GENERAL INFORMATION

Accommodation
Unless otherwise stated, accommodation is based on standard twin or double rooms with private facilities. Higher grade rooms are available at many hotels, and the appropriate supplement will be advised if required. Check-in is normally from 1400 hrs, and check-out is normally between 1000 hrs and 1200 hrs. It may be possible to arrange early check-in or late check-out if the hotel is not full, but a charge may be applicable.

Meal arrangements
If you have any special dietary requirements, such as vegetarian or diabetic, please inform us at the time of booking. This is especially important when visiting game reserves in remote areas.

Special requests
We will endeavour to assist with any special request you may have, such as ground floor bedrooms or special assistance at airports. If you require such requests to be a condition of your acceptance of your holiday, this will only be agreed as a variance to our standard booking conditions if you receive written confirmation from us that such requests have been confirmed by the carrier/hotel/lodge or principal involved.

Credit cards and currency
Most major credit cards are accepted by hotels, shops, restaurants and car hire companies. Credit cards are not accepted for the purchase of petrol in South Africa.

Children
A number of hotels, lodges and game reserves, especially in South Africa have age restrictions. For example, it is quite common that children under the age of 14 are not accepted in private game reserves or not allowed to participate in game viewing activities. However, there are a number of hotels and lodges that openly welcome children and in many cases have a special children’s programme and facilities. We will be pleased to give guidance.

Passport and visa requirements
A full 10 year British Citizen’s passport which is valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay is required for all holidays featured in this brochure. Your passport must contain at least one blank page for an entry stamp (two if other national). Visas for British passport holders are also required when visiting Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. A visa exemption is possible on entry into Zambia if travelling on an inclusive tour arrangement. Visas for entry into Dubai are issued on arrival. Please contact us for advice if you do not hold a British passport, as visas may be required.

Health requirements
Anti-malaria protection is strongly recommended for all areas except the coastal area of Cape Province in South Africa, Mauritius, the Seychelles and Dubai. Yellow fever certificates are required for Zanzibar and for other countries if arriving from an infected country. We advise that you should consult your GP or appropriate medical authority, as the Department of Health recommend that protection against tetanus, polio, hepatitis A and typhoid be taken, and compulsory requirements may change at short notice.

Safety
Africa continues to develop a positive approach to tourism. Crime does unfortunately exist, as in all parts of the world, and it is sensible to take the same precautions as you would travelling anywhere away from home. Do not leave luggage unattended in hotel corridors or lobby. Deposit valuables in the hotel safe and avoid walking around after dark. When driving, keep windows closed and doors locked, and if travelling ‘off the beaten track’ seek local advice. It must be accepted that there may be some risk of danger in areas where wild animals roam free. Every precaution is taken by game lodges to ensure their guests’ safety, but you will be asked to sign a disclaimer of liability on check-in. The Foreign and Commonwealth Travel Advice Unit may have issued information about your destination. Details can be found on their web site –www.fco.gov.uk or telephone 0845 850 2829

Deposits
Please note that some hotels and game lodges require a non-refundable deposit to secure the reservation. Similarly, for some rail journeys a substantial deposit is required. You will be advised of any such payments and of a higher required deposit at the time of booking.

Airline reservations and tickets
As you will normally be travelling on ‘special inclusive tour’ air tickets, certain restrictions will apply regarding changes and cancellation. Every endeavour will be made to assist should you need to alter your return date, but this can only be done with our agreement and the local airline office. Any additional charges will be payable locally. Most airlines will allow specific seats to be requested. These seats will NOT be guaranteed as airlines do from time to time change the aircraft type and, therefore the seat configuration, at short notice.

Airport Taxes
Current UK airport tax and passenger service charges are included in your air ticket, as are most international airport taxes. In South Africa a tax of R110 is payable when arriving at Hoedspruit. Additional taxes are payable locally when leaving Mozambique (US$20 + local fees US$15), and Zanzibar (US$30 international and US$6 domestic). All taxes are subject to alteration by the airlines or government action.

Flexibility
Generally, with special inclusive tour air tickets, it is not possible to break your outward or homeward international flights en route. However, if flying with Emirates a stop over in Dubai at the beginning or end of your holiday makes a perfect location for a few days of relaxation. It is possible to fly into one airport and return from another, for example:

London/Cape Town & Johannesburg/London
London/Nairobi & Dar es Salaam/London.

Combining Carriers
Similarly, it is possible with a number of airlines to use different carriers for the outward and homeward journeys, for example: London/Cape Town with SAA and Cape Town/Mauritius/London with Air Mauritius.

Regional flights
We have specially negotiated air fares available from many UK regional airports to Gatwick and Heathrow. Please advise us of your nearest airport when making your booking in order to take advantage of these special fares.

Baggage allowance
Baggage allowances are strictly adhered to and are dependent on the airline and class of travel. Details of checked hold baggage and hand baggage will be supplied with your travel documents. If your itinerary includes flights operated by light aircraft your baggage will be strictly limited to soft-sided luggage of between 9 and 12 kg. Details will be advised with your confirmation.

Airline flight schedules
Current airline schedules are listed below, but subject to change without notice. All times from 30 March 2008 will alter by one hour.
 

* Airlines also operating additional flights
+ Arrives next day
† Change aircraft in Dubai
Δ Also operates services from Gatwick/Manchester/Birmingham with change aircraft in Dubai
# Connecting flights available from various UK airports. Change aircraft in Amsterdam
BA – British Airways (B747/B777)
SA – South African Airways (B747/Airbus-600)
KQ – Kenya Airways (B767/B777)
MK – Air Mauritius (B767)
EK – Emirates (B777/Airbus)
CE – Nationwide Airlines (B767)KL –
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (B767/B777)
SW – Air Namibia (Airbus) V
VS – Virgin Atlantic (Airbus)
1 – Monday 2 – Tuesday 3 – Wednesday 4 – Thursday 5 – Friday 6 –Saturday 7 – Sunday
LHR – Heathrow
LGW – Gatwick

Airport delays
We use scheduled services and these are rarely subject to lengthy delays. In the unlikely event that this does happen, arrangements for meals, overnight accommodation, etc should be met by your airline. Conditions of carriage are available on request