Tour Details
Discover South Africa, Victoria Falls and Botswana | August 21 - September 2, 2025
Group Flight Information
Thursday, August 21
- United Airlines #2366 – Depart IAH – Bush Airport @ 12:15PM/arrive Washington Dulles @ 4:23pm (3 hr flight)
- United Airlines # 1011 – Depart Dulles @ 6:30pm arrives Cape Town @3:20pm (Aug 22, 14.5-hour flight)
Tuesday, Sept 2
- United Airlines #9139 – Depart Johannesburg @ 7:00PM/arrive Frankfurt @ 5:35am (11-hour flight)
- United Airlines #8866 – Depart Frankfurt @10:00am/arrive Houston @1:35pm – Sept 14 (10.5-hour flight)
Intra Africa Flights: (these are included in the tour cost and have been purchased for the group)
- Tuesday, August 26 – South Africa Airways #4Z 657- Depart Cape Town @ 10:30am; arrive Hoedspruit Airport @ 1:00PM
- Friday, August 29 – South Africa Airways #4Z 470 – Depart Kruger Park Airport @ 11:35am; arrive Livingstone Zambia @ 1:30pm
- Tuesday, Sept 2 – South Africa Airways #4Z 307 – Depart Kasane Botswana Airport @ 2:15pm; arrive Johannesburg @ 3:55pm (or continue to CPT with 7:55pm arrival)
If not flying with the group
The tour officially begins on Thursday, Aug 22 with check in at the Victoria and Alfred Hotel, Cape Town. There are no planned activities or meals on this day. The first group activity will be breakfast @ 8:00am at the Victoria and Alfred Hotel in Cape Town on Friday, August 23 followed by a day of touring Cape Town.
Transfers from the airport
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.
Arriving Early
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. Or Prelude Tours can book your pre-tour hotel room for $285 per night.
Luggage/Weight Restrictions
Each person is allowed one checked bag (up to 50 lbs.), one carry-on bag 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.
Travel Insurance
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/
Time and weather
- S Africa time is 7 hours ahead of CST
- Cape Town area – Low mid 50s\High mid 60s | Kruger Park – Low mid 50s \High mid 80s
- Victoria Falls – Low mid 50s\High Upper 80s | Botswana – Low mid 50s\High upper 80s
Recommended Dress
Casual, comfortable light-colored clothing is recommended. Safari colored clothing is suggested when on the game drives so as to not distract the animals. 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. The lodge in Krueger Park will offer laundry service for a minimal price.
Passport
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
Medications do not need to be carried in their original bottles. 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.
Vaccinations
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.
- Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B
- Typhoid Fever
- Malaria Tablets
- Tetanus
Electrical adapter
- Cape Town and Botswana – Type M (3 prong) adapter
- Zambia – Type C (2 round plugs)
If you use a hair straightener or curling iron, it is highly suggested to purchase a “dual – voltage” appliance that automatically adapts to the local voltage. These can be purchased online or at local beauty supply stores
Local Currency\credit cards
South African currency is the Rand. $1 USD = 19.49 ZAR. Credit cards are widely accepted and are the preferred method of payment in restaurants and retail. Also, USD are accepted – it is recommended to bring small denominations of USD for street vendors and markets. It is not necessary to pre order foreign currency as you can use the local ATMs to access currency upon arrival into S Africa.
Cell Phone and Wi Fi
All 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.
Tipping and entrance fees
All gratuities/entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary are included.
Emergency contact number while traveling
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.
Typical tour day
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.
Hairdryers and toiletries
All hotels will provide hairdryers and essential toiletries (soap, shampoo, lotion)
Packing Suggestions
- Comfortable layered clothes
- Closed toe shoes (not necessarily boots – tennis shoes are fine)
- Safari clothing – layered, lightweight clothing – avoid bright colors and black
- Light weight jacket and a rain jacket\poncho (maybe umbrella)
- Bathing suit – (all properties have pools)
- Sun protection – sunscreen, hats, etc.
- Mosquito repellant – DEET based
- Camera and Binoculars (if interested)
- Small electrical items (Laptop, iPad, etc.) are acceptable
Hotel Contact information
- Victoria and Alfred Hotel – Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa, Phone: +27 21 419 6677
- Kapama River Lodge – Southern Camp – Kapama Private Game Reserve, R40, Hoedspruit, 1380, South Africa, Phone: +27 12 368 0600
- Victoria Falls Hotel – 1 Mallet Dr, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Phone: +263 83 2844751
- Muchenje Safari Lodge – Private Bag, K31, Kasane, Botswana, Phone: +27 72 170 8879
