The Destination

South Africa has both sub-tropical and temperate climate conditions, which are influenced by the ocean along the east and west coasts as well as interior plateaus. 

Please note that June is winter in South Africa. Typically the weather is very dry, sunny and cool. Participants can expect temperatures of around 15 - 25°C (59°F - 77°F) on race-day that then plunges down to freezing point during the early hours and late afternoons. 

You can find the visa requirements for your country here.

All participants are responsible for checking whether their nationality requires a visa or not, and responsible for obtaining the visa if so. Make sure that your passport remains valid for a period after your trip. 

Please note that travelers under 18 years old require additional documentation to enter South Africa.

Telephone

The international country code for South Africa is +27. In general, mobile coverage is good in South Africa's main cities and populated areas, but less stable in rural areas. Speak to your service provider about rates and roaming services. 

Internet

Wifi is generally available in restaurants and hotels in larger cities and tourist areas. In more rural areas, such as game reserves, connections are unstable. 

Note: Most of the hotels in Entabeni have a WiFi connection in the lobby, but rarely in the rooms themselves. 

Electricity

Standard voltage in South Africa is 230V while the frequency is 50hHz. If you are brining a laptop or similar device with you, check the labeling on the power pack. South Africa uses four types of plugs: Type C, N, D and M. For international travelers, a universal plug adapter is recommended. 

Please note that South Africa suffers from occasional power outages, so there is a risk that the power will be cut for a short period of time (a few seconds to a few minutes). 

Medical assistance during the marathon event

A team of English-speaking doctors and South African paramedics will be present prior to, during and immediately after the marathon event. The doctors patrol the route and ready in case of injury or severe exhaustion. All decisions made by the medical team are final.

Disclaimer

If any treatment is unable to be carried out by our doctors and it is necessary to refer a participant to a local meIical facility, our medical team and travel agency will not be held liable for any treatment carried out by local medical facilities. It is advisable to purchase medical insurance before your journey. 

Water

In South African cities, tap water is generally viewed as safe to drink, although the taste may be less than desirable. In more rural areas and at safari camps, it is not recommended to drink straight from the tap. However, hotels should have large water tanks where guests can refill reusable water bottles

Cuisine

South African cuisine reflects the diverse range of culinary traditions embodied by the various communitites that inhabit the country. It's a delicious amalgamation of indigenous dishes, Dutch colonial influences, French and Indian cuisine. While some of the more traditional dishes are quite meat-heavy, it is relatively easy to find mouthwatering vegetarian cuisine on most menus.  

Dietary preferences and health requirements

We understand that allergies and special diets are a common concern among our guests. We do our very best to accommodate any diet for medical, allergy or religious needs; however, we cannot guarantee that all dining establishments can fulfill special requests. 

If you require a special diet during your travel, please inform us no later than 45 days before your tour begins. 

Tipping is customary in South Africa. In general, those working in the service industry receive low wages, and may depend on tips for their livelihood. One should expect to give 10 - 15% of the bill as a tip. For larger groups, a service charge may be automatically included. 

When staying at a resort or a game reserve, it is customary to tip upon checking out of the hotel. The tips are divided among everyone at the resort, 

It is likely that guests will require one or more vaccination before traveling to South Africa. Please note that some vaccines require multiple appointments that can spread out over weeks or months. Thus, we recommend you inform yourself in time. Any vaccination requirement is solely the customer's responsibility.