KRUGER PARK
Q. Your advice for people to take their own food when visiting the Kruger Park (May 14) refers.
I'm not sure when last you were in the Kruger Park, but we go regularly. Until about two years ago, I wouldn't have bought fruit or vegetables in the shops there either, except in an emergency. This is due, as you rightly said, not only to the cost but also to the poor quality. However, the standard of fruit and veg in the shops has improved significantly of late and the prices are market related.
In fact, I delayed sending this e-mail to you as we were sleeping over in Lower Sabie a week ago. I had a good look again at Lower Sabie and at Pretoriuskop and was yet again extremely impressed with the freshness, variety and prices of the food available. - Janine Gibbons
A. Thank you for the updated news on the improvement of standards. While many visitors to the park will probably still prefer to take their own supplies, it is good to know that the quality of basics that one always needs on the spot is now better.UK TRANSIT VISAS
Q. My husband and I are travelling to Copenhagen to board a cruise. We booked our flights on British Airways so will go via London Heathrow. We are arriving from Cape Town at Terminal 3, Heathrow, and depart for Copenhagen three hours later, from Terminal 5.
According to travel agents, a transit visa is required. When my husband attended the visa interview at the Danish embassy, they said that since he had a valid US visa in his passport, they would accept his visa application without a UK transit visa. Does he need one or not? - Theresa Peddie
A. You do not require a UK transit visa if you have a valid US (or Canadian) visa and a confirmed onward flight from the UK within 24 hours - regardless of where you are flying to. This applies even if you are changing airports to depart from Gatwick Airport for your onward flight, or popping out to visit a friend.
So the Danish Embassy is correct - your husband does not need a visa for the UK. However, in the event that the airline check-in staff in South Africa may not know about this rule, you would be wise to call the airline and get clarification on this before you leave - keep the name of the person who advises you or ask for a written confirmation you can take to the airport...