Your South Africa Safari Questions Answered: A Guest Q&A Guide

Thinking about joining our South Africa Golf & Safari tour but have a few questions? You’re not alone! We’ve compiled some of the most common questions our guests ask to help you plan your adventure with confidence. From safari tips to golf course highlights, we’ve got you covered.

Group & Format

• What is the minimum and maximum group size?  Our minimum is 12 guests and our max is 18-20.
• How are golf pairings handled? Do couples usually play together, or do groups rotate? Our wonderful Golf & Tours host will thoughtfully organise groups for each round, taking guest preferences into account while also rotating pairings so everyone has the chance to play together throughout the tour. Handicaps are noted purely to help with balanced groupings. If you’d prefer to play with your travel partner for every round, that can absolutely be arranged, with the option to mix in other pairings along the way. Likewise, if you connect with someone in the group and would like to play together, simply let your G&T host know and they’ll do their very best to accommodate.
• Are groups organized by handicap/ability or purely social? Golf groups are carefully arranged to ensure everyone has the best possible experience throughout the tour. While handicaps are considered, our hosts also take into account playing styles and personal preferences. For example, a more competitive low-handicap golfer may not be paired with a purely social high-handicap golfer if the host feels it wouldn’t be the best fit for either player. As always, once you’re on tour our hosts are more than happy to chat through pairing options and make adjustments wherever possible.

Accommodation

• Could you confirm the hotels and safari lodges, including room categories? Our South Africa Golf & Safari tour accommodations include a mix of luxury hotels and private lodges. In Johannesburg, you’ll stay at the Four Seasons in a Panoramic View Premiere Room, which is an upgraded category. At Highland Gate Golf & Trout Estate, guests will enjoy private lodges with room types varying by lodge – these are standard rooms with no upgrade options due to the boutique style. Similarly, at Mjejane Private Game Reserve, lodges vary in style and size, with standard rooms only. Finally, at Kruger Shalati – Train on the Bridge, you’ll stay in upgraded Carriage Suites for a unique and luxurious experience. All rooms have air conditioning. 
• Are the safari lodges inside Kruger or in private reserves?
  • Mjejane River Lodge: Located within a private game reserve that shares an open, unfenced border with Kruger National Park, Mjejane offers the best of both worlds. You enjoy the exclusivity, flexibility and quieter game viewing of a private reserve, while animals move freely between Kruger and Mjejane. This means outstanding wildlife encounters, fewer vehicles at sightings, and a more intimate safari experience. The lodge’s setting along the Crocodile River also provides incredible scenery and frequent wildlife activity right from camp.
  • Train on the Bridge: Train on the Bridge is situated inside the Kruger National Park itself, offering a truly iconic and unforgettable stay. Built on a historic railway bridge overlooking the Sabie River, this unique lodge allows you to sleep above one of Kruger’s most wildlife-rich waterways. Expect exceptional game viewing from your deck, dramatic sunsets, and the thrill of being immersed right in the heart of the park. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that combines luxury, history and raw African wilderness.

Safari Experience

• Are these typically morning and evening drives? Yes – and they’re timed to make the most of both the wildlife and your golf experience. At Mjejane, game drives will take place in either the morning or late afternoon, thoughtfully scheduled around your fabulous rounds of golf so you enjoy the best of both worlds. At Train on the Bridge, you’ll experience the magic of both dawn and sunset game drives, when the bush is at its most alive and wildlife sightings are at their peak.
• Are drives in open vehicles with professional rangers and trackers? Absolutely. All game drives are enjoyed in open-sided, elevated 4WD safari vehicles, designed for exceptional visibility and immersive wildlife encounters. Each drive is led by a highly experienced professional ranger, and you’ll have the same ranger throughout your stay, allowing them to get to know your interests and tailor each safari to maximise sightings and unforgettable moments.
• What happens if weather or conditions affect a game drive? Safari adventures go ahead in all conditions, ensuring you don’t miss a moment of the action. Our open safari vehicles are fitted with roll-down canvas sides and clear windows, providing comfort and protection when needed while still allowing for excellent visibility and an authentic safari experience.
• Are all park, conservation, and lodge fees included? Yes, all fees are included.

