GENERAL FAQ’S
About South Africa?
South Africa is a large and diverse country and home to approximately 40 million people. Covering a size of 1,219,090 km² makes it bigger than Germany, France, Italy, Texas and California combined.
South Africa is the only country in the world with an entire floral kingdom, the Cape ‘fynbos’, within it’s boundaries. It is flanked by the Indian Ocean on the east and the Atlantic on the west. It is bordered by Namibia to the north-west, Botswana and Zimbabwe to the north and by Mozambique to the north-east.
For more information about South Africa, visit SafariBookings.
What are the entry requirements?
Passport holders of more than 80 countries, can visit South Africa without visas, including the USA, Canada, Japan and the European Union. We suggest contacting your nearest SA Tourism office or South African Consulate.
Passports:
Passports MUST be valid for at least six months from the guest’s return date. There MUST be at least three blank visa pages in the passport (not endorsement pages). Guests have been refused entry due to not having sufficient blank visa pages in their passports.NEW SOUTH AFRICAN REQUIREMENTS FOR MINORS TRAVELING INTERNATIONALLY
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has issued new requirements for minors travelling internationally.
We urge all our clients to please read the new policy carefully
Will I need Immunization?
Visitors arriving from a yellow fever zone require a valid international yellow fever inoculation certificate. Infants under the age of one are exempt. Cholera and smallpox immunization is not required. Visitors to malaria areas, i.e. the Lowveld, must obtain the prophylactic medicine to be taken before, during and after their trip, available from their doctor or pharmacist.
What is the currency?
Rand (R) = 100 cents.
How is the climate?
South Africa receives summer rainfall, opposite to those in the Northern hemisphere. The average daytime temperatures in degrees Celsius:
| TOWN | WINTER ( April – August ) | SUMMER ( September – March ) |
| Johannesburg | 18 Deg Cel | 24 Deg Cel |
| Cape Town | 20 Deg Cel | 26 Deg Cel |
| Skukuza | 22 Deg Cel | 30 Deg Cel |
What will I need to pack?
- Informal and comfortable clothes
- A windbreaker or warm jacket for winter and night safaris.
- A raincoat/waterproof for summer months.
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Swimming costume
- Sun block & sunglasses
- Binoculars and a camera / video camera
ACCOMMODATION FAQ’S
Where about in Nelspruit is Old Vic?
What are your rates?
Please click here to view all our rates.
Do the rates include breakfast?
These rates do NOT include breakfast.
Do you serve breakfast and how much is that?
Yes, we serve breakfast from 7am to 10am. Prices range from R30 for toast and jam up to R165 for a full cooked breakfast.
How can I make a room reservation?
You can make a room reservation here or email us directly to oldvic@mweb.co.za
Do you offer a pick up service from the airport?
We can arrange a meet-and-greet pick up from the airport for you.
This will cost R550 per journey which is payable directly to us before arrival. Kindly provide your exact flight details including flight number, and we will confirm the arrangements.
Alternatively, you can take the Airport Taxi at R 450.00 one way.
How many beds are in your dorms?
Our dormitories are equiped with 6 to 8 beds per dormitory. The dorms and private rooms in the main building are NOT en-suite but there are plenty of communal bathrooms for your use. The dorm rooms all have private lockers.
Do I have to bring my own bed linen?
NO. All rooms (including the dormitories) are fully equipped with pillows, pillow cases, sheets and duvets. We suggest you bring your own towel if not staying in an en-suite room, but do have many available at reception to hire if needed.
Can I book tours and adventure stuff with you?
We have a Travel Centre in the Lodge where you can make all your travel arrangements, book car hire or adventure activities or just chat about where to go and what to do.
The centre is open from 07h00 to 20h00 week-day every day. When the travel centre is closed, our receptionists should also be able to assist you with arrangements.
Do you have barbeque facilities?
Yes we do have barbeque facilities and they are available for your use at any time.
Do you have a swimming pool?
Yes, we have a large swimming pool at the back of the hostel.
What is the difference between a double room and a twin room?
Do you have a kitchen where I can prepare my own food?
Yes, we have a large communal kitchen that is fully equipped. You may also store your food in our cupboards or in the big fridge.
Do you have Internet access, telephone and fax?
There are no public telephones or fax machines on the premises. Emergency telephone calls are allowed via our landline and all calls are charged for. We now also have FREE Wi-Fi access for all our guests.( certain restrictions apply).
Do you have washing facilities?
Yes, we have a hand wash basin and clothes line but we also offer a laundry service. There are collections and deliveries to and from rooms and dorms twice a day – every day. Costs are from R80 to R145 (depending on load size).
Do you exchange money?
Can I leave my luggage with you if going on overnight tours?
Do you serve meals at Old Vic?
Do you have your own parking facilities?
What are en-suite rooms?
Is it safe to walk into town?
How close are shops and restaurants?
How far is Kruger Park?
Can I book a campsite spot?
TOUR FAQ’S
Is it safe to visit Southern Africa?
Absolutely. Some people are concerned about safety due to negative media reports, which may give potential visitors the wrong impression. By and large, South Africa is calm and peaceful and we continue to welcome millions of tourists a year to our beautiful country. We have never had any cause for concern regarding the safety of our guests. Regarding the ongoing concern of crime in South Africa, that question is addressed further down on this page.
How does a Kruger National Park safari compare to a private game lodge safari, for example in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve?
The Sabi Sand Game Reserve shares an unfenced boundary with the Kruger National Park, and the bush and animals found there are the same. Here are some benefits of each.
Guided Kruger National Park safari benefits:
- More affordable (costs less than a safari at a private lodge).
- Expert guide (our guides are older and more experienced than most of the guides at private game lodges).
