Is South Africa on YOUR Bucket List?

Bucket List Travel is excited to offer this amazing 12-day, 11-night adventure in South Africa! 

This tour includes nine game drives to see the wild African animals; visits at sanctuaries for lions, elephants and monkeys, including a chance to walk with elephants and lions; and tours of the Cradle of Humankind, Soweto, and the Rwanda Genocide Museum.

It also includes a 3-night visit to Cape Town, including round trip airfare there and back, and tours of Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope, the Boulders penquin colony, and a full-day tour of the winelands.

There is a limit of 10 guests on this tour to give each guest a chance to best see the wildlife from the safari vehicles. We are only traveling in malaria-free areas in South Africa!

Stop dreaming; start packing!!

NEW! We are excited to now offer a 3-day add-on excursion to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia. See details below!

Remember: Africa is a third world country! You are not in Kansas anymore!

Roads are bumpy and dusty, WiFi can be spotty, electricity may go off at odd times, and everything happens on Africa time (really S-L-O-W)!  

This moderately-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking and requires an average level of physical fitness. 

On game drives, we will spend much of our time driving over rough dirt roads in open air safari vehicles, which have high ground clearance and require some agility to embark and disembark. 

Many days we leave early in the morning. 

There will be limited bathroom stops. 

During game drives, you may come into proximity of wild animals whose actions can be unpredictable. Certain inherent risks are involved which should be considered at your own discretion.

Meals may be delayed for unforeseen reasons. We'll try to have snacks available, but if you have blood sugar issues, please bring any snacks you know you may need. 

We find our guests are happiest when they can roll with delays and last-minute changes that may happen in the unpredictable world of African travel. 

The best things you can bring with you are flexibility, patience, and a sense of humor!

Please plan to fly into and out of O.R. Tambo Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

You need to be in Johannesburg by Sunday, July 2, 2023, which means you will need to depart the USA by Saturday, July 1. (You might even need to leave as early as Friday, June 30 if your flight has multiple stops.) 

Please plan to arrive in Johannesburg before NOON on SUNDAY, JULY 2. This will give us time to take you to Lesedi African Cultural Center, where we will enjoy a tour, show and dinner starting at 4 pm. (If your flight doesn't arrive before noon, you might consider flying in the previous day and spending an optional night at Protea Hotel O.R. Tambo Airport-available as an option for $135.)

Plan to depart from Johannesburg in the evening on Thursday, July 13. 

If you are adding the Victoria Falls excursion, you will depart Johannesburg, South Africa for the USA on Saturday, July 15.

Please ASK US if you have any questions before you purchase your airfare!

Here is a suggested packing list: 

1-2 pair chinos or other light pants 

1 pair jeans 

1 pair shorts or capris 

4-5 tee shirts 

1-2 long sleeve tee shirt 

1 fleece jacket 

1 light puffer jacket or down vest

1 warm hat 

1 pair heavy sneakers/hiking shoes 

1 pair regular running shoes/sneakers 

1 pair sandals, like Tevas 

Underwear and socks-6 to 8 of each

Sunglasses

Optional: bathing suit

Sunscreen (SPF 30-50), mosquito repellant, small flashlight

Keep it light, because there is a restrictive weight limit on the domestic flight to Cape Town.

Remember, there is laundry service at all the places we are staying, and they are inexpensive, quick, and convenient. 

Packing for an African safari 

Navigating dirt roads in an open-top jeep means that you'll get covered in dust, so you'll need clothes that hide dirt well. Because temperatures can change dramatically throughout the day,  the key to a comfortable safari outfit is layers. You should pack and wear layers to adjust to the wide range of temperatures you can experience on a typical day. While the morning can be freezing, by midday it can be hot. Layers will save you.

Best colors to wear on safari  

Unless you are seriously tracking wildlife on foot, which we are not, the color of your clothing is really not that important.  The basic rule on safari is to go neutral. When trying to spot wildlife you’ll have the best chance if you blend in as much as possible with your surroundings. Ideal colors to wear on safari are greens, browns, olives and khakis. Any other neutral colors are fine too, but there are some  you should avoid wearing on safari:

· White and very pale clothes show the dust and dirt you will inevitably be covered with, and it is hard to get out!

 · Camouflage clothing should be avoided. In some African countries is for army personnel only, and you could theoretically be arrested for wearing it.

 • Bright colors can attract insects.

The price you have paid for your tour includes: 11 nights accommodation; most meals; all tours escorted by a private guide; entrance fees to all sights in the itinerary; all transportation, with free water and Wi-Fi provided on board; domestic flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town; and all airport transfers .

Your tour does not include the cost of 5 meals, beverages, and gratuities.

All meals are included except 3 lunches and 2 dinners. You can budget $10 per lunch and $20 per dinner. You will also need money for drinks and souvenirs. Alcoholic beverages are less expensive in South Africa than they are in the USA.

Tipping is customary in South Africa. It is not compulsory; tipping is given entirely at your discretion. Ten percent is customary in restaurants. When you register, we'll provide suggestions for appropriate tips throughout the tour.

As a guideline, most guests use $400-$600 during the 12-day tour. 

All accommodations provide shampoo and body wash, but not conditioner. They also provide hair dryers.

