I am sure you will enjoy Crete. I have got Burma booked for November and will not be booking another trip this year as Australia trip was a bit expensive though worth every dollar. I have also got Galapagos, another expensive trip, booked for March next year. Am looking forward to it very much as always wanted to go there.

Best wishes

Jaya

Hi Shadi

I am sorry to say, but you are getting a bit paranoid about this trip.  When I did this tour, there was drought in Kruger and it was not wonderful and green as mentioned by Lynne but we still saw plenty of game.  We were not faced with any 'unfriendly locals' either.  Not sure where you are getting such ideas from.  No one can control the weather or nature.  If you carry on like this, then you are not going to enjoy this wonderful holiday!  

Regards

Jaya

Hi Jaya

There are people never worried for nothing (which is not good to me) and other people worring too much (which is not good either) I might be from the second part but, sorry to say nothing can make you judge me. 

I am a customer and paid quite a big amount of money to go to a trip. A trip to South Africa. Was told it's beautiful and I am an animal lover. Anyway, I have travelled quite a bit and know a bit about travelling. I was just worried as anyone can be about a very serious drought . That is it. 

Again as a customer, I think I didn't ask more than advice, if it seemed worrying, well, tour operators, and people working here must not be surprised, I am not the first person asking (too many) questions. 

thanks for your previous comments which were useful. I feel better since I spoke to some people I know and I am looking forward to the trip. 

Regards

Hi Cherry.

I am on the last leg of this holiday and there is no need to worry about the drought. Hotels are using their water wisely with the pressure in the showers not up to 100% but ample for a shower. Also Cape Town has had some rain since we left there and the date for the drought warning has now been pushed back to 1st July and so there is really no need to worry. I hope this helps. If there is anything else you want to know please don’t be afraid to ask. You are going to have the most amazing holiday. This is my 7th holiday with J Y and I can honestly say it is up there among the best.

Paulined

Hi Paulined 

Thanks for taking the time to post here. Very nice from you.

Apparently you are back now for a week from your SA trip. Happy to hear all is good.

Following your experience, what are the other excursions you have done and like or which ones would you particularly advise ?  It's obvious that I won't be doing all of them. 

My South African friend suggested me to do a late afternoon Safari at Kruger but I just saw the morning ones. 

The story of vaccines should be sorted now on my side. I have my malaria tablets and I have done yellow fever vaccine some time ago as I was firstly supposed to go to an other African country but it's a bonus. 

Anyway for the rest I have read on the government health website that listeria epidemic is bad in South Africa too at the moment because of some affected food. But again, I am sure in our hotels, hopefully it's all good, isn't it? 

South African also are a bit getting paranoid because of listeria ... 

Thanks 

Shadi

Hi Shadi

I am sorry to say, but you are getting a bit paranoid about this trip.  When I did this tour, there was drought in Kruger and it was not wonderful and green as mentioned by Lynne but we still saw plenty of game.  We were not faced with any 'unfriendly locals' either.  Not sure where you are getting such ideas from.  No one can control the weather or nature.  If you carry on like this, then you are not going to enjoy this wonderful holiday!  

Regards

Jaya

Hi Jaya

There are people never worried for nothing (which is not good to me) and other people worring too much (which is not good either) I might be from the second part but, sorry to say nothing can make you judge me. 

I am a customer and paid quite a big amount of money to go to a trip. A trip to South Africa. Was told it's beautiful and I am an animal lover. Anyway, I have travelled quite a bit and know a bit about travelling. I was just worried as anyone can be about a very serious drought . That is it. 

Again as a customer, I think I didn't ask more than advice, if it seemed worrying, well, tour operators, and people working here must not be surprised, I am not the first person asking (too many) questions. 

thanks for your previous comments which were useful. I feel better since I spoke to some people I know and I am looking forward to the trip. 

Regards

Hi Cherry.

