What do I do once I have bought my ticket?

To make your first Baz Bus or Flexi-tour booking, log on to the Baz Bus website, and go to the BOOK NOW button. Choose the option, BOOK YOUR SEAT. You will be prompted to enter a unique user name and password, which would have been emailed to you if you had booked your ticket on-line. If you dont have a user name and password, follow the prompts and one will be emailed to you. Alternatively, call our hotline number (021) 439 2323. Please have the following info ready

• Voucher Number or Ticket number
• First name and Surname
• Booking Reference Number
• Travel agent/Branch where you purchased your ticket
• Amount paid:
• Flexi-Tour option 1or 2
• Date of first trip (when you want to leave Cape Town /Joburg/Pretoria)
• Pick-up Point (which hostel you will be departing from)
• First Stop (the first town you wish to stop at)
• Travelling via Northern Drakensberg or Swaziland

For further seat bookings, you will need to quote your:

• Ticket number
• Pick up point
• Date of travel
• Your next stop

You can book more than one journey at a time, if you know your hostel of departure, date of departure & next stop. If you have a voucher, hand it to your Baz Bus driver on your first day of travel in exchange for a Baz Bus ticket.

Who can I contact if I need help?

You can use the help button which will guide you through the on-line booking process. There is a minimum 24hrs needed to book online. Alternatively, our consultants work especially late, so you can also phone in your booking request way after the sun has gone down. Our office number is (021) 439 2323 and our office hours are Mon - Fri: 8am - 9pm and Sat & Sun: 8am - 8pm.

We recommend you make your seat booking at least 48hrs in advance of the day you wish to travel to avoid disappointment. In busy times, some routes are especially popular, so if you know when you want to travel, book earlier - you can always change it later.

If you have booked a flexi-tour package, you will need to book your day tours at least 3 days in advance & 1 week in advance for the Kruger Park safari.

What are the procedures if I need to change my travel date and/or hostel pick up points?

You can change your travel date and your pick up point so long as this is done before the initial travel date booked.

To make the change, you need to contact our hotline (+ 27 21 439 2323), give them your ticket number and the change requested. They will make the change and will give you a revised confirmation number to confirm the change.

Alternatively you can make the change online by going to the ?book you seat? section. Whether you make the change through the website or telephonically, you are required to keep your new confirmation numbers as proof of the change.

How do I know my seat is confirmed?

Once you book your seat, you will be issued with a seat confirmation number for each stretch. Only once you receive this number is your seat confirmed for the date you would like to travel. You may be asked to confirm this number when boarding the bus.

What do I do if I lose my Baz Bus ticket?

If you loose your Baz Bus ticket, please contact our hotline to report this (+ 27 21 439 2323). A consultant will issue with a reference number to use for your next journey. Once you get on the bus you will need to quote this reference number. The driver will then write out a new ticket for you.

What are the terms and conditions?

• Tickets are not refundable but, with the exception of return tickets, are transferable.
• Seats should be booked at least 48 hours in advance to avoid disappointment.
• Please note: drivers cannot take bookings or recommend hostels. All bookings must be made through our Cape Town Head Office by telephone. Any bookings by e-mail or fax are subject to confirmation. We will not be held responsible for passengers left behind as a result of unconfirmed bookings.
• Buses will depart by scheduled times. Buses will not wait for passengers who are not ready to depart at the scheduled time.
• In the event of a bus running behind schedule, every attempt will be made to keep passengers informed but we accept no liability for any inconvenience in this regard.
• Passengers are picked up and dropped off at the venues specified on the Arrival and Departure Points and must be ready to leave from these departure points at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure times.
• A "no show" for any booked section of the journey (without prior cancellation) will result in loss of that section of the journey and a new ticket will have to be purchased for that section.
• Price Lists and Timetables are subject to change without prior notification and must be confirmed at the time of making the booking.
• For our full list of Terms and Conditions please refer to our terms and conditions page.

Does my Baz Bus ticket include accommodation?

