BOOKING CONDITIONS & ACCEPTANCE

Please ensure that you are aware of our booking conditions. Taking this journey with us implies your acceptance of these terms.

Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Luxury Focus Safaris that you have the correct comprehensive travel insurance to cover yourself, as well as any dependants/travelling companions for the duration of your trip  to Africa. This is the sole responsibility of the traveller. This travel insurance should include cover in respect of, but not limited to, the following eventualities:

• emergency evacuation expenses,

• medical expenses,

• repatriation expenses,

• cancellation or curtailment of trip,

• damage/theft/loss of personal luggage, money and/or goods.

Luxury Focus Safaris, and any person or agent acting for, through or on behalf of said companies, will not take responsibility for any costs, losses incurred or suffered by the guest, or guests’ dependents or  travelling companions (including any medical expenses or trip interruption eventualities during your travel). This is with regards to, but not limited to, any of the above mentioned eventualities.

We recommend that guests familiarise themselves with their travel insurers benefits, limitations and exclusions prior to purchasing a policy  – as well as understand the processes regarding claiming from their policy. This includes whether or not the policy is a “pay and claim” policy or if the travel insurer will cover all expenses at time of travel.

Some travel insurance policies are not recognised by private hospitals – whether you are travelling to southern Africa or countries like Rwanda. We recommend that you check with your travel insurer to  see if their product is accepted before you travel and seek alternative coverage where necessary. It is vital that you have adequate travel insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment or assistance abroad. Even with fully comprehensive travel insurance, some private hospitals may insist on a deposit (cash or credit card) before starting treatment. Or may insist you pay up front, reclaiming from your insurer at a later date. Private hospitals have found that certain travel insurers do not honour their terms of payment and, therefore, incur a bad debt with the hospital. Based on these

experiences, many private hospitals only accept guarantees of payments from travel insurers whom they have set up on their preferred agents lists and who honour payments. It is the responsibility of the  traveller to ensure they understand their policy terms and whether or not the travel insurers have a relationship with key hospital groups in Southern Africa (i.e. Mediclinic International, Netcare Group, etc.) and elsewhere that they might be travelling.

Cancellation & Curtailment: If for any reason you cancel your trip close to departure date, you could forfeit the entire cost. Should you have to leave prior to completion of your journey, we cannot refund you  the cost of the portion of the package you do not complete. In the eventuality of this happening, insurance may cover you, depending on the reason for cancellation and curtailment.

Responsibility

Luxury Focus Safaris Holdings and its subsidiary companies – or any person, agent acting for, through or on behalf of said companies – will not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from any  cause whatsoever and, without restricting the generality of the aforegoing, shall particularly not be responsible for loss or damage arising from any errors or omissions contained in its brochure or other literature, loss or damage caused by delays, sickness, theft, injury or death.

In addition the Company shall have the right at any time at its discretion to cancel any safari or the remainder thereof or make any alteration in route, accommodation, price or other details and, in the event  of any safari being rendered impossible, illegal or inadvisable by weather, strike, war, government or interference or any other cause whatsoever, the extra expenses incurred as a result thereof shall be the responsibility of the passenger.

The Company may at its discretion and without liability or cost to itself at any time cancel or terminate the guest’s booking and in particular without limiting the generality of the aforegoing it shall be entitled  to do so in the event of the illness or the illegal or incompatible behaviour of the guest, who shall in such circumstances not be entitled to any refund.

The person making any booking will, by the making of such booking, warrant that he or she has authority to enter into a contract on behalf of the other person included in such a booking and in the event of  the failure of any or all the other persons so included to make payment, the person making the booking shall by his/her signature thereof assume personal liability for the total price of all bookings made by him/her. 

Luxury Focus Safaris cares for your safety and well-being. With our own incident management system, NewWorld24, we will actively assist guests should they feel ill or be involved in an incident, this includes contacting your travel insurer on your behalf, connecting you with local medical resources, etc. Should you have any medical concerns or queries simply request the camp manager to contact NewWorld24 on your behalf.

TRAVEL INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR JOURNEY WITH LUXURY FOCUS SAFARIS

Luxury Focus Safaris looks forward to hosting you on your journey with us! In order to ensure that you have the best experience possible, please read this document carefully. It includes general information  pertinent to your booking and your travels in our areas of operation in Africa, as well as facts and details relating to the specific country or countries that you will be visiting. Should you have any further queries that may require clarification, please contact your travel consultant.