- Better general game viewing. You will see a greater number and variety of wildlife on a Kruger Park safari.
- You will see more of the Kruger Park and the game drives cover greater distances.
- Longer, more flexible game drives.
Private Game Lodge benefits:
- More luxurious accommodation.
- Vehicles can go off-road to get closer to the animals.
- Night drive and bush walk included in the cost.
- Better chance of seeing big cats up close, like leopards.
Overall, for a first safari we would recommend a combo safari, combining the best of both by spending a couple of nights in the Kruger National Park on one our guided open vehicle safaris, followed by a couple of nights at a private game lodge in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. If you have to choose between the two, we would recommend a Kruger National Park safari (better overall game viewing for less money).
Which part of the Kruger National Park should I visit?
The Kruger National Park is huge (over 220 miles from North to South) and it is impossible to see it all in one trip. To the West of the Kruger Park are a number of large private game reserves that share an un-fenced border with the Kruger Park. Together the whole reserve is called the Greater Kruger National Park and it spans more than 2.2 million hectares of pristine wilderness. The private game reserves like Sabi Sands and Timbavati are home to a number of private game lodges which are renowned for their luxury accommodation, excellent service and superb game viewing opportunities on open Land Rovers. Some of these lodges are quite expensive, but the experience is absolutely worth it.
How do I decide which lodge is right for me?
We work with a large number of excellent lodges, and will always recommend a lodge where we know you will get superb food, excellent service, fantastic game viewing and value for your money. We have personally visited each of the game lodges we work with, and the best is to contact us and let us know what is important to you. The factors that may influence your decision include your budget, the type of accommodation, game viewing opportunities, the style of hosting and atmosphere at the lodge, etc. For a honeymoon couple we may recommend a different lodge than for a family with children, for example. With so many options to choose from, you can relax with the knowledge that we will give you honest and expert advice about all the different options, and will never recommend a sub-standard lodge for your safari. We work hard to find you the best destination at the best possible price.
Will I see the big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino)?
Yes, at least some of them. In the greater Kruger National Park, spotting all of the big 5 in one or two days is very possible but cannot be guaranteed. Due to the vastness of Kruger, it is impossible to predict in advance what animals you will find on your safari. This is part of the excitement and adventure of looking for wildlife in their natural environment. Also, in your quest to view the big 5, be sure not to miss out on the many other interesting animals, birds, plants, insects and reptiles to be found. Your guide will consult with you about your interests and what you most wish to see. This will help us determine what approach we take. If the ‘big 5’ is what you want to see, we will make every effort to try and find them. If you are interested in birds, we will take you to some of the best birding spots in Kruger. If your passion is photography, we will create ample opportunity for this and put together a fantastic photographic safari for you.
Can you accommodate families with children?
Yes. Most of our safaris can be done with children of any age. For families who wish to bring their children on a wildlife safari, we can offer a number of family-friendly accommodations both inside and outside the Kruger National Park, where children are more than welcome. On our guided Kruger Park safaris, we will usually arrange an exclusive departure for families with young children.
Should I be worried about malaria?
No, not worried, but informed. You should be aware of the risk and take anti-malaria medication before and during your trip, but do not let the risk of malaria stop you from enjoying your safari! Over a million visitors come to the Kruger National Park every year, and very few cases of malaria are reported. All accommodations are fitted with insect screens and fans or air-conditioning. Please see our Malaria information page.
What should I bring?
Bring comfortable shoes or sandals, cool clothing with neutral colors for during the day, long pants, a warm jacket, scarf and gloves for night drives, a light raincoat in summer, swimsuit, brim hat, sunglasses and suntan lotion, camera, flashlight, spare batteries, spending money for personal expenses, insect repellant, binoculars (we do provide binoculars on game drives but it is best to bring your own). Please keep baggage limited to 2 soft bags per person. If you need to charge any camera equipment, do not forget to bring a travel adapter. Your accommodation will have a 220V power point. Also make sure you bring enough film or memory cards for your camera!
How does payment work?
Payment can be made by direct bank transfer (also called EFT, wire or SWIFT transfer) or by secure online credit card payment. We accept most major credit cards. We will send you detailed payment instructions once you make a booking, and we can provide references of previous clients upon request.
Do you offer tours to the rest of Southern Africa?
Yes. We offer a variety of guided, self-drive and fly-in safaris to all the top travel destinations in Southern Africa, including the Kruger National Park and Lowveld, Swaziland, Mozambique and more.
Do you have insurance?
Yes. Kruger Flexi Tours is a fully licensed and insured tour operator with extensive public liability insurance. However, our terms and conditions require that you also take out your own comprehensive travel insurance against personal accidents, cancellations, loss of baggage, theft or any other eventuality.
Should I be worried about crime?
No. As far as tourists are concerned, South Africa is as safe or more safe than many other popular travel destinations around the world. All our destinations are generally very safe areas. This does not mean you should leave your valuables lying around unattended, but we place high priority on the safety and security of our guests, and your experienced guide will be able to advise you about places or activities that may be unsafe. We have never had any problems or incidents of crime on any of our safaris.
Do you book flights?
No.
Is it possible to fly directly from the Kruger National Park to Cape Town, or to Victoria Falls?
You can fly directly between Cape Town and the Kruger Park (Nelspruit) with SAA or SA Express. Another easy way to get from Cape Town to the Kruger Park is to fly to Johannesburg and request that we pick you up from there. It is also possible to fly directly between the Kruger Park and Victoria Falls (Livingstone) on certain days of the week, but this is a rather expensive flight. In most cases people choose to go via Johannesburg, and spend one night stopover in Johannesburg. For local flights, there are a number of well-priced airlines you can try, like Kulula, Mango and South African Express Airways.