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What method of transportation is recommended to reach the lodges?
Phinda Forest, Vlei, Mountain and Rock Lodges are accessible by self-drive, road transfer and air from Durban or scheduled flight from Johannesburg to Richards Bay, followed by a road or light aircraft transfer. There are also daily flights from Johannesburg to Phinda airstrip (available December 2000). We can pre-book and package all of your regional/internal flights and transfers.

What is the distance of the lodges from major centres?
Driving time is six hours from Johannesburg and four hours from Durban.

What is the recommended length of stay?
A recommended minimum period is approximately three days. The maximum length is totally up to you.

What is the accommodation type?

Phinda Forest Lodge:	Chalets.
Phinda Vlei Lodge:	Suites.
Phinda Mountain Lodge:	Chalets.
Phinda Rock Lodge:	Suites.

What are the activities?
Twice daily game drives in open Land Rovers, nature walks and excellent birding in the Phinda Private Game Reserve. River boat cruises and canoeing along the Mzinene River. Visit to the local community school and clinic. White rhino tracking with a professional guide available from November 2000 (requires advance booking). Regretfully, children five years and younger cannot participate in the regular game drives.

Optional Phinda Adventures at an additional cost include breathtaking coastal flights, beach excursions including snorkelling and scuba diving (open water one certificate must be produced), deep-sea fishing, turtle viewing (season Nov/Dec/Jan) and horse riding.

What are the approximate starting times of the game drives?
Dependent upon the seasons, these are approximate times only:

Spring and summer - morning game drive 5:30am
                  - evening game drive 4:00pm

Autumn and winter - morning game drive 6:00am
                  - evening game drive 3:45pm

What is the length of the game drives?
Approximately three to four hours.

What is the maximum number of people allowed on the game drives?
Guests – between six and eight.

What is the background of the CC Africa trackers, rangers and guides?
Our trackers, rangers and guides are renowned for their heartfelt enthusiasm for Africa. We employ over 200 full-time rangers, guides and trackers, some of whom lack formal education, but possess rich knowledge and skills that are not easily taught.

Are the lodges available all year round?
Yes.

Are there brochures available?
Yes.

Is there other literature available?
Two hard cover, illustrated books on CC Africa reserves are available. The Return is about Phinda Private Game Reserve and I Speak of Africa gives indepth coverage of Londolozi Private Game Reserve. The CC Africa Ecological Journal 2000 is a holistic diary of wildlife observations around our lodges and camps.

CC Africa’s free monthly wildlife e-zine, WildWatch runs articles with useful tips on bird-watching, photography, recent wildlife sightings, reviews of nature books, wildlife web links plus an interactive questions and answers section.

What style and type of meals are on offer?
All CC Africa establishments serve Pan-African cuisine such as:

Do you cater for specific diets such as halaal, kosher or vegetarian?
Yes, we cater for all specified diets. When making your booking with our Reservations department, kindly make them aware of the specific diet you require. They will communicate it immediately with the lodge at your African adventure destination. Should specific items need to be flown in, there will be an additional charge, which will be quoted separately.

Are children welcome?

Phinda Forest Lodge:	Yes
Phinda Vlei Lodge:	Yes.
Phinda Mountain Lodge:	Yes. The lodge is highly recommended for families.
Phinda Rock Lodge:	No. (if under 12)

What age of child is allowed?

Phinda Forest Lodge:	Children under 12 are allowed.
Phinda Vlei Lodge:	Children under 12 are allowed.
Phinda Mountain Lodge:	Children under 12 are allowed.
Phinda Rock Lodge:	Regretfully, due to the cliffside location, and for safety reasons, children under 12 are not allowed.

Where can children sleep?

Phinda Forest Lodge:	Triple chalets are not possible.
Phinda Vlei Lodge:	Triple suites are not possible.
Phinda Mountain Lodge:	An extra bed can be arranged for a child sharing the parent’s chalet.
Phinda Rock Lodge:	Triple suites are not possible.

What are the activities available for children?
Activities depend entirely on the age of the children. Activities available may include the following:

Who are the local people?
Zulu.

How does CC Africa promote ecotourism?
The Africa Foundation is a non-profit organisation. It acts as a catalyst for the development of neighbouring rural communities. Projects include building classrooms, libraries and clinics and sponsoring bursaries. The Foundation empowers small business through providing capital and training. We offer employment opportunities and the local people are often our landlords, who benefit from our rent. CC Africa guests are welcome to visit current projects in neighbouring communities.

What kind of medical precautions do I need to take?
As vaccination requirements change from time to time, we suggest you consult your local doctor or health department for the latest health precautions. Some countries require advance inoculations (and certificates thereof) – we will advise you of these.

Anti-malarial precautions are essential at all CC Africa lodges and camps except for Tau Game Lodge in South Africa. As there are various types of medication to help prevent malaria, we would advise that you contact your local doctor or general practitioner before departing on your trip. He or she can give you advice on the appropriate medication.

How is emergency medical cover and travel insurance arranged?
Emergency medical evacuation insurance is included in the rate at all CC Africa lodges. This guarantees all reasonable, practical assistance in obtaining primary or emergency medical services for an insured person who suffers illness or injury.

Please note that this is an evacuation insurance only and does not replace the normal travel insurance which you must purchase.

Can a two to three week circuit with different lodges/camps and activities (including transfers) be arranged?
Yes.

How do I pay?
If your booking is made through a travel agent, they are able to arrange payment details that are most comfortable for you such as fully pre-paid, only accommodation pre-paid or settle in full at the lodge by yourself.

Are credit cards accepted? If so, which ones?
Yes. Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club and American Express.

What are the lodge rates?
See Rates Section.

Are there special rates?
Yes. Special rate packages are negotiable.

Are there preferential rates?
Yes. Our preferential rates come in the form of the Bateleur Club. The Club is a membership programme designed specifically for South African residents. Kindly enquire with our Reservations consultant about the Bateleur Club when making your booking.

What are the best times to travel?
All year round, although the best game viewing is from the end of March to the end of August.

When is the rainy season?
It rains in summer (September to April).

What are the characteristic species of the area?
Cheetah, lion, white rhino, elephant, buffalo, nyala, reedbuck, red squirrel, suni antelope, hippo, Nile Crocodile, bushpig, leopard, impala, hyena, bush babies, porcupine, giraffe, red duiker, zebra, wildebeest, mountain reedbuck, chacma baboon, about 400 bird species and extraordinary marine diversity on nearby east coast.