START HERE
NEXT STEPS
DESTINATION GUIDE
PACKING GUIDE
REFER A FRIEND
Your journey from now until departure. Learn about your tasks and their deadlines, plus get useful tips for organising essential elements before your trip. Start now!
Delve into country-specific information and valuable tips to make your trip even more special.
Ease the stress, pack light! Discover flight-specific luggage limits, practical packing tips, and more to help you pack with confidence.
Loved your Experience with Go2Africa and want to share the love? Find out about our referal program here.
CL IC K HER E
CLI CK HER E
C L I C K H E RE
CL ICK H ER E
AT A GLA NCE
AT A GLANCE
WELCOME HOME!
PAY YOUR BALANCE:
EXPERIENCE AFRICA
60 DAYS BEFORE TRAVEL
PLAN
RETURN HOME
PREPARE
ENHANCE YOUR TRIP:
2.5 MONTHS BEFORE TRAVEL
TRAVEL
CHECK TRAVEL DOCS:
MEET YOUR CX:
WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF MEETING YOUR CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE EXPERT
NOW! INVITE IN YOUR INBOX
GET INSURANCE: WITHIN 14 DAYS OF BOOKING (OR BEFORE TRAVEL)
VISAS AND VACCINATIONS: 7-8 WEEKS BEFORE TRAVEL
RESEARCH AND PACK: 6-8 WEEKS BEFORE TRAVEL
TRAVEL
DETAILED TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: 2 WEEKS BEFORE TRAVEL
NEXT STEPS INDEX
NEXT STEPS
PLANNING Introduction 2 Get Insurance 3 Check Travel Documents
4
Enhance Your Trip 6 Pay Balance 7
PACK & PREPARE Visas 9 Vaccinations 10 Destination Information 12 Packing Guide 13
TRAVEL Before Departure 14 Flights 18 What To Expect 20 Help On The Ground
22
RETURN HOME Depart 24 Welcome Home 26 1
NEXT STEPS PLANNING
PLANNING
INTRODUCTION
GET INSURANCE
It’s happening... YOU’RE GOING 2 AFRICA! YOUR INVITE TO MEET YOUR CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE EXPERT WAS EMAILED AFTER BOOKING CONFIRMATION.
After making the big decisions, you might need a break from the trip admin, or be eager to dive into preparations for your adventure! Whether your departure is months away or just around the corner, there's still a checklist to tackle. Some things can wait, but others, like insurance (with less coverage if delayed), are best handled now.
MEET YOUR CLIENT EXPERIENCE EXPERT Hello there! I’m <CX first name>, and I’m thrilled to be your dedicated support throughout the planning and travel stages of your upcoming trip. You will have received an email from me with an invitation for a face-to-face meeting in which I’ll guide you through this exciting journey. Having collaborated closely with <ASE name> on your needs and itinerary, I’m fully prepared to take you from the booking stage to the heart of Africa and back home. During our call, we’ll: • Get to know each other • Discuss any additional requirements • Navigate this space together, highlighting what’s available and what’s not • Outline the timeline ahead • Cover any other topics you’d like to explore 2
We're here to assist you in preparing for your trip at your own pace, gently nudging you on the crucial tasks. We've also provided an overview of what's completed and what's still ahead, offering the essential information to ensure you're fully prepared to embark on your trip.
Most importantly, it’s an opportunity for me to connect with you personally and ensure that your trip becomes the adventure of a lifetime. Looking forward to our chat!
Note that if you book your travel within 60 days of departure, this might be out of line. if uncertain, please reach out. stay in touch.
WITHIN 14 DAYS OF DEPOSIT PAYMENT FOR THE BEST COVER, BUT ANYTIME BEFORE TRAVEL.
For optimal protection, it is very important to get travel insurance within 14 days of your initial booking payment. Insurance options may be limited closer to travel and will not be available once you have departed.
QUESTIONS YOU MUST ASK YOUR TRAVEL INSURER
To include coverage for pre-existing medical conditions and supplier financial default, we encourage purchasing your travel insurance within 14 days of making your initial booking payment.
