Liz + Corlius

Thank you all for being apart of our special day! We are so excited to welcome you beautiful people to South Africa. 

Pafuri is arguably one of the most scenically beautiful and diverse wilderness areas in the Kruger National Park. This 26,500ha concession, belonging to the Makuleke people, boasts nearly 80% of the Kruger Park’s biodiversity. 

We are head over heals for Pafuri and could not think of a better place for us to tie the knot than in the middle of the African bush in the most beautiful fever tree forest you will ever see! 

We want to make your journey here the trip of a lifetime! South Africa is filled with culture, food, sights, seas, and of course SAFARI. EverseenAfrica, owned by our close friends Charlie and Serena, provide some of the very best safari experiences you can find on the entire continent of Africa. Having VIP status at all lodges they work with, they are a top of the notch business. Fortunately, they specialize in the business of designing anywhere from budget friendly to luxury safaris. They would love to design your holiday that you plan to take either before, or after the wedding! 

EverseenAfrica will completely customize your dream South African safari vacation hassle free. It allows you to have the excitement and involvement without all the stress of all arrangements to be made!

Inquiries:

Email: everseenafrica@gmail.com

WhatsApp: +27 78 155 7936

If you are looking for more of combination holiday with Safari and Wine, then Hope African Adventures is your go to travel company!

The president of HAA, Katherine, is a dear friend of ours who also fell in love with Africa. She picked up her life in the USA and moved all the way to the middle of the African bush.  She is a traveler at the very core with a booming business doing just that! As she herself has traveled many areas across South Africa, she knows how to make people fall in love with this beautiful country through traveling! There is no one we trust more to provide world class experience then Katherine! 

Inquiries:

Email: katherine@hopeafricanadventures.com

Phone: (713) 562-2014

Fortunately, 1 USD gets you quite a far way in South Africa as on average, or on a good day, it is the equivalent to just over 14 ZAR. 

While traveling, we highly recommend downloading the app "Xe" on your phone. It allows you to put in the amount in ZAR and will tell you exactly how much it is in that very moment with the correct exchange rate. 

Visas:

Good News if you are traveling from the United States you can travel to South Africa Visa-Free! U.S. citizens (U.S. passport holders) visiting the Republic of South Africa for ninety (90) days or less for tourism / business purposes do not need visas. You will receive your 90 days upon arrival. 

* Take note that if you have traveled to certain areas before traveling to South Africa you may be required to have specific vaccines. You will also need to show proof of a COVID PCR test no more than 72 hours before arrival in South Africa. 

Travel Insurance:

If you would like to use travel insurance I recommend World Nomads for their ease of purchase and the clarity of their contract.

Most major airline companies fly to South Africa's O.R. Tambo International Airport. As Liz has spent many hours in the air flying from the US to Africa her favorite ones with the best deals always tend to be British Airways, United, Qatar, Emirates. 

Emirates and Qatar tend to have longer flying time and longer layovers but very comfortable aircrafts and reliable airlines. Qatar has great options on flexi tickets. 

British airways is a shorter flying time in the air with good connecting flights time but you fly into the busy London Heathrow airport. They usually have some of the best prices. 

United has started a non stop flight from the US to South Africa.

Please note that you are able to fly into the Pafuri airstrip if you wish. Arrangements will be made to pick you up. The company we use is Echo Skies as they have the best rates. The lodges will also assist in these flights if you wish to consult them instead. 

There are a few different places to accommodate you in Johannesburg from budget friendly to high end but still not too pricey. Our suggestions:

First is your very budget friendly, Emerald Backpackers, for those adventurers.

Second is you mid range, Protea Hotel by Marriott OR Tambo Airport.

Third is your nicer Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch. 

There are a few different options. There are quite a lot of transfer companies which we would be happy to assist you with as well as there are many rental cars. 

Whichever you choose please note it is important to book in advance. With rental cars also note that you drive on the other side of the road than in the US as well as most cars are manual so you must request specifically for an automatic car. 

It is about a 6 and a half to 8 hour drive directly from the airport to Pafuri. Flying is much quicker but if you do decide to drive we suggest making it fun by either driving through Kruger or stopping over somewhere for the night. 

Malaria:

The risk of contracting malaria is often a concern for many foreigners when visiting the South Africa. It is important to note that the risk of malaria in the park is usually low, even in the summer months. Fortunately for us, we just miss that peak season!

Malaria is mosquito borne disease transmitted exclusively through the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. Following the bite of an infected mosquito, an individual may remain asymptomatic for 12 – 35 days, depending on the species of malaria. This is known as the incubation period. Most types of mosquito that are encountered will not carry the malaria parasite and if an individual is bitten it does not mean that they will contract malaria. Fortunately all of the accommodation in Kruger is fitted with netted screens. 

