ALL-INCLUSIVE SOUTH AFRICA’S GARDEN ROUTE – with a wildlife photographer

We do realize our prices seem high.   However, when compared to many other tours to the region, we are actually comparatively priced when you take into account that our trips include all meals (and vegan to boot!) and drinks, all the tips for drivers and local guides, and many other extras like a amenities/essentials bag, a free laundry day, and the support of 2 full time tour leaders (most tours have only one).

Furthermore, we realize that for many, this will be their first trip to Africa, and/or their first safari. It’s something most of us have dreamt about all our lives. As such, we’ve constructed an itinerary that truly makes this the adventure of a lifetime in regards to our accommodation (deluxe) and choice of activities.

Finally, this may well be the only vegan tour to South Africa, and our cost does factor in the lengthy and hard work done with all our hotels, restaurants and activity partners in preparing for our visit (meals, advocacy, toiletries, etc), which is far beyond any tasks that other tour companies are faced with.

We’re been very lucky in acquiring the services of an amazing wildlife photographer, Jennifer Hadley, who will accompany the group during the entire trip. This adds immense value as she will be offering the group a selection of photos taken during our journey, for you to keep as a memento. Hopefully this may also help you to sometimes put the camera aside and simply relax and take in your surroundings!

Besides the collection of photos, Jennifer will also hold 2 talks on photography, lead photography-focused safari activities (ie more time spent with animals in order to get the perfect shot) and be accessible to help with any photography-related questions you may have, whether it be composition, camera settings, you name it.

Absolutely! We have many people on our trip that sign up as solo travelers. ​However, there is a single supplement.  Please see our COST & SIGN-UP section for more information.

FLIGHTS
You are in charge of your own flights to and from our starting city.   We ask that you try and arrive early on the first day, as our first meeting tends to be around 2pm.  This exact time will be confirmed at a later date.

Even better is arriving one or more days before.  This would provide you with a chance to take care of jet-lag and visit the town.  Once the trip starts.  We can book your a room in our trip’s hotel if you’d like.  We will be sending out the cost for this once the trip is confirmed.

Regardless of your arrival date, we will provide an airport pickup. 

Please note that check-ins at our hotel are not guaranteed BEFORE 3PM.  We will try and have the hotel accommodate early arrivals, but it’s possible you will be asked to wait until a room becomes available.  We are situated right downtown, so worst case it’s nice and exciting to go and explore the neighborhood!

VISAS
For most citizens of European and western countries (ie USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc), no visas are necessary for South Africa.

VACCINATIONS
There are no mandatory vaccinations required for South Africa, and the final decision is entirely up to you.  Please inquire directly with your doctor when making your decision.

Having said that, and according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the following vaccinations are recommended for South Africa: hepatitis A and typhoid for most traveler, as well as hepatitis B, rabies, and boosters for tetanus, diphteria and measles.    Yellow Fever is not a risk in the region, but the certificate is an entry requirement if you’re coming from an infected region.

South Africa is a malaria risk area, though the area we will be visiting has mostly eradicated this disease.  Still, it is entirely up to you if you choose to take anti-malaria medication.  Again, please consult your doctor in this regard.  

INSURANCE
You will need medical travel insurance.  This is a requirement of joining a trip with World Vegan Travel.   We need to know that you are fully covered in the event of a medical emergency, including repatriation.  You will need to send us your policy detail and emergency contact number before the trip’s start date.

As we are not a travel agency or booking agents, we can’t book any flights or ongoing travel (ie hotels, transportation, etc) for you. However we can surely help with recommendations, suggestions and tips as you look into flights, or extending your holiday. It never hurts to ask, so don’t hesitate to contact us with any queries whatsoever!

The Garden Route is gorgeous all year round, and with March being autumn, it’s one of the best time to travel to the region.  The evenings will be cooler, but the days will be very pleasantly warm in the gentle autumn sunshine, with limited chance of rain (although a reminder that we will be in a coastal area and weather can change quickly). 

Temperatures rarely dip below 16.2°C (61.2°F) and are usually pleasant at an average of 27°C (80°F).

