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Luxury Train Travel

Rovos Rail or the Blue Train. Be instantly transported to a world of myth, legend and timeless luxury

The Safari Experience

We arrange the ultimate safari experience in South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia

 

 

 

The Gourmet Treat

South Africa is celebrated for its high-quality food. Treat yourself to a wide range of award-winning cuisine

Hiking Trips

We work with the most established local hiking guides to maximize your experience and safety

Golf Travel

Enjoy the country’s fabulous links, seaside, park and championship golf courses

 

Unique Wine Tours

Meet highly regarded award-winning winemakers and be captivated by their expertise and professionalism

 

Anniversary Trips

Whatever the occasion, for yourself or your company, we can design and curate a memorable celebration

 

The Ultimate Treat

Private jet or helicopter? Spoil yourself and include an award-winning chef and butler to boot

Yoga Travel

Extraordinary yoga experiences that combine spectacular settings with nurturing and healing cuisine

 

Experience Paradise

Enjoy our meticulously selected paradise-like gems in South Africa, Madagascar and Mozambique

 

Properties To Rent

We can offer a wide variety of quality accommodation. Enjoy your own villa, house or apartment

 

Family Travel

We take every family member into consideration to ensure an all-around fabulous family experience

 

Child-free Travel

If you’re looking for peace and quiet, we’ll guide you to the top child-free accommodation and restaurants

 

Wedding Experience

Ensure a memorable day by allowing us to curate an unforgettable experience to celebrate your union

 

Exploring Tours

Our bespoke itineraries deliver once-in-a-lifetime experiences

 

Conference Travel

Substitute jetlag for state-of-the-art conference venues combined with great wine tasting and superb safari

 

Tailor-made Trips

Our enthusiasm and professionalism are the hallmark of our tailor-made service offering

 

You As a Cicerone

All our trips are individually tailored. Unfamiliar guests aren’t part of what we offer. Your journey is about you

 

Special Offers

RIGHT NOW: Receive a 10 % discount when booking shark cage diving for five or more people

 

Safari Theme

South Africa

Outstanding diversity combined with superb comfort makes South Africa a magnificent destination

 

Zambia

A nation with some of the best, most pristine and animal-dense national parks. A superb safari destination

 

Zimbabwe

Diversity and magnificently varied nature make this classic safari destination one of the absolute best

 

Botswana

A safari destination bar none! Be amazed by the abundance and outstanding quality of every safari

Namibia

Unique flora and exceptional fauna – one of the most beautiful countries in the world

Special offer

RIGHT NOW: Stay six nights at the amazing Jamala Madikwe and you receive the seventh night free

 

 

Destinations

Big 5 Safari

Keen to experience the Big 5? Our intimate knowledge of the many national parks makes it possible

 

 

Family Safari

Our knowledge of safari and safety is unique. Allow us to arrange your once-in-a-lifetime family safari

 

Walking Safari

We work with the most skilled safari guides to maximize your experience and safety

 

Shark Cage Diving

We work exclusively with  top local specialists in safe, eco-diving to maximize your experience and safety

 

Whale Watching

We work exclusively with the best local specialists to maximize your experience and safety

 

Enjoy the peacefulness of endless deserted beaches with nearby access to top-class safari experiences

 

South Africa

Enjoy miles of deserted sun-drenched beaches and 30-degree seas

 

 

Mozambique

Paradise imagined. Enjoy the magnificent surroundings populated by the very likeable Lemurs

Madagascar

Start planning your trip ...

 

Read about the complex and fascinating history of the Republic of South Africa

 

About South Africa

 

Please find information about Covid-19 in South Africa as well as basic yet essential information to consider before your departure

 

Travel guidance

 

Southern Africa in general, and South Africa, offer an impressive variety of world-class, once-in-a-lifetime activities and experiences

 

Activities

 

Be inspired by our gallery of beautiful, colourful South Africa and Southern Africa

 

Gallery

About us, what we can assist with and what people think of us ...

