> IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOUR AFRICAN HOLIDAY

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‘Africa awaits you – you will experience a memorable and adventurous holiday on this ancient continent, especially if you are open to enjoying a variety of different cultural lifestyles, are realistic in your expectations, and know that faster is not always better. You will need to relax into the experience and savour the scenes around you. As your African journey unfolds you may discover that travel on the continent is physically more challenging than travel in other parts of the world, and with our advice you should be well prepared’.

SERVICE DELIVERY

Subject to availability, requests will be processed within 2 days and confirmation sent back with itinerary, invoice and payment request. We also require the client information booking sheet signed and emailed back to brigitte@wideafrica.co.za in order to process payment. Payment can be made either by VISA, MASTER & AMEX credit cards, or by bank transfer.

PAYMENT

A 30 - 50% deposit of the cost of the itinerary will be required – depending on the operator’s terms & conditions at the time of booking. The final invoice to be settled 8 weeks prior to travel. Rates associated with bookings can change and Wide Africa cannot guarantee the cost of the hotel booking until the final invoice has been settled in full.

Cancellations

TIME LIMIT	PENALTY
Deposit	Non-refundable
6 weeks	100%

* Given that hotel cancellation can be unexpected, every endeavour will be made to come to a satisfactory arrangement on behalf of the client to waiver any cancellation fee.

Payment Details

Due to local South African Banking Regulations all bank transfer payments have to reflect a reference number as per our invoice.

Our banking details are.

SOUTH AFRICAN BANK ACCOUNT

ACCOUNT NAME	WIDE AFRICA SAFARIS
BANK	STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA
BRANCH	PINELANDS
ADDRESS	SHOP G51 \| Howard Shopping Centre \| Pinelands \| CAPE TOWN
SORT CODE	03-63—09
SWIFT / BIC	SBZA ZA JJ
ACCOUNT NO	SA RANDS # 271194057 – OR USD ACCOUNT # 090537661

Passport & Visas

EU Passport holders will need a full passport valid for six months after the date of return (one month only for leisure travellers to South Africa). South Africa, Botswana and Swaziland have no visa requirement for EU Passport holders on holiday, however you do need to have one spare blank page in your passport for the entry stamp. Nationals who do need visas should have two blank pages.

US and Canadian Passport holders will need a current passport which is valid for six months after the date of return. South Africa has no visa requirement for US and Canadian Passport holders on holiday, however you do need to have FIVE (5) spare pages in your passport.

Holders of other passports should check with their relevant Embassy/Consulate. Note that visa requirements may change at any time and it is your responsibility to check current requirements before travel.

VISA FEES: Travel to other parts of Africa may require health inoculations and visa documentation. You will be advised by our consultants what is required.

Health and Hygiene

Local safety standards and regulations of the countries you visit will not necessarily conform to your own countries’ health and safety standards. It is important that clients make themselves aware of the risks involved, and are responsible for the suitability of their travel plans. Countries rich in the larger wildlife are always rich in smaller wildlife as well – insects, spiders and mosquitoes are common and their presence does not necessarily indicate a lack of cleanliness but rather is a fact of life.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has revised the Yellow Fever vaccination recommendations for Africa. The South African Department of Health has subsequently issued a statement that all travellers entering into South Africa from other African States will now require proof of yellow fever vaccination.

List of countries for which a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into South Africa.

Angola, Argentina, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Guinea-Bissau, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guyana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Zambia.

Malaria

Some areas of South and East Africa are designated malaria-risk areas, especially in the summer between October and April, so you need to take anti-malaria tablets and reduce the chance of being bitten with insect sprays and long sleeved clothing and pants. In the dry season from May to September, there is less mosquito activity. Happily, this is also the best time for game viewing.

There is now a formulation of Malarone, a malaria tablet which is specifically designed for children. Please consult your local general practioner about its suitability for your child.

Ebola

With the fears and concerns surrounding the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, some 3500 miles away from South Africa & Botswana (further than most of Europe), Wide Africa Safaris nonetheless want to set the minds of our trade partners and potential guests at ease. We therefore will make very practical changes to our cancellation policies that will not inhibit any thought of travelling on safari. Should the World Health Organisation officially declare an outbreak of Ebola in South Africa and/or Botswana, the following policies will come into effect: Wide Africa Safaris and its suppliers will ensure that all cancellation penalties will be waived up to and including the day prior to arrival

Subsequent to cancellation, guests will be required to claim from their travel insurance company. Hence it is compulsory that each and every client has a comprehensive travel insurance on booking with Wide Africa Safaris.
Guests who do not possess travel insurance or have failed to purchase such said insurance, will be granted a credit for the portion of their paid trip and will be eligible to use this credit towards a future trip. HOWEVER this is at the discretion of the lodge owners at the time of cancellation.
Please note: Inter-camp air charter flights and road transfers are not covered by the above policies, however, we will engage our 3rd party service providers and attempt to negotiate on the guests behalf.

On Safari

Although every precaution is taken by game lodges and operators to ensure the safety of our guests, it must be accepted that there can be a small risk as one is travelling in areas where wild animals wander freely. Some game lodges, safari operators and adventure sports operators will ask clients to sign an Indemnity Form in advance of travel or on arrival.

