SAFETY, DISEASE, MEDICAL, SNAKES, ALLERGIES, DISABILITIES
The hotel / guest house will take your gun cases and lock them in a secure area for you (at no cost) so you won't have them in your room. YOU MUST BE SMART as a traveler. It doesn't matter where you travel you must pay attention to your surroundings. Don't walk around downtown at night, stay in the hotel/guest house area. You wouldn't walk around at night in some cities in the U.S. The things you read about or watch on TV is mostly 1000's of miles away in another African country. There is no automatic gunfire going off or armed rebels and such here. You will see once you get to SA the areas we recommend you stay are very clean, modern and safe.
Unless you plan on visiting other areas of South Africa (to the north) or other countries of Africa there is no need for any pills (malaria) in the Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape is DISEASE FREE. A call to your family doctor wouldn't be a bad idea to see if you are in need of any booster shots like tetanus. The filtered water is safe here, but like anywhere in the world you wouldn't drink from a stream or pond. Bottled water, pop, juice etc is provided in your daily lunch cooler. We suggest you have up to date Tetanus and Hepatitis A & B which is good to have in the U.S.A. also.
Check with
www.travel.state.gov
or your travel agent for any new requirements re Diseases and Innoculations.
Travelers entering South Africa from WHO-designated yellow fever countries are required to present their current and valid “International Certificate of Vaccination as approved by the World Health Organization (WHO)” (commonly called a “yellow card”) or statement of medical exemption (also located on the same yellow card). Additionally, South Africa treats Zambia and Tanzania as yellow fever countries. This requirement is imposed on travelers flying to South Africa via yellow fever countries, even when transiting passengers are required to stay on board the plane (e.g., flights stopping in Dakar, Senegal or Accra, Ghana or Nairobi, Kenya), or if the plane makes an unscheduled landing in a yellow fever country. As a precaution, all travelers to South Africa should carry their original yellow card. Letters, scans, copies, or faxes regarding prior yellow fever vaccination will not be accepted. While this requirement may not be consistently applied, travelers who cannot present an original and currently valid yellow card when asked will be refused entry into South Africa. Yellow fever vaccinations are not administered at South African ports of entry for the purpose of entry into South Africa. Travelers are reminded that they are required to obtain a yellow fever vaccination at least 10 days prior to their arrival in South Africa in accordance with WHO regulations. South Africa may apply these requirements on people traveling from or through both high-risk yellow fever countries and low-risk yellow fever countries
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) website. Further general health information for travelers is available from the WHO.
EBOLA : Refer to the websites of South Africa’s Department of Health (www.health.gov.za) and the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (www.dfa.gov.za) for more information and updates.
There are snakes in Africa but very few in our area. Most safaris are held during times when the snakes are hibernating. Most snakes here will do their best to get out of your way. You will not see snakes hanging from bushes or be chased by any. Snake bites in the whole of SA are very very rare.
Please advise us of any food or drink allergies and if any disabilities you may have in advance. This information will assist us with preparing for your safari.