I am on the last leg of this holiday and there is no need to worry about the drought. Hotels are using their water wisely with the pressure in the showers not up to 100% but ample for a shower. Also Cape Town has had some rain since we left there and the date for the drought warning has now been pushed back to 1st July and so there is really no need to worry. I hope this helps. If there is anything else you want to know please don’t be afraid to ask. You are going to have the most amazing holiday. This is my 7th holiday with J Y and I can honestly say it is up there among the best.

Paulined

Hi Paulined 

Thanks for taking the time to post here. Very nice from you.

Apparently you are back now for a week from your SA trip. Happy to hear all is good.

Following your experience, what are the other excursions you have done and like or which ones would you particularly advise ?  It's obvious that I won't be doing all of them. 

My South African friend suggested me to do a late afternoon Safari at Kruger but I just saw the morning ones. 

The story of vaccines should be sorted now on my side. I have my malaria tablets and I have done yellow fever vaccine some time ago as I was firstly supposed to go to an other African country but it's a bonus. 

Anyway for the rest I have read on the government health website that listeria epidemic is bad in South Africa too at the moment because of some affected food. But again, I am sure in our hotels, hopefully it's all good, isn't it? 

South African also are a bit getting paranoid because of listeria ... 

Thanks 

Shadi

Hi Cherry.

I would suggest if you aren’t going to do all the trips then the morning safari in the Kruger is the best one to go for as we saw all of the big five (as they call them) in the space of the first hour. Obviously excursions are a personal thing but if I am going to a country that is unfamiliar to me then I tend to try and do all the excursions. I have known people to not do them and then regret it afterwards and by then it is too late.

I had no problem with the food and no tummy bugs or anything to deal with although a few in our group did. All I can say is just be mindful of what you are eating and take some Imodium instants with you. 

I think you will have an amazing time as I did and i have fallen in love with the country.

Enjoy.

Paulined

Last one I promise ? . I plan to take cash on ATMs directly there to pay excursions or anything else .. Did you do the same? I tend to think it's easiest than bringing Rands or pounds . Actually I am not very comfortable carrying cash on holidays...

I would love to do all the excursions but I find them a bit expansive to be honest but I will certainly do few. I understand we have a lot of free time also.

Many thanks.

Thank you Paulined

Last one I promise ? . I plan to take cash on ATMs directly there to pay excursions or anything else .. Did you do the same? I tend to think it's easiest than bringing Rands or pounds . Actually I am not very comfortable carrying cash on holidays...

I would love to do all the excursions but I find them a bit expansive to be honest but I will certainly do few. I understand we have a lot of free time also.

Many thanks.

Hi Cherry,

My friend Linda and I both took cash and a travel money card loaded with rand. The 70% on the card and 30% rand which worked well for us. If you need to draw money from an ATM and your local guide is as good as the one we had they will take you to the safest machines to use. Some of the group also took dollars which they were able to use. 

Hope this helps.

Paulined

I tend to take currency, local and some Sterling, with a couple of credit cards as back up. Remember to inform your bank you will be overseas. I have a Kipling bag which has numerous inside pockets, so, I divide cash between them, with just a small amount for immediate spending in my purse. My passport always goes right at the bottom of my bag when travelling between hotels. By the time I have put wipes, gel cameras etc on top, it stays very safe, as does my cash.

I would recommend you do as many game drives as you can. On my trip, only four of us did the final afternoon drive, and it was then that we had our best sightings of lions and white rhinos. The remainder of the group were somewhat miffed when they saw our photographs,

It’s a great tour, have a wonderful time

Thank you Paulined

Last one I promise ? . I plan to take cash on ATMs directly there to pay excursions or anything else .. Did you do the same? I tend to think it's easiest than bringing Rands or pounds . Actually I am not very comfortable carrying cash on holidays...

I would love to do all the excursions but I find them a bit expansive to be honest but I will certainly do few. I understand we have a lot of free time also.

Many thanks.

Hi Cherry,

My friend Linda and I both took cash and a travel money card loaded with rand. The 70% on the card and 30% rand which worked well for us. If you need to draw money from an ATM and your local guide is as good as the one we had they will take you to the safest machines to use. Some of the group also took dollars which they were able to use. 

