Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you have any questions that are not covered in this FAQ section please fill out our enquiry form on the 'contact us’ page and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Alternatively, please give us a call on +44 (0)845 489 0414.
General
1. Do I need a visa to visit South Africa?
2. Do I need to take any extra medical precautions before I travel/during my holiday?
3. Do I need an international drivers licence to drive a vehicle in South Africa?
4. What is included in the cost of the holiday?
5. Are there any age/qualification restrictions for any part of the trip?
6. Is my holiday covered in the case that Surf and Turf Safaris goes bankrupt or cannot provide its services?
7. What should I bring with me?
8. What is the payment process if I want to book a holiday?
9. What are Surf and Turf Safaris booking terms and conditions?
10. Can I cancel my holiday booking at any time?
11. Can I change the dates of my holiday booking?
12. Can I change the number of people in my party?
13. What does Surf and Turf Safaris do to help conserve the environment?
14. What language is spoken in South Africa?
15. Will I be able to draw money from ATMs during my stay in South Africa?
16. Can I pay by debit or credit card in South Africa?
17. Is there a minimum number of people that have to book for a trip to go ahead?
18. What happens if I am late for the transfer from the airport at the beginning of the trip or if I miss a transfer during the trip?
SCUBA Diving
19. What are the qualification criteria for the dive parts of the holiday?
20. What SCUBA diving association will I be diving with?
21. Can I qualify as a SCUBA diver as part of the trip?
22. Can non divers attend the holiday, and if so do they pay full price?
23. If I don’t want to do one of the dives can I get my money back for that dive?
24. Will I get my money back if one of the dives booked as part of the package is cancelled?
25. What qualifications will the people taking the dives hold?
26. Do I need to hire diving equipment or should I bring my own?
27. Are there any conditions (medical or otherwise) that I may have that would prevent me from diving?
28. What are the chances of seeing sharks on the dives?
Safaris
29. Do I need to bring any extra equipment with me for the safaris?
30. Which animals am I likely to see on the safaris?
1. Do I need a visa to visit South Africa?
Depending on where you are travelling from you may need to apply for a visa before visiting South Africa. Foreign nationals from many countries will not need to organise a visa before coming to South Africa, but will be granted a stay of up to 90 days.
These countries include: African Union / Unity Laissez Passer, Andorra, Argentina, Australia , Austria, Belgium, Botswana , Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece , Iceland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway , Paraguay , Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, Venezuela, United States of America, United Kingdom (including Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man and Virgin Islands and the Republic of Ireland).
Foreign nationals from the following countries are not required to obtain a visa and will be permitted to stay in South Africa for up to 30 days when in transit: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Gabon, Guyana, Hungary, Jordan, Lesotho, Malaysia, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Peru, Poland, Seychelles, Slovak Republic, South Korea, Swaziland, Thailand, Turkey, Zambia, Hong Kong (only with regard to holders of Hong Kong British National Overseas passports and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports), Macau (only with regard to holders of Macau Special Administrative Region passports (MSAR)), Zimbabwe (only in respect of government officials, including police on cross border investigations).
Please note that you should double check whether you need a visa before travelling. It is recommended that you visit the South African Consulate website.
Please refer to the South African Consular Section or download the visa application form here. The current cost of a visa application is £35.00 (subject to change without warning).
The above information has been taken from the South African High Commission Website (19/12/2008).
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2. Do I need to take any extra medical precautions before I travel/during my holiday?
You will need to consult your GP to see whether you need to have any vaccinations before visiting South Africa. It is strongly advised that you take precautions against malaria if you are travelling to a malarious region of South Africa – consult your GP or travel clinic for further details.
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3. Do I need an international driver's licence to drive a vehicle in South Africa?
South Africa has an understanding that it will accept a foreign drivers licence if it is written in the Roman alphabet (i.e. English letters). If your passport is not in the Roman alphabet you will need to acquire an international driver’s licence before travelling if you intend to drive in South Africa.
Generally to rent a car in South Africa you will need to be over 23 years old, although you may be able to rent a car from some companies if you are 21 or over.
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4. What is included in the cost of the holiday?
The holiday price includes all transfers to destinations or activities, accommodation throughout the trip, meals where specified and activities/dive activities as specified.
The holiday does not include: flights, travel insurance, consumables e.g. drinks during the day/snacks, gratuities, safari park levies (where not specificed as included in the price), and meals where not mentioned that they are provided in the package details.
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5. Are there any age/qualification restrictions for any part of the trip?
