K A R E L L T R A V E L FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SEYCHELLES This information is intended as a guideline only. It is accurate to the best of our knowledge. Please note that we are providing links to external websites as guidelines for more information only. Karell Africa is not responsible for the content thereof. If you are traveling to South Africa and would like to print this information please follow SEYCHELLES PRE-TOUR INFORMATION (PDF) link TRAVEL DOCUMENTS FOR SEYCHELLES Passports are required by all foreign visitors to THE SEYCHELLES and must be valid for at least 6 months after the intended length of your trip. There are NO VISA requirements to enter THE SEYCHELLES, however, as these reqiurements may change from time to time, as a precaution we recommend that you check the entry visa requirements with the individual embassy of each country you intend visiting prior to departure as it is ultimately your responsibility to do so. Visitors to THE SEYCHELLES who also intend visiting South Africa should be advised that It is essential to have at least two blank, consecutive visa pages for each time entry to South Africa is sought. This excludes Amendment and Endorsement pages. Otherwise, the traveler, even when in possession of a valid South African visa, may be refused entry into South Africa, fined, and returned to their point of origin at the traveler’s expense. If you are a parent / guardian traveling with a minor (aged 18 or younger), you must be in possession of a certified letter of consent from the non-accompanying parent or guardian. VISA STAMPS IN PASSPORTS UPON ARRIVAL IN EACH COUNTRY: PLEASE CHECK THE DATES THAT THE OFFICIALS STAMP IN TO YOUR PASSPORTS TO MAKE SURE THE ALLOTTED TIME FOR YOUR STAY IS CORRECT BEFORE YOU WALK AWAY FROM THE COUNTER. ON OCCASION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GIVEN INCORRECT INCREMENTS OF TIME TO STAY IN THE COUNTRY CONCERNED CREATING A LOT OF UNNECESSARY AGGRAVATION AND INCONVENIENCE. We also suggest that before you depart on any international trip that you take a photo of the information page of your passport as well as any visas. For more information please visit : TRAVISA.COM Please note we have provided this website as a guideline for further information, Karell’s African Dream Vacations is not responsible for the content thereof. WWW.KARELL.COM CLIMATE OF SEYCHELLES Situated so close to the equator it is always warm in THE SEYCHELLES. All but the remotest southern islands lie outside the cyclone belt making THE SEYCHELLES a year round destination for sun worshippers and beach lovers. Most of the annual rainfall falls during the months of December through February. This is also the warmest time of the year and the humidity is high often reaching 80% or more.. May through October brings cooler drier weather. For more information please visit : WEATHER.COM WHEN TO VISIT SEYCHELLES In common with tropical islands, on or close to the Equator, Seychelles experiences very little variation in temperature. In general, it is always warm with no extremes of heat or cold. WWW.KARELL.COM CURRENCY & CREDIT CARDS IN SEYCHELLES Currency : THE SEYCHELLES unit of currency is the Seychellois Rupee sub-divided into 100 cents with the code SCR. 1.00 USD = 13.1407 SCR (As of Aug 1st 2016) The Euro and British Sterling and US Dollars are the best currency to carry in THE SEYCHELLES. Credit Cards : Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted throughout THE SEYCHELLES. American Express and Diners Club – not so much! ATMs are available at the airport and at all major banks in Victoria. If you draw money from an ATM with a foreign credit card you will receive local rupees cash. It is not easy to exchange rupees back in to foreign currency at the end of your stay so draw small amounts at a time. Exchanging foreign currency into Seychelles Rupees must only be done at banks, with authorised money dealers such as a bureau de change, or with other licenced operators. BE WARNED! It is a criminal offence to change money with any person or business other than those authorized. For up to date rates of exchange click on the following link : WWW.XE.COM DIETARY REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR TRIP TO SEYCHELLES - MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU MAY REALIZE – SO LET US KNOW IN ADVANCE Most dietary requirements (kosher, vegetarian hindu etc) can be organized provided we request them well in advance. We need to know about allergies too – gluten -lactose – peanuts etc. Please also let us know if anyone in your party will be celebrating a birthday or anniversary! FLASHLIGHT! DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT ONE! Remember this when you are stumbling around in your room when there is a power outage! Do not be the one who is