Hope this helps.

Paulined

Thank you PaulineD ! will write a review and hopefully share a wonderful experience.

Hi Cherry,

I tend to take currency, local and some Sterling, with a couple of credit cards as back up. Remember to inform your bank you will be overseas. I have a Kipling bag which has numerous inside pockets, so, I divide cash between them, with just a small amount for immediate spending in my purse. My passport always goes right at the bottom of my bag when travelling between hotels. By the time I have put wipes, gel cameras etc on top, it stays very safe, as does my cash.

I would recommend you do as many game drives as you can. On my trip, only four of us did the final afternoon drive, and it was then that we had our best sightings of lions and white rhinos. The remainder of the group were somewhat miffed when they saw our photographs,

It’s a great tour, have a wonderful time

Hi SaraS

Thanks a lot for these practical informations. 

I decided to bring some local cash finally and will do the rest with my Visa card. I don't understand why I need to inform my bank I go overseas ? I never did that before and travelled quite a lot but never in South Africa... though.

Sue

Hi all, 

I am going in March 2018 for the South Africa tour. I am very surprised I haven't been warned regarding vaccines?!! Also I don't find anything about this health security on the website. Does anyone know why? Also I have been told I will need Yellow fever vaccine and Malaria tablets especially visiting Kruger Park. I feel a bit worried by all the things I heard regarding the second effects on the Malaria tablets especially. ....

I know people who had very serious effects on the Malaria tablets, some other felt into coma ( yes!) and other good stuff that ruin completely your enthusiasm.... 

I won't take any risks of course and will do all the necessary vaccines but feel worried now for the "after".... shame... 3 months before departure. 

Any advice, or information is very welcome. Thanks 

Shadi

Hi Shadi- I did this tour with Whale Watching and Victoria Falls add on this autumn- October 2017- I would say the tour was great- very busy in terms of itinerary but we packed so much in and the Cape and Kruger are wonderful- our local guide Carol and driver were very good so that helped. I didn’t have any specific injections for South Africa but I must admit I am up to date with all of , my general travel injections so best to double check with your masta clinic to be sure

I did take malArone while I was in Kruger and for Zambia- there is malaria in Kruger and about 70 percent of our tour party took anti malaria tabs - the local guide also advised malaria repellents - we also used Deet spray- it’s better to be safe than sorry in my opinion- I’ve taken malarone for many years each time I travel to an area where there is a risk and never experienced any side effects. I take other meds, so malarone is the treatment that I can safely take. I would  say, if you are in to safari and seeing the wildlife ( as I  am) opt for as many game drives as you can do because that way you get  urther into kruger and your chance of sightings will increase. Hope that helps. Please shout if you want any more tips and have a great trip!

Hi Sue, 

Thank you so much for all your very informative tips. I will certainly come back here in a few days time, I am not very familiar with this chat I don't understand why I don't get any notification when someone replies to me despite the fact I have enabled all notifications and subscriptions to emails for new replies... Anyway. YEs, the tour I am going is in March 12th-26th and includes Kruger park indeed. As soon as I get back in London beginning of January I will go to GP and clear that all.

I am VERY SURPRISED why Just You didn't say anything about vaccines on the SA tour, it's such an important matter. I have heard really terrible side effects things but obviously everybody is different. I don't want to ruin my pleasure for this trip because of Kruger Park and Malaria tablets. I don't stop thinking of this now. The first tour I booked was with an other Tour operator and didn't include the East part of the country so I never really bothered about vaccines. This one, is . 

What is the best anti-repellent to buy for Kruger park? can you buy it here in UK or there? Do you need to take a lot of cash money with you? Also, I hope they give advice on how to dress and what colours to choose. I have b been told this is also an important matter. I have chosen green and brown like the military outfits ? ! 

Thanks again

By far the best mosquito repellent is Incognito it is stronger than any Deet product and 100% natural even babies can use it.

I have been to many malaria areas and using Incognito I can honestly say I have never been bitten. You can buy it on Amazon and various other internet sites. Hope this helps