The tour officially begins on Monday, Sept 2 with check in at the Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town. There are no planned activities or meals on this day. The first group activity will be breakfast @ 8:00am at the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town on Tuesday, Sept 3 followed by a day of touring Cape Town.
If your flight arrives within 30 minutes of the group, you are welcome to meet the group in baggage claim area and transfer with the group to the hotel. If your flight is more than 30 minutes after the group flight, you will be responsible for your own transfer to the hotel. We will share arrival times of all participants to determine if transfers can be shared. If you arrive to the hotel earlier than the group and have booked additional nights, you can inquire at the reception about linking your reservation together to avoid moving rooms.
Each person is allowed one checked bag (up to 45 lbs.) one carry-on bag (without wheels and no retractable handles) and one personal item. Your checked bag should be tagged with your name and contact number. It is recommended to carry all a change of clothes, valuables and medication in your carry on in case of lost luggage. We encourage everyone to pack light as we will be transferring hotels and several flights during the tour.
If you have purchased travel insurance, it will be helpful to have your policy number accessible in case of emergency. If you have not purchased travel insurance, you can purchase up to 24 hours before departure. Travel insurance not only protects your tour in case of cancellation or interruption but also offers coverage for medical and dental expenses while traveling as well as lost and/or delayed bag coverage. Information for travel insurance can be found at www.preludetours.com/travel-insurance/
Casual, comfortable light-colored clothing is recommended. Dressing in layers is best so you can adapt easily to the changing temperatures of the day. Closed toe shoes (tennis shoes are fine or hiking boots if you prefer) are necessary but no dress clothes are needed.
You should make a copy of your passport and leave at home while you are traveling in case your passport is lost or email a copy of your passport to yourself so that you will have access to it. You will not need to carry your passport while we are traveling during the day. We recommend to leave in the hotel safe.
Medications do not need to be carried in their original botles. We do suggest that you have a list of your medication in your wallet or emailed to you in case of lost medication or an emergency.
We recommend a consultation with your family physician to discuss the necessary (if any) immunizations needed for the tour. The following immunizations are recommended but not required by the CDC. You will not be required to show proof of any vaccinations.
South African currency is the Rand. $1 USD = 18.79 ZAR. It is not necessary to pre order foreign currency as you can use the local ATMs to access Rands (local S African currency) upon arrival into S Africa for your purchases. It is suggested to let your bank/card company know that you will be travelling internationally and to know the specifics of your credit card regarding international transaction fees daily ATM withdrawal limits and any other fees.
Most cellular providers offer an international day pass for a nominal fee which allows your cell phone to work as if in the United States. If you prefer to not purchase an international plan, wi-fi will be available in the hotels and lodges. It is recommended that you learn how to use your phone abroad before departure to avoid any “surprise fees” upon returning home.
All gratuities/entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary are included.
You are encouraged to take photos throughout the tour to share with your friends and post to social media. We do not recommend packing valuable electronics in your checked baggage but rather in your carryon bag.
The Prelude Tours office number 281.667.1057 will be forwarded to a cell phone and will be answered 24 hours a day while on tour in case of emergencies. The Prelude Tours email address, preludetours@gmail.com, will also be checked frequently during the tour.
A typical day of touring in Cape Town will begin with breakfast around 7:30-8:00am in the hotel restaurant followed by an 8:00-9:00am departure for the day and returning around 5:00PM. While on safari, the day will begin with a 5:00am wakeup call followed by a morning game drive. Around 9:00am, we return to the lodge for breakfast and the day is free until lunch @ 12:30. Around 3:00pm, we will enjoy afternoon tea and snacks before our evening game drive. The day ends with dinner at appr 7:30pm at the lodge.
All hotels will provide hairdryers in the room.
Most hotels and lodges offer laundry service for a reasonable fee.
