FAQs

For the main program as well as the optional pre-tour, guests should be sure-footed and able to walk safely over uneven and slippery ground without assistance, transport luggage a short distance, get on and off safari vehicles without aid, and physically tolerate vehicle motion on sometimes bumpy roads. Guests should also be comfortable boarding and disembarking trains without assistance, walking and moving between cars while the train is in motion, and navigating narrow areas. Guests should be prepared to walk 2-3 miles at a time and prepared for long days.

Arrival and departure information is provided in the Air & Transfer section of the Confirmation Documents emailed to reserved guests approximately five to seven days after booking a tour. Guests who arrive and depart during the suggested times are eligible to receive complimentary airport transfers. If you need an additional copy of your Confirmation Documents or have questions, email guestservices@orbridge.com for assistance.

All U.S. citizens require a passport with at least 8 blank visa pages and visas for Mozambique and Zimbabwe that will be obtained while on board the train. Your passport, declaration forms, and cash for visa payments will be collected by the Admin Deputy Manager onboard the train during Day 4 of your program. The Admin Deputy Manager will hold on to the collected items for safekeeping until the train has crossed over into Zimbabwe. Border formalities are done by the Admin Deputy Manager on your behalf.

Costs may vary, but you can expect to pay approximately $10 USD for Mozambique and $30 USD for Zimbabwe. During your first full day aboard the train, your guides will provide you with all of the customs forms for each border and will walk you through the process of filling them out.

A visa is not required to enter South Africa or Eswatini.

Consider obtaining between $50 and $100 USD (950–1900 South African rand) while visiting South Africa and Eswatini. Other countries on this program accept USD. We recommend carrying USD in smaller denominations: $1, $5, $10, and $20. All major currencies are accepted onboard the train.

An ATM or exchange service will be available at airports and each of your hotels on tour. We recommend that you only travel with USD notes printed in the last five years, as some places in Africa will not accept older notes due to high levels of counterfeiting. Torn bills are not exchangable. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in the countries you are traveling to.

Average temperatures can range drastically from lows in the upper 40°s to highs around 90°. You can expect cooler temperatures in South Africa and Eswatini, averaging between 48° and 70° with highs increasing along your journey.

Check the predicted forecast for your travel dates on weather.com to help you prepare.

Plug types C, D, M, and N are the most commonly used in southern Africa. Each train compartment has a 220 V alternating current (AC) socket for charging electrical devices and is also supplied with an adapter for the 3-pronged sockets commonly used in southern Africa (type D).

Use a high quality electric current converter to avoid risk of burning out your device. We recommend purchasing an international adapter/converter set so that your two-or three-prong plug can connect to the electrical outlets and convert the voltage, if necessary.

There is no Wi-Fi on the train, and cell signal will be very limited or nonexistent depending on your carrier. You may wish to consider obtaining local SIM cards prior to your travels if you need to be in contact with others not on tour.

Your U.S.-based cell phone may or may not work depending on your phone plan. Prior to travel, check with your cell phone provider about international phone plans, international fees, and service availability.

Listen carefully to your guides throughout this tour. They are the ultimate judges of the distance that needs to be maintained from wildlife and historical sites. Never attempt to feed or approach wildlife.

Train cabins are compact spaces, and storage for luggage is very limited. Packing light is recommended; try limiting yourself to one medium-sized case and a carry-on. We recommend soft-shell luggage. Each cabin has a closet and 12.5 inches of clearance space under the bed(s) for luggage storage. Bring an overnight bag or use your carry-on bag for the overnight stay at the hotel in Kruger National Park. Your luggage and other belongings will be stored safely onboard the train overnight.

We recommend packing so you can layer for varying temperatures.

The recommended attire on tour is functional, casual and comfortable. Earth tones such as khaki, brown, and beige are recommended as they reflect heat. It is recommended to avoid wearing black, navy blue, and other dark hues. Dark colors trap heat and attract insects such as tsete flies and mosquitoes. These insects are also attracted to bright colors and metallic fabrics. During the day, most travelers wear light pants or light jeans with T-shirts or long-sleeved shirts and comfortable, closed-toe footwear. You can expect cooler temperatures in the mornings, so a warm jacket is recommended.

At dinner, whether dining aboard the train or at a hotel, we recommend dressing "smart casual." This can include skirts, cotton or linen pants or slacks, dressy blouses, polo shirts, button-down and collared long-sleeve shirts, light sweaters, and a comfortable pair of walking shoes or flats instead of tennis shoes. A jacket is not required for gentlemen.

CPAP machines are not recommended for this tour but can be accommodated if needed. If you are not planning to use a battery-powered CPAP machine, it is strongly encouraged that you bring with you an extension cord that you can connect between your machine and your power converter/adapter. The power outlet placement in each cabin may vary and is not guaranteed to be bedside. Distilled water must be requested in advance, and the quantity needed should be advised to guest services.

Click here to view comprehensive wellness protocols for this tour.

The online Guest Information (GIF) does not allow you return and make updates once originally submitted. To update existing information, email the details to guestservices@orbridge.com, and your account will be updated accordingly.

To complete the GIF for the first time, access the secure online form here. It should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. The system will not save partially completed forms, so it's important to complete and submit the form in one sitting.

Access the secure passport form here to input information and upload an electronic copy.

Some domestic tours require us to collect a copy of the photo ID you plan to use while traveling in order to confirm on-tour arrangements. If you have been requested to provide a copy, upload a copy of your ID here.

To pay by check, make the check payable to Orbridge LLC and mail it to:

Orbridge
P.O. Box 1376
Poulsbo, WA 98370

To pay by credit card, click here to access our secure online credit card portal. Be sure to click “submit information” at the bottom of page one in order to be directed to the payment screen.

To pay by electronic funds transfer (EFT), click here to access our secure payment portal where you will be able to conveniently and securely provide your account and routing number.

Payments made by check or EFT may be eligible for a discount. Reference your final payment reminder or email guestservices@orbridge.com to learn more.