• South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are among the countries that offer rail safaris.

• There are different rails and journeys and the wildlife can vary depending on which railway you choose to travel.

• The length of a rail safari will depend on which rail you choose to travel. On average, rail safaris are usually around 10 days.

• Light, neutral-colored clothes are recommended
• Bring layers and pack smartly
• A rain jacket that is both light and waterproof
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and lip balm are all good options for UV protection
• Walking shoes that are both comfortable and stylish
• Binoculars, camera, lenses, extra batteries, and memory card
• A medical kit for personal use

If you are planning on visiting South Africa, you may hear that South Africa is a beautiful country and that it is the most developed country in Africa. South Africa is big and if you stick to the main cities of South Africa it is safe to travel.

• Safari lodges have guest rooms similar to a hotel with en-suite bathrooms. They are comfortably furnished with facilities normally associated with a hotel rooms, except your rooms are normally set in beautiful wilderness settings, with nature and wildlife around.
• Tented lodges have rooms which are tents on a platform and with a roof and also have en-suite facilities with showers, flush toilets and hot water. Basically all the amenities of a hotel room, except canvas walls and roof.
• The boutique lodges and camps can be very stylish and smart in terms of design and decor, often with very spacious rooms and even going so far in some cases as having plunge pools for each room.
• Eco-camps and smaller tented camps have insect-proof tents with en-suite facilities including a safari shower and flush toilet.  They give a more authentic safari experience but the tents are comfortably furnished with proper beds and you don’t need to bring your own sleeping bag! The emphasis is usually on having excellent guides and great wildlife viewing away from the crowds. Guests often eat together and people travelling alone usually say that they found the atmosphere friendly and enjoyed meeting other like-minded travellers around the campfire in the evening or at dinner.
• The Adventure Camps are a budget option with guests bringing their own sleeping bags and towels. Accommodation is in small dome tented with a mattress on the floor. Each tent has its own nearby cubicle with a flush toilet, safari shower, and wash basin. The Adventure Camps are suitable only for those who don’t mind “real camping” and can put with some degree of “roughing it”. Apart from the accommodation in simple dome tents, the meals and the guiding are the same standards as the higher quality camps and game drives are in 4x4 safari vehicles. For those on a limited budget, the Adventure Camps are a good alternative to the big tourist lodges and minibus tours for those for whom the safari experience is more important than hotel accommodation.

• Most lodges and hotels will have safes for your valuables either in your room or at the reception.

• The local currency is the South African Rand (ZAR). There are numerous currency exchange outlets and the main credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex and Diners) are normally accepted everywhere.
• Most petrol stations and toll roads take credit cards, but always have a small amount of cash on you for tips etc. Numerous ATMs can be found in all the big towns.

• GMT +2

• No vaccination is mandatory for entering South Africa except for yellow fever for passengers arriving from areas affected by the disease.

• Although wildlife viewing is good throughout the year, the dry winter months of May to September are the best. During this season - animals gather at the waterholes and rivers, making them easier to spot. However, the daytime temperature is comfortable.
• There may not be many predator mammals, but the park seems to attract more than its fair share of raptors. Look out for martial eagles, and a range of vultures - including lappet-faced, white-backed and cape vultures.

• Augrabies Falls National Park is open throughout the year, but the best time to visit is between April and September. When the popular three-day Klipspringer Trail is open.
• However, the waterfall is particularly impressive when in flood - usually in February to April.
• You will be able to do self-guided game drives or guided night drives with park officials, as well as expect to sight springbok, gemsbok, kudu, African wild cat, spotted genet, giraffe, leopards and birds such as Black eagles.

• Africa has a long history of exploration and keeping to the bare basics when it comes to making sure that this serene beauty remains in tact. Many companies have capitalized on this by providing luxury tented mobile camps in the heart of the African bush, there are also options for permanent camps and lodges which all come with hot showers, game drives and three meals a day.