Malaria prophylactic drugs can be taken that will further decrease the chances of contracting malaria. It is a difficult decision whether or not to take malaria prophylactics when visiting the Kruger National Park. The risk of contracting malaria needs to be weighed up against the side effects of the malaria prophylactic medication, and all the drugs available have various side effects. The choice of the appropriate drug that an individual should use is a decision that should be made in consultation with a medical doctor.

Wildlife:

Contrary to popular belief there are not lions and elephants running around the streets of South Africa, well not everywhere...

Where we are going does in-fact have elephants, leopards, buffalo and other big game animals moving freely wherever they wish. It is such an incredible experience to be in the presence of these magnificent creatures which is why the camps we will be staying at are unfenced. It is important to stay in designated areas where the lodges have put up pathways and do not wander off as the animals have right of way here! 

What to pack really depends on what exactly it is you wish and want to do and how adventurous are you going to be?

• ID documents (passport, driver’s license, visa)
• Money, credit cards
• Lightweight clothing such as linen 
• Bathing suit, sunscreen
• Sunglasses, hat
• Basic toiletries
• Cameras, batteries
• Laptop, cell phone, chargers, portable chargers
• Power outlet adapter
• Insect repellent
• Anti-malaria medication, if desired

Don't stress about all your clothes being khaki, beige, cream, olive green, etc! Is it helpful to deter the insects? A bit. It's more about the comfort and fun of it all. Just be aware that it is very dusty so they clothing and shoes may get a bit dusty at times when on game drive or walking in the bush but that is about it. Nothing a clean can't fix. Unless you plan on going on a wilderness trails with us then you do not need these big hiking boots or any such thing. Sneakers or a cute boot is fine, its all about the "safari outfit."

For some Safari Outfit info check out the link below!

Each and every one of you are special to us in your own way. You have had an impact on our lives and we want to thank you for that! Your accommodation at Pafuri Camp is included for the evening of the wedding,  the 14th of May. This is a date away from the kids in paradise on us!  However, we would love to begin celebrating with you starting on the 13th. 

Pafuri Camp is where you all will be staying the night of the wedding so if you would like to make a booking for the evening of the 13th please contact Return Africa directly and kindly let us know as well. 

If you would like to stay nearby to be around the area the following day, I have included a few options. Please also be aware that there is no space for campers and/or caravans. 

If you would like more suggestions please feel free to reach out we would love to help! Below are some very basic and rustic accommodation. 

* Please note there will be a cash bar and all drinks are excluded. There are also park fees to enter the Kruger National Park as well as a Makuleke concession levy at R200 per person. 

Pafuri Luxury Tented Camp is situated in the Makuleke Contract Park in the north of the Kruger National Park. This comfortable luxury safari accommodation stretches along the Luvuvhu River on raised wooden walkways. The camp has 19 designer tents with en-suite bathrooms including indoor and outdoor showers. There are seven ‘family tents’ that sleep families of four. All the tents offer gorgeous views over the Luvuvhu River. A bush bar, swimming pool and al-fresco dining area offer everyday entertainment, and there’s plenty of space to unwind beneath the branches of the giant trees embracing the camp.

An extraordinary wildlife experience awaits. Large herds of elephant roam the area together with healthy populations of buffalo, antelope, leopard, hyena and more. Due to its fantastic riverside location Pafuri Camp is also the destination of choice for avid birders and guests are regularly treated to sightings of rare species including the elusive Pels Fishing Owl.

The camp is situated in the Sandveld region that is often described as the botanical garden of the Kruger National Park. There are numerous plant species which occur that are unique to the area. Game species most likely to be sighted include impala, zebra, buffalo, elephant, eland and sable and the area is a bird paradise.

Just over an hour away from the Makuleke, Pafuri region it is a short drive there and back with potentially a lot of game viewing along the way. If booked it is important to note that all gate closing times must be strictly adhered to which is why we are holding the ceremony and reception within these hours. 

Awelani Lodge is situated near Pafuri Gate (just 12 km’s away) and Tshikondeni (25km’s away) at the northern section of Kruger National Park in South Africa. The Lodge offers self-catering chalets, bungalows, safari tents as well as a camping site and an on-site restaurant and pub. Situated in a 1700 hectare conservancy, Awelani provides visitors an outstanding opportunity to walk or mountain bike through a wooded conservancy with a remarkable arrange of trees, Baobab, Mopani and Lobombo Ironwood to name a few.
Sandstone outcrops hide what is probably San and Khoi rock art and traditional Venda grain storage units. A purpose-built birdhide and waterhole offers outstanding bird watching. A sightings list of over 700 birds confirms this Pafuri area destination is an excellent site for twitchers.