Travel Regulations

Please be aware that the below is based on current information sourced from the relevant parties and is, therefore, subject to change without prior notice. Serving as a guideline, these are our recommendations  only. We tend to err on the side of caution to minimise possible disruption with regards to entry and onward arrangements. All travel requirements (any applicable visas, costs and/or relevant certified documentation) remain the responsibility of the traveller, to be verified directly with the applicable visa and immigration authorities, consulates, embassies, etc.

Visitors to Africa must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date, together with onward travel documents, proof of accommodation and sufficient funds for the  duration of your stay. In addition, each country you may be visiting generally requires at least two consecutive/side by side blank pages on entry for both visas and stamps. Should your itinerary include more than one country, excluding the country of departure and return, please ensure that you have a sufficient number of blank visa pages (not endorsement pages) in your passport, i.e. if visiting three countries, a total of six blank visa pages may be required. Should there be insufficient blank pages in your passport then entry into or exit from a country could be denied.

It is important that you verify with your travel agent and/or relevant Consulate concerning visa entry requirements and, if extending your journey to other countries, visa entry requirements for those  countries need to be established as well. Kindly ensure that you have all necessary visas prior to departure from your home country (unless these can be obtained on arrival) as Luxury Focus Safaris, its staff, agents and operators cannot be held liable should entry be denied.

In addition, it is your responsibility to ensure that the duration of stay in each of the countries visited on your itinerary is correctly noted on your visa/arrival paperwork or communicated to the Immigration  Official, so that the appropriate number of days is stamped in your passport. If this is not done, there is a risk of being detained or charged for the number of days that you have “overstayed” in the relevant country/ies.

The recent amendment of the South African Immigration Regulations covers the following:

• Change from Unabridged Birth Certificate to Birth Certificate – meaning any birth record of a child issued by the relevant authority indicating the full names, surname and the date of birth  (including the name/s and surname/s of the parent/s of said child).

• If a child presents a passport which contains the details of his or her parents, a birth certificate does not need to be produced.

• If a child does not have the details of the parents in their passport, then a birth certificate will need to be produced.

• When the child is from a country where visas are required to visit South Africa, a copy of the birth certificate must be submitted with the visa application.

• When the child is travelling with only one parent, legal guardian or any other person, they may be required to produce a copy of the birth certificate in order to establish the relationship with  the child.

• When the child is travelling on an unaccompanied basis, a copy of the birth certificate must be produced.

If a parent/guardian is travelling alone with a minor child/ren (aged 18 years or younger) to South Africa then the parent/guardian must be in possession of a certified letter of consent from the non-accompanying  parent or guardian.

Where relevant, specific requirements still exist in the form of letters of consent, court orders, copy of death certificate, adoption order, etc. Further information may be found on the South African Department  of Home Affairs website http://www.dha.gov.za/.

Important: All passengers under 18 years will need to present an Unabridged Birth Certificate, as well as a valid passport when entering, departing or transiting Botswana and Namibia (as advised by The  Ministry Of Nationality, Immigration & Gender Affairs Tourism).

This is a requirement of The UN: Convention On The Rights Of The Child, which states that every member country that has acceded to. or signed it, should introduce some measures of control.

Abbreviated versions or baptismal certificates are not accepted. This requirement applies to minors of all nationalities – whether travelling unaccompanied, with both parents, with one parent, an adoptive  parent/s or with a legal guardian/s or any another adult/s (e.g. family member or friend, etc.). A sworn translation (certified/authenticated) in English should accompany all documentation that is in a language other than English.

An “Unabridged Birth Certificate” contains the following details:

• Particulars of the child/ren: date and place of birth, gender and name in full.

• Particulars of the parents: full names, date and place of birth, as well as their citizenship at time of birth.

For single parents, or those travelling alone with their child/ren, or adults travelling internationally with children who are not their biological offspring, are advised to provide the following:

• An affidavit (no more than three months old on the date of travel) in which the absent parent/s gives consent for the child/ren to travel, or

• A court order granting full responsibilities or legal guardianship of the child, or

• The death certificate of the absent parent.

• An unaccompanied minor travelling to or from Namibia is required to produce a letter or affidavit as proof of consent to travel, from one or both parents or legal guardian/s. A letter from the  person who is to receive the child, containing the residential address and contact details where the child/ren will be residing, a copy of the identity document or valid passport and visa or permanent residence permit of the person/s who is to receive the child/ren and the contact details of the parent/s or legal guardian/s of the child/ren must be provided as well.

Note too that documents such as affidavits that are older than six months at the time of travel will not be valid.

