We Won’t Let COVID-19 Cramp Your Holiday

These protocols cover both preventative measures and supportive planning, informed by our dedicated physician Dr Matt Harmer from Mistral Medical and in line with World Health Organisation recommendations. Given our hospitality environment, these have been designed to seamlessly ‘run in the background’ so as not to detract in any way from your vacation.

Preventative Measures in Place

On safari, we keep each group of guests per vehicle as small as possible to ensure you have enough personal space (and a front-row seat to the wildlife viewing!). The vehicles are also washed down and sanitised before every game drive.

Social distancing has always been ensured by our hotels’ and lodges’ emphasis on privacy. The suites and guest areas are all generously spaced for your personal sense of comfort.

Private dining is all part of our exclusive hospitality experience. Setups have been thoughtfully considered, with tables laid out at least 2m apart. Our open-air dining settings – on the deck, around the pool, in a wilderness clearing… – also create lovely, more intimate atmospheres.    

Individual plating has become standard, with buffets put on the backburner for now. All meals and snacks are separately prepared and plated in controlled environments, with strict hygiene measures in place. The upside is that we’re even better able to cater for special dietary requirements. 

Clean hands go a long way in keeping the virus at bay, so we’ve made 70% alcohol-based hand sanitiser readily available to you and our staff. Sanitisers can be found throughout the lodges and hotels, in all back-of-house areas, guest suites, communal areas, and on the safari vehicles.

Daily temperature screening might be the only protocol in place you notice, but it’s necessary for us to ensure the health and safety of all the people in our care. Digital screenings of guests and staff are done as unobtrusively as possible, with a high regard for your personal space and comfort.

Staff monitoring helps us prevent the virus from being brought in from outside. Our people work on a rotational basis and staff returning to our properties go through a screening process and mandatory quarantine period, before being ready to attend to you again.        

Supportive Measure in Case

Isolation suites help us cover all our bases… In the event of a suspected COVID-19 case, we have set up separate suites for guests to quarantine in pre and post testing, with their results returned within 48 hours. 

Doctors on call let you travel safe in the knowledge that no matter which MORE Family Collection property you visit, we have a 24-hour hotline to medical professionals. Should you fall ill, a doctor will be called in to treat and further advise you, as well as the lodge or hotel.

Local emergency partners have helped us define a clear and effective COVID-19 management procedure. They are also on hand to assist us with responding to and containing a suspected case at any of our lodges and hotels.    

Private healthcare should be covered by your travel insurance and is easily accessible from all of our lodges and hotels. South Africa has an extensive network of private doctors, specialists, hospitals and clinics, and has the highest standard of medical care on the African continent.  

COVID-19 Testing for Guests

Nothing about COVID is convenient, but we can make complying with the regulations easier for you. Prior to departure from any of our properties, we can arrange for you to have the required COVID-19 test that will enable you to return home or travel to your next destination, without having to first stop off in a major city for testing. Our Guest Relations will set up your booking.   

If we want to return to normal, we have to start doing what’s normal (if a little more cautiously). That means travelling, connecting, and living again.

Words by: Jade Crocket

Photos by: Jared Ruttenburg; More Quarters; Alice Buckley & Marataba Safari Lodge