5 Day Kruger Safari Explorer

Pre-Departure Information Kruger Tour

This tour is fully accommodated and all Linen and towels are supplied. Seasonal Malaria precautions may be advisable and are locally obtainable. Game viewing on foot is difficult, so we also place importance on some of the smaller aspects of the bush. It can get very hot so suitable precautions against sunburn should be taken.
Our price includes all transport, food, coffee, tea, accommodation, walks, game drives, entry fees and permits, group equipment and a professional guide.

The price does not include alcohol, bottled water and soft drinks, curios, tips and meals whilst in transit to and from Johannesburg. Before departure, clients will be required to enter into an agreement and indemnity pertaining to our booking conditions and general information.

It is compulsory for clients to have their own comprehensive personal travel insurance that includes cover for (but not limited to) any medical emergencies as well as Covid 19 related cancellations or deviations prior or during the tour.

Please give us a call on our 24-hour emergency no +27 82 293 7384 if you encounter any issues.

Departure Point

The 5 day Kruger Park tour departs from the Protea Hotel Balalaika (Maude Street, Sandton), at 06h3 on the first tour day (Sunday) and ends back on the last day (Thursday) at around 17h00 till late. Guests not staying at the Protea Hotel Balalaika must arrive at the Hotel at 06h00.

Please note that we strongly advise against flying out on the day that the tour ends. Drifters will not be held responsible for missed flights on this day. We generally travel long distances and late arrivals are common.

Accommodation on Tour

Please note that linen will be provided for the duration of your tour and there is no need to bring along a sleeping bag or pillow.

• Batteries can be charged from a 220 volt source pre tour departure in Jhb, on most nights at the lodges and every day on the truck while the truck is driving from a 12 V inverter.

• Currency exchange opportunities: Arrival at Johannesburg Airport

• Internet facilities: Pre night in Johannesburg

On Safari

All our tours require a certain level of participation from all group members. This entails assisting with the food preparation, washing of dishes and keeping the truck clean.

Please keep in mind that flexibility and an open mind will greatly contribute to an enjoyable safari.

We are travelling in developing countries therefore please do not expect the punctuality you have come to expect in first world countries. Things do not always run according to plan, however we do endeavour to run according to the itinerary as best as possible.

Drifters Wish You an Enjoyable African Experience!

Johannesburg and surrounds (pre and post tour)

• Full Day Gauteng Highlights Guided Tour (Pretoria, Johannesburg & Soweto)
• Half Day Soweto & Johannesburg City Highlights Guided Tour
• Apartheid museum
• Cradle of humankind
• Half Day Pretoria City Guided Tour (move up in the list)

Please Note:

• Optional Activities can be booked on arrival
• No bookings are made in advance
• Rates are subject to change without notice
• Activities are subject to availability
• Activities are weather dependent

Travel documents

Please ensure that you are in possession of valid travel documents for all the countries (South Africa) that you will visit. If you have any queries in this regard, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please ensure that you have proof of further travel arrangements if you do not have a South African passport, permanent residency permit, work permit or study permit. Although we will endeavour to assist, we do not accept any liability or obligation for your travel documents.

Make sure that your passport has at least six months’ validity from your planned date of return to your home country. Make two photocopies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, Visas. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
Please note that all guests travelling to South Africa will require two blank facing pages in their passport.

Foreign currency

Upon arrival in any respective country we operate in, you will be able to find a Bureau de Change OR ATM Facilities at the airport or in the Town/City the tour is departing from. It is advised to bring any major world currency (US Dollar, Euro or British Pounds) in small denominations and not dated older than 2009. It is advised to get a small amount of local currency upon arrival just to get around until your tour starts.

On Tour:

Please be advised that our guides will inform and show you the best places to exchange any Major World Currency with the best possible exchange rates either before your tour starts or during the course of the tour. Our guides will brief you exactly on where to exchange and roughly how much you will need to exchange after discussing possible optional activities, own expense meals or possible curio stops. Drifters trucks have safe-keeping facilities for extra cash/flight tickets/passport.

The preferred currency is as follows:

• South Africa – ZAR; Rand

Credit cards are generally accepted throughout South Africa but it is recommended that clients have a certain amount of cash to pay for personal expenses and possible gratuities.

Areas where you shall be able to use your credit card are as follows:

• Johannesburg for activities; food; accommodation and small extras

• Shopping; At most large supermarkets

Insurance

It is compulsory that all passengers make arrangements for adequate travel insurance to financially safeguard against unforeseen circumstances. If you need further information please do not hesitate to contact us. Drifters do not accept responsibility for any loss, injury, damage, accident, fatality, delay or inconvenience experienced whilst on tour. You will be required to complete and sign a full indemnity prior to your tour departure.