Currency

The rand (ZAR) is the official currency of South Africa.  

As of January 2022, $1 USD equaled 15.21 South African Rand.

You can either buy South African Rand at home from your bank or AAA office and bring it with you, or get South African Rand from an ATM when you arrive in Johannesburg. It is difficult to convert US dollars to Rand when you are in South Africa, so we don’t recommend this option.

Adapters

In South Africa the power plugs and sockets are of type D, M and N, so you will need an adapter for electrical appliances from the United States. The standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz.

WiFi

Free WiFi service is available in the rooms and common areas at all of our accommodations. 

If you need to be sure to have WiFi at all times, you can rent a mobile hot spot at the airport upon arrival in Johannesburg starting at about $30.

Laundry

Laundry service is available at Mziki Lodge, Cradle Moon Lodge, and Villa Rosa. It is very inexpensive. Average costs are: 

T shirts, blouses, or shorts: $1

Jeans, trousers or dresses: $1.75

Socks and underwear: 75 cents

Domestic Flight Baggage Limits

Your domestic flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town flight entitles you to one free checked bag weighing up to 44 pounds and one piece of hand baggage weighing up to 15.5 pounds, plus a laptop bag or small handbag.  Any bag weighing between 44-70 pounds will incur a heavy bag fee of about $25 at the airport.

All travelers should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination.  These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot.

PLEASE NOTE: We will let you know as soon as possible if a Covid-19 vaccination is required to travel.

Most travelers get these travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting:

• Hepatits A: CDC recommends this vaccine because you can get hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in South Africa, regardless of where you are eating or staying.

• Typhoid: You can get typhoid through contaminated food or water in South Africa. CDC recommends this vaccine for most travelers, especially if you are staying with friends or relatives, visiting smaller cities or rural areas, or if you are an adventurous eater. 

Some Travelers: Ask your doctor what vaccines and medicines you need based on where you are going, how long you are staying, what you will be doing, and if you are traveling from a country other than the US.

• Hepatitis B: You can get hepatitis B through sexual contact, contaminated needles, and blood products, so CDC recommends this vaccine if you might have sex with a new partner, get a tattoo or piercing, or have any medical procedures.

• Malaria: When traveling in South Africa, you should avoid mosquito bites to prevent malaria. You may need to take prescription medicine before, during, and after your trip to prevent malaria, depending on your travel plans, such as where you are going, when you are traveling, and if you are spending a lot of time outdoors or sleeping outside. Talk to your doctor about how you can prevent malaria while traveling. 

Areas of South Africa with risk of malaria: Present along the border with Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Specifically in Mopani, Vhembe, and Waterberg district municipalities of Limpopo Province; Ehlanzeni district municipality in Mpumalanga Province; and Umknanyakude in Kwazulu-Natal Province. Present in Kruger National Park (see Map 2-25). See more detailed information about malaria in South Africa.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS NO MALARIA PRESENT IN THE AREAS WE VISIT ON THIS TOUR!

• Rabies: Rabies can be found in dogs, bats, and other mammals in South Africa, so CDC recommends this vaccine for the following groups: Travelers involved in outdoor and other activities (such as camping, hiking, biking, adventure travel, and caving) that put them at risk for animal bites; People who will be working with or around animals (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, and researchers); People who are taking long trips or moving to South Africa; Children, because they tend to play with animals, might not report bites, and are more likely to have animal bites on their head and neck.

• Yellow Fever: Required if traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission and ≥1 year of age, including transit >12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of YF virus transmission. Note: Yellow fever vaccine availability in the United States is currently limited. If you need to be vaccinated before your trip, you may need to travel some distance and schedule your appointment well in advance.

Spanning more than a mile across the cliffs between Zimbabwe and Zambia—Victoria Falls is known as the largest sheet of falling water in the world. A little over a mile wide and 351 feet high, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one-and-a-half times as wide and twice as high as Niagara Falls! The spray from the falls typically rises to a height of over 1,300 feet, and on a clear day, you can see the mist from the falls from up to 30 miles away.

With a flight time from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls of only 1 hour and 40 minutes, it’s easy to add a short side trip to see this natural wonder of the world before or after your South Africa tour. We’ve put together an exciting 3-day, 2-night excursion for our guests.

After pickup from the airport and a transfer to your hotel, we’ll see the sun dip below the horizon during a River Song sunset cruise and watch the wildlife come out to the banks of the Zambezi – Africa’s fourth largest river. Relax onboard with a drink as you look for hippos, elephants, and buffalo that come to the water’s edge to drink at the end of the day. 

The next morning, we’ll enjoy a guided tour of Victoria Falls and discover the best spots for photo opportunities. The afternoon is free for you to explore the village and shops, relax by the falls, or take advantage of one of the many available activities – from bungee jumping and helicopter rides over the falls, to swimming in Devil's Pool at certain times of the year.

The next morning after breakfast, we’ll head back to the airport for the flight back to Johannesburg.

The price for this tour is $495 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement is $90. 

This does not include the price of the round-trip flight from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls.

This excursion includes: 

·  2 nights Explorers Village Deluxe Chalet, with breakfast

·  Sunset cocktail cruise on the Zambezi River

·  Guided tour of the falls

·  Airport transfers