Keen to know more about us? Please find information about us and why we consider ourselves experts in South Africa and Southern Africa

About The Company

After 20 years on location, our service is not only to tailor the best holiday for you but to look after you every step of the way until you have returned home safely

Our Services

What our guests are saying: about us, our efforts, our partners, South Africa and southern Africa as destinations

Testimonials

We are most certainly on social media. Please follow us here

Follow Us

 
 
Machangulo, Mozambique from above | Photo: Upplev Sydafrika
PRIOR TO DEPARTURE
Travel guideance
Travel guideance

Take part of important information before booking and travelling

Information about Covid-19 in South Africa

LATEST UPDATED 2022-09-10

South Africa has lifted its coronavirus travel restrictions. You no longer need to present proof of vaccination status, or a PCR test.

South Africa is rolling out its national Covid-19 vaccine programme, which aims to vaccinate 40 million South Africans. As of 7 June 2022: Vaccinations have gained serious momentum and the stats show that 50,21 % of the population above 18 years of age has been vaccinated completely. In Western Cape the figure is 57,21 %, in Franschhoek the figure is 80 % and at the Marine Hotel in Hermanus 100 % of the staff are vaccinated. The used vaccines are Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson. Read more here.

 

Covid-19 history:
President Ramaphosa’s early action and the imposition of strict restrictions led to that the country has been under one of the world’s strictest lockdown since March 26 – 2020. Then alert level 5 was introduced, which meant that the residents were forced to stay at home, not allowed to exercise nor walk their dogs. Alcohol and cigarette sales have been banned.

The significant decrease in new infections enabled the country to move to coronavirus alert level 2. With the further progress made as infections have come down further, South Africa was then ready for a new phase in response to the pandemic. The move to alert level 1 took effect from midnight on Sunday 20 September 2020.

With the move to alert level 1, South Africa have gradually and cautiously eased restrictions and allowing travel into and out of South Africa for business, leisure and other travel with effect from 1 October 2020. This is subject to various containment and mitigation measures. On the 11th of November President Ramaphosa announced that all countries are welcome to visit South Africa. Health protocols, such as washing or sanitising of hands, social distancing and mask-wearing, will need to be strictly observed.

Midnight of 28 December 2020 South Africa returned to alert level 3. The move came as the country breached one million mark in Covid-19 infections and record daily increases. New restictions as follows: alcohol ban, curfew hours from 9 pm to 5 am and still compulsory to wear a mask in public space. Beaches, parks and pools closed in hotspot areas and most indoor and outdoor gatherings is not be permitted. On the 11 of January 2021 these restrictions were extended until 15th of February 2021.

1st of February South Africa eased their restrictions due to Covid-19 cases have dropped significantly. New curfew from hours from 10 pm to 4 am. Alcohol sales now open and beaches and parks to be open across the country.

On Sunday 28th of February South Africa moves back to level 1 with more eased restrictions.

As the country feard a third wave of Covid-19 cases, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on 15 June 2021 that adjusted alert level 3 will be in place from 16 June 2021. The new crufew hours would be from 10 pm to 4 am and alcohol sell will only be permitted from Monday to Thursday. Gatherings will be restricted again.

Due to the Delta variant rapidly spreading, on 28 June 2021 the country moved to adjusted alert level 4. New restrictions with curfew hours from 9 pm to 4 am, the sale of alcohol prohibited, all gatherings prohibited except funerals that may not exceed 50 people. Restaurants would only be permitted to sell food for take-away or delivery. Travel between provinces for leasure purposes would be prohibited etc.

26 of July South Africa eased the restrictions again due to cases have dropped from the third wave. Alert level 3 with new curfew from 10 pm to 4 am and alcohol will be allowed for off-site purchased from Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 6 pm. Eased gatherings regulations in place.

On the 13th of September the country moved to alert level 2 with eased restrictions.

1st of October South Africa moved to adjusted alert level 1 with easted restrictions and a curfew from midnight to 4 pm.

In late November 2021 a new variant, called omicron, was first reportet in South Africa and a fourth wawe spreading in the country.

On the 30th of December the curfew was removed and on 23th of March 2022, wearing a mask in public indoors spaces is still mandatory, but masks are not required outdoors any longer. PCR-test for fully vaccinated travellers removed.

The country has become the 30th most affected of Covid-19 cases in the world.

For the latest Covid-19 information from the South African Government, click here.