Currency

Except for Zimbabwe, which currently uses US Dollars, all other countries in which we operate have their own currency and this is used as standard tender when paying by either cash or credit card, with  applicable exchange rates being taken into account. Generally speaking, at camps/lodges in central, east and southern Africa, cash payments for curios or gratuities to guides and staff, can be made in US Dollars, GBP Sterling, Euro and/or South African Rand.

US Dollar notes should be the later series (post 1996) with “large heads/presidential portraits”. While some banks may accept notes with “small heads/presidential portraits”, this is the exception. 

We recommend  that currency should only be changed at banks and/or hotels that offer this service.

In specific countries, the current situation is as follows: Botswana accepts those printed from the year 2007 and later, Zambia only accepts 2006 and later series, with Zimbabwe accepting any series of US  Dollars.

Safety Guidelines

It is sensible to take basic precautions whilst travelling anywhere in the world. Below are recommendations that we feel hold true for travel in general and which we thus suggest are followed if travelling to Africa. We advise that you learn about your surroundings and ask Tourist Information Officers, camp/lodge and hotel staff and local residents about areas to avoid.

• It is advisable to secure your luggage with a suitable lock or at least with cable ties when flying both locally (within South Africa), regionally (to neighbouring countries) and internationally. As an additional precaution we suggest that check-in baggage is protected and secured with a Luggage Glove. Please do not check in any valuables or chronic medication as these should be kept in your carry-on luggage .
• Never leave luggage unattended.
• Always drive with your doors locked and your windows closed, with handbags/backpacks/parcels and valuables stored out of sight in the boot/trunk of the car. 
  
• Keep mobile phones, wallets and cameras well hidden and avoid wearing expensive jewellery. 
• Never leave your luggage unattended (e.g. do not leave handbags under tables, on the backs of chairs or on restroom hooks). Please report any stolen property and/or any incident involving your safety and security to the establishment where you are staying.
  
• Separate your cash and credit cards and do not carry all your cash with you. 
• Avoid counting cash in the open. Be vigilant whenever approaching an automated bank teller machine (ATMs). If you feel unsafe, rather return at another time or use an alternate machine.
  
• Never let a stranger assist you at an ATM and shield the keypad and screen with your body, especially when entering your pin code. If you suspect that the machine has been tampered with, walk away from it and report your suspicion to the bank or security guard.
  
• Please note that no bank will ever ask for confidential details like pin codes so do not share this information with anyone. 
• Keeping large amounts of foreign currency notes poses several risks, rather settle your bills via credit or debit card where possible.
  
• Please store any valuables, travel documents (passports/airline tickets/vaccination cards) and additional cash in your camp/lodge/ hotel room safe or the property’s main safe. 
• Keep your room locked at all times and hand in room keys or cards whenever you leave your hotel. Take note of and abide by any warnings posted in public areas  and parks.

O.R. Tambo International Airport Baggage Regulations As Per IATA (International Air Transport Association) Guidelines Effective 25 March 2019, the following now applies to checked baggage at O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg, South Africa).

• Only regular shaped bags will be allowed to be checked-in. This means that the bags must have at least one flat surface to be accepted.
• Round or irregular shaped bags will not be allowed.
  
• Bags with longs straps will not be allowed. Passengers will be requested to secure or remove long straps and insert them inside their bags prior to check-in.
  
• Soft sided bags that have one flat surface are not deemed to be irregular which, therefore, means that the majority of safari bags are not considered to be irregular.
  
• the new baggage rule is implemented at O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg, South Africa) as a soft launch to create greater awareness. The soft launch rule is only applicable to departing bags  from check-in. It is not applicable to bags that are through checked (transit) to its final destination. This rule will not see any passenger turned away at check-in.

This move is aimed at preventing blockages and breakdowns in the baggage-handling system caused by bags that do not have any flat surfaces or that have long straps or grips, as per IATA guidelines.

These are the largest source of jams and can shut down sections of the baggage-handling system, thus, delaying baggage delivery to aircraft and inconveniencing passengers and airlines.

Passengers who try to check-in bags that do not conform to these rules will, however, have the option of having their baggage wrapped with one flat side at airport approved baggage wrapping stations.

Kindly note that these baggage wrapping stations do not offer credit card facilities, only cash payments are accepted and can be made in either ZAR, US Dollars, Euro or GBP. Should payment be made in a foreign currency, the rate of exchange is determined on the day. Costings are per piece of luggage.

In an effort to help reduce single-use plastic and any inconvenience with check-in, travelling with the required baggage regulations is highly recommended.

