What to Expect
- Flexibility is Key: Your itinerary should be used as a guide because, well, this is Africa! Rest assured, every adjustment is made with the group’s best interests in mind.
- Accommodation Considerations: While we make every effort to stick to the accommodations listed, please note that they serve as guidelines, and adjustments may occur.
- Road Conditions: Please be mindful that road conditions can vary significantly. While some routes may offer smooth travel, factors like weather, road quality, and traffic congestion can influence our travel time.
- All-Weather Adventure: Our tours operate year-round, so be prepared for any weather conditions, from scorching heat to chilly nights. Pack accordingly!
- Tour Style: If you love experiencing new places and are up for a bit of adventure, you’re in the right place! Our Garden Route tours involve walking, carrying luggage, and hopping in and out of vehicles so please consider this when booking this tour.
- Embrace Diversity: Travellers from all over the world join this tour, so there will be different ages, backgrounds, and cultures. The group typically consists of 4-12 travelers predominantly from Europe, America, Canada, and Australia. It’s the perfect tour for solo adventurers, small groups of friends, or couples seeking adventure. Take this opportunity to connect with your fellow travellers and discover the unique stories they bring along.
- Age requirements: This tour attracts a mix of backpacker and guest house clients. We welcome guests as young as 14, provided they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. We also accommodate individuals up to 65 years old on this tour, ensuring they are fit and healthy for an enjoyable experience. In general, we find that people in their 30’s book this tour.
Pre & Post Tour Accommodation
Detour Africa is here to arrange a seamless experience, including pre and post-tour accommodation, as well as convenient airport transfers. Please ask your consultant for assistance.
Passports & Visa Requirements
PASSPORTS
Ensure your passport has sufficient pages for all required visas, with a minimum of 2 clear pages for each country you’ll be visiting. Note that South Africa requires 2 clear pages upon entry, especially crucial if you plan to fly home from South Africa after touring multiple African countries.
Additionally, ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months after your departure date from Africa. It’s wise to keep a copy at home or with friends. Consider taking a photo of your passport and its contents, and emailing it to yourself for added security.
Using more than one passport (to avoid visa payments) is not advisable. For example, when entering another country, the immigration official must see the exit stamp for South Africa in the same passport for entry clearance.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
It is your responsibility to secure any necessary visas for your upcoming trip. Visa requirements differ based on your nationality and destination so please contact the various embassies or visa service agencies to check visa requirements. We also advise that you recheck visa requirements at least four weeks before departing for your tour as regulations can change.
Detour Africa will not be held responsible for clients being denied entry should they not be in possession of the relevant visas.
Ensure a smooth journey by having a valid onward or return flight or proof of alternative transportation to depart from the country where your tour ends. Alternatively, show proof of sufficient funds, such as a credit card, enabling you to purchase an air ticket for your departure.
Here is a useful link to check your visa requirements. Travel Visa Checker
These are subject to updates and may vary based on your nationality so please double check this information directly with the embassies for each country.
Medical & Health Requirements
VACCINATIONS
For the most accurate and up-to-date vaccination requirements, we strongly advise consulting with your doctor or a travel clinic. They can provide personalized guidance based on your health history, ensuring you receive the most relevant and current information to stay protected during your travels. Your well-being is our priority, and we want you to embark on your African adventure fully prepared and in good health.
COVID-19
Detour Africa and our suppliers have implemented stringent COVID-19 protocols to prioritize your health and safety. While we diligently adhere to guidelines, it’s essential for clients to actively comply with each visited country’s requirements. Clients bear responsibility for their documentation, and we will not be liable if you are denied access to a country due to non-compliance.
In the unfortunate event of a client contracting COVID-19 during the tour, it’s important to note that all associated expenses, including testing, medical costs, hospitalization, and quarantine accommodation, will be the client’s responsibility. Additionally, no refunds will be issued for unused tour nights and services in such cases.
To maintain a secure and enjoyable experience for all, any guest not adhering to the established protocols may face expulsion from the tour. We emphasize the importance of securing adequate travel and medical insurance before arrival, ensuring comprehensive coverage for your peace of mind throughout your journey.
MALARIA
The garden route is a malaria-free area, so no anti-malaria precautions are necessary. We do however recommend that you bring insect repellent if you are travelling in summer.
Insurance
Medical insurance is a mandatory requirement. Your guide will request your policy number before the tour begins so please keep your insurance details handy when starting your tour. Ensure that your travel and medical insurance covers both cancellation and emergency evacuation in case of serious illness or injury, especially considering our tours often venture far from well-equipped hospital facilities. It’s important to note that credit card insurance might not offer sufficient coverage, so we strongly recommend obtaining a separate travel insurance policy for comprehensive protection.
Many of our customers opt for World Nomads Travel Insurance and highly recommend their services. While we’re not directly affiliated with World Nomads, we do encourage you to explore their offerings to secure a reliable insurance solution for your journey.
Luggage Requirements
On this tour you are allowed one suitcase or backpack which is limited to a size of 67 cm (26 in) x 45 cm (18 in), and you may also bring a smaller carry-on bag which is limited to a size of 48 cm (19 in) by 32 cm (13 in).
You should be able to comfortable carry your luggage by yourself as we do not have porters to assist you. Our luggage trailers are specifically designed to fit one suitcase per person, not exceeding above dimensions. If your luggage exceeds the above mentioned dimensions please let your consultant know so we can assist where possible.
What to Pack
Please be advised that Africa experiences varying weather patterns, and conditions on your tour may differ. It’s important to check and monitor the weather as temperature shifts can be significant.
Morning game drives in Addo may be chilly during certain times of the year. It is therefore recommended to have clothing that provides protection against wind chill and keeps you warm. Avoid synthetics, which can be uncomfortable in hot weather. This tour also includes hikes and walks so comfortable shoes are very important.
