Local South Africa Knowledge

ATOL Bonding

We can arrange flights for you through our preferred agent who is an 'ATOL' bonded agent.

ATOL - which is short for "Air Travel Organisers' Licensing" - exists to protect the public from losing money or being stranded abroad because of the failure of air travel firms. It was first introduced in 1972 and it gives comprehensive consumer protection to people in the UK who buy flights or air holidays. All licensed firms have to lodge bonds (financial guarantees) with the CAA so that if they go out of business, the CAA can give refunds to people who have not travelled and arrange for people abroad to finish their travels and fly home.

ATOL is a statutory scheme - that is a scheme based on a legal requirement for licenses managed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Insurance

We consider adequate travel insurance to be essential. We are currently negotiating with leading insurers to offer you a competitive and comparable insurance cover thus removing the trouble of you finding that cover. If you decide not to purchase our suggested insurance, we will ask you to give us details of your alternative policy (insurer and policy number) on our booking form. Whichever policy you choose, please read the details carefully and take them with you on holiday. You should ensure the insurance cover you purchase is adequate for your particular needs as the level of cover varies with different policies.

Data Protection Act

In order to process your booking, we need to collect certain personal details from you about you and your party. We take full responsibility for ensuring that proper security measures are in place to protect personal information.

We must pass some personal information on to the relevant suppliers of your holiday arrangements (e.g. agents for airlines, hotels, car hire companies, etc.).

Personal information may be used to verify identity and protect against fraud. We may also use personal information to inform you and your party of offers, information, new services and promotions. If you are at any time unhappy about our use of your personal information, please contact us.

Ecotourism

Ecotourism is responsible travel that conserves natural environments and sustains the well-being of the local people. We believe we have a huge responsibility for our host countries in overseas destinations and we take this responsibility very seriously.

• We ensure that the local economy benefits directly by primarily using locally owned suppliers to provide and run services.
• We encourage the use of locally owned hotels and local modes of transport.
• We encourage clients to buy locally made crafts and support local skills; however, never to buy products that exploit wildlife or the destruction of habitats.
• We promote an understanding and respect of all local cultures, wildlife and environmental issues to our clients and staff.

Passport/Visa

British nationals visiting South Africa on holiday for less than 3 months do not require visas. Your passport should have one clear blank page for the South African entry stamp. South Africa Immigration officials will not allow the passport’s Child/Infant page to be used for this purpose. British visitors without a free blank page in their passports will be denied entry. Don't forget to double check that your passport is still valid. Passports should have at least 6 months of validity beyond the date that you depart the country. It is a good idea to take away with you a copy of your passport as this will make procedures easier should you lose your passport and have to contact the Embassy to replace it.

Medical/Vaccinations

It is your own responsibility to check all relevant recommendations and also to get the most up-to-date health information for the destinations you are visiting.

If you have not already done so, it is important that you see your GP or a travel clinic well before travelling to make sure that you have taken all necessary health precautions. Some GP’s do not normally offer the less common vaccinations and refer you to a travel clinic. The GP’s vaccinations may also be a different form to those used by the travel clinics and they may not be compatible. Some vaccinations require a number of visits with a period of weeks between injections, so you should arrange a visit 6-8 weeks prior to departure. Malaria precautions need to be started prior to departure or prior to entering a malaria zone if you are not travelling direct to that zone.

For the latest information on the inoculations you may need for travel to South Africa contact:

British Airways Travel Clinic
British Airways have two clinics located in central London:

1. West End Location:
213 Piccadilly
London
W1J 9HQ
Tel: 0845 600 2236:
Walk-in service opening hours: Monday to Friday - 09.30 to 18.00
Saturday - 10.00 to 17.00:
Click below to download map:
http://www.britishairways.com/travelclinics/docs/locations/map2.pdf

2. City Location:
101 Cheapside
London
EC2V 6DT
Tel: 0845 600 2236:
Appointments available Monday to Friday - 09.00 to 17.00

The Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad (MASTA)

MASTA Travellers Health Line gives a ‘Health Brief’ specifically tailored to your journey on 0906 822 4100 (premium rate call 60p/minute). Your brief will give information about immunisation and malaria as well as any Foreign Office advice and latest health news. You will be requested to leave your name, address and journey details. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

MASTA
52 Margaret Street
London
W1W 8SQ
Tel: 0906 822 4100:
http://www.masta.org

Other Useful Links

Currency Converter
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