The diving activities are only available to persons aged 10 or over, as this is the minimum age for qualifying as a SCUBA diver in South Africa. For our 10 night Natal SCUBA package you must be an Advanced Open Water Diver (or equivalent) as diving at Protea Banks usually goes deeper than 18 metres. There is a 7 night version of this trip that excludes Protea Banks and is therefore open to all qualified divers.
If you stay at Mkuze Falls Game Lodge please note that children under the age of 6 are not allowed on the game drives.
If you stay at Ubizane Wildlife Reserve please note that children under the age of 6 are not allowed in the open topped game vehicles.
The guided walks at Hluhluwe require children to be at least 13 years old, and the guided game drives require children to be at least 3 years old.
Apart from the activities listed above there are no scheduled activities that impose any known age limit on the guests.
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6. Is my holiday covered in the case that Surf and Turf Safaris goes bankrupt or cannot provide its services?
Surf and Turf Safaris has gone to lengths to ensure that it fully meets all the legal requirements of a tour operator.
We provide customer payment security by way of setting aside all monies paid to us by customers into a trust fund until your package holiday booked with us is complete. We cannot access the monies paid to us until the completion of your holiday, you cancel the holiday or you become entitled to a refund because we no longer offer our services, so in the case of our insolvency you will receive a full refund of all monies paid towards your holiday. Access to the monies of the trust fund is via a trustee, who will only release monies once one of the above instances has occurred. This security will also provide for your transport home if insolvency occurs whilst you are on your package holiday, ensuring that you will not be stranded abroad.
Please feel free to ask for more specific information regarding this topic if you so wish.
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7. What should I bring with me?
Aside from essentials such as money, clothing, towels and ordinary toiletries:
Your passport, booking confirmation of your flights/travel insurance/holiday package, money, sun screen, a hat to protect from the sun, a camera, insect repellent, personal medication if applicable, snacks and cigarettes etc if required, and a power plug adapter if you are travelling from abroad and wish to charge anything whilst in South Africa.
If going a safari you will need in addition to the above: warm clothes if you are going during the winter months, torch (with spare batteries), binoculars, and malaria tablets depending on the location of your safari holiday.
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8. What is the payment process if I want to book a holiday?
Once you have found a package that interests you, please contact the office either by sending us an enquiry via the ‘contact us’ page or by telephoning us at +44(0)845 489 0414 to let us know how many people you would like booked onto that package and which tour dates you are interested in. Surf and Turf Safaris will then check that there is availability for your party on your desired trip over your preferred dates. We will respond to you as soon as possible to let you know if we have availability – if we do not have availability for your preferred dates we will suggest alternative ones. If we have space for your party we will send an ‘electronic invoice’ to you via e-mail. We use PayPal so all transactions are secure. The e-mail will prompt to you settle the invoice by transferring the appropriate amount of money to Surf and Turf Safaris via the PayPal website.
Please note that credit and debit cards incur a 3% surcharge.
Please note that you do not have to be a member of PayPal to use this facility, you will be able to simply key in your debit or credit card details which will then be securely processed. At this stage you will be sent a copy of our booking terms and conditions for your reference – these are also available from this website.
Should you not wish you pay in this way please feel free to transfer the appropriate amount directly into the company bank account through a BACS payment, using the bank details given on your invoice. We also accept payment by cheque.
If you are booking more than 35 days in advance of your trip you will be required to pay a deposit of 50% of the package, and then pay the balance at least 35 days before the start of your trip. If you are booking less than 35 days in advance you will be required to pay the full amount for the trip.
Once payment is received you will be sent a confirmation email informing you of this fact, along with any useful additional information. A package specific information pack will be sent out to you (1 information pack per booking) with things to remember and useful information – please note that if you have booked your holiday less than 7 days before the start of the trip the information pack will not be sent out to you if it seems unlikely that it will arrive with you before you leave.
You are welcome to keep in contact with us leading up until your trip, and you are welcome to read through our booking terms and conditions before you continue with a booking enquiry.
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9. What are Surf and Turf Safaris booking terms and conditions?
To view our booking terms and conditions in full please follow the link booking terms and conditions.
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10. Can I cancel my holiday booking at any time?
The 50% deposit paid to secure the trip is non-refundable at whatever stage you cancel the trip. The remainder of the amount is due 35 days before the start of the tour and after it has been paid it is non-refundable unless someone else is found (by you) to book your place instead. And administration charge of £20 per person will be applied to cancel a booking.
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11. Can I change the dates of my holiday booking?