Accommodation Check-in and Check-out Times

Times may vary depending on the establishment. Generally speaking for hotels, check-in is after 14:00 and check-out is by 10:00. At most safari camps/lodges, the rooms need to be vacated by noon, however, this will be reconfirmed once you are in camp/at the lodge. Where possible, camps/lodges and hotels will assist with your requirements, however, if you wish to guarantee an early arrival or a longer stay in your room, we recommend you arrange and pay for this in advance to secure it.

Language

Whilst travelling in Africa, business is normally conducted in English. It is therefore beneficial for you to have knowledge of English and be able to communicate in that language – for safety reasons and also with regard to compatibility with fellow travellers.

Health

There are a few basic health matters that require care and attention. The following points are recommended guidelines only – please consult your medical practitioner and check with your health department/travel clinic prior to departure from your home country, in the event there have been changes in the health regulations of the country you are visiting.

Overview on Tropical Illnesses

The following information has been derived from reputable international health organisations. This advisory highlights the most common queries we receive from travellers. Should you have any specific medical questions prior to your trip, we recommend that you seek advice from your local travel clinic or refer to the organisations cited here.

Malaria

Malaria within South Africa’s borders is encountered mainly in:

• northern and eastern Mpumalanga,
• northern KwaZulu-Natal,
  
• the border areas of the Northern and North West provinces.
  

Outside of the South African borders it is found in:

• the lower lying areas of Swaziland,
• in Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe,
  
• northern parts of Botswana (more specifically Kasane),
  
• in northern Namibia,
  
• in Kenya,
  
• in Rwanda.
  

Malaria prophylactic recommendations for travellers to Africa :

The World Health Organization (WHO) describes Malaria as a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. They are mainly active in the early evening and throughout the night. Malaria transmission is at its highest during the warmer and wetter months of November through to April. From May through to October the risks of contracting malaria are reduced. There is also less prevalence in remote areas where our camps/lodges are situated; nonetheless, you need to consider taking preventative measures.

It is preventable and curable. Malaria is not only relevant to Africa and nearly half of the world’s population is at risk of malaria and include South-East Asia, Eastern Mediterranean, Western Pacific, and the America. The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) lists the most up to date information on which regions are at risk of malaria in each country as well as which prophylaxis is recommended: https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travelers/country_table/b.html.

Expert opinion differs regarding the best approach to malaria prophylaxis. It is important to bear in mind that malaria may be contracted despite chemoprophylaxis, especially in areas where chloroquine resistance has been reported. Both chloroquine-resistant and normal strains of malaria are prevalent in Africa.

Symptoms of malaria include fever and flu-like symptoms, including shaking chills, headache, muscular aches and pains and tiredness. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur. Malaria may cause anaemia and jaundice (yellow colouring of the skin and eyes) because of the loss of red blood cells. If not promptly treated, the infection can become severe and may cause kidney failure, seizures, mental confusion, coma and death. For most people, symptoms begin 10 days to 4 weeks after infection, although a person may feel ill as early as 7 days or as late as one year later. 

The surest way to know if you have malaria is to have a diagnostic blood test done as soon as the initial symptoms appear. Although rapid malaria tests can be purchased at most pharmacies, these may provide false negatives so a proper diagnostic test is recommended (CDC). 

If you have been travelling in a malaria area and experience flu-ish like symptoms when you return home, seek a blood test to rule out malaria from your nearest clinic as soon as possible.

Malaria can be prevented if you are sensible and take basic precautions. There have been very few cases of our guests contracting malaria in our nearly 30 years of operation. It is inadvisable for pregnant women to visit malarial areas as malaria infection during pregnancy can be detrimental to mother and child. Caution should be exercised with small children as they can be more susceptible and are unable to take some forms of medication.

• Please remember that the best precaution is the preventative kind.

• Avoid being bitten by using mosquito repellents liberally. Luxury Focus Safaris provides a locally made repellent, however, please feel free to bring your own if you suffer from any skin sensitivities or allergies.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers/slacks in the mornings and evenings.

• Please use the mosquito net over your bed where supplied/available.

• Where provided, please use the insecticide supplied to kill any mosquitoes that may have flown into your tent/room.

• Mosquito coils are also effective.

• If you are a scuba diver, please consult your medical practitioner regarding the use of Larium in conjunction with diving.

There are a number of effective antimalarial drugs available. Consult your travel clinic for the best drug for you, based on your travel plans, medical history, age, allergies, etc. (CDC). Note that special care should be taken when considering using Lariam/Mefloquine as this prophylaxis has been linked to significant neurological and psychiatric side-effects (https://www.drugs.com/mtm/lariam.html).

