Cape Verde Island Hopping

Please inform us of any medical situation which may affect your enjoyment of the holiday. This is important because our leaders must consider both group and individual safety at all times.

Whilst out with the group, we respectfully request that you:

• Please listen to any safety instructions and other directions from the leader
• Keep group members in view, especially if weather or visibility is poor
• Please stay where you are if you become separated from the group. The leader will retrace their steps to find you.

Each leader carries a first aid kit but is not allowed to supply any medication including aspirin, paracetamol, antihistamines and antiseptic cream. You may wish to bring these items with you in your own kit (see Suggested Kit List).

In the unlikely event that your leader is incapacitated, please use any emergency kit in their rucksack and call emergency services.. Please then call our emergency number (sent in your final dispatch) and let us know there is a problem.

Please contact us as far in advance as possible if you have any specific dietary requirements and we will do our best to meet your needs.

If you require a specific meal on the flight, please let us know as soon as possible, and no later than 96 hours before travel.

This information is subject to change. In all cases, we highly recommend you consult your GP both for up to date details and for more information on what is appropriate to your situation. As a rule, travellers should be up to date with their routine vaccinations and boosters as recommended in the UK - including, for example, the MMR and diptheria, tetanus, polio vaccines. Requirements can change, and we recommend you check in good time ahead of your holiday.

It is recommended for most travellers to have:

• Hepatitis A
• Tetanus
• Typhoid

Polio vaccinations should be up to date. Cape Verde is a third world destination but has good levels of hygiene and reasonable healthcare.

Stomach upsets do happen but if you ensure you wash your hands before food, drink bottled or filtered water and use plenty of sunscreen, and wear a sunhat, this should make a difference. There is a low risk of Zika virus and malaria: you should take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitos. You will see large spiders, but they are not dangerous.

Please note: the use or possession of some common prescription or over-the-counter medicines is banned in some countries.

If you will be carrying medication, please check with the country’s embassy/consulate prior to travel. As an extra precaution, it is recommended to:

• Keep medication in its original packet
• Take a copy of your prescription
• If possible, ask your chemist to write the name of your medication in the language of the country you’re visiting

For further information on country specific advice, visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.traveldoctor.co.uk

Passports

We recommend It is a requirement that passports are valid for a minimum of 6 months after the date of your arrival.

Visas

Visas From 1st January 2019, If you have a British Citizen passport you can enter Cape Verde as a visitor for stays of up to 30 days without a visa. In place of a visa, at least 5 days before travelling, you must register with the Cape Verde authorities on the EASE website and, if arriving by air, pay an new Airport Security Tax (TSA) of 3,400 escudos or £30. To register and pay your TSA please visit www.ease.gov.cv It is important that you complete this process before you depart.

Cape Verde offers year round warm, sunny weather with temperatures ranging from 24 degrees Celsius through to 30 degrees. The dry season (Nov – June) offers consistent sun with low rainfall, while the wet season (Aug – Oct) has a short unpredictable rainy period with higher humidity, but still, plenty of sunshine.

Essentials  

• Walking boots with strong ankle support and good grip
• Waterproof jacket 
• Lightweight clothing
• Walking clothing  
• Walking socks (plus spares)  
• Sunhat 
• High-factor sunscreen (minimum SPF 30)  
• Sunglasses with a dark lens 
• Insect repellent
• Torch (handy for hotel grounds and in the room) 
• Water bottle (water is provided throughout the tour)  
• Rucksack/day pack
• Collapsible walking poles  
• Personal first aid kit (containing your medication, blister plasters, etc.) 
• Passport 
• Visa (if applicable) 
• Copy of your travel insurance policy 

Recommended

• Swimwear and travel towel (hotels have pools)
• Snacks (for coach trips)
• Dry bags
• Camera/mobile phone

Optional

• Mat (something small to sit on for picnics or rest stops when walking)

Book your holiday ‘with flights’ and you can choose to depart from a range of UK airports* to your destination. For latest flight times and prices please call us on 0203-974-8865 or email reservations@hfholidays.co.uk  

If you choose to book your flights with us, we automatically include return transfers between the destination airport and hotel.  

If you prefer to book the holiday without flights and make your own travel arrangements you will still be able to make use of the return group transfers between the airport and hotel, which are included in the cost of your holiday. You must contact us on +44 (0)20 3974 8865 or email reservations@hfholidays.co.uk at least 8 weeks before your holiday start date to provide your flight details if you wish to join the transfers. If you do not contact us, we will assume you are making independent travel arrangements.

If you are arriving ahead of the group, and are meeting them at the first hotel, please leave a message at the hotel reception for the HF Holidays’ leader or local leader, detailing your room number, and a mobile telephone number if possible. The leader will contact you once the group arrives. If you are arriving after the group, a message will be left for you at the hotel reception, welcoming you and giving details of the time and place to meet the group.

Baggage allowance

Please check details of your airline’s baggage allowance, as shown on your e-ticket. Remember to also check any connecting flights you may have booked.

If you have chosen to upgrade your international flight, please be aware that any internal or connecting flights may have a lower baggage allowance.  In these cases, the baggage allowance of the internal flight will apply for the whole journey.

Lost/damaged luggage

If your bag or its contents are damaged or lost while in the airline’s care, this should be reported to the baggage service agents at the airport on arrival. They will assess the damage; in some cases, the airline may decide to settle your claim immediately. 

You will be given a reference to quote to your insurance company if an immediate settlement is not possible - in many cases, baggage claims can only be accepted in writing. A baggage claim form must be obtained from the airport.

Cape Verde Escudo (CVE). Currency cannot be obtained in advance; take cash in Euros or Sterling. Euros can be changed in all hotels and banks. Only large bank branches will accept Sterling.

Most goods are imported so whilst prices are lower than the UK this is not a budget destination. Visa is accepted at major hotels and restaurants, but not in rural areas. If you are staying additional nights outside of the group tour, the hotels will charge hotel tax, which is the equivalent of €2 per person per night.

Two lunches arw not included on the holiday, for which we suggest you budget approx. €20 pp per meal. You will also need to take money for any drinks and souvenirs which you may wish to purchase.

GMT/UTC -1 hour

220V, round European two-pin sockets. Adapters are needed for UK plugs

ATMS are available in most towns

Suggested reading

• Berlitz, Cape Verde Pocket Guide 2015
• Bradt, Guide Cape Verde Islands 2014
• Sampson Jerry, History & Culture, Republic of Cape Verde 2015

Maps

Although you won’t need them, if you’d like any maps of the destination, you can obtain some in advance from The Map Shop: www.themapshop.co.uk