Bear in mind that electricity and water may be erratic in very remote areas, and this may be beyond the control of the safari lodge. Expect travel in the dry season to be dusty and roads in the wet season to be muddy and occasionally flooded.

Safety

As in most countries worldwide, crimes against people and their property are a fact of life. Particular care should be taken to avoid possible threats to personal safety and the incidence of crime. Whilst we will try to bring any concerns we have to your attention we advise you check the latest advice issued by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office Travel Advice Unit on www.fco.gov.uk/travel or with the state department on travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html

People are generally friendly and helpful in rural and tourist areas. We suggest that you avoid downtown districts at night, driving at night in unfamiliar areas and walking at night. Do not leave valuables on show or luggage unattended and do make use of the hotel safety deposit box. Ask for, and follow, the advice of our local representatives, local agent or hotel manager.

Air Transfers

Should your itinerary involve an air charter transfer please be advised it will be a shared air transfer (with other passengers on board the aircraft) unless you specifically request a Private Air Charter at an additional cost.

The same shared use concept is applicable on safari vehicles unless again a Private Vehicle & Guide is requested, paid in advance, prior to arrival at the camp.

Accommodation

We do not have ties to any hotel group or safari lodge so we are free to recommend without commercial bias. Our rating of accommodation is impartial but subjective, reflecting our view of the level of facilities, décor, comfort and service. It should be considered alongside the description we give. Every care has been taken to ensure that the particulars given are accurate, but facilities may be added, suspended or withdrawn by our suppliers and we reserve the right to change any particulars if necessary.

We may refer to a ‘suite’, meaning spacious accommodation that includes one or more private sitting areas. In an environment where open-plan indoor-outdoor living is the norm, it rarely means two separate rooms. Triple occupation of a room is not common in Southern Africa and may not be available at your preferred hotel or lodge.

If you require a triple room, the extra bed may be a rollaway type and could make the room seem crowded. Hotels have to be refurbished periodically and in any developing destination, building works or enhancements to the infrastructure are not an unexpected feature, often starting without prior warning to Tour Operators. Whilst we will endeavour to advise you before your departure of any significant activity, it must be borne in mind that it is extremely difficult to foresee the extent, nature and effect of any such activity.

Travel Insurance

We cannot over-emphasize the importance of taking out adequate holiday insurance against cancellation charges, unexpected curtailment, medical expenses, repatriation, emergency air evacuation, lost luggage and personal liability insurance, and we make it a condition of accepting your booking. Please be aware that guests will be charged directly by relevant service providers for any medical services and you may be unable to access these services if you are not carrying the relevant insurance.

What to Pack

In general the seasons are:

Summer	October – March
Winter	June – August
Spring	September
Autumn	April - May

City dressing is usually jeans, chinos, cotton shirts & shorts, with smart “casual” for the evenings. A tie & jacket is not generally required for dinner unless stated in itineraries. Regardless of time of year, a light-weight rain/wind-proof jacket is essential.

On safari light neutral coloured clothing plus a tracksuit, sweater and jacket for the cooler days. Please note that in winter months, the wind-chill factor on the vehicles can make it very cold, so please dress appropriately: gloves, scarf and woollen hat are recommended.

We would advise packing in soft bags when travelling on safari and NOT hard-shell suitcases (unacceptable) or cases with wheels. Luggage is restricted to 20kgs (44lbs) for domestic air charter routes unless on private sole use air charters.

The dimensions of bags allowed on air charters are 25cm wide x 30cm high x 62 cm long.

A packing tick list should include

Good quality sunglasses, UV protected, preferably polarised. If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case of irritation from dust.
Walking shoes for nature walks. A pair of flip-flops for hot days.
Camera equipment with plenty of memory cards or film, batteries & charger(s).
Personalised medical kit (aspirin, elastoplast, Imodium, antiseptic creams, antihistamine, anti nausea etc. MALARIA tablets).
Moisturising creams for body & face.
Insect repellent, eg Tabard or Bayticol.
Hat or cap with a wide brim.
Swimsuit.
Regardless of time of year, a light-weight rain-proof jacket is essential for both city & safari destinations.
Sun block : factor 20 plus.
Sun protection for lips.
If you have the space a pair of Binoculars will add value to a once in a life time holiday. We recommend 8x40 or 8x42.

Excess Luggage

Should you be overweight for any domestic flight associated with your itinerary, Wide Africa Safaris cannot be held responsible for the additional charge levied. Similarly on air charter flights you may be forced to leave a portion of excess baggage in storage at additional cost to you.

If you anticipate being overweight with your luggage, consider purchasing an additional seat on the air charter flights or request a private air charter.

Personal weight restrictions are also in place and it is the responsibility of the client to ensure he/she advises Wide Africa Safaris if over 100 kgs or 220 lbs.

Lost Luggage

Luggage that goes missing on scheduled or charter flights is beyond the control of Wide Africa Safaris. We will do our best to reunite you with your missing possessions . However logistics may not make it easy to do so and we suggest you have adequate insurance to cover any additional costs incurred in getting your luggage to you whilst on holiday.

