Frequently Asked Questions

MORE INFO FOR YOU!

We have found that many travellers have similar questions about their Connections experience. Maybe you'll find the answers to your questions here. Also check out our DVD Inspirations for a look at our Connections Experiences.

How do I know whether a trip is suitable for me?
Connections offer a whole range of experience styles throughout the world including SAFARIS, DISCOVERY and TAILOR-MADE trips. To assist you in choosing the trip that’s exactly right for you, we have rated all of our itineraries with an Activity Factor and Comfort Zone. The Activity Factor rates how physically demanding the activities on tour may be, and what level of fitness (if any) is required, whilst the Comfort Zone grades the level of culture shock you may experience on a trip. Please ensure you haveunderstood the style of trip, the grades and the itinerary that you are booking.

Do I have to participate on the tours?
This depends on the type of trip you have selected.

All of our campsites with Connections in the Northern Territory are permanent, so there is no hard work or setting up involved on our safari tours. However, the success of the tour relies on the participation of all of the passengers to help with food preparation, dish washing, collecting firewood etc. The interactive nature of our safari tours is a key component to getting more in touch with nature, and the Australian culture.

How difficult is the activities on my trip?
For all travellers we recommend that you check out the ACTIVITY FACTOR and COMFORT ZONE grading that applies to the trip you are considering and make your own judgement.

I am concerned about safety in the country through which my trip will travel. Where can I findmore information?
Trips are run in keeping with a our travel safety policy.

Many western government websites provide up-to date travel advice and information to help their citizens make informed decisions on travelling abroad. We recommend you visit any of the following sites:

• For Australian citizens visit www.smartraveller.gov.au (Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade)
• For British citizens visit www.fco.gov.uk (Foreign & Commonwealth Office)
• For US citizens visit www.travel.state.gov (US Department of State)

How many passengers will be on the tours?
This varies between a maximum of 6-24 passengers, depending on the tour and the style of travel. Safaris trips carry up to a maximum of 24 while Discovery trips vary from a maximum of 12 to 18.  Refer to the itinerary or brochure pages for specific details.

How often do you operate your tours?
Please refer to the itinerary tour pages for day-to-day touring information, and click through from there to departure dates and prices.

Can I book my flight through your office?
Yes - if you are travelling with us we can certainly assist with flights. Contact us for more information.

What's included in the trip?
Inclusions vary from tour to tour, however generally transport, ferry crossings, accommodation, most meals and activities as specified in the itinerary.  Refer to the brochure or individual itinerary pages for specific information on what’s included.

What's not included?
Passenger's spending money, visas, personal travel insurance, porterage, transfers to/from the airport, medical fees, flights including internal flights, pre/post tour accommodation, some meals, departure taxes, optional excursion costs and for some trips, local payments.

Can you arrange pre and post accommodation?
Yes. Contact us and speak to a Travel Guru or contact your Travel Agent.

I am a single traveller. Will I have an option to share?
This depends on where you’re travelling.  In Australia and New Zealand, there’s no need to worry if you're travelling alone on as there are many options for you.

On camping Safaris our tents are twin share and spacious, and we can pair you up with another passenger of the same sex. Single supplements are available, and are only an option for those passengers who want to guarantee sole use of a tent. Share twin is not available on our tours throughout other regions.

Refer to the Departure Dates and Prices pages of the trips to determine what specific room types are on offer as this does vary.

What meals are provided?
Meals are provided as indicated on the itineraries. Please advise at time of booking if you have special dietary needs. If you have special dietary requirements you may need to provide your own food, due to the remote regions we travel.

What should I bring?
This does vary from tour to tour. For your Northern Territory Camping Safaris you need to bring a Towel, torch (flashlight), batteries, small pillow, water bottle, toiletries, hat, sturdy walking shoes, sun screen, camera and film, warm clothes in winter months, wet weather gear, swim wear, overnight bag. Please refer to Predeparture Information for the other regions. The best tip, as we travel in small groups, is to pack light!

What clothes will I need to bring?
This does vary depending on where you're travelling to.  Please refer to the relevant predeparture documents for specific details.

What do you supply on your camping trips in the Australia?
Camping equipment at our permanent safari camps in the Northern Territory (tents, off-the-ground real beds, sleeping bags/sheets), and basic camping equipment in Western Australia (camp fees, toilet/shower facilities.)

Do you supply sleeping bags on all camping trips?
We supply sleeping bags for all camping trips in the Northern Territory. 

For other regions, you can hire them from us in Western Australia for A$25 - payable direct to the driver on day one of your tour; or A$15 for the Nullarbor Safari trips.

Please refer to the packing 'checklist' on your pre-departure information.

Are the Central Australia SAFARI tours any cheaper because I can pick it up from Ayers Rock?
The tours are the same cost. All you miss out on is the drive from Alice Springs to Uluru/Ayers Rock (approx. 6 hours), and a visit to the camel farm.