A number of medical professionals are no longer prescribing this drug due to the risk of these adverse effects. The treatment prescribed will depend on a number of factors such as the parasite species and your medical and travel history. If caught early on, treatment is very effective (WHO). There is currently no effective vaccine available for malaria.

Tsetse Flies

There are two subspecies of the parasite Trypanosoma brucei that cause the disease in humans. The clinical features of the infection depend on the subspecies involved. The two subspecies are found in different regions of Africa. T. b. rhodesiense (East African sleeping sickness) is found in focal areas of eastern and southeastern Africa. Each year a few hundred cases are reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the WHO the rate of these cases are decreasing and there have been no reported cases in the countries we operate in (http://www.who.int/trypanosomiasis_african/country/en/).

In Luxury Focus Safaris areas of operation tsetse flies are regarded more as an irritation (the bites are sharp) than as a serious threat.

According to the CDC (https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/african-sleeping-sickness-african-trypansosomiasis), Tsetse Fly bites can best be prevented by:

• Wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and hats (fabric should be medium weight as they can bite through thin fabric).

• Wear neutral-coloured clothing (Tsetse Flies are attracted to bright colours, very dark colours, metallic fabric and the colour blue in particular).

• Insect repellent containing active ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin and Lemon Ecalyptus have been known to provide longer protection. 

• Avoid wooded areas where tsetse flies may congregate (our guides tend to avoid these areas regardless).

Should you be bitten by tsetse flies, or are concerned you may react more than normal to one of their bites, we suggest (after consultation with your doctor) carrying the following with you on safari:

• A cortisone-based topical cream.

• Antihistamine tablets.

• Calamine lotion – used to relieve pain, itching and discomfort from minor skin irritations.

African Tick-Bite Fever

Ticks occur the world over and are well known ecto-parasites. The most obvious species in the savannah regions of Africa are the ‘hard ticks’ which attach themselves to their hosts to feed before they either fall or are brushed off. Ticks are also well known as carriers of diseases that affect both animals and humans; in southern Africa this is referred to as tick bite fever.

African tick-bite fever is a bacterial infection (Rickettsia africae) that is spread through the bite of infected ticks. Symptoms usually appear within two weeks after a tick bite and often include fever,headache, muscle soreness and a rash. At the site of the tick bite will be a red skin sore with a dark centre. People often confuse tick-bite fever with lyme or other tick-borne diseases, although they both result from tick-bites they have little else in common. African tick-bite fever is a milder illness and easily treated (CDC). There is no vaccine or medicine that prevents tick-bite fever, travellers can protect themselves by preventing tick-bites.

After walking in the bush with your guide it is best to brush your clothes down and to examine your body for ticks, taking care to remove these entirely without leaving the biting mouth parts behind in your skin. Anti-tick sprays such as Bayticol can be very effective against ticks and wearing long pants will prevent many bites.

Gastroenteritis

Commonly known as travellers’ diarrhea, the “trots” or gastro. According to the CDC travellers’ diarrhea is the most common travel-related illness. It can occur anywhere. In otherwise healthy adults, diarrhea is rarely serious or life-threatening, but it can certainly make for an unpleasant trip. Unless diagnostic tests are taken it’s very difficult to pin-point the source of the illness.

Treatment generally includes:

• Take medication for nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps if required (we suggest bringing your own with you, ask your travel clinic for a medical travel pack).

• Rest as much as possible and avoid any strenuous activities.

• Sip fluids slowly through the day – preferably using electrolyte solutions, to stay hydrated.

• Take precautionary measures so as not to spread the illness to other people, in particular washing hands well and not sharing food.

• It is recommended that medical advice is sought before starting a course of antibiotics as this may lead to a worsening of symptoms.

Vaccinations

To ensure our guests’ well-being and ease of cross-border travel, we recommend travellers acquire an “international certification of vaccination” or commonly known as the “yellow book”, which is issued by any travel clinic and is approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). This booklet is not only for Yellow Fever but serves as a record for other vaccines such as cholera, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, typhoid and tetanus. 

The Centre for Disease Control advises that you should be up to date on routine vaccinations while travelling to any destination and that some vaccines may be required for specific destinations. You can search the most up-to-date recommended and prescribed vaccines per country on the CDC website: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ enquire at your local travel clinic well in advance to your trip. Most of these vaccines are now life-long.

Alert: Countries may change their vaccination requirements without notice and in some instances border agents use their discretion to deny entry despite the officially stated requirements. A vaccination waiver can be issued by your medical practitioner if the vaccine is contraindicated for medical reasons. Be aware that problems may arise when crossing borders and the vaccination waiver may not be honoured.

