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Experience the classic South African safari
Southern Africa’s largest country by some way with a diversity of environments and people that no other Southern African country can match by virtue of its size and position. This country has by far the most developed tourism infrastructure in Africa which is not focused solely on the safari aspect, so there is so much to do here that can be built into a “normal” safari to make this a very memorable experience which can include the coastal areas which have both cold Atlantic seas or the Warm Indian Ocean. The beautiful winelands of the Western Cape, the historic and beautiful Cape Town, the vast private wildlife reserves scattered around the country in very different ecosystems, the huge Kruger and Greater Kruger reserve and so much more. This is really a country that is difficult to take in within the usual holiday time frame.
Get a taste of it all
When considering South Africa as a destination you can really think outside the box as you have such a diversity of tourism offerings here that cover so many different interests that are not all about wildlife but easily combined into an amazing holiday experience. Its key wildlife areas for your big mammals would be the Kruger area, the Eastern Cape and the Limpopo valley area. All very different from one another and with multiple camps in each of these areas there is always something to suit anyone’s budget and travel style. Enjoying a tour of various wineries in the Cape, the cradle of mankind caves, the marine parks of Kwazulu Natal, the famous colonial battlegrounds between Zulu and British forces, incredibly diverse cultural events from contemporary to traditional. There is a lot to do here.
What you need
to know
Things that are worth knowing about when traveling to South Africa
Sterkfontein Caves
Also referred to as the cradle of mankind with some of the most significant and ancient hominid finds - over 90000 fossils found, the most ever in one place anywhere in the World. It also has a World Class Museum displaying and explaining the finds and work here plus beautiful walks through these limestone caves filled with Stalactites – worth a morning or afternoon out of Johannesburg to explore.
Sodwana Bay
A protected marine area within the Isamgaliso Wetland Park and rated as one of the best dive areas in the World along the Kwazulu – Natal Coast. It has beautiful reefs with a myriad of marine life and large marine mammals to be seen here, it is easily combined with drives to the close by safari areas of Mkhuze where you can see your Big 5 land animals. A real beach and bush destination
The Big Hole
If the colonial history of Africa is of interest to you then this place is right up there as one of the most significant parts of it. The Big Hole in Kimberley is where in the later half of the 1800’s the biggest Diamond find the world had seen was made and what became the start of the famous De Beers mining company which then financed the colonial expansion across Southern Africa into what is today Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia and Malawi. An interesting place with a great museum displaying artefacts and images from the time.
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GeneralWhat do I pack for a safari in Zimbabwe? Please remember that there may be luggage weight or size restrictions on your Zimbabwe safari. Before you travel, we shall advise you on what would be suitable for your specific safari as sometimes you may need a wide range of clothing to cater for the different conditions of your safari. If bush walks are a part of your safari, we advise to not wear white or black coloured clothes. What Stone Ruins are in Zimbabwe? The name Zimbabwe translates as “House of stone”. Between the 11th to 15th Century these stone edifices were constructed around the country and were important centres of trade and government. The main ones being Great Zimbabwe, Khami Ruins and Dhlodhlo Ruins, there are many other smaller ones scattered around. Can I walk by myself in the National Parks? No, you cannot, this is only available in designated areas within Mana Pools National Park after paying for a special permit and signing a disclaimer. We do not recommend doing this, you will have a much better experience being accompanied by a trained professional safari guide familiar with the area. Licensed professional guides working for a registered operator are allowed to take you for walks anywhere within the National Parks. What currency is used in Zimbabwe? The currency in Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwean Dollar. In tourist areas most transactions are quoted and done in US Dollars with South African Rand also possible. What time zone is Zimbabwe in? Zimbabwe shares the same time zone as the rest of Southern Africa, which is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time – (GMT) + 2 hours, in the Central Africa Time Zone (CAT) Can I use my credit cards in Zimbabwe? Yes, but only really in the main cities or tourist areas like Victoria Falls with Visa and Mastercard the most widely accepted. To buy curios or paying for camp extras like National Parks Fees it is better to have actual cash. What power sockets are used in Zimbabwe? In the cities and safari camps Zimbabwe uses 220V power points in the camps mostly using Type G plugs. If you have an item that runs on 110V, please bring a converter. It is also advisable to bring additional universal travel adaptors and extra batteries.
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VisasDo I need a visa to travel to Zimbabwe? Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at the port of entry or apply for an e-visa before arrival. However, some nationalities may have to apply in advance through an embassy.Please check with your Travel Designer to find out if you require a visa to enter Zimbabwe.
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MedicalWhat Vaccinations do I need for travelling to Zimbabwe? At this time there are no vaccination requirements for tourists visiting Zimbabwe – However if you are travelling to Zimbabwe from areas infected with yellow fever, you must have a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. We will advise the latest regulations before travelling. If you are unsure about what is best for you, please consult your medical practitioner for professional advice on what other vaccinations may be suitable for you. Medical Evacuations? Air medical evacuations are available in Zimbabwe, but it is important that you have medical insurance with this type of remote evacuation cover and declare the details to your travel designer prior to travel. Do I need to take malaria medication when visiting Zimbabwe? Zimbabwe is in a malarial zone so please consult with your medical practitioner a few weeks before your departure on what the best prophylactic for you would be. Some courses of medication may need to be started in advance of your visit to Zimbabwe.
Discover South Africa
on safari
We specialise in custom designing your adventure from start to finish. However, sometimes you could use a little inspiration.
Conservation Impact Safari to South Africa
This safari combines the beautiful Cape Town area with the exceptional wildlife that occurs in the Kruger and Sabi Sands Area but most importantly is the conservation work that you will get hands on experience with, like de-horning a rhino, collaring a predator or perhaps a giraffe for research purposes. This is a fantastic experience for a family group.
10
nights
3
camps
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