What are the luggage limitations?
We ask that luggage is kept to a minimum (preferably an overnight bag - 16 kg max.). You will find hotels/motels store luggage. Depending on the destination, a nominal fee is sometimes charged for this service. Of course this is only an advantage if your trip is circular, i.e. returning to the starting point.

If we are picking you up at Ayers Rock please advise at time of booking what luggage you will have so we can make arrangements. If you're undertaking a tour including a charter flight, keep luggage to a maximum of 10 kg per person.  A small day pack is also recommended.

A tip if you're travelling the East Coast of Australia - bring along a day pack that you can use for overnight island stays (eg. Fraser Island/Long Island). The islands impose strict weight limitations which means you can only take limited luggage - so be prepared to 'down size' for those nights.

Can I take a suitcase rather than the recommended back pack?
We strongly advise that you do not bring a suitcase as they are bulky and difficult to carry and can be difficult to secure on trains etc. While your trip may not involve carrying your bags for any great distance, we would still recommend that you bring a backpack or soft bag. Porters are not always available to carry your luggage for you.

Do I need to bring Walking Boots or will my Sand Shoes (Sneakers / Running Shoes) suffice?
We would recommend you bring footwear that is going to be comfortable for walking over rough terrain and rocky ground.

Do I need to bring my own water on camping safaris?
Yes, you will need to provide a large bottle of water, but we will provide water to refill your bottle during the trip.

Do I need to bring my own Sleeping Bag?
We supply sleeping bags on our Northern Territory trips that involve camping. When travelling in Western Australia, you can supply your own or hire one from us (A$25).  On Nullarbor camping trips they can be hired for A$15 or swags are also available for A$50.

What is the transport like?
The mode of transport utilised on your Connections trip will generally depend on where you go.

Throughout Australia and New Zealand we utilise our own fleet of quality vehicles from 4WD landcruisers to purpose built all-terrain vehicles and mercedes benz coaches.

We endeavour to incorporate a whole range of other ‘unique local’ styles of transport into our itineraries including bicycles, boats, planes, canoes and more!

Refer to itineraries for specific transport used on each trip.

Are your buses air-conditioned?
Yes - all our vehicles (4WDs, coaches and ISUZUS) are fitted with air-conditioning for our touring in Australia and New Zealand.

Are your trips suitable to children?
We have a range of trips around the world that are suitable for children. However we also have a number of trip styles that are not suitable. Please refer to the Travelling with Children page of the site and also refer to individual itineraries.

Are there power points available at the campsites in Australia?
At most (but not all) camps you will find 240v power points.

Where will we be picked up from?
This varies from tour to tour, region to region.  Please refer to the individual trip itineraries for information on departure/pick up procedures and times.

Will I find toilets / showers at any of the campsites on camping safaris in Australia?
ALL Connections Safaris Northern Territory permanent campsites have toilets and showers.

Do you include National Park Entrance Fees in the Australia?
All tours include applicable park entrance fees.

Do I need to advise where I am staying prior to the tour?
Yes - we need this information in advance to arrange your pick up, and to advise you of the correct pick up time.

Do I need to reconfirm my booking?
Only if you need to advise us of your pick up location and determine/reconfirm your pick up time.

How much free time will there be?
We know that holidays are about relaxation. We also know that you want to see and do as much as possible. Accordingly we have planned as much free time as possible and there will always be a choice to do as little or as much as you like. The one thing we cannot change is that the places we visit have an awesome amount of great things to see and to visit most of them there will be some days that involve travelling in the all terrain vehicle/coach. Where possible we have punctuated these days with two or three night stopovers at key locations so you can kick back and relax!  Refer to individual itineraries for more information on how much free time is scheduled.

Can I opt out of certain activities if I want to?
Yes. In most situations the itineraries provided are flexible so as to enable you to build your own holiday. The trip leader may be able to help you make any specific alternative arrangements - please notify us at the time of booking. The only exception to this rule is when we are trekking, or travelling from one place to the next night's stop. Please note anything organised outside of the group activity will be at your own cost.

Will my bags be delivered to my room each night?
If you expect porterage, then these probably aren’t the travel experiences for you. We'll generally try and assist where and if it's completely necessary, but many of our accommodation houses and campsites are not designed for this kind of service.

What about my special dietary needs?
We will do our best to cater to your dietary needs if have enough advance warning. Please let us know what it is you require at time of booking and we'll confirm our ability to meet your needs.

Should I take out Travel Insurance?
We strongly recommend you take out adequate travel insurance prior to travel. It must provide cover against personal accident, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability. We recommend it also covers any unforeseen circumstances which may arise (including cancellation fees, curtailment expenses, loss of luggage, early departure from tour due to death or illness etc.).

I have a pre-existing medical condition do I need to advise Connections?
Yes. Clients must inform Connections of any pre-existing medical problems at the time of booking.

Are there any medical and vaccination requirements?
Medical and vaccination requirements differ between nations. For detailed recommendations specific to your trip, please refer to the pre-departure information or contact your local medical authority.

