repellent ( peaceful sleep, tabbard or citronella based herbal repellents) ; lip salve; sunblock ( preferably factor 40) ; sunglasses; a wide brimmed sun hat ; camera as well as spare batteries, spare film or extra memory card and charger ; cell phone charger if you are taking your cell phone ; your book; a pen and journal to record your holiday; an international plug adaptor.
Some travel tips:
Don’t try to cram too much into your holiday. You want to have some time to relax
It is cheaper to buy a local SIM card for your cell phone to use while abroad or alternatively buy a World Traveller Call card which gives you longer talk time.
Try to learn the local greetings in the language of the country you will be visiting. People appreciate the effort
Try to avoid walking the streets with a camera around your neck and a money belt on the outside of your clothes – this screams out "tourist" and makes you vulnerable to crime.
Before you travel try to do as much research on your destination as possible. Booking your day tours in advance also avoids you wasting valuable time trying to decide what to do. Speak to your travel consultant about recommendations on what to do in the area.
If possible it is best to travel outside of peak holiday season. Prices are lower, it is easier to find seats on flights and places are generally less crowded
