Frequently Asked
Questions

You must be at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg by 10.30am on Saturday 13 March. If you are travelling from London, you will need to take an overnight flight on Friday 12 March.

You may book a flight departing from Cape Town on Sunday 21 March. Transfers to Cape Town International Airport can be arranged through Devon Valley Hotel. If you plan to leave on Saturday 20 March, please let Laurentius, Katie or Jason know in advance.

Yes. You are responsible for booking your flight to Johannesburg and your return flight from Cape Town.

Group transport from Johannesburg to Phinda, and from Phinda to Cape Town, will be arranged as part of the Trek. Final routes, flight details and timings will be shared once confirmed.

Contact Laurentius, Katie or Jason immediately. The group may need to depart without you, but we will help you find the most practical way to catch up. Any additional costs may need to be covered by you or your travel insurer.

Internal flights may have stricter luggage limits than international flights, particularly if smaller aircraft are used. The current allowance is 20 kg for checked luggage and 7 kg for hand luggage. We recommend travelling light, and will confirm the final allowance before departure.

Absolutely. Any accommodation, transport or activities outside the Trek dates will need to be arranged and paid for independently. Laurentius, Katie and Jason will be happy to offer recommendations.

Rooms at Phinda are limited, so all safari accommodation will be shared. Rooms in Cape Town and Stellenbosch are booked for single occupancy unless your partner is joining you. If you would prefer to share in Cape Town and Stellenbosch, please contact Laurentius.

Final costs will be confirmed, but you should budget roughly £2,500 per person, excluding international flights.

The final cost summary will confirm exactly what is covered. It will include the agreed accommodation, group transport and specified meals and activities. International flights, personal expenses and optional activities will not be included.

Each hotel, airline and transport provider has its own cancellation terms, and some deposits may become non-refundable once bookings are confirmed. We know that life happens. If you need to cancel, we will do our best to recover any refundable costs, provided this does not increase the cost for the rest of the cohort.

Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory. Your policy should cover medical treatment, cancellation, travel disruption, lost luggage and emergency evacuation. Private medical care and emergency evacuation can be expensive, so please make sure you have adequate cover.

This depends on your passport. Each participant is responsible for checking the requirements that apply to their nationality and arranging any necessary visa before travelling.

We recommend that your passport remain valid for at least 90 days after you leave South Africa and contain at least two blank pages. Entry requirements can change, so please check the latest requirements for your nationality before booking.

Phinda is located in a low-risk malaria area in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Antimalarial tablets are not routinely recommended for most travellers, but awareness of the risk and mosquito bite avoidance are recommended.

TravelHealthPro provides the latest official guidance. Please consult your healthcare provider or a travel clinic before travelling, particularly if you are unsure or may be at higher risk.

Yes, provided we receive the details in advance. Please tell us clearly about any allergies, intolerances or dietary requirements.

Yes. South Africa can be visited safely when sensible precautions are followed. As the three South Africans in the cohort, we know the destinations and will use trusted providers, planned routes and reliable transport throughout the Trek. If you have any concerns, please raise them with Laurentius, Katie or Jason.

Stay with the group, use arranged or trusted transport and avoid displaying expensive jewellery, phones or large amounts of cash. Do not walk alone or wander into unfamiliar areas without checking with us first.

Yes, with a few sensible conditions. There will be time to explore during the free periods built into the programme. Please remain within recommended areas and always travel with others. If you are unsure about an area or activity, ask us first.

We know everyone will arrive excited and ready to celebrate. However, the safari schedule begins early, so evenings at Phinda will be relaxed rather than late-night parties.

A typical day includes an early-morning game drive around sunrise and another in the late afternoon. Between drives, there will be plenty of time to relax and socialise around the pool and bar. Phinda is a Big Five reserve and is particularly well known for cheetah, although wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.

Yes. Game drives are led by experienced guides and trackers. Remain seated, keep noise to a minimum around animals and follow your guide’s instructions at all times. Never feed, approach or attempt to touch wildlife.

Bring comfortable clothing in neutral colours, closed shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat and a light waterproof jacket. Binoculars are provided by the lodge.

Phinda is likely to be warm and humid, with some possibility of rain. Cape Town and Stellenbosch are generally warm and sunny in March, although evenings can be cooler. Bring layers and be prepared for changing conditions.

Yes. Cards and contactless payments are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops. You should only need a small amount of South African rand for tips and minor purchases.

A tip of around 10% is customary in restaurants when service is not already included. Tipping on safari is also usually customary, but we will confirm the lodge's guidance, as each lodge has its own preferences on whether and how tips are accepted.

South Africa mainly uses three-round-pin plugs, although many hotels also provide European two-pin, universal or USB sockets. We recommend bringing an adaptor that specifically lists South Africa as compatible, as a standard European adaptor will not fit every socket. South Africa uses the same voltage as the UK, so you should not need a voltage converter.

WhatsApp will be our main form of communication during the Trek. An eSIM or suitable international roaming plan is recommended, particularly during periods of independent travel.