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| What documentation / papers do we need? |
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| It's always sensible to check with us at the time of booking, however, Americans and Canadians do not need Visas for either South Africa, Lesotho or Swaziland. Your valid passport should have at least 6 months validity. You will need a valid photo drivers license or motorcycle operators license. |
| What about Immunizations / Inoculations? |
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| South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland do not require any special precautions or immunizations. |
| What language is spoken? |
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| Southern Africa is home to over 12 distinct languages and dialects, including Zulu, Afrikaans, and Sotho. However English is the dominant language and is universally understood. |
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What is included in the Package Tour Price?
Your tour price includes just about everything including transfers to and from airports and hotels
taxes, accommodations, breakfast lunch and dinner, non alcoholic drinks,
offroad bikes including, gas and simple wear and tear, daily bike cleaning and preparation. |
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| What is not included in the "Package Tour Price?"
Flight from city of departure to Durban, South Africa,
airport taxes, damages to your bike (deducted from your $500 security deposit lodged with AOT on arrival), alcoholic beverages,
spending money. |
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What kind of accomodation is provided?
AOT owns and operates the Shongweni Resort which is our home base. This is a quaint thatched resort set in tranquil settings on the bank of a river in the middle of a nature reserve. For the other overnight accommodations AOT specifically chooses small intimate hotels and resorts with local charm and tradition that blend into the local environment. The accommodation is always comfortable and clean. For the overnight stays in the Safari Parks, we ensure a real bush-camp experience. |
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| Do I share a room?
All prices are per person sharing. We have a nominal add-on fee for single room booking. Please discuss your requirements with us at the time of booking. |
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| What riding equipment must I bring?
You are responsible for bringing all your own riding equipment. Helmets are mandatory, and good offroad riding boots are a must. While the bikes are equipped with hand guards, you will definitely need gloves. We also suggest you bring a warm Enduro / Offroad riding Jacket for those colder days in the mountains. Should you forget any piece of equipment, we have well equipped shop at the home base where you can purchase most items. Click here for a recommended list of equipment. |
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| What non-riding clothing do I need to bring?
In Summer you will experience hot and humid days with cool nights. In winter days will still be warm but nights can be cold. The evenings at the hotels and resorts will be informal and casual. There is no need for formal evening wear. At the time of making your booking we can supply you with a list of items you should bring. (see Climate). |
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| What about money?
The South African Currency is SA Rands (R). Rands are also accepted in Lesotho and Swaziland. Travelers checks are widely accepted. You can convert these to cash as needed. US Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard and American Express) are accepted but will be of no use while out on the rides. Click here for the current Exchange Rate. |
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What food and drink can I expect?
You will be well fed. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are included in your package price. The cuisine is similar to American in many ways. However we will introduce traditional local elements into your meals at every opportunity. You will have opportunities to purchase soda, candy and other delicacies at various locations on our rides. While water in South Africa is drinkable directly from the faucet, bottled water is also available. |
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| What about alcohol?
South Africa is famous for it's wines as well as it's local beers. Alcohol is not part of the tour price, but will be available at all meals. There will be poolside and fireside bar service at most overnight locations. Alcohol purchases will be settled on the final day of the tour. You WILL be amazed at how cheap the alcohol is - a round of beers for your 10 riding buddies will cost you less than $8.00 at any pub! |
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How do I handle the Bike Maintenance as well as any Breakages and Insurance?
Your price includes all regular wear and tear, but excludes any breakages, which we collect from your security deposit at the end of the tour. AOT handles all the motor cycle maintenance. Our skilled tuners clean and prepare your bike every night after the ride. You supply a security deposit to cover any potential bike damage. You might want to consider Trip Travel Insurance in the unlikely event that they you might have to cancel your trip prior to leaving. |
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| What bikes will we ride?
We supply factory fresh 2002 Suzuki's, KTM's and Husabergs (see BIKES). They are the latest 4-stroke electric start offroad bikes which are ideally suited to our conditions. Their mild low-down power delivery is ideal for the beginner to intermediate rider, but when revved out their strong top-end delivery makes them ideal for the serious and expert rider. |
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Who are our Tour Guides?
All AOT tours are guided by friendly and knowledgeable professional off-road riders. Not only are the guides experienced in handling large groups of riders, they are also have an intimate understanding of the local riding area, its people, their customs and traditions. Their sole purpose is to ensure that you have the Experience of a Lifetime.
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| What kind of animals will we see?
South Africa is host to some of the greatest game parks in the world. You will most likely not encounter any wild animals other than monkeys and baboons until you enter the parks. Depending on the tour you have chosen and you will get the opportunity to visit parks that have most of the following Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Wildebeest, Giraffe, as well as many species of deer, bird and fowl. Please remember that the animals are wild and you should exercise caution. Do not feed or provoke the animals!
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When is the best time to visit South Africa?
The entire year is prime travel time. There is no wrong time to
visit, as the climate makes it ideal
for year round riding and game viewing.
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| Which airlines will we be using?
most customers fly with South African Airways which has direct flights to Johannesburg from New York and Atlanta. These overnight flights take approximately 12 hours. From Johannesburg you will catch a connecting 1 hour flight to Durban where our friendly AOT staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the comfort of our Shongweni Resort. Since Delta airlines is a partner of SAA your Delta Miles program will be credited with almost
16,000 miles! Should you wish to visit Cape Town, we can arrange for one of your flights to to go via the Cape. Please discuss your travel wishes with us. |
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| How do you
accommodate non-riding spouses and kids?
All the resorts are chosen for their specific ambience and range of activities on offer. They will be fully occupied while you are out riding (see activities below). When you overnight away from the home base your spouse/kids will travel with the AOT road crew in comfortable air-conditioned vehicles to the overnight stay.
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What other activities are on offer?
| AOT provides its guest the opportunity to participate in a range of activities including |
| • horseback riding |
• open Landover game drives |
| • game ranger accompanied game walks |
• golfing |
| • fly fishing |
• deep sea fishing |
| • bungee jumping |
• hangliding, paragliding |
| • great shopping with your STRONG U.S.$ |
• ultralight flying |
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What about getting injured?
Sophisticated First World medical services are available at all
locations. The standard of South African medicine is considered to
be of the very highest. In the extremely unlikely event that it is
needed, we have helicopter and ambulance services available.
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What other items should I bring?
You might want to consider bringing the following
• a good camera with zoom lens for photographing wildlife
• small compact camera to take on the rides with you (AOT carries all types of film)
• binoculars
• a good book for those relaxing moments
• a big empty suitcase for all the African curios and souvenirs that you will buy for a steal! |
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