Question 1

How do I pay, and is it safe?

Accepted Answer

We don't take card payments online. You pay your 30% deposit by bank transfer (local EFT or international wire via Wise) within 72 hours of booking, then upload proof on your booking page. This keeps fees low and your card details private. See our Payment & Booking Security page for full detail.

Question 2

Do I need a visa for South Africa?

Accepted Answer

Most UK, EU, US and Australian passport holders can enter South Africa visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days. Always confirm with your nearest South African mission before travel, as rules change.

Question 3

What documents do I need to bring?

Accepted Answer

A passport with at least 30 days of validity beyond your departure date, your visa/entry status confirmed for your nationality, your driver’s licence (with an International Driving Permit if it isn’t in English), travel insurance that covers off-road/4x4 activity, and a copy of your return flight and booking confirmation. Our full guide, "What to Bring to South Africa", walks through each one.

Question 4

Do I need malaria medication for your tours?

Accepted Answer

No — Cape Town, the West Coast and Namaqualand are outside South Africa’s malaria risk zones, so our standard routes need no antimalarials. Malaria risk sits in the northeast (Kruger, the Mpumalanga Lowveld, northern KwaZulu-Natal). If you’re extending your trip to one of those areas, speak to a travel clinic before you fly.

Question 5

What should I pack?

Accepted Answer

Layers (mornings and evenings get cold, even in summer), closed sturdy shoes, serious sun protection, a soft dust-proof duffel rather than a hard suitcase, and enough prescription medication for the whole trip plus a buffer. Recovery gear, camping equipment and all meals are provided. See our full packing guide, "What to Bring to South Africa", for the complete checklist.

Question 6

Is it safe? Do I need off-road experience?

Accepted Answer

Yes — our routes are well-established and you travel with professional support. On guided trips a guide leads the whole way and runs a training day at Atlantis Dunes. No prior 4x4 experience is required; self-guided guests receive a full briefing and 24/7 support.

Question 7

How fit do I need to be?

Accepted Answer

Moderate fitness is plenty. You spend most days driving, with optional walks and activities. Let us know about any medical needs when you book and we will accommodate them.

Question 8

When is the best time to go?

Accepted Answer

The West Coast is a year-round destination. August–September brings the famous Namaqualand wildflower bloom — the most popular and fastest-booking window. Summer (Nov–Mar) is warm and ideal for the coast.

Question 9

What is included in the price?

Accepted Answer

Your fully-rigged Hilux, airport transfers, all meals, all camping and lodge stays, park fees, and full support. Flights, insurance and personal items are not included. Each tour page lists exact inclusions and exclusions.

Question 10

Can you arrange a private or custom trip?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. For private departures, custom dates or larger groups, send us an enquiry and we will build it around you.

Question 11

Is a guided 4x4 tour worth it?

Accepted Answer

For a first expedition into Southern Africa, emphatically yes. A guided tour removes every logistical unknown — border paperwork, route-finding, vehicle recovery, camp setup and cooking are all handled — so your days go on the trail rather than on admin. You travel in a small convoy led by an expert guide who knows the routes, the wildlife and the safe lines. This is a premium, all-inclusive way to travel, not a budget one.

Question 12

How many guests are in a guided 4x4 group?

Accepted Answer

Small, and deliberately so. Each fully-rigged Toyota Hilux carries two to four guests, and we keep the whole convoy to a handful of vehicles so the trip stays personal — you are on first-name terms with your guide by day two, never a number on a big-bus manifest.

Question 13

Namibia or Botswana — which is better for a 4x4 safari?

Accepted Answer

They're different flavours of extraordinary. Namibia is desert drama — the dunes of Sossusvlei, Fish River Canyon and the Skeleton Coast. Botswana is classic big-game wilderness — the elephant herds of Chobe and the waterways of the Okavango and Savuti. Can't choose? Our 15-day Grand Traverse links South Africa, Namibia and Botswana in one expedition.

Questions, answered.

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