Your Baz Bus ticket does not include accommodation. You can check below for a rough guide on accommodation pricing. Alternatively you can contact the backpacker lodge directly to confirm their prices.

How much do backpacking lodges / hostels charge?

Rate:

Accommodation prices vary from place to place however prices are roughly as follows:

• Camping: R30 to R50
• Dorms: R60 to R90
• Single: R80 to R130
• Double: R130 to R250

What about the hostels?

South African hostels boast some of the highest standards in the world. Baz Bus will drop you at over 180 of them. Most hostels offer camping, singles, doubles or dormitories with standard features such as in-house bars, tour desk and of course some amazing locations. Accommodation costs vary from hostel to hostel. Get your free Alternative Routes www.alternativeroute.net or Coast to Coast guidebook at most hostels. Dont forget the power of the Grapevine! Accommodation bookings must be made directly with the hostel of your choice. Book a bed here:

Should I book my accommodation in advance?

Most people prefer to play it by ear and book hostels as they go along. During the busy summer season some places do get full and we do recommend booking a few days in advance, especially for double rooms.

What is a Fuel Levy?

A fuel levy is an additional fee payable by the passenger to cover the ever increasing cost of diesel! The Fuel levy comes into effect as of 1 January 2008 and equates to R40 for all tickets over R450. Passengers will be required to pay the fuel levy at the time of booking.

Does Baz Bus pick up from the airport?

If you are flying into Johannesburg, all the backpacker hostels offer FREE collection from the airport. Simply go to the BOOK A BED section and enquiry directly with the hostel. In Cape Town we recommend the Backpacker Bus bpackbus@mweb.co.za or phone them on (021) 447 4991 between 8am - 8pm. This reliable bus service runs regular trips at backpacker rates between Cape Town International Airport and your hostel in Cape Town. Mention Baz Bus for a good rate.

What are compulsory overnight stops?

Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Swaziland, Johannesburg (or Pretoria) are all compulsory stopovers.

How often does the bus depart per day?

The buses depart according to a set schedule as shown here. Our buses only run during the day i.e. they leave Cape Town in the morning and arrive at Port Elizabeth in the evening. There is only 1 departure on these days.

Direction: CAPE TOWN TO JOHANNESBURG / PRETORIA

• Cape Town to Port Elizabeth - Daily
• Port Elizabeth to Durban - Daily exept Wed & Sat
• Durban to Swaziland - Mon, Wed, Fri
• Swaziland to Durban - Tues, Thurs, Sat
• Durban to Johannesburg / Pretoria (via Drakensberg) - Tues, Fri and Sun

• Johannesburg / Pretoria to Durban (via Drakensberg) - Wed, Fri, Sun
• Johannesburg / Pretoria to Swazi - Mon, Wed, Sat
• Swazi to Durban - Tues, Thurs, Sun
• Durban to Port Elizabeth - Daily except Tues and Fri
• Port Elizabeth to Cape Town - Daily

Please download the timetable for further details of arrival and departure times and stops along the way.

Would I need to use a shuttle service on your route?

To reach out of the way places, shuttle services are operated by the hostels in the remote areas. There are extra charges for these. Contact the hostel of your choice for further details and to book your shuttle.

What is the distance between stops?

Distance Chart	Approximate distance in kms
Cape Town - Port Elizabeth	756
Cape Town - George	436
Port Elizabeth - Durban	927
Durban - Umtata	436
Durban - Manzini (Swaziland)	400
Durban - Jo'burg	565
Jo'burg - Manzini (Swaziland)	620
Jo'burg - Nelspruit	422
Jo'burg - Pretoria	58

Does my Baz Bus tickets include shuttle services?

Shuttle services are not included in the price of you Baz Bus ticket EXCEPT for the Pretoria Shuttle. Please refer to the timetable for more information on the shuttles. You can contact the backpacker hostels directly for prices.

How long do I need to get from Cape Town to Johannesburg / Pretoria via Swaziland?