If it is feasible to change the dates of the holiday you have put a deposit down for every effort will be used to make this possible. This is also true if you wish to change the dates of a fully paid for package (i.e. 35 days or less before the booked holiday), although this may be less likely as there will be less time to find someone else to fill your spot/it may be harder to book you into the next available slot on such sort notice. An administration charge of £20 per person will be applied to alter the dates of a booking.
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12. Can I change the number of people in my party?
Wherever possible we will try to fit extra people onto a holiday where requested, depending on availability. If you wish to decrease the number of people booked onto the holiday the deposit will be forfeit, as will the remaining balance if this has already been paid unless the vacancy left by your departure can be filled.
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13. What does Surf and Turf Safaris do to help conserve the environment?
Wherever possible Surf and Turf Safaris uses e-mail and telephone calls instead of letters or faxes, as the latter contribute to avoidable paper wastage. Final confirmation of a booking after the balance has been paid off is sent as a small package via the mail, but otherwise we do our best to limit our paper usage. All paper that is used in our office is recycled (sensitive information is shredded first).
Surf and Turf Safaris is run by environmentally minded people who are always on the look out for ways to improve the efficiency and ‘greeness’ of how the company is operated.
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14. What language is spoken in South Africa?
South Africa has 11 national languages, but the most commonly spoken are English and Afrikaans (similar to Dutch). German is quite widely spoken. Generally all road, traffic and information signs are printed in English (possibly with Afrikaans as well), and nearly everyone (if not in fact everyone) you will meet will speak English.
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15. Will I be able to draw money from ATMs during my stay in South Africa?
ATMs are widespread throughout South Africa, especially towards the more developed town and city areas.
For our Cape packages cash machines are abundant and widespread. For our Natal packages there are numerous cash machines throughout Shelley Beach and Aliwal Shoal, but as you head northwards they will deplete in number (i.e. towards and around Sodwana Bay they are rare). However please note that nearly everywhere will accept major debit and credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard, so you do not need to have cash on you at all times.
As our Kruger Park safari packages take place almost entirely in the Kruger there are sporadic but not numerous cash machines, so carrying some cash is advisable. Debit and credit cards are accepted by most camps.
Please note that, as with all countries, it is not advisable to carry around large sums of cash on your person in South Africa. Also please note that (if applicable) you cannot pay for petrol with debit or credit cards in South Africa – instead payments are made either with petrol payment cards or cash.
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16. Can I pay by debit or credit card in South Africa?
Debit and credit cards are widely accepted in South Africa. The most commonly accepted cards are Visa and Mastercard, but other cards are accepted too. Please note that Amex, Discover card and Maestro cards are not widely accepted throughout South Africa, but you should be able to draw cash from ATMs with these cards.
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17. Is there a minimum number of people that have to book for a trip to go ahead?
The packages are based on two people sharing, but odd numbers of people will be catered for as required (single passengers wishing to have accommodation to themselves will be charged at a slightly higher rate).
Please note that for SCUBA diving or SCUBA/safari mixed holidays each tour can accommodate a maximum of 10 guests as this is capacity of the dive boats. There is no limit (within reason) to the number of guests who can take part in the safari only tours available.
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18. What happens if I am late for the transfer from the airport at the beginning of the trip or if I miss a transfer during the trip?
Please note that if you are late for your transfer from the airport (for whatever reason) you should let us know as soon as possible on +44 (0)845 489 0414. If feasible the tour bus may wait for you (if you will only be a little late, are collecting baggage etc.), but we are not obliged to wait for you and we will not put the rest of the tour group out to wait for you to join us. Surf and Turf Safaris will organise transport for you from the airport to the appropriate attraction site on request, but please note that this will be at your cost and will not be reimbursed by Surf and Turf Safaris.
This is also true if you miss any other transfer during your trip because you are late, we can help transfer you to the next stop on the itinerary, but we are not obliged to wait for you and the new transfer fees will be at your cost and are non refundable.
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19. What are the qualification criteria for the dive parts of the holiday?
Unless stated otherwise in the ‘package requirements’ part of the holiday description you must have at least a NAUI Open Water 1 or a PADI Open Water Diver (or equivalent) qualification. Please note that junior qualified divers are eligible to dive with the group as there will be a qualified Dive Master with the group at all times.
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20. What SCUBA diving association will I be diving with?
The dive schools cater for all internationally recognised SCUBA diving qualifications, usually NAUI or PADI. If you wish to qualify as a diver (or qualify as a higher diver level) please enquire with us and we will be able to tell you how much this would cost and which association you would be training with.
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21. Can I qualify as a SCUBA diver as part of the trip?
