Travel Advice

Travel Advice What to Bring: Inexpensive clothing and other supplies can be bought locally, so there is no need to overload yourself; the following list is to help get an idea of what you will need:      Runners/hiking shoes; everyday footwear. Clothing for changeable weather (i.e. usually warm during the day; cold at night ) Raincoat, sun block & sunhat (broad-rimmed) can be bought locally. Personal items that are essential. Toiletries etc. Sleeping bag, pillow case etc. (Nothing too revealing as Umpalazi is situated in a rural and conservative area). *Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided. This includes boots, overalls and gloves Local Facilities: The following can be found in Greytown:  Banks, Internet Café, Photo Developers, Supermarket & other stores (i.e. ‘PEP’, ‘AHEERS’).  Hotel, Restaurants, Post Office, Greytown Museum.  Doctors, Hospital, Dentists, Pharmacy, Police Station. Health:      It is not necessary to have Rabies and Tetanus injections. If necessary these are available locally and cheaper. Umpalazi, APES and all other project sites are in a malaria free area, but malaria precautions are necessary, if you intend to travel to a Malaria area. The water at our project sites is safe to drink. We have extensive first aid supplies on site, but you may want to bring your own first aid kit for your trip to Africa. Make sure you pack any medicines that you normally take (remember to pack it in your hand luggage in its original packaging and with a note from your doctor. Check with the South African Embassy if it is legal to take it into the country) Drugs such as Weed, Cocaine etc are illegal in South Africa and can lead to arrest and imprisonment.  Insurance:   International Volunteers are required to have travel insurance to cover their time at the sanctuary (it is advisable to get an insurance package that includes repatriation). Visit the website below for some tips on choosing the right insurance for you: www.gogapyear.com/pages/insurance.php 1 Weather:     Our Spring is from September to November; Summer is from December to February; Autumn is from March to-May; Winter is from June to -August. (N.B Seasons can vary) Passports & Visa:   Check visa requirements with your travel agent or contact the South Africa Consulate or Embassy in your country. Travellers from some countries (Australia, Japan, the USA, and most Western European and Commonwealth countries) do not need to formally apply for a visa but will be given an automatic entry permit, lasting for a about 90 days (30 days for some countries), however it is advisable to check. If you intend to stay for a longer period, you will need to apply formally for a visa. When applying, remember you are not earning a wage but volunteering! If necessary a letter can be obtained from us regarding this. Visit the South Africa Home Affairs Department website at: http://home-affairs.pwv.gov.za    Don’t Forget to…  Photocopy your passport (with passport number, date and place of issue), and keep it separately in a safe place. Also leave a photocopy of your passport and other travel documents (i.e. itinerary) with a friend or relative at home. Check the passport expiry date. Take another form of photo ID with you. Keep your passport in the hotel safe and carry a photocopy with you. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, contact Embassy or Consulate of your country     Getting To Umpalazi:    Fly to Johannesburg airport, where you will be met by Rob Hicks from Shoestrings Airport Lodge. The Lodge/backpackers charges about R100.00 per night (number of nights you stay depends on the day of your flight and when the ‘Baz Bus’ leaves next) The ‘Baz Bus’ is a hop on and hop off service used by both volunteers and backpackers around the country. It usually leaves 3 times per week; Rob will book you for the next bus (one way ticket ≈ R400). You will be picked up directly from the backpackers and taken on the 6 hour journey to Mooi River, the drop off point where you will be picked up by Dawn Magowan and Rodney Pendleton (co-founders of Umpalazi and APES). under the heading ‘Pietermaritzburg and Midlands’ at www.kzn.org.za/kzn/162.xml   A general map of the Greytown area can be found on the ‘Tourism KwaZulu-Natal’ website Staying In Touch: 2    Set up an email account such as Hotmail or Yahoo! You will have access to the internet in Greytown at least 1-2 times per fortnight. There is very limited mobile phone reception at both APES and Umpalazi; however there is full reception in the main parts of Greytown. ‚Recharge Vouchers‛ (pay as you go vouchers) can be purchased at several stores. Don’t forget to ‘unlock your SIM’ before leaving your home country. Money:   Check the validity, expiry dates and cash available on your credit or debit cards ahead of your trip - it’s best to know your spending limits before they run out! Check with your bank whether you can use your debit/credit card in South Africa (there are many ATM’s available in Greytown that have ‘maestro/cirrus etc. capabilities) and what the card usage charges are. Keep your credit / debit card details and the 24-hour emergency numbers separately (incase your card is misplaced). You may want to have other forms of funds such as ‘travellers’ cheques’, some cash or a credit card for emergencies (write down the numbers and emergency telephone number for these to should they get lost or stolen). Have a return ticket, or enough money to buy one. (you may be refused entry unless you can prove you have enough money to buy one). Have some change (South African Rand) for when you arrive if you need to make a telephone call, tip, or buy food/drinks. Use a wallet for loose change and your day-to-day spending. Wear a secure money belt under clothing for your valuable documents and money. Work out your budget before you go. Some things to include: o o o o Shoestrings Airport Lodge accommodation and meals. Baz Bus tickets. Snacks and personal supplies. Additional activities (i.e. Big 5 Game Reserves)        If you want to, you can give someone the power of attorney to look after your financial affairs in your home country, while you’re away. Tipping:  10% tipping is generally quite acceptable at restaurants or a R5 coin for some one who has helped you (i.e. a hotel porter after carrying your bags to your room). For more information about Carbon Offsets, visit:  www.carbonneutral.com  www.carbonfund.org  www.co2balance.uk.com For more information about South Africa, visit:   www.southafrica.info/travel/advice www.lonelyplanet.com/south-africa For help on Fundraising for Your Trip, visit:  www.gapyear.com/fundraising 3 Helpful Contacts Umpalazi Co-Founders: Dawn Magowan/Rodney Pendleton -from the Animal Protection & Environmental Sanctuary (APES): (H): S.A. code (+27) then (033) 413 2219 (M): S.A. code (+27) then 072 306 5664 Email: apes1@gom.co.za Post Office Box 443 GREYTOWN 3250 KWAZULU/NATAL SOUTH AFRICA Local Directory Enquiries (with in South Africa): 1023 International Directory Enquiries (from South Africa): 0903 Emergency Numbers: From landline: 10111 From cell phone: 112 The international code for South Africa is +27; when dialling from outside South Africa, omit the 0 at the beginning of the area code (i.e. 033), but use it when dialling within the country. Further Enquiries Please direct any further enquiries to: Or to Danielle Enright Email Address: de@umpalazi.org Dawn Magowan/Rodney Pendleton Email Address: apes1@gom.co.za 4