Minors travelling internationally and Kids on Safari

 

Minors travelling internationally are required to have the same passport and visa documentation as adults. 

Minors (under age 18) travelling internationally without one or both parents may be required to present a letter of consent signed by any/all non-travelling parents.

Kids on Safari - Child-friendly game lodges:

Children under 12:

• Some lodges, not all, welcomes children of all ages and kids can enjoy daily children's programs, between approx.11h00 and 14h00. These are mainly about having fun, but also to inspire, excite and educate.
• Baby-sitting is available if required.

Signature lodges offer as an example                                      

• Wildlife and fun DVDs
• Books, toys, puzzles, colouring-in books, playdough, games, etc.
• Blackboard Table tennis /activities to be discussed with the coordinator at the lodge
• Arts and crafts, including colouring and making animal masks
• Creating "Bushman paintings"
• Children 16 years and over are welcome on our guided bush walks.

 

Child Policy: Accommodation

• Children 0 - 2 years can share a room with parents at our child-friendly lodges.

Young adults: Accommodation

• 12 years and older are regarded as young adults/teenagers
• Children 12 years and above will be charged the adult rate per night/sharing or single.

Important Notice
Malaria advisory

You are advised to visit your general practitioner or a travel medicine clinic at least 6 weeks before you travel.

If you have a medical condition, you are advised to discuss the suitability of the trip before you book.

We do offer safaris to non-malaria game reserves in S.A.

Malaria advisory

Malaria cases in South Africa normally increase during the summer months. The higher temperatures and rainfall in transmission areas will likely increase malaria mosquito populations and may result in higher malaria transmission rate.

Within the usual risk areas in South Africa, Bushbuckridge (Mpumalanga Province), Vhembe and Mopani (Limpopo Province), and northern KwaZulu-Natal Province may experience higher than usual malaria transmission. Outside South Africa, the risk of malaria in Mozambique is particularly high.

People who are planning to travel are urged to take adequate measures to protect themselves from malaria.

• All people in malaria risk areas should reduce contact with mosquitoes by limiting outdoor activity after dark, covering up bare skin (not forgetting feet and ankles), using mosquito repellents containing DEET,
• ensuring mosquito screens on windows are closed, and using bed nets, fans, or air-conditioning, if available.
• Pregnant women should avoid travelling to transmission areas.
• It is important to understand that while these precautions will substantially reduce the chance of acquiring malaria, the risk is never completely abolished. All travelers returning from malaria transmission areas, including very low risk ones, should report ’flu-like illness (headache, fever, chills, fatigue, muscle and joint pain) that occurs up to four weeks after first possible exposure, in case it is malaria.

Children with malaria may have very non-specific signs (fever, loss of appetite, vomiting). Healthcare workers seeing ill patients must remember to ask about travel to malaria transmission areas. Do not forget that sometimes, infected mosquitoes may accidentally be transported in vehicles or luggage and transmit malaria in non-endemic areas.

South African Guidelines for the prevention of malaria:

Please consult with your private doctor before travelling to S.A.

This means that there is currently no product that can be used for pregnant travelers or children weighing less than 11 kg. As these are also the travelers at highest risk of complicated malaria, they should be strongly advised not to go to malaria risk areas. If they have no option but to go, they should use all methods available to prevent getting bitten by the mosquitoes and should seek immediate medical attention should they have any signs of illness.

Game drives

A game drive is an adventure that entails viewing wildlife in the comfort of a 4×4 open Land Rover which accommodates 4 to 10 people, a sure way to give you that classical safari feeling. Safari game drives are one of the most popular ways to see wildlife.

Wear lightweight clothing in summer but bear in mind that long pants and long sleeves help to protect you from mosquitos, especially when out on the evening game drives.

* Pack something warmer for early mornings and evenings. A sleeveless padded jacket or fleece comes in very handy in the bush

Dressing for an African Safari Game Drive

• Do wear shorts or pants – whatever you feel most comfortable in
• Do wear a hat
• Do wear shoes you are comfortable in
• Do wear neutral colors, such as tan, brown, white, black, and light pastels
• Do wear a comfortable shirt

Important equipment to bring for winter Safari

1. Binoculars (if you have)
2. Hiking Boots or comfortable shoes
3. Sunglasses
4. Sweaters/jumpers
5. warm heavy weight gloves/mittens
6. Wide brimmed hat
7. Warm scarf

The “Low” safari season is in fact the peak time for optimum game viewing. 

Low season in the country is during the colder winter months between April and September, when the Cape is cold and rainy, while the inland areas are sunny and dry.

The best time to visit South Africa's parks is from May to September. This is the Dry season and animals congregate around waterholes and rivers.

As this is winter, mornings and nights are cold.

May and September are wonderful because it is less cold and, especially in September, the wildlife viewing is excellent.