We would recommend you pack any medical requirements as part of your hand luggage as well as a clean T-shirt and personal items.

Power Supply in South Africa and at Safari Lodges

All power outlets in South Africa are 220 v and take round three pin plugs. If your equipment takes a different plug you should be able to get an international adaptor from the properties. However you may need to bring a power converter if applicable.

In Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia most camps function on generator power which is used to charge large battery packs from which the camp is run. You will able to charge you equipment but it is advisable to bring spare charged batteries with you as well as an international adaptor and power convertor.

Tipping

Tipping is not compulsory and it is done when good service is received and paid at the end of each destination. Below are some guidelines on tipping;

Safari/Field guide We recommend US$10 - 35 per day per guest. Hand this over to the person involved directly.
Tracker, Scout or Mekoro Guide We recommend US$5 – 10 per day per guest. Hand this over to the person involved directly.
Private Butlers We recommend US$5 – 20 per day per guest. Hand this over to the person involved directly.
Hotel or Safari Staff This covers all camp staff from housekeepers to chefs, kitchen and grounds men – the people behind the scenes who ensure you are totally looked after. We recommend US$10 – 20 per couple per day. This is then placed in the communal tip box usually situated at reception.
Porterage We recommend US$5 per interaction.
Restaurants and Hotels 10 to 15% is customary on meal & bar accounts provided you feel the service warrants the gratuity.
City Tour guides We recommend US$50 – 100 for personalised touring. Many guides will not accept gratuities direct but would rather you contribute towards a particular programme whereby the guide is involved in the upliftment of under-priviledged communities.

Check In times

Please ensure you check in to your flight(s) in adequate time especially with increased airport security affecting domestic and international travel.

Whilst travelling with Wide Africa Safaris, you will usually be advised by our transfer operators and camps on what time your departure and check in will take place.

Re-Confirmation of Flights

Please reconfirm all onward flights 72 hours prior to departure. This is a service that Wide Africa Safaris will do on your behalf but please also insist camp staff double check.

Un-Scheduled Extensions

In the unlikely event of there being unscheduled alterations to the itinerary caused by flight re-scheduling, flight delays, bad weather, strikes or any other cause which is beyond the control of Wide Africa Safaris, its agents or principals, it is understood that expenses relating to these unscheduled extensions (hotel accommodation etc.) will be for the Client's account.

Medical Conditions

Please advise us if you suffer from any medical conditions such as allergies to bee stings, nuts or shell fish so we can pass this information on to the lodges and/or hotels you will staying at.

NOTE: Please note that if you need to take medically prescribed drugs whilst travelling, ensure that these are carried as part of your hand luggage. You will also need to have supporting medical letters from your doctor available.

Dietary Requirements

Please advise us of any dietary requirements in advance so we can notify the establishments ahead of time so they can take this into account when preparing meals for you.

Value Added Tax (VAT)

On departing from South Africa VAT can be claimed back on items purchased.

You will need to present your passport in person, the item purchased unless too large to have as luggage, your original tax invoice dated and reflecting your name and address and the sellers (shop) name and address and value.

The amount of VAT refunded to you will be paid out via international cheque or into your credit card account. If the amount claimed exceeds R3000, The Receiver of Revenue needs to approve the claim before payment and payment may be delayed. A similar process is followed in Botswana however you can only claim a refund there if the value of the goods exceeds 5000 Pula.

NOTE: VAT needs to be claimed prior to departure or the claim will lapse.

Duty Free Purchases

There is Duty Free shopping available at both Johannesburg and Cape Town Airports on departure.

NOTE: There is no duty free shopping available for passengers flying from South Africa to Botswana, Zambia & Namibia. If you fly into Zimbabwe you may purchase at the Duty Free shops.

Complaints & Problems

We do our best to provide you with an enjoyable, trouble-free holiday but occasionally even the best-laid plans can go awry. In the event of a problem whilst you are on holiday, please contact Brigitte Lubbe immediately on +27 (0) 83 9779 459 - this gives us the opportunity to correct the matter forthwith. If the matter cannot be resolved immediately, please send details of your complaint to us in writing within 21 days of your return from your holiday to brigitte@wideafrica.co.za.

Responsibility & Liability

Wide Africa Safaris acts as an agent for local and international ground operators and airlines and accordingly accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss, damage, injury, accident, delay or any other irregularity howsoever arising. Wide Africa Safaris makes every effort to ensure that all arrangements and services connected with the Client’s booking will be carried out as specified in the most effective and efficient way possible. We do not however have direct control over the provision of services by suppliers and whilst they are in all cases selected with the utmost care, we do not accept responsibility for errors and omissions of such suppliers.

Country of Domicile

This document is governed by the laws of South Africa which Wide Africa Safaris chooses as its domicilium citandi et executandi for all purposes under this agreement, whether in respect of court process, notice, or other documents or communication of whatsoever nature, P O Box 31601, Tokai, Cape Town, 7966. Wide Africa Safaris may, in its sole discretion, change this agreement or any part thereof at any time without notice.