Planning your safari? Find answers to common questions about travel preparation, national park stays and what to pack. For transfers, facilities, activities and child policies, explore the FAQs for your chosen lodge:
General FAQs
Practical advice for planning and preparing for your Seolo Africa safari
Travel recommendations
Should I take Malaria tablets when travelling to southern Africa?
The Kruger National Park – Rhino Post Safari Lodge, Plains Camp @ Rhino Walking Safaris and Sleep-Outs – and the Zambezi National Park – Chundu Island – are all situated in malaria areas and we recommend guests err on the side of caution.
One of the best ways to avoid contracting malaria is not to be bitten, so use the insect repellents provided by the lodges, generously and often. Long sleeves and light colours are recommended for evening wear.
Please take the anti-malarial prophylactics recommended by your doctor.
What documents do children need when travelling to or from South Africa?
Before travelling, check the current entry and exit requirements for every child in your party. The documents required may depend on nationality, who the child is travelling with and your travel arrangements.
Consult the official South African Department of Home Affairs guidance and confirm requirements with your airline before departure. If your journey includes Zimbabwe or another country, check that country’s requirements too.
National Parks
What is a private concession?
A private concession is an area within a national park which has been put out to tender to be developed and managed by a private enterprise for a specified period.
Rhino Post Safari Lodge and Plains Camp @ Rhino Walking Safaris in the Kruger National Park and Chundu Island in the Zambezi National Park are private concessions that operate within National Parks and pay a concession fee, which provides much-needed income for conservation.
What are conservation fees?
The national parks charge daily conservation fees to all people entering and staying in a national park – whether they are staying in a private concession or the national park’s accommodation. These fees go toward conservation and anti-poaching costs which are not covered by the accommodation rates.
Children and Seolo
Which lodges welcome children?
Children are welcome at several of our lodges, with different age requirements for accommodation and safari activities:
- Rhino Post Safari Lodge: Children of all ages are welcome. Children under six require a private vehicle to join game drives. Babysitting is available by prior arrangement.
- Chundu Island: Children aged six and older are welcome. Younger children may be accommodated by special arrangement. Guided walks and canoeing are restricted to guests aged 16 and older.
- Plains Camp at Rhino Walking Safaris: The standard minimum age for a stay is 12, reflecting the camp’s focus on guided walking safaris.
Please visit each lodge’s FAQs for its full child policy, or contact our reservations team to discuss the best option for your family.
Staying at our lodges
Is the tap water safe to drink?
The tap water is safe to drink at Rhino Post Safari Lodge and Plains Camp @ Rhino Walking Safaris in the Kruger National Park. The tap water at Chundu Island is not potable. Filtered water is freely available at all of our lodges, and while we do not encourage the excessive use of plastic, bottled water is also available.
What is the difference between your Kruger National Park lodges?
Our company name is Rhino Walking Safaris (Pty) Ltd – so named because of our vision of providing specialist walking safaris and authentic wilderness experiences, over and above the traditional game drive safari.
Rhino Post Safari Lodge provides game drive safaris. Plains Camp @ Rhino Walking Safaris and the Sleep-Out decks (branded as Rhino Walking Safaris) focus on walking trails. Many of our guests opt to enjoy all three experiences – game drives, walking safaris and the sleep-outs.
Is tipping expected and how much should I give?
We are frequently asked to recommend a gratuity policy.
While gratuities for exceptional service are very gratefully received by our staff they are at your sole discretion. We do not wish to make a recommendation, because we feel that this places pressure on the guest to pay a specific gratuity; however, if it is of help to you:
At Rhino Walking Safaris and Rhino Post Safari Lodge – the average tips received are between R200 and R350 per room per night for the guides and the same again for the general staff.
At Chundu Island the average tips received are approximately $10 per room per night for the guides, which we allocate according to which activities you have partaken in, with which guide, and the same again for the general staff.
If you do wish to pay a gratuity, you may do so at the reception on checkout. This can be left in cash or credit card. The gratuities for the guides are usually given directly to the guide, and for the general staff to the manager at check out.
General staff gratuities are divided equally amongst all personnel other than the guides.
DO YOUR SAFARI VEHICLES DRIVE OFF-ROAD?
No. Our safari vehicles stay on designated roads to help protect vegetation, minimise disturbance to wildlife and comply with national park requirements. Responsible wildlife viewing is central to our approach. We give animals space and enjoy observing their natural behaviour.
What to pack for your trip
Summer (Sep – Mar)
- Comfortable casual, cool clothing
- Lightweight waterproof jacket
- Swimwear
- Hats
- Sandals/slops
Winter (Apr – Aug)
- Warm sleepwear
- Warm layers for game drives
The guides will have warm fleeces and waterproof ponchos available for the evening safaris/drives
Year-round
- Hats
- Scarves
- Warm jacket/windbreaker
- Long cotton pants
- Cotton socks
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Avoid white clothing where possible as this is particularly visible in the bush, neutral colours are best. Patterned clothing is not an issue.
- Long trousers/pants for all walking trails. We advise that you wear these to limit the number of ticks that you might pick up and to protect your legs from grass scratches.
Other/general
- Sunscreen
- Binoculars
- Cameras (and battery chargers)
- Spare batteries
- Lip balm
- Contact lens solution
- Spare glasses
- Sunglasses
- Reference books
- Hair ties (for those with long hair)