 
 

Flight tickets

We help you arrange your own flight, which gives you a better chance to chose the travel times and departure. If you are flexible about your travel dates, you will be able to select very good prices. We recommend to fly overnight with a stopover, regardless of company, as you save a travel day and usually arrive early morning / morning the day after (GMT + 2). Many airlines offer the “multi stop” service, which means that you can fly out to, for example, Cape Town and home from, for example, Johannesburg (or vice versa). For better prices on flights, make sure to book your flight long time in advance.

 
 

Car rental / Transport and infrastructure

The infrastructure in Western Cape Province is very similar to that found in Europe. Renting a car is affordable (left hand traffic is the rule) and an International driver’s license is accepted. Contact Upplev Sydafrika and we can assist in booking your rental car. If you prefer a transport between the cities, we gladly assist in bookings.

 
 

Passport / Visa

Depending on your nationality, the passport and visa rules can vary. Contact Upplev Sydafrika for more informaiton.

 
 

Travel with children under 18 years

Effective 1 June 2015, South African Authorities require that all children, under the age of 18, travelling to / from South Africa, be in possession of their original unabridged birth certificate reflecting both parents full names and surname. Children travelling with only one parent or other person or where one parent or both parents are deceased, must be in possession of an affidavit from the remaining parent/s or guardian, permitting the child to travel or copy of the deceased person’s death certificate when applicable.

 
 

Vaccinations

Information about vaccinations can be found at the local clinics.

When entering South Africa, a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all foreign visitors and residents travelling from an affected area or who have traveled through affected areas.

 
 

Currency and credit card

The currency is the South African Rand, ZAR. Cash machines (ATM) are available in most towns. Most credit cards are accepted everywhere.

 
 

Time diffrerence

GMT + 2.

 
 

Tips

It is standard practice to offer tips in restaurants (10 %). It is even custom to give a tip of several rands to the driver, porter, traffic guard, and personnel at gas stations.

 
 

Mobile phone

Check your mobile operator regarding the costs of making calls from your mobile. It might be a cheaper alterntive to bring an extra phone and buy “airtime” if you are planning to call locally in South Africa. It is worth spending some time arranging a local SIM card, especially since you can be connected everywhere (on the roads) where there is no existing wifi. Also check with your mobile operator regarding data bundle in South Africa.

 
 

Electricity

220/240 volts, three holed socket. An adapter will be needed, which can easily be bought locally.

 
 

Security and safety

South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world and the gap between the rich and the poor is very large. It is relatively safe to go for walks around Cape Town but as in the case in many large cities, it is wise to use common sense and caution. Make sure that you leave your valuables at the hotel / accommodation. Avoid large and visible jewelry which can attract unnecessary attention. Avoid drivning while it is dark and do not leave anything of value in the car.

 
 

Travel and cancellation insurance

Please review your insurance / protection for cancellation in case of illness before making a booking with Upplev Sydafrika. Contact your insurance company for the most suitable travel insurance.

 
 

Special meals

If you have specific requests concerning meals, please inform Upplev Sydafrika when you book your trip.

 
 

Smokers

Please inform Upplev Sydafrika when you make a booking if you wish to be given a smokers room. This alternative cannot be guaranteed as some Hotels / Bed & Breakfast / Guest houses only offer non smoking rooms.

 
 

Double room

Please inform Upplev Sydafrika when you make a booking if you prefer a double bed or two separate single beds, twin beds. We cannot guarantee this option is available at all Hotels / Bed & Breakfast / Guest houses.

 
 

Per person sharing

Most bookings with Upplev Sydafrika include accommodation with share in a double room. If you are travelling by yourself be aware that an additional single supplement will be added.

 
 

Check in / check out

With most accommodation in South Africa, check-in time is 14.00-15.00 and check-out time is 10.00-11.00 am. Deviations to these times are possible.

You can travel to South Africa all year round, but we recommend going September to May

Healthcare is good in South Africa. Even so we suggest obtaining a sound travel insurance before departure

As a EU and UK citizen, you will receive a 90-day tourist visa upon arrival in South Africa

To ponder before travelling:

The so-called “peak season” in December / January is very popular indeed and requires booking of accommodation, safaris, activities and restaurants well in advance.