The longer the better of course as your ticket has no time limit and there is so much to see and do on route! Do remember that on this route, Baz Bus does not travel at night making Nelson Mandela Bay (PE), Durban and Swaziland compulsory stopovers. In order not to rush it, We would recommend at least 2 weeks.

What should I bring?

• A sleeping bag (bedding is available at most hostels)
• A backpack and daypack (to help you travel light)
• A credit card (accepted all around S.A but not at some hostels)
• Your passion for independent travel

Does my Baz Bus tickets include food?

Your Baz Bus ticket does not include meals. The Baz Bus does stop at various places along the way, giving you the chance to stretch your legs and purchase any snacks or meals.

Can I bring my surfboard, mountain bike, stereo and chessboard with me on my fabulous Baz Bus adventure through Southern Africa?

Of course! Our semi-luxury 19-seater buses are all equipped with trailers capable of carrying all your bits and pieces.

Do you hire out your buses?

We do not hire out our buses.

Does Baz Bus offer tours?

You better believe it. We have a variety for you to choose from:- Baz Bus Flexi-Tours for an unbelievable package combining:

• A flexible hop-on hop-off door to door Baz Bus ticket from Cape Town to Johannesburg/Pretoria or vice versa
• A Wildlife Kruger Park experience
• A face to face encounter with the local Zulus in their valley of a 1000 hills
• Swaziland highlights
• An introduction to the township life
• An adventurous trip to the Cape Point where the 2 oceans meet.

Baz Bus 7 Day, 14 Day & 21 Day Travel Pass allows you to travel in any direction you want and as often as you like WITHIN the time period , in either 7, 14 or 21 consecutive days.

Am I too old to take Baz Bus?

Baz Bus is for all the young at heart. We strive to be an enjoyable and friendly bus company, where you can meet great people on the buses and still have the independence to do whatever activities you wish on route. If you feel young, Baz Bus experience can help you become a better beach bum, adrenaline junkie, culture vulture, wildlife fundi, party animal or a bit of all.

Does Baz Bus offer any discounts?

Sure we do! There are so any to choose from while en route. Print off the discounts page - so you know where we offer these discounts on YOUR route. To make use of these discounts simply show the operator your Baz Bus ticket at the time of booking to qualify. Excited yet, well go on Discounts

How much should I budget per day for expenses?

Your budget is dependent on the activities that you would like to do. Herewith a rough guide on certain expenses:

• 1 pint of beer at a backpacker lodge: R9,00
• Food allowence per day: R100,00 - R120,00 per day
• Local taxi cab's: R8,00 - R10,00 per kilometer

• Bungee jumping: R580,00
• Wine Tour: R395,00
• Cape Peninsula Day Tour: R385,00

How do I make a seat booking via SMS?

SMS 076 427 3003 the following info: Ticket number, passenger name and surname, date of trip, hostel pick up & next stop. Example: EG519, John Cooper, 12/11/05, Highfield to Plettenberg Bay

The booking will be made on BAZ BUS? BOOKING SYSTEM.

You will receive a confirmation SMS booking / seat confirmation within 30 minutes: Example: EG519 booking confirmed 12.11.05 Highfield Bp ? Plett cnf 29461. Thx Janine

Is it safe and viable for me to travel alone in Southern Africa?

It sounds like Baz Bus experience is just what you need! It is a safe option because we offer a door to door service. You are never really alone, just smile at your neighbour on the bus and soon youll be rattling on about exciting travel experiences. All the hostels and adventure centres offer fun activities and tours so youll never have a dull moment! They will also inform you on the necessary safety precautions and the dos and donts of the place. So. Sit back, relax and enjoy your journey.

Whats the weather like?

Below is a chart of average temperatures in South Africa throughout the year.

City	Summer (Nov - Apr)		Winter (May - Aug)		Spring (Sept - Aug)
	Max	Min	Max	Min	Max	Min
Cape Town	28	15	17	5	20	10
Port Elizabeth	25	16	20	10	22	12
Umtata	28	19	20	10	23	12
Durban	30	20	23	13	25	15
East London	25	17	20	10	21	12
Kruger National Park (Nelspruit)	31	20	25	8	26	13
Jo'burg	32	15	20	4	23	12

Do I need a visa?

