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South Africa on Foot (DT)
Magnificent Drackensberg TrailMore Photos
  • Comfort: Standard Tooltip
  • Trek Grade: Easy to Moderate Tooltip
  • Classic Explore
  • New
  • Walking & Trekking
12 days land only visiting South Africa - Swaziland
  • from AU$2171 Land only *
  • * Prices based on 2013/14 Standard Itinerary.
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Detailed Trip Notes

Suitability

Suitability

We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.

Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour.  For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.

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Tour Itinerary

Budgeting for your Tour

Other Sightseeing & Activites

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.

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Excursion Prices

Mlilwane - Mountain biking £12. Guided walk £10

Kruger NP - Night drive £15

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Payment Method

The majority of optionals must be paid for by cash. Please check with your tour leader for the most up-to-date information in this regard.

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Tipping

Local Crew: Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, the Tour Leaders may organise a group’s tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.

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Accordingly, you should allow £20 for tipping.

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Tour Leader: At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive.

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Foreign Exchange

Local Currency: South Africa: Rand. 

Recommended Currency for Exchange: Take your money in a combination of cash, travellers cheques and an ATM card.

Where to Exchange: Both GBP and USD are readily exchanged.

ATM Availability: Cash can be drawn on most credit and debit cards from ATMs in most South African towns.

Credit Card Acceptance: In major South African towns.

Travellers Cheques: Can be exchanged in most major cities and towns in South Africa, but should only be used as a back-up in case of emergency.

Additional Information: Please note that the banks and Forex Bureaus do not accept US Dollar pre-2002 notes.

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Up-to-date information on global exchange rates can be obtained at www.oanda.com

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Local Costs

  UK South Africa Swaziland
Tea/Coffee £1.50 £1.00 £1.00
Soft Drink £1.50 £1.00 £1.00
Bottled Water £1.50 £1.00 £1.00
Bottle of Beer £3.50 £2.00 £2.00
2 Course Meal* £15.00 £10.00 £10.00
3 Course Meal** £20.00 £15.00 £15.00
Bottle of Wine £14.50 £10.00 £10.00
Breakfast £5.00    

*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.

Important Information

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.

If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.

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Visa Requirements

South Africa: Visas are not required by UK, AUS, NZ, CAN and US citizens.

Important note for all visitors to South Africa: All nationalities travelling to South Africa must have two consecutive blank pages in their passport which lie side by side when the passport is open (i.e. a left and a right hand page). Passports must also be valid for at least 30 days after the date of departure from South Africa. Passengers travelling to South Africa with passports that do not comply with these requirements will be refused entry.

Swaziland: Visas are not required by UK, AUS, CAN and NZ citizens. US citizens please check current visa requirements prior to travel.

All other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.

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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.

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Vaccinations & Protection

Please note that you will be required to supply a yellow fever certificate that has been issued at least 10 days prior to arrival in South Africa if you have travelled from or via a country where yellow fever is endemic. We recommend protection against malaria, hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, polio and diphtheria. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria.

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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.

Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.

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Know before you go

We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/

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Preparing for your tour

Climate

South Africa: Summers (Oct-Mar) are generally warm, even hot with temperatures up to 40°C. Winter (Jun-Aug) is much colder, especially at night when it can drop well below 0°. Most rain falls in the summer.

Lesotho/Drakensberg: Summer (Nov-Jan) is hot but tempered by mountain breezes. Autumn (Feb-Apr) is warm and ideal for hiking. Winter (May-July) heralds snow on the high peaks, but days are generally sunny, but cold. Days are, however, good for walking. Spring usually arrives early September. Snowfalls can occur in the highlands at any time of year.

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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.

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Luggage

Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company

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Footwear

Lightweight walking/hiking boots with good ankle support, trainers and/or sandals for travelling.

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Equipment

We recommend a sunhat, sunscreen, a torch, insect repellent and a water bottle. Please bring a towel for the more basic accommodation. Binoculars are very useful for bird and animal spotting. Trekking poles can be useful.

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General Information

Electric Supply & Plugs

Electricity supply: 220v 3 round pin South African plug. Please bring an adaptor.

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