Worth knowing

Luggage:

On flights between Europe and South Africa you are allowed to bring a maximum of 20 kg of luggage on economy class. Furthermore you may bring one piece of hand luggage of max. 8 kg the size of a weekend bag. Due to the high prices on fuel the airlines are very strict, and excess weight is expensive so we strongly recommend you to keep within the allowed limits. Marken Safari has a laundry service so a big wardrobe in not needed.

On domestic flights in South Africa you may bring 15 kg of luggage and your hand luggage.

If you are bringing your own hunting weapons, you are allowed to carry an extra 5 kg – that means o a total of 25 kg. Special rules apply for golf equipment; please contact us for further details.

Please remember that any sharp or pointed object – also nail files etc. – are regarded as potential weapons and may under no circumstance be carried in your hand luggage. On the other hand you are free to bring knives or scissors in the luggage you check in.

Should your luggage be delayed or damaged, you should immediately apply at the service counter in the arrival lounge to file a PIR report which your insurance company will need in case you claim compensation.

Clothes:

Summer: The sun is very strong in the daytime so light, loose fitting clothes are highly recommended. Do not forget a hat or cap and a light shirt to cover your arms and shoulders. Subtle, natural colours are preferable so as not to scare the animals. For evening safaris a warn sweater would be a good idea. Bring sensible, closed footwear for hiking and a pair of sandals. And of course you should remember swimming trunks and sunscreen.

Winter: The evenings and nights are chilly so you will need a warm sweater and a jacket. If you are going hunting or on a safari early in the morning, a pair of gloves is a good idea as we use open cars. During the day the temperature is suitable for shorts and a t-shirt. Swimming trunks if you like a cold dip.

Generally: comfortable and casual clothes. If you have room in your suitcase for some clothes you don’t use anymore, a lot of the locals would be happy for a hand-me-down.

Money matters:

The South African currency is called rand. You are recommended to exchange money at the airport in Johannesburg where you get a better rate.

At Marken Safari we accept Visa card as well as cash in the following currencies: euros, dollars, Danish kroners and rand. Most shops and restaurants accept international credit cards.

It is common practice in South Africa to give a 10-15% tip at restaurants. If you wish to tip the staff at Marken Safari, we recommend that you put the money in a locked box we have for the purpose so the money can be equally divided among the staff. An amount of 200-250 rand pr guest pr week would be suitable.

Water:

On Morningtide Lodge we have water from our own well. It is clean and can be drunk from the tap, but we always have bottled water on stock if you prefer.

Power supply:

220/240 volt adapters are located in every room for your convenience.

Health:

The nearest hospital or doctor is in Ellisras (Lephalale) 70 km from the lodge. All the doctors speak English.

Morningtide Lodge is situated in a malaria free area. Malaria is, however, found in other parts of South Africa so if you consider travelling around, we recommend that you contact a doctor for advice on which malaria prophylactic to bring.

We always advice our guests to have hepatitis A and tetanus immunisations. If the former is repeated within six months, it will last for the rest of your life.

Insurance:

It is very important to have an insurance that covers medical assistance and home transport if needed. On top of that we recommend that you have a travel insurance, but before you take one, check your policy if you are already covered.

If you bring weapons, they may be insured separately.

Visa:

Danish citizens do not need visa for South Africa. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the embassy.

Your passport should be valid for at least an other six moths and should contain at least two clean, connected pages for visaing.

Language:

There are eleven official languages in South Africa. The local tribal language is Tsotho, and the white population of the area mainly speak Afrikaans. Most people speak English, however, so it is easy to communicate with the locals.

At Marken Safari all staff members speak English.

Special arrangements:

Marken Safari would be happy to host you for special arrangements for closed groups of min. 8 participant, e.g. wedding anniversaries, company trips, “girls’ night out”. Please contact us with your special needs and wishes.

We also have promotion nights that serve as appetizers for our trips. Please contact us for further information.