Sources:

- The Centre for Disease Control

- The World Health Organization

Fluids/Hydration

It is very important that you drink plenty of fluids, especially during the warmer months. It is generally recommended that you drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water per day and/or other fluids such as fruit juice, soft drinks/sodas or iced tea per day to limit the effects of dehydration. This excludes tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages, which act as diuretics and can therefore, actually contribute to dehydration.

Generally, water throughout southern Africa is safe to drink directly from the tap. However, bottled or filtered water is readily available, so please do not allow yourself to become dehydrated.

Dietary Requirements

If you have any specific dietary or religious (i.e. Halaal or kosher) requirements please ensure that Luxury Focus Safaris is notified prior to arrival. We can accommodate most reasonable requests, however,need advance warning to do so.

Medical Conditions

You need to notify Luxury Focus Safaris of any medical condition you may have prior to your arrival. This includes any allergies, e.g. bee stings, nuts, shellfish, or intolerances such as lactose or gluten. Guests are encouraged to bring their own epi-pens.

Flight Check-in Times

Due to newer, larger airports, increased volumes of passengers and heightened security measures we recommend that you arrive at the airport at least two hours prior for domestic and regional flights, and three hours prior for all international flights.

Reconfirming Flights

Please check with your airline or ticketing agent whether your onward flights need to be reconfirmed. This is your responsibility, however, we will assist where necessary.

Flights & Charters

Scheduled Commercial Air Flights

These refer to all flights booked on Air Botswana, Air Namibia, British Airways, SA Airlink, South African Airways, etc. We are able to assist with bookings on any regional air as long as it originates from or lands in South Africa. We can also assist with flights to Kenya and Tanzania (if required) – to or from South Africa.

Where possible, we do try to book IT fares, however, if not available or bookings are subject to reduced ticket time limits, then we will book the next best fare or standard economy class. Regrettably, we are unable to assist with booking international air, i.e. to Australia, Europe, United Kingdom or United States.

Scheduled Commercial Flights

Scheduled commercial airlines in Africa generally carry a weight restriction of 20 kg (44 lb) per economy class traveller, and 30 kg (66 lb) for business class. Please ensure that you comply with the applicable restrictions – further details regarding number of luggage pieces and exact dimensions for a particular carrier can be obtained from your ticketing agent.

Please note when combining scheduled airline flights and air transfers (as specified below), then the smaller restriction of the two will apply unless alternative arrangements have been made for the storage or separate transfer of excess luggage.

It is very important that you do not put anything of high value (personal or financial) or vital medication in your checked-in baggage, as luggage can be tampered with and valuables removed. This includes,but is not limited to, jewellery, cameras, video equipment, reading glasses, sunglasses, laptops, or other computer/electronic equipment, medication (especially chronic medication), etc. 

Please also lock your luggage with a suitable lock to deter opportunistic theft.

In the event of your luggage being delayed or going missing, we would like to recommend that you pack a change of underwear, a clean T- shirt or similar, plus essential toiletries and medication into your carry-on/hand luggage to minimise the inconvenience experienced by this loss or delay.

Suggested Packing List

Please find herewith a list of suggested items which should be used as a guideline whilst planning your trip.

Kindly bear in mind that there are luggage restrictions of between 15 kg (33 lb) and 20 kg (44 lb) – in a soft bag with no frames or rigid structures, however, wheels are permissible if not part of a solid frame or rigid structure – on some light aircraft transfers. 

A collapsible wheeled luggage frame/trolley (separate to the bag) is allowed, as long as the basic dimensions are similar to that of the bag. While on

scheduled commercial flights between 20 kg (44 lb) and 30 kg (66 lb) depending on the seat class as booked.

Clothing

The weather in southern Africa is generally pleasant throughout the year – warm to hot days, and cool to warm nights – with summer (September to April) being the hotter months. During our winter months, however (May to August), it can become really cold at night and in the early morning, particularly when on safari, so we would like to suggest that you pack accordingly.

In central and east Africa, the temperature variation is generally less – in the summer months it can be quite hot and/or humid and the winters usually do not get as cold. Requirements for a visit to Rwanda are quite specific – please contact your travel consultant for further details.

• Sun hat/bush hat.

• Headscarf/bandana – particularly for dusty dry regions.

• Golf-shirts and/or T-shirts – preferably with sleeves to protect your shoulders from the sun.

• Long-sleeved cotton shirts.

• Shorts and/or skirts – really short skirts are not practical for getting in and out of game drive vehicles.

• Long trousers/slacks.

• Track suit.

• Pyjamas – lightweight for summer and warm/thermal for winter.