Golf

• Does the price include green fees, carts/caddies, and range balls? Yes – it’s all included. Your package covers green fees, golf carts or caddies where applicable, and range balls, so you can simply focus on enjoying world-class courses, great company, and unforgettable golf experiences without any extra costs to worry about.
• Is Leopard Creek guaranteed or subject to availability? It’s guaranteed. A round at the legendary Leopard Creek Country Club is firmly included in your itinerary. Consistently ranked among South Africa’s top golf courses, Leopard Creek offers a truly unforgettable experience with immaculate conditioning, dramatic holes along the Crocodile River. Securing a tee time here is notoriously difficult—so having it guaranteed is a rare and special highlight of this tour.
• What happens if weather affects a scheduled golf round? Unless the golf course is closed due to weather the rounds will continue

Transfers & Logistics

• Are all internal travel and transfers included? Yes – absolutely everything is taken care of. All internal travel and transfers are included in your package, thoughtfully organised by Golf & Tours to ensure your comfort, safety, and seamless movement throughout the journey. From lodge transfers to golf course transport, you’ll be travelling with your Golf & Tours hosts so you can relax knowing every detail has been carefully planned and managed for you.
• Approximately how much driving time is there between locations?
  • Johannesburg to Highland Gate approx. 3 hours
  • Highland Gate to Mjejane approx. 3 hours
  • Mjejane to Train on the Bridge approx. 2 hours
  • Return to Johannesburg  approx.1 hour domestic flight

• Is golf bag handling and transport taken care of? Yes – absolutely. Our wonderful Golf & Tours hosts take care of all golf bag handling and transportation throughout the tour, so you can focus on enjoying exceptional golf, unforgettable experiences, and total peace of mind.
• Is laundry available at the safari lodges? There is a laundry service at the hotels and laundry facilities at the private lodges.

Meals, Drinks & Tips

• Are drinks included at the safari lodges? Yes – all standard drinks are included, from refreshing soft drinks to local beers and wines, allowing you to relax and enjoy the lodge experience. A few premium or selected drinks may be available at an additional cost, giving you the option to indulge a little extra if you wish.
• Are tips included for rangers, lodge staff, drivers, and caddies? If not, what should we budget? Yes – gratuities are included in your tour package, so you can simply relax and enjoy your experience. That said, guests are also welcome to tip caddies, game drivers, and lodge staff personally if they wish – a gesture that is always greatly appreciated, especially by your caddies and park rangers.

Payments & Cancellation

• What is the cancellation policy at various points (e.g., 12 months, 6 months, 3 months out)? You can find all our Terms & Conditions at the end of the itineraries for each tour but if you have any questions please reach out to us at hello@golfandtours.com
• Do you recommend any specific travel insurance for this type of trip? Absolutely! We always recommend travel insurance for all our tours to ensure peace of mind. Ideally, choose a global travel insurance provider that offers full coverage, including cancellation for any reason, so your deposit is protected should plans change. While we don’t have an affiliated provider, we’ve found that companies like Allianz offer comprehensive coverage across a wide range of destinations, making them a reliable option for this type of journey.

Health & Safety

• What is the medical evacuation plan from the safari areas? Whilst in the Safari areas of the tour there are permanent medical staff located at or near the accommodation, as well as ambulance services. There is an airport within a couple of miles of the Train on the Bridge which allows for rapid air evacuation if required.
• How far are we from major hospitals during the safari portion? Mediclinic Nelspruit (Mbombela): A 260-bed private hospital with a 24-hour emergency centre and advanced trauma care, roughly 45–60 minutes from the southern (Malelane/Numbi) gates.
• Are there any required or strongly recommended vaccinations? There are no mandatory vaccinations for the areas visited on this tour. However, we recommend consulting your doctor or a travel health specialist for any personal medical advice before you travel, to ensure you’re fully prepared for your adventure.

References

• What have your previous guests said about your South Africa tours?

“Going to South Africa was a dream come true with Golf and Tours. I went on this trip on my own, so was a little nervous. Everything was taken care of to the smallest detail. The golf courses were spectacular. My hotel rooms were luxurious. The food and wine was delicious. Fifty Five Mjejene was so peaceful. Life changing safaris were made possible by our guide. I made so many friends and so many laughs. I will definitely go on another trip with Golf & Tours. Thank you.”

Heather – South Africa Women’s Golf & Safari August 2025

“Just do it! We just have been with golf and tours on the South African Safari and golf tour in March 2025. It was simply incredible! Our local host Jan-Louis (Jay-Lo) and his outstanding team (Clinton, Ramsley and many more) have been proudly presenting their home country, South Africa and their incredible people to us in a way we never will forget. the organization has been far beyond any expectations! There is really nothing we could complain about. Just the opposite – everything was perfectly planned and executed. They kept an eye on everything , even on the smallest details .The whole team made us feel more than welcome and truly interested in making this a once in a lifetime experience. They succeeded. We are truly thankful for this experience.”

Michael – South Africa Mixed Golf & Safari March 2025

“What a trip of a lifetime! If anyone is ever thinking of visiting SA – do it! It has been amazing on all accounts! Golf & Tours you delivered what an amazing team and well planned trip! I cannot fault it! Thank you for creating such special memories.”

Carol – South Africa Mixed October 2025

“The South Africa Women’s Golf Tour far exceeded my expectations. The accommodation and food was first class, the golf courses were wonderful, the game drives were amazing and hosts, Jay-Lo and Nic , made the tour easy and fun.”

Helen – South Africa Women’s Golf & Safari August 2025