Practical Information
What to know before you go? This page contains relatively comprehensive travel information to help you plan your travel arrangements.
Additional Details
If you've registered and missed one of our information emails, here is a pdf with some supplementary information - please be sure to read it ahead of time!
Accommodation
Skukuza Safari Lodge: (Recommended Option) The lodge is co-located with the conference venue and more information can be found here. We have reserved all 120 rooms at the Skukuza Safari Lodge and they will be released on a first come first served basis.
Aha Hotels are now the owners of the Skukuza Safari Lodge. Please send your booking requests to cro@aha.co.za and add “ICOAM Booking” in the subject line. Please copy in Abbey Tshabangu abbey.tshabangu@aha.co.za and Kwazi Zamasiba Kunene kwazi.kunene@aha.co.za.
Note: We ask that you please share rooms where possible, e.g., if you have students attending. We can help facilitate students sharing if needed.
Self-catering chalets: Skukuza Rest Camp, where the conference takes place, has many self-catering chalets available via the SANPARKS. These are basic units with little luxury, but popular with locals and all within walking distance to the conference venue. Info: https://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/camps/skukuza/
Kruger Shalati: For those who wish a 5-star experience, this is a train hotel sitting over a river in the park, and a short 15 min walk to the conference venue. Info: https://www.krugershalati.com/
Kruger Gate Hotel: This hotel is just outside the Kruger Gate of the Kruger National Park and a 20 min drive through the park to the conference venue. The drive is lovely but you will have to watch the opening and closing time of the gate. Info: https://krugergatehotel.com/
Getting to Skukuza in Kruger National Park
For your convenience, here are several options for your consideration. You are most welcome to reach out to us with any queries.
Fly directly to Skukuza
There is a small airfield at Skukuza, inside the Kruger National Park, however, our understanding is that there are only two flights per day from OR Tambo International Airport in a small 30-seater plane. This flight is easy to find and book using Google Flights or your preferred travel agent.
If you wish to make use of this option, you will need to book early or consider staying a few extra days in Skukuza or one of the lovely nearby rest camps like Lower Sabie (about a two-hour scenic drive to Skukuza) or even the Protea Hotel just outside the Paul Kruger Gate for the non-conference days.
Please note that the park is huge (about half the size of the Netherlands, for the curious), with a slow speed limit (animals roam free), and a neighboring airport (should there be one) inside the park is potentially many hours' drive away. Please double check your booking.
Fly to Mbombela then drive to Skukuza
This option gets you most of the way there via plane. You can fly into Mbombela (Nelspruit Airport), or alternatively the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.
You will need to hire a car or book a shuttle to Skukuza for the remaining two-hour drive. The drive from this point is very scenic with several places to stop and explore. Please feel free to contact the hotel to arrange a shuttle, or alternatively this web site has several options: https://krugertransfers.co.za/kruger-park-transfers/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NigTtjHUAzxiwQTYA
Drive from Johannesburg
We do not recommend it, but if you elect to do so then here are the possible routes. We will be driving and will leave Wits (University) on Sunday morning 23rd June, probably at or before 8 am, and stopping for lunch along the way. If you choose to rent your own vehicle and make the drive yourself, you could do so, but again, we do not recommend this option.
1. Highway to Mbombela route (6 hrs)
This is the fastest and takes you on the highway until just outside of Mbombela. From Mbombela to Hazyview you pass through smaller towns, and then Hazyview to Skukuza is a rural road that will require careful driving. 网易体育 1/3 by time is easy highway driving, 1/3 is scenic driving and 1/3 is careful/stressful (looking out for people, animals and obstacles). Remember that it will be winter so the sun sets earlier, and the park closes the main gate in the early evening so you cannot just arrive as you wish. In other words, you should not leave the Johannesburg area later than 11 am.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hf9BpfHNDS6LL3XQ7
2. Highway to Belfast and then Dullstroom route (9 hrs)
This route takes you on the highway for about 2.5 hrs until Belfast (assuming you drive from OR Tambo airport and/or Wits University). From Belfast you take a very scenic route via Dullstroom (nice place to stop for lunch), through a mountain pass and nature reserve, finally linking with the first route at Hazyview. Hazyview to Skukuza is a rural road that will require careful driving. 网易体育 2/3 of the time is very scenic BUT this is much slower as the roads are rural and many have pot holes, so you must NOT be in a rush. Although maps will say this is 6 hrs, it will take at least 7.5 hrs of driving and 9 hrs if you stop for photos, lunch etc. I would recommend that if you take this route that you leave a day earlier and stop for the night in Dullstroom. Remember that it will be winter so the sun sets earlier, and the park closes the main gate in the early evening so you cannot just arrive as you wish. In other words, you cannot leave the Johannesburg area later than 8 am.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/etr36fzS8q5REVPF7
Transport in South Africa
Certain public transport is unreliable in South Africa; therefore, it is best to make use of reputable transportation services such as Uber, which is available in all major cities.
If you want to stay in Johannesburg, we recommend hotels in Sandton or Rosebank. We are happy to make some recommendations. To get to these, simply Uber from the airport, or alternatively catch the Gautrain from the airport to the required station. Google Maps seems to not be very good at suggesting this option. Once at the local Gautrain Station (i.e. Sandton or Rosebank), catch a short Uber to your final destination.
Renting a car is straight forward, and driving everywhere is what locals do. There are unsafe areas though, such as the city center and informal settlements, so we recommend that you chat to one of the organizers or someone at your hotel before you decide to drive around randomly. It’s also a very big city, so it’s best to plan. Use a GPS like Google Maps or Waze to get around.
Connectivity
WiFi is available in some restaurants and public areas. It will also be available in your hotel and at the venue.
Wits University recently arranged for O.R. Tambo International Airport (and indeed all other airports in South Africa) to have eduroam WiFi. Be sure to connect to it at your home institution ahead of time though. It is reliable, and a viable option for catching an Uber, for instance, however we do still recommend a SIM just in case.
If you prefer some freedom when exploring, SIM cards can be bought at the airport (recommended) or in a shopping centre. We suggest Vodacom or MTN. The Vodacom store is on the same level as the international arrivals at O.R. Tambo International Airport. Your passport may be required to buy a sim card. Mobile coverage is great in South Africa, and in particular you should be able to enjoy 5G in all the metros.
Weather Considerations
June is winter in South Africa. That said, it will not snow but will nevertheless be quite cold in the evenings and at night. On average, expect high’s of 20-25 degrees C, and lows of 4-8 degrees C at night in Skukuza. Rain is unlikely. Please pack some warm clothes and a jacket for the game drives (the South African name for safari's).
Currency and Credit Cards
South Africa is a world leader in banking - the ATM was a South African invention after all! ;) You will find that paying for things in South Africa is a painless exercise, with almost all shops, restaurants and even many street vendors accepting credit or debit cards via Tap-to-Pay. Your card will never need to leave your hand or sight, and if someone asks otherwise, it is probably not a legitimate request.
An important note: PIN’s are generally a requirement on credit and other bank cards when using them (even with tap). Please be sure to set one up with your bank before you arrive.
The Rand exchange rate is in the western world’s favor. In recent times, the ZAR-USD hovers around R18 per USD and R21 per GBP. Enjoy it!
South Africa is quite a cost-effective country, and eating out and other tourist activities will not cost you that much by European or American standards.