• Underwear – on game drives the roads can be bumpy and uneven so a suitable women’s attire may be required.

• Socks – thermal options are recommended for the winter months.

• Good closed walking shoes (running/tennis shoes are fine).

• Sandals – preferably low heeled or flat if you are going on safari.

• Swimming costume.

• Lightweight jersey or fleece in summer.

• Light rain gear or jacket for summer months.

• Warm jersey or fleece plus anorak or parka in winter.

• Additionally, a scarf, gloves and beanies/woollen hats for the cold winter months

More formal attire for your stay at prestigious city hotels or on one of the luxury trains.

Equipment & Other

• Good quality sunglasses, UV protected, preferably polarised. Tinted fashion glasses are not good in strong light.

• If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case you get irritation from the dust.

• Torch or a head lamp.

• Southern African bird guide if you are a keen birder, e.g., Newman’s or Sasol.

• Personal toiletries (basic amenities are supplied by most establishments – Luxury Focus Safaris endeavours to provide environmentally sound products that will protect the environments in which we operate, as well as the fragile septic systems we have in the camps/lodges. For this reason, we request that guests refrain from using their own products and utilise the amenities we have on offer. Palm oil or its derivatives are almost always to be found in bars of soap. Given the damage to forests through palm oil production, we have decided to provide liquid soap – a far more eco-friendly option – in our camps/lodges. Should you prefer to use a bar of soap, requests may be made to management, as we do keep a supply for those who wish to do so.)

• Moisturising cream and suntan lotion – SPF 30 or higher recommended.

• Lip balm.

• Insect repellent for body application, e.g. Tabard, Rid, Jungle Juice, etc.

• Please consult with your travel clinic with regards to appropriate medication to include in your basic medical kit (aspirins, plasters, antiseptic cream and antihistamine cream, etc.)

• Tissues.

• Lightweight backpack to carry essentials on walking safaris.

• Visas, tickets, passports, money, credit cards, insurance details, etc.

• Camera equipment including spare batteries, chargers, film, flash cards, memory sticks, etc.

• Waterproof/dustproof bag or cover for your camera.

• We highly recommend that you bring your own pair of binoculars for viewing both wildlife and birds. The recommended general purpose binocular specifications are 8x40 or 10x42.

Please note that Namibia, Kenya and Rwanda are polythene-free countries. For environmental reasons, plastic bags are illegal and have been banned, the customary plastic duty-free bags included. Arriving visitors are requested to avoid bringing plastic bags into the countries and, in fact, being in possession of a plastic bag/s will be an offence as it will now be against the law and violators could be penalized.

Visitors are advised to avoid packing any plastic bags into their suitcases or in carry-on hand luggage before flying to Namibia, Kenya and Rwanda. For liquids in hand luggage, it is recommended to use transparent toiletry bags (and not the Ziploc plastic bags). Items purchased at the airport before boarding the aircraft should be removed from said plastic bags. Travellers coming into Namibia, Kenya and Rwanda with duty-free plastic shop bags will be required to leave these at the airport under the new regulations.

NOTE 1 : Bright colours and white are not advisable whilst on safari. Camouflage clothing is not recommended for travel in African countries (camouflage or military-inspired clothing is prohibited when travelling in Zimbabwe).

NOTE 2 : There may be a restriction on luggage limits on your safari – please ensure that you have the details from your agent according to your itinerary and ask your agent ahead of time if you would like  details on the feasibility and costs of taking excess luggage with you on any of these restricted luggage safaris.

NOTE 3 : We carry reference materials in our camps/lodges and vehicles, so it is not necessary to bring these with you.

NOTE 4 : Where applicable, a printed copy of your travel insurance that includes the policy reference number, name of insurer, name/s of person/s covered and the contact telephone number/s in the advent  of a medical emergency.

Loss of Articles

Please note that we cannot accept any responsibility for the misplacement of any articles whilst on your travels. Naturally, we will endeavour to reunite you with your misplaced items, however, please bear in mind that logistics may not always be favourable for the return of articles without incurring costs. Should you require the item/s to be returned to you, please note that any costs incurred in this process will be for your own account.

Lost Luggage

Luggage that goes missing on scheduled commercial air flights is beyond the control of Luxury Focus Safaris, and/or the airline concerned. The relevant airport controls what happens to passengers’ luggage from when it is checked in until it is put on/taken off the aircraft. We would like to suggest that you take precautionary action and pack a small bag with your essentials, including any life sustaining medication, which can be carried with you as hand luggage. Pack a second bag containing non-essentials that can be loaded in the aircraft hold. If the second bag does not arrive, you will still have your essential items on hand to see you through the first couple of days while we try and recover your baggage. Lost luggage should be reported to your travel insurer as this often forms part of your coverage.