If you wish to become a qualified SCUBA diver (or qualify to the next level) as part of your holiday please enquire with us and we can arrange a quote for dive training as part of the package. Please note that if you wish to qualify for your first dive qualification you may need to get to the first dive centre on your itinerary a few days earlier than the day the package holiday starts so that you will be qualified before moving on to the next dive site.
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22. Can non divers attend the holiday, and if so do they pay full price?
Non divers are more than welcome to attend any part of the dive holidays, and will not be required to pay full price – please enquire with us as to the rates for non divers. In many cases it will be possible to travel with the divers to the dive site and then snorkel whilst you wait for them or, alternatively, you could make use of the beautiful beaches and many other fantastic activities available at the sites.
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23. If I don’t want to do one of the dives can I get my money back for that dive?
It is your holiday and it is absolutely up to you whether you want to partake in all of the organised dives. However, the pre-booked dives are operated on a ‘use it or lose it’ basis, i.e. if you do not partake in a dive you will not be refunded for it.
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24. Will I get my money back if one of the dives booked as part of the package is cancelled?
Dives will be cancelled if the situation or conditions make launching the boat or diving unsafe. If this is the case the money that you paid towards this dive as part of your package will be refunded to you. This will be done by Surf and Turf Safaris Ltd transferring the correct amount onto the card that was used to pay for the holiday. If you would prefer the money to go back on to a different card please let us know as soon as possible so that we can accommodate this.
We will strive to have refunded the money within 14 days of the lost dive, and most certainly within 28 days.
If for any reason you would not like us to transfer the money into your account we can send you a cheque for the correct amount.
If you paid from outside the UK the amount you will have refunded to you will be calculated using the exchange rate that was in force when you originally paid for your holiday.
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25. What qualifications will the people taking the dives hold?
There will be at least one qualified Dive Master on every dive, so even if you are a new diver you can feel secure knowing that you are in experienced and safe hands. In many cases there will be more than 1 Dive Master or Dive Instructor on each dive.
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26. Do I need to hire diving equipment or should I bring my own?
The hiring of dive equipment is included in the price of every dive holiday as it is unlikely that you will want to transport your own kit all over South Africa. However if there are pieces of your own kit that you have bought and would like to use then that is absolutely fine, as long as all the equipment you bring is in good working order.
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27. Are there any conditions (medical or otherwise) that I may have that would prevent me from diving?
Please check with your GP before booking the trip if you feel you have any conditions that may prevent you from diving – you will be required to sign an indemnity form at each dive site to state that you are physically fit and able to dive, and have no conditions that would make diving dangerous for you.
In addition to any personal conditions you may have that would prevent you from diving you should not dive (including but not limited to):
if you have a cold, are suffering from a hangover or feel at all dizzy or unbalanced. You will be able to ask your divemaster on the day if it is sensible for you to dive or not if you are suffering from any of the symptoms mentioned above.
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28. What are the chances of seeing sharks on the dives?
When diving along the East Coast of South Africa (Protea Banks, Aliwal Shoal and Sodwana Bay) there is a chance of seeing sharks all year round.
Aliwal Shoal is a popular spot for tiger sharks, which can be seen at any time of year but are most common in April and May.
Ragged tooth sharks, or ‘raggies’ are most common between June and November, whilst there is a year round chance of seeing other sharks such as whale sharks, Zambezis, sand sharks, hammerheads and very occasionally great white sharks.
If great whites are what you are after a safer bet would be to dive down at the Cape – our Cape SCUBA diving package is based around Gansbaai where great whites are most commonly found in South Africa, with a good chance of seeing them all year round. They are slightly more abundant in the winter months, although the weather can be worse in winter and therefore there is a chance the boat will not launch if it is unsafe to do so. The average number of great white sharks seen on the cage dives ranges from approximately 3.7 at the lowest in December to 10.7 and the highest in June.
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29. Do I need to bring any extra equipment with me for the safaris?
Please refer to the question 7 “what should I bring with me?” for the list of items we would encourage you to bring to heighten your enjoyment of the safari experience. Please note that it is advised that on night drives or game walks you wear khaki coloured clothing (i.e. natural looking colours) and this will increase your chances of getting closer to the animals without scaring them away.
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30. Which animals am I likely to see on the safaris?
Each holiday description on the ‘Destinations’ web page will detail which animals inhabit the areas that you are visiting as part of your trip. Please note that even if an animal as listed as inhabiting the reserve you are visiting that does not necessarily mean that you will see it, the animals are wild and you will not always be lucky enough to see every species living in a particular area.
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