When choosing a travel insurance, it’s important to understand exactly what you’re covered for and what is excluded. Here are five questions you must ask your travel insurer.
Once you’ve got your insurance sorted, please share the details with us? This way, we can keep it handy in case of any emergencies.
1. What are the exceptions to cancelation coverage? 2. How much more does ‘cancel for any reason’ coverage cost? 3. What costs will you pay upfront and what will I be liable for? 4. When does coverage begin and end on my journey? 5. What are the medical exclusions and exemptions, and how much am I covered for?
When embarking on your journey to Africa, having comprehensive travel insurance is crucial to shield against unexpected setbacks. We suggest opting for a policy with a ‘cancel for any reason’ add-on.
WHY SHOULD I GET TRAVEL INSURANCE? Your travel insurance is your safety net, covering cancellation and curtailment costs in unforeseen situations such as illness, injury, accidents en route to the airport, jury duty, quarantines, home damage, and job loss. It also includes emergency medical coverage and a 24-hour hotline, ensuring you're well-supported throughout your journey. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities.
Who do I contact about travel insurance? While Go2Africa doesn't directly provide insurance, we highly recommend connecting with Pari Morse at 1EarthTravelProtection in the USA. They've been safeguarding American travellers since 2000. For a personalised insurance quote, reach out to Pari Morse at info@1earthtravelprotection.com. Please get in touch with your Customer Experience Expert if you have any questions about travel insurance.
B ACK TO I ND EX
3
NEXT STEPS PLANNING
CHECK & SHARE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS CHILD TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS Children under the age of 18 crossing international borders in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa must have a valid passport, and may require an unabridged birth certificate (unabridged means ‘full or detailed’ document of birth) showing both parents’ names.
Let’s make sure you have THE REQUIRED PAPERWORK
Child + Both Parents
To save time and any potential issues we advise taking a copy of the birth certificate for each child travelling. If the child is not accompanied by both parents as named on the birth certificate, see additional documents required below.
Child + 1 Parent
Child + Guardian
Unaccompanied Child
An unabridged birth certificate, valid passport and court order / death certificate / affidavit confirming permission from the missing parent for the child to travel.
An unabridged birth certificate, valid passport and court order / death certificate / affidavit confirming permission from both parents for the child to travel with the guardian.
An unabridged birth certificate, valid passport and an affidavit confirming permission from both parents for the child to travel plus a letter from the person who will receive the child with full contact details and a dertified copy of their passport or ID.
START THE PROCESS ASAP – NO LATER THAN 2 WEEKS AFTER MEETING YOUR CLIENT EXPERIENCE EXPERT.
Everyone travelling must have a valid passport with an expiry date of at least six months after leaving Africa.
SHARE THESE DOCUMENTS WITH ME 1. COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT If you have not yet done this, please do so as soon as possible. 2. YOUR FLIGHTS If you’ve booked flights independently, kindly share a copy of your tickets. This will help us arrange smooth transfers at the airport and ensure seamless connectivity for all your travel services.
Plus, ensure there are two consecutive blank pages for each country you plan to visit. These pages should be completely blank, excluding endorsement pages.
3. YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE We’ll keep this on file for easy access in case of an emergency. 4. TRAVEL PREFERENCES To enhance your vacation experience and provide essential information to our service providers, please fill out the ‘Your Party’ tab on Tailormade. Each traveller should complete their own tab for a seamless planning process.
*If travelling within 60 days of booking, please get in touch with your Client Experience Expert to make alternative arrangements.
CHILD TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
4
All document copies must be certified as true copies of the original by a commissioner of oaths. The date of certification must be less than 90 days before your child travels. All documents must be in English or translated and certified.
Any questions about your children’s travel requirements? Feel free to reach out any time!
mation us or
+27 (0)21 481 4900
B ACK TO I ND EX
ul? ef
Children must have their own passports; they can't travel on their parents' or guardians' passports. If you're heading to Botswana or Namibia, or if you're a South African resident travelling to and from South Africa, ensure your children under 18 have unabridged birth certificates, confirming both parents' names.
An unabridged birth certificate and valid passport.
as this inf W
ARE YOUR PASSPORTS VALID?
5