Generally Not Included in the Cost of Your Journey

Personal expenditure, meals in major cities, insurance, drinks, gratuities, airport/departure taxes, park fees, conservation levies, entrance fees, visa fees, new government taxes, fuel increases, etc. Please consult your itinerary or check with your agent for the specific details of what is included and excluded from your arrangements. In addition, scheduled commercial air flights are excluded unless otherwise arranged.

Gratuities Guidelines

We would like to reiterate that tipping is not compulsory. Please do not feel obliged to do so.

Tipping should be undertaken only by choice, subject to the service received. As such, we have enclosed a brief guideline to assist you.

In addition, you may wish to add a nominal amount for incidentals, ranging between US$ 15.00 to US$ 30.00 per day (subject to personal budget choice) – i.e. if additional activities are booked once on your journey, if travel arrangements change for any reason, in acknowledgement of good service received in another area, etc.

Regional

• Guides, Specialist Guides & Butlers – We recommend US$ 10.00 per guest per day.

• Mokoro Paddlers & Trackers – We recommend that each paddler receive US$ 5.00 per guest per day and that camp/lodge trackers receive US$ 5.00 per guest per day.

• The General Safari Camp, Lodge or Hotel Staff – We recommend about US$ 10.00 per guest per day for safari camps/lodges. This should be placed in the communal tipping box to be distributed equally amongst all the staff.

• Massage Therapists – We recommend about USD 3.00 to USD 5.00 per treatment.

• Transfer Driver – We recommend about US$ 2.00 to US$ 3.00 per guest per movement.

• Porterage – We recommend about US$ 2.00 to US$ 3.00 per guest per movement.

We recommend tipping your guide directly and making use of the gratuity box in the main area for the general camp/lodge staff. We would like to suggest that you tip only once, at the end of your stay.

Some properties have slightly different gratuity schedules and these are usually clearly stipulated in their collateral (e.g. per Zambian regulations, service charges are included in your stay with Luxury Focus Safaris and are, in turn, distributed amongst the staff on a monthly basis. Therefore, a gratuity box may not necessarily be displayed in the main area. Please do not feel compelled to tip any of our service staff, however, should guests feel that an additional gratuity is warranted, feel free to refer to our general guidelines as advised.)

South Africa

• Transfer Driver – We recommend about ZAR 20.00 per guest per movement.

• Drivers and/or Guides on Sightseeing Excursions – For half day tours we recommend about ZAR 60.00 per guest and for a full day tour we recommend ZAR 120.00 per guest.

• Safari Guides/Trackers at Game Lodges – We recommend about ZAR 120.00 per guest per day for the guide and ZAR

80.00 per guest per day for the tracker.

• Porterage – We recommend about ZAR 15.00 per guest per movement.

• Hotel/Guest House/Game Lodge Staff – We recommend about ZAR 50.00 per guest per day for hotel staff, i.e. housekeeping, etc.

• Blue Train & Rovos Rail – We recommend about ZAR 100.00 per guest per day for your cabin attendant and about ZAR75.00 per guest per journey for your dining car waiter.

Restaurants & Hotels

• 10% is customary on meal accounts if you are satisfied with the service.

Generally speaking, gratuities can be paid in cash (local or foreign currency, i.e. US Dollars, Euro) or alternatively, depending on the establishment, by credit card. We would like to emphasise that tipping is definitely not a requirement and should be undertaken only by choice, dependent on the service received.

Quality & Feedback

We pride ourselves in arranging quality itineraries and offering the best safari experience possible for such remote wilderness locations. Should you feel that we may improve and enhance your experience, please feel free to liaise directly with the manager at the camp/lodge, or hotel manager and/or your Luxury Focus Safaris representative.

A further opportunity to provide feedback is possible by completing the guest questionnaires in camp/at the lodge.

Alternatively, should any issues present themselves while travelling, please bring this to the attention of the relevant parties, as this will afford us the opportunity to do our best to rectify it immediately. If you do not communicate your concerns directly in camp/lodge at the time, it can be more difficult to resolve later on.

In addition, you may wish to review the camp/lodge on TripAdvisor – www.tripadvisor.com on your return.

Our aim is to create journeys that change lives, and by hosting you, we hope we have provided you with such an experience.

Thank you for choosing Luxury Focus Safaris.

Simply by travelling to Africa and staying with us, you have contributed to sustainable conservation and community empowerment.