We advise you to wear casual and comfortable clothes. Do not forget the temperature difference between day and night, especially in the desert areas and during winter. For outdoor activities we advise you to wear multiple layers of clothing, so that you can easily remove them when the temperature rises. We recommend you wear soft colours, especially tops or shirts and long trousers for protection against sun and insects, a fleece or a warm sweater, a windbreaker, comfortable trekking shoes and flip flops. Do not forget cap, sunglasses and a swimsuit during summer. In winter we advice to also pack a scarf, gloves and wool hat. Lodges often offer blankets and hot drinks for outdoor activities during the coldest hours. If you are including a stay in Cape Town and in the Cape Winelands a smart casual outfit is recommended, especially if you are considering a dining experience in one of the world-class restaurant of the area.

We advise you to contact your doctor or health service to find out about anti-malarial prophylaxis and recommended vaccines that might vary according to seasons and destinations. Upon arrival in South Africa, travellers coming from areas where yellow fever is endemic may be requested to exhibit a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Do not forget spray against mosquitoes and high protection sunscreen.

A passport valid for at least 6 months with at least two blank pages and the regular tourist visa are required to enter South Africa for EU citizens. The tourist visa is issued upon arrival at the border and it is valid for maximum 90 days. When travelling with minors, also in transit, you have to provide an unabridged birth certificate. We advise you to have copies of your personal documents.

In the lodges accommodation is generally “all inclusive”, so it is not necessary to carry much cash in foreign or local currency. South African Rand (ZAR) is the most used currency for payments, although US Dollar (USD) and Euro (EUR) are also commonly accepted. In the lodges it is advisable to leave a tip of 10-20 USD per person per day for the guide and 5-10 USD per person per day for the staff. In restaurants it is customary to leave a tip equal to 10% of the bill. Most lodges, shops and restaurants accept major credit cards, but not all petrol stations accept card payments. Lodges often offer a currency exchange service for the main currencies. Nonetheless, we advise that you exchange currency and withdraw cash from ATMs or banks in the main cities.

Mobile phone reception is excellent in the main cities, but can be erratic or absent in remote areas. Usually communication between lodges in these areas happens via radio or satellite phone. Most lodges have internet connection, accessible at the reception or in the communal areas.