Your insurance should include all the countries and territories that your tour will pass through. You must ensure that you have sufficient cover for medical and evacuation costs, and should base this on advice from your insurer. A minimum benefit of USD 60 000.00 is recommended for evacuation from any area in which Drifters operates in Africa to South Africa, with further benefits for medical costs in South Africa, and for possible repatriation to your home country. Please note that you will be required to furnish details of your travel insurance to Drifters before you will be allowed to travel with us. Please ensure that these details are completely and accurately recorded in order to facilitate a claim should this be necessary.

Before departure, clients will be required to enter into an agreement and indemnity pertaining to our booking conditions and general information.

It is compulsory for clients to have their own comprehensive personal travel insurance that includes cover for (but not limited to) any medical emergencies as well as Covid 19 related cancellations or deviations prior or during the tour.

Health precautions & requirements

The only necessary prophylaxis for Southern and East Africa is against Malaria, but on this tour there is no eminent danger as South Africa is regarded mostly as a Malaria free zone however prevention is better than cure, so we do advise to also use insect repellent on exposed areas after sunset. Please consult with your general practitioner regarding this. All Drifters guides have first aid boxes for use in emergencies, however we recommend that you bring along your own basic supply of medication, headache tablets etc.

Personal medication

Please bring along any personal medication that you might need on your tour as specific medication could be difficult to find or might not be obtainable in most places we visit. General medication for headaches, colds and fever are easy to get.

Please also inform your guide of any medical conditions. This information will be received professionally and kept confidential.

Weather conditions

Please note that Southern African weather conditions vary tremendously from season to season. During summer months temperatures of up to 40°C can be experienced. During the winter months of June, July and August the nights are very cold, temperatures may drop well below 0°C, although the day temperatures will be pleasant at around 20°C

Clothing & personal effects

Herewith a recommended guide of what to bring along:
For walking, hiking and Safaris

• Sport Shoes / Sneakers
• Sandals
• Hat
• Sun Cream
• Water Bottle
• Smaller day pack
• Camera, Binoculars
• Books (Birds, Mammals, personal reading books, Optional)

For general travelling (to keep yourself entertained on the longer drives)

• Personal iPod
• Personal Reading Books
• A deck of cards or something similar
• Battery chargers for your personal devices (Ipods, Ipads, E-Readers, Handy’s etc)

Our vehicles are well equipped with charging facilities while driving. A Two-pin charger is perfect.

• Clothing and toiletries
• Long Trousers / Tracksuit
• Hat or cap
• Shorts
• Swimming Costume & Towel
• Personal toiletries
• Waterproof Windbreaker
• Jersey / Jumper
• Socks & Underwear
• T-Shirts / Shirts
• Insect Repellent

General Accessories

• Mosquito Net (Optional)
• Malaria Prophylaxis (please inquire from your general Doctor at home)
• Money (Sundry expenses, gratuities)
• Headlamp / Flashlight / Batteries
• Refreshments
• Pen

** Luggage should be limited to a maximum of 20kg’s HARD SUITCASES ARE NOT SUITABLE!!
*** Refreshments can be purchased en-route on the first day of the tour, and at regular intervals throughout the tour.

Meals and refreshments

Meals are provided as indicated in the brochure/website. We do not provide meals on the first day of the tour. We do however stop en-route; therefore it is always possible to buy something along the way. Soft drinks, bottled water and alcohol are for your own expense; there is ample opportunity during the tour to buy refreshments. The guide will advise when you need to stock up for a couple of days.

Personal expenses

A reasonable amount of personal spending money must be brought on our tours. This is to cover own expense meals as indicated in our Drifters Brochure, bottled water, soft drinks, alcohol, sundry goods purchased- such as suntan cream etc., curios, optional extra excursions, airport tax, transfers and tips.

Please note: Tips – In Africa things work a little different to the rest of the World. Tipping or gratuity, unless otherwise specified, is not included in the price you pay for services delivered. This accounts for restaurant meals, casual help and the services of the guide or guides that you will meet on your tour.
In Southern and East Africa it is classified as a common courtesy to TIP “casual help (guides)”.

This TIP is not something that is forced upon you by any means, but in many industries of tourism it is customary. It works as follows: if you believe your guide has lived up to your expectations and has performed his/her job in a way that you respect and are happy with the services rendered, an amount of 10 Euro per day or equivalent amount of 10 Euro per day in any major currency per person per day would constitute a fantastic tip. Remember that this is just a guideline and is not by any means compulsory, but seen as common courtesy in Southern and East Africa.

Pre and post night accommodation can be arranged at the Protea Hotel Balalaika, Sandton / Situated in Maude Street Sandton. in Johannesburg. It is advisable to overnight at the Protea Hotel Balalaika, Sandton if you have not already made alternative arrangements. Accommodation at the Protea Hotel Balalaika, Sandton can be arranged through Drifters Adventure Tours or your travel representative.

Please note that we strongly advise against flying out on the day that the tour ends. Drifters will not be held responsible for missed flights on this day.

We generally travel long distances and late arrivals are common.