Most nationalities dont need visas for travelling to South Africa or Swaziland. Please make sure that your travel documents are in order. For further information check out www.visaservices.co.za

How to I find out more about my Passport Regulations?

International tourists being held at immigration control because of passport problems has led to the need to explain regulations concerning travel documents when visiting South Africa.

A blank page in passports is a requirement for all visitors entering the country. For passports to be stamped they must have a blank space. If a passport is full and there is no space to stamp, this means that the holder of that passport cannot come into the country.

If an incident did occur where a traveller did not have the necessary blank page that person's embassy can be contacted to assist with additional pages or the issuing of a temporary passport. Visit the department's website at www.home-affairs.gov.za for detailed information on visa requirements, a list of countries exempt from visa control, and other details.

Can I rent a mobile phone in South Africa?

Yes! Baz Bus is proud to announce the agreement formed between us and Vodashop Rentafone, and to offer our clientele a convenient and cost effective form of communication for travels in South Africa and Surrounds. From renting a mobile phone and sim card, or just a sim card, it is fast and effective. Bookings are made easier with our advanced bookings page which is available at http://billing.rentafone.net/reservations. Whilst completing the booking page, where the Company option is, please enter BAZ BUS as the Company so that we can track this offer and the Special Rates.

Once a booking is made, a Vodashop Rentafone consultant will pre book a mobile number for you and contact you with this. Once arriving in South Africa your phone can be collected at the airport upon arrival or should you wish to have the unit delivered we will meet you at the Backpackers lodge that you are staying at. Our delivery service is FREE however this is for in and around town areas and unfortunately we cannot deliver to Hermanus and extremely far areas. Should you be staying at any of these Backpackers it will be advised to collect at the airport you are arriving at.

We will require a credit card and ID/Passport for any rental request, unfortunately without a credit card we cannot provide a rental however the other option then would be a pre paid sim card. The rental rates are as follows all inclusive.

R6.50 per day for Rental of a phone and sim card

R3.95 per day for Rental of a sim card only

Call Rates:

• R2.75 per minute (Peak) Telkom (Landline) and Vodacom (082)
• R1.70 per minute (Off Peak)- Telkom (Landline) and Vodacom (082)
• R3.26 per minute MTN (083) and Cell C (084)
• R2.00 per minute (Off Peak) - MTN (083) and Cell C (084)
• R6.25 per minute International Neighboring Countries
• R9.90 per minute International to UK , USA , Germany , France , Sweden , Ireland , Australia and Netherlands
• R12.10 per minute International to Canada
• Other International rates on request.
• R1.25 per local sms
• R2.50 per International sms

The Benefits of Renting a local phone is as follows:

• Save more than 35% on roaming charges. (Travelers using their own mobile phone in South Africa will pay roaming charges on both incoming and outgoing calls, and message retrieval at international rates).
• Save up to 50% on expensive hotel call charges
• Cheaper and more convenient than prepaid (no recharging)
• FREE incoming calls while in South Africa
• FREE unlimited voicemail calls while in South Africa
• FREE itemized billing by email or fax
• FREE 112 emergency calls
• Instant international dial-out facility at lowest rates
• Roadside and medical assistance 082 911. Call out is free.
• All SIM cards are unlocked for international roaming and to make international calls.
• Pre-allocated phone numbers.
• Accesses to Hot Billing via Internet.
• Directory Enquiries and Call Connect by calling 110
• Hungry? Press 4 and the green send button to activate the call
• Lost? Press 5 and the green send button to activate the call
• Bored? Press 6 and the Green send Button to activate the call
• Hotel? Press 7 and the Green send Button to activate the call

Also all relevant Backpackers and Baz Bus numbers will be preloaded on the cellphones before delivery or collection.