Here is a basic guideline on what to bring on safari:
- Passport and travel insurance details
- Mixture of lightweight clothing and warm clothing
- Rain jacket
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Wet wipes
- Camera and Binoculars
- Reusable water bottle
- Insect and mosquito repellent
- Suntan lotion, sunblock, and after-sun lotion
- Hat
- Swimwear
- Sunglasses
- Cash for tips and souvenirs
- Small basic First Aid kit including painkillers, band-aids, after-sun lotion, eye drops, and anti-diarrhea tablets.
Meals
We include most breakfasts and dinners. (Please refer to your tour itinerary for details on what meals are included on your tour.)
Breakfasts usually include muesli, eggs, fruit, yoghurt and cereals.
Dinners usually include traditional South African meals such as braais (barbecues) and (potijes) stews.
We recommend budgeting approx. ZAR 200 per meal not included. Your guide will take you to a restaurant or shop where you will be able to purchase something to eat.
To ensure we cater to your specific needs, please inform us of any special dietary requirements at the time of booking.
It’s important to note that we cannot accommodate requests made at the start of the tour, so giving us a heads-up during the booking phase is key.
Transport
Our vehicles are fully air-conditioned 14 seater vans.
Money & Currencies
Money can significantly impact your tour experience, so it’s essential to budget wisely. Africa isn’t known for being inexpensive, so prudent spending is key.
CASH
In South Africa, the local currency is the RAND (ZAR), which is widely accepted throughout the country. We recommend carrying some cash for souvenirs and tipping purposes, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience during your travels.
CREDIT CARD
Credit Card facilities are available in major cities, though some establishments may impose surcharges. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, whereas Diners and American Express may have limited acceptance. Remember to inform your bank of your travel plans to avoid any card access issues while abroad.
ATM’s
With ATMs becoming more prevalent in major towns, cities and airports, utilizing credit or debit cards provides a convenient and accessible means to access funds during your journey. Ensure your cards feature chip and pin technology for secure transactions.
DEPARTURE TAX
The departure tax, also known as the Passenger Service Charge, is typically included in the price of your airline ticket when you depart from South Africa’s international airports. However, it’s always a good idea to double-check with your airline for any changes or updates regarding departure taxes, as policies and fees may change over time.
TIPPING
To assist you during your journey, we’ve compiled the following tipping guidelines based on feedback from both our valued travelers and dedicated staff.
- Restaurant Service Charge: Upon reviewing your bill, if a 10% service charge is included, there’s no obligation for additional tipping. However, if no service charge is added, it’s customary to consider a 10% gratuity of the total bill amount. In general, service charges are not included in South Africa.
- Guides: The amount you choose to tip your guides and drivers is entirely at your discretion. As a general guideline, consider offering between ZAR 40 to ZAR 80, per guide, per day. Feel free to adjust the gratuity amount based on your personal experience of service quality and the duration of your trip.
Remember, tipping is voluntary and should be extended only when exceptional service is received. Your contributions through tipping play a meaningful role in recognizing the efforts of our staff and enhancing the overall experience of your safari adventure.
WI-FI Access
There will be Wi-Fi access at most of the backpackers and guest houses in the communal areas and sometimes in the bedrooms. We recommend purchasing an E-sim or local sim card from Vodacom, MTN or Cell C so you can stay connected while on tour.
Add-on Activities
We understand that travelers have different preferences, budgets, and interests. Additionally, weather conditions can influence the availability of activities. That’s why we’ve crafted our itineraries to offer flexibility, allowing you to tailor your experience to your liking.
During your tour, you’ll have the opportunity to choose from a variety of activities that aren’t included in the standard package. Your guide will be there to offer recommendations and insights to help you select activities that align with your interests.
It’s important to note that these activities are operated by trusted third-party providers. For your convenience, payments for these activities can be made in cash or by credit card directly to the operator.
Note that it’s essential to pre-book shark diving and whale watching activities at least a week before the tour departure date, as these experiences are scheduled for the first day of the tour.
Clients interested in shark cage diving will be picked up in Cape Town early on Monday morning by the shark diving company. Those who join the shark diving experience will meet up with the tour group after lunch on the first day and will miss out on the first half of day one.
Please refer to the day-to-day itinerary for prices.
About the Garden Route
- Location:
The Garden Route is nestled along the southern coast of South Africa, renowned for its natural beauty and diverse landscapes. Stretching from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to Storms River in the Eastern Cape, this picturesque route is adorned with forests, lakes, mountains, and beaches.
- Wildlife and Safari Experience:
The Garden Route isn’t just about stunning scenery; it’s also a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. Along the route, you can encounter a variety of wildlife, from elephants and leopards to whales and dolphins. Several private game reserves and national parks offer thrilling safari experiences where you can embark on game drives and bush walks.
- Best Time to Visit:
The Garden Route is a year-round destination, each season offering its own unique charm. However, the best time to visit depends on your preferences. The summer months (November to March) bring warm temperatures and clear skies, perfect for beach outings and outdoor adventures. Winter (June to August) unveils a different side of the Garden Route, with lush landscapes, migratory whale sightings, and cozy evenings by the fireplace.
- Safety Precautions:
While the Garden Route is generally safe for travelers, it’s essential to take standard safety precautions. Keep your belongings secure, especially in crowded tourist areas, and be vigilant when exploring unfamiliar surroundings. Stick to well-known trails for hikes and adventures, and avoid walking alone in isolated areas, particularly after dark. As with any travel destination, being aware of your surroundings and following local guidelines ensures a smooth and enjoyable experience along the Garden Route.
