Based in Cape Town, Quality Touring Services have been in operation since 1997.

HOW SHOULD I PREPARE MYSELF FOR THE TRIP?

• Take the necessary vaccinations.
• Make photocopies of your important travel documents and keep one set of the copies at home. This is in case you lose your documents from theft or otherwise.
• Also make sure that you take a set of these photocopies with you on your trip. These extra photocopies should be kept separately from the rest of your luggage and travel documents.
• Ensure that you have travel insurance.
• Be sure to inform your bank that you will be using your credit card while abroad.
• Check with your travel agent and South African Embassy in your country whether a visa is needed for South Africa. This can vary from year to year.

WHAT SORT OF TRAVEL BUDGET SHOULD I HAVE?

On the issue of money, one can carry it in three different forms: Cash, travellers cheques and credit cards. It may be worth considering having 50% of your money in travellers cheques and the rest available through a credit card. Cash can be obtained from ATM machines in all large and small towns within South Africa. Be sure to collect cash (Rand) at the ATM machines on arrival at the airport.

WHAT SHOULD I PACK?

Apart from your personal belongings such as travel documents, money, toilet bag, underwear and other favourite clothes, it is important that your luggage contains the following items:

• Sun cream with at least a SPF of 15 (very important!)
• Anti-malaria tablets
• Mosquito repellent
• Nail scissors
• A sun-hat or cap
• Camera and film
• Binoculars
• Torch with extra batteries
• Pocket knife
• Water bottle
• Wet serviettes
• A thick wool sweater
• A thin, long-sleeved cotton shirt
• Thin cotton trousers (jeans are not advisable on safaris)
• Shorts and T-shirts
• Bathing costumes
• Sandals and/or jogging shoes
• Track suite (nice to wear in the evenings)

WHAT IS MALARIA?

Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite (Plasmodium), and which is transferred from person to person only via an infected Anopheles-mosquito. There are four types of this parasite, but only one (Plasmodium falciparum) is of danger to human beings. Moist, dark and shady places are the home of the Anopheles mosquito. These mosquitoes are most active during the evening, night and early morning.

The incubation time for the parasite P. falciparum is usually from one to two weeks. One can best describe these symptoms as being similar to a bad flu with fever, headaches, dizziness and aching in the joints and muscles. Diahorea, vomiting and a bronchitis-like cough are often symptoms typical of this form of malaria. The fever symptoms are often irregular and variable in intensity. Sudden freezing spells with shivering before fever, can also be symptoms of malaria. This disease is easily cured with the right medication.

Fortunately, malaria is not found in all parts of South Africa. In the Kruger National Park (which is one of the high-risk areas in South Africa), only 2-5 cases of malaria are registered each year. Considering that more than 800 000 people a year visit Kruger National Park, the chances of being infected with malaria is very low.

Protection against malaria in the form of medication is necessary and must be started on a period prior to your journey, used throughout your entire stay and for at least four weeks after you have returned home. Should you catch influenza within six months after having been in Africa, then it is advisable to test for malaria.

The most important protection against malaria is mechanical protection. Be sure to use a mosquito net over your bed or over your sleeping bag if you are sleeping under open sky. The bedroom should be sprayed with insecticide about 30 minutes before one sleeps. When sitting outside during the evening, be sure to wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers. Smear yourself well with mosquito repellent, especially on exposed skin areas such as the neck, hands, ankles and forehead. If you are particular about all these rules, the chance of getting malaria is almost like zero. Listen to advice from your guide in regard to protection against malaria; they know how to prevent, and to look for the symptoms of the decease.

Remember to be extra careful when it comes to the children!

WHAT VACCINATIONS MUST I TAKE BEFORE THE TRIP?

You must start taking vaccinations almost once you has decided to travel to Africa, and these can be taken at your local clinic. Remember that a course of vaccinations can take weeks to complete, especially if it is more than 10 years since you were last vaccinated. There are NO vaccinations against malaria. Prescriptions for anti-malaria tablets can be obtained from your local clinic.

A preventive cure against malaria should always be commenced well in advance and at least two weeks prior to departure countries infested with malaria. It should be continued for at least four weeks after one has returned from the trip abroad.

HOW DANGEROUS ARE ANIMALS IN SOUTH AFRICA?

Bites from wasps, bees and other unidentified flying and crawling objects are most likely harmless, except if you are very allergic. Poisonous snakes are only dangerous if provoked or if you try to beat them to death. If you leave the snakes in peace, they are not likely to harm anyone.

Hippos and buffaloes are extremely dangerous animals. They are the two species responsible for most deaths of people killed by animals in Africa. Lions are very dangerous at night (also during daytime) and will launch an attack once given the opportunity to do so.

For your own safety our guides are trained to deal with wildlife and the environment, and that you as a visitor will never be exposed to any danger while in their care. Please note that it is of vital importance that tourists follow our security rules and regulations when visiting or staying in national parks. In this way, you will not expose yourself or others to danger.

The body always needs some time to acclimatise itself when changing from one climate to another, especially after a long plane journey. Ensure that you drink plenty of fluids (water and juice) during the journey to prevent dehydration. Drink a lot of water (mineral water) the day you arrive, and avoid drinking too much coffee, tea and alcohol. This is because coffee, tea and alcohol are diuretic (cause you to lose a lot of water from the body). During the first few days of your trip, it is advisable to stick to food that is easily digested.

HOW CAN I AVOID INFECTIONS VIA FOOD AND DRINK?

Most of the infections that one gets abroad have some sort of connection with insects, food and drink. It is therefore important that you take the necessary precautions, and not tempted by food or drink that you are uncertain of. This can be rather difficult to do, but carelessness almost always results in unfortunate episodes. Ask your guide if you are uncertain in this connection.

In order to get satisfying photos of wild animals, it is necessary that you have a decent camera and equipment. The correct choice of lenses for a 35mm camera mostly determines the quality of the photos you get. There are two lenses that are useful when on safari: A 28-80 mm for taking photos of the landscape, portraits and animals that are fairly close, and a 300-400mm for taking photos of wild life in general.

Be sure to store the photo equipment in a closed bag when it is not in use. Sand, dust and salt water are photo equipment's worst enemies.

ISO 50-100 film is the most suitable to South African conditions. During the evening or when there is poor light, the best results are often captured when using a tripod stand.