Will refrigeration be available for medicines? Eg. Insulin
Availability of refrigeration cannot be guaranteed. As a general rule, many of our city hotels provide access to small fridges however outside of this, especially when trekking or in homestay environments, you cannot rely on access to refrigeration.  Most camping trips have access to refrigeration, but we recommend contacting us prior to booking to confirm this service.

How do I know if I need a visa and where can I get a Visa from?
For information on visas requirements relevant to your nationality please contact your embassy. To find a nation's embassy in any country, visit www.embassyworld.com/embassy/directory.htm

I need further specific details about my trip in order to fill out my Visa Application Form?
All of the information required in a Visa Application (eg. point of entry and exit, transport date of entry, arrival hotel) can be found in your trips the pre-departure information.

How do I know if I need a passport and how long should it be valid for?
All international travel requires a full passport, which is valid for at least six months from the return date of your travels. If you need to obtain or renew your passport please allow at least six weeks to process.

What is the currency in my destination? How much should I take in traveller's cheques/cash?Can you change traveller's cheques? Can I use my credit card during my trip?
Currency and banking services and other money matters differ between nations. For detailed recommendations specific to your trip, please see the Spending Money and Money Exchange sections of the pre-departure information.   When travelling Australia and New Zealand credit cards are widely accepted. 

I cannot speak English. Will there be a translator?
The majority of our tours are all conducted in English. Some of our Tour Leaders can speak a second language; however, we do not promote it as an inclusion. It is highly likely that given our diverse nationalities, that one of the other passengers may be able to assist.  We do have a number of camping safari trips in the Northern Territory whereby we do offer tours in French and German.

Am I an Adventurous type?
Well only you can answer that! The great thing about Connections is that if you like adventure we have an enormous amount to share with you. If on the other hand you're not too sure, then we can suggest alternatives that suit your own sense of adventure. Refer to our Factor It page which explains the Activity & Culture Shock ratings of our trips.  Then you can refer to the individual trips to find a tour that suits you.

What standard of accommodation can I expect from a Connections trip?
This varies greatly depending on the destination.  Throughout Australia on Safari we utilise permanent private campsites while Discovery trips utilise 3-4 star hotel and resort accommodation. 

Our emphasis is on authentic local experiences so remember that travelling, you may experience a lower level of accommodation than you would expect at home. Most of the accommodation on the trips featured in this brochure are organised on a twin share basis. Please be aware that homestay, overnight trains, buses and boat accommodation may be on a multi share basis and SAFARIS trips generally include camping. Refer to individual itineraries for more detailed information.

What is a local specialist operator?
In many parts of the world Connections work with highly reputable local specialist operators. These local partners are all passionate about the countries they operate in and offer the same high standards as Connections.

Do I need an adventurous budget?
We have developed itineraries that include something for everyone but it's common that you will want to pack as much adventure into this holiday as possible. We're frequently asked 'how much should I budget for the optional meals and adventure activities whilst on tour?'. The answer depends largely on your interest and inclination. Be sure that you clearly note how many meals are included and be sure to provide for the dinners out and snacks along the way. Optional activities can vary greatly in cost so we strongly recommend that you print out our Pre-post information booklet from the individual tour pages. These provide a comprehensive guide to optional activities and your costs, so you can effectively plan your budget.

What is the temperature likely to be?
This varies from country to country.  Here’s a few websites to help you plan ahead:

• Australia  www.bom.gov.au
• New Zealand   www.metservice.co.nz

Also a word of warning - please make sure you have checked the current local temperatures for your destination. The varied destinations that we travel to have equally varied temperatures. Whether it's the Australian desert or the mountains of New Zealand, feeling comfortable can make or break your holiday.

Please refer to the individual Destinations pages depending on where you're touring.

Average temperatures in Celsius are:

Note: these are average temperatures and winter nights in the Red Centre can get down to below 0°C and summer days can get above 40°C.

* Temperatures can drop to 4°C in Katherine.

How do I make a booking?
Contact our booking centre, book online via this website, or see your local Travel Agent.

Who are Intrepid Connections?
At Intrepid Connections, we strive to offer travel experiences with a difference, and have been doing so for more than 30 years. We can take you through just about every corner of Australia plus we have the North & South Islands of New Zealand well and truly covered!

We pride ourselves on providing you with unforgettable lifelong memories and experiences that could change your outlook on the world and possibly your life. And we don't just stop there - we're always on the look out for new opportunites, hot destinations and ways to make travel more interesting, unique and ultimately enjoyable.

Through a great deal of hard work Intrepid Connections has become Australia's premier Open Age tour operator. In 2000 the business was acquired by The APT Group of Companies and became an integral part of the business. Whilst we maintain the size and feel of a small family business we have the security and backing of Australia's finest touring operation. Today the division is simply known as Intrepid Connections providing travel experiences throughout Australia and New Zealand.

I am over 60 - do I need a medical certificate?
No. We do however recommend that you observe the ACTIVITY FACTOR & COMFORT ZONE grading that applies to the trip you are considering, and make your own judgment according to your fitness levels.

Have a question that isn't answered here?
Then let us know and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

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