saying ” I should have listened to KARELL and brought a flashlight and extra batteries”. Take a small powerful flashlight (and extra batteries) with you – it will come in WWW.KARELL.COM handy. In fact it is the one essential item we tell every passenger to take with no matter where you are traveling to. LANGUAGE OF SEYCHELLES The three official languages of THE SEYCHELLES are: Creole (a lilting, French- based patois), English and French. Many Seychellois also speak fluent Italian or German. LAUNDRY IN SEYCHELLES Laundry service is available at most hotels in THE SEYCHELLES. LUGGAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR SEYCHELLES RULE OF THUMB – IF YOU WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN DO NOT PACK IT IN YOUR CHECKED BAGS! Medications, eye glasses, sunglasses, wallets, passports, computers, iPads, cell phones, cameras, binoculars, jewelry etc should be carried with you at all times. And why are you taking that expensive jewelry with you anyway? NOT A GOOD IDEA! Do not take anything with you that is not replaceable or anything that you would be devastated to lose! Most airports today do offer plastic wrapping of bags for a small fee. Luggage restrictions vary between airlines / countries and aircraft. Please check with your travel consultant with regard to weight restrictions and quantity / size of bags permitted. If you will be traveling in vehicles and small aircraft or helicopters (North Island) with limited luggage capacity, it is a requirement that you have a SOFT BAG without WHEELS however, our brand new “wheeled” Karell safari bags which are made exclusively for us are unique as they have wheels but no solid frame which make them ideal for light aircraft transfers to and from camps/lodges. NO HARD SUITCASES WILL BE ALLOWED! Ideal travel bag example: WWW.KARELL.COM The Karell Duffel bag pictured above has been selected specifically for use on safaris utilizing light aircraft. It measures 26” x 14” x 12”, a perfect size and dimension for this type of travel. PHOTOGRAPHY AND BINOCULARS IN SEYCHELLES You are going to a photographer’s paradise wherever you go in Africa so do take plenty of memory cards to record your trip. They will not always be readily available everywhere you go. So to avoid disappointment take a lot with you as well as spare batteries for flashes etc. Yes, A good pair of strong binoculars is a must on safari, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A KEEN BIRDER OR “TWITCHER”. Trust us, we know. For everything you need to know about buying cameras and binoculars we invite you to visit : http://www.bhphotovideo.com Or if you prefer to rent before you go: http://optics4rent.com/index.html Camera equipment and lenses are so heavy and are included in hand baggage allowances so for your convenience, there are certain game lodges that rent equipment for the period of your stay. Please contact one of our safari specialists for further information. We have provided these websites as guidelines for further information, Karell’s African Dream Vacations is not responsible for the content thereof. POWER & ELECTRICITY IN SEYCHELLES Throughout THE SEYCHELLES the voltage is 220-240 volts AC 50 Hz. THE SEYCHELLES uses the British standard square three-pin, 13 amp sharp electric plug. Although adaptors are generally available at hotels, we highly recommend taking your own. If you are taking electric hair styling tools in any shape or form flatirons, curling irons, hairdryers etc. or any other electrical appliances, you should make sure they are dual voltage and remember to change the voltage if necessary when you get to THE SEYCHELLES or you can undoubtedly kiss them goodbye! The following link may help: ELECTRIC PLUG EXAMPLE TIME ZONE IN SEYCHELLES Local time in THE SEYCHELLES is GMT +4 Which means it is always 8 or 9 hours ahead of us in the eastern United States depending on the time of the year and daylight savings time. WWW.KARELL.COM So, if it is 9PM in THE SEYCHELLES then it is 1PM the same day in NEW YORK ! Hope this helps. Probably won’t – you will be more confused than ever and will more than likely call home and get it all mixed up. The following link may help: WORLDCLOCK.COM TIPPING/GRATUITY GUIDELINES FOR SEYCHELLES – TO GIVE OR NOT TO GIVE, THAT IS THE QUESTION! AND IF SO HOW MUCH. This is one of the questions we are asked most often prior to departure: How much should we tip? In THE SEYCHELLES, most charges (restaurant, hotel, taxis, porters, etc) already include a 5% to 10% service charge or “tip” and so tipping is not obligatory. However, as a reward for exceptional service, a nominal tip is sure to be warmly received. THE FOLLOWING IS A GUIDELINE : Transfer driver : US$ 3 per person City Touring Driver and/or Guides : US$ 5-7 per person for half day tours, US$10-12 per person for full day tour.