In terms of clothing, light cotton garb is best.  A mix of long-sleeve and t-shirts is a good idea, as is long pants and shorts (in case it does get hot).   A swimsuit is a good idea as we will have swimming pools at some of our accommodations and the chance to visit beaches and other watering holes.

On safari, long and light cotton pants and shirts are a good idea, to block both the sun and (hopefully!) pesky mosquito.    A hat is a good idea to block off the sun… and it looks cool in photos 😉

Do bring some comfortable, but sturdy, shoes, especially if you intend on taking a guided walking safari.  Overall we’re not going on any big hikes, so there’s no need to bring your best pair of hiking boots.   Bring something comfortable to wear in the evening, both in terms of clothing and footwear, as we relax at our camps, either by the campfire or on the decks with a cocktail in hand. 

Sunglasses are a must, and it’s highly recommended to bring some good binoculars.   Both the camps and your tour leaders will carry spear binoculars, but it’s always nice to have your own. 

Other essentials should include:

• Cameras and plenty of batteries and storage cards is a must.  This trip is a good excuse to get a nice zoom-lens!  
• sunscreen lotion
• insect and mosquito repellent

We will be sending an info packet several weeks before the trip that will include, amongst other bits of information, a packing list.

We will not be taking any small bush planes, so feel free to bring all the luggage you want.  However, do note that you will need to carry your own luggage a few times, mostly from the hotel to the bus and into the next hotel.  Distances are never big, but you are in charge of your own belongings, so it’s better to carry less than too much! 

Yes, we will have full WIFI internet at our accommodation as well as on our bus.  

Overall, this is an all-inclusive trip and you shouldn’t need a huge amount of extra funds.  You will need to cater for yourself on day 1 until we meet in the afternoon, and again on our last day, especially if you choose to stay in Africa for a longer time.   You can probably make do with using a credit card for all extra purchases and souvenirs, though it’s a good idea to have a few hundred dollars in local currency, just in case.   It is best to withdraw cash once you are in South Africa, not before, in order to get better exchange rates. 

This is generally not a problem, but we do need to be informed at the time of booking so we may prepare the meals accordingly. Please be as precise and detailed as possible. Once on the trip, it is difficult and/or not possible to change our meal plans.

We have a few full days, where we have activities planned the entire time, and a few days where we’ll do an activity on the morning or afternoon and allow you some free time for half the day.   Most activities can be skipped should you feel tired, etc.  Just talk to your tour leader so they can accommodate you.

In terms of included activities, very little is physical.  This truly is a relaxing trip!  We do have a guided bush walk one of our safari destinations, as well as a walking tour at the primate sanctuary, but they are not overly difficult.    You can always opt out if you wish.    Otherwise we’re mostly being driven around by bus and 4×4 jeeps, and as long as you don’t get motion sickness, you should be fine.

Youth above 16 years young are welcome.    We are currently not accepting any younger children. ​

There’s no upper age limit, though do note that there is a fair amount of walking on this trip. 

South Africa has its fair amount of crime but the downtown area of Cape Town where we will be staying, as well as Greyton and surrounding area, are all quite safe.  In Cape Town, using common sense and sticking to well trafficked areas will ensure you have a very safe trip.   The Garden Route is a heavily trafficked area and therefore quite safe to travel along.  

Do remember that on the trip, we will be visiting as a large group of ~20 people or more, with safety at the top of our list, so there is nothing to worry about.  

South Africa has 11 (!!!) official languages, with some spoken more than others.  While English is recognized as the language of commerce and science, it’s actually ranked fourth and the first language of only 9.6% of South Africans!   Still, it remains the de facto lingua franca of the nation, and you should have no problem getting yourself understood in Cape Town and the Garden Route.

South Africa is the first and only African nation where the government recognizes same-sex relationships and homosexual marriages are recognized by law. Displays of affection may generate unwelcome attention though they should be tolerated and respected, especially in the areas we will visit.

World Vegan Travel aims to be a safe place for all LGBTQ travelers. We have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination of any sort.