Laundry costs on South African safari?
 

Silly concern I know, but around how much is it to have a shirt and pair of pants laundered? My mother and I will be staying at Ngala Lodge and the Arathusa Lodge and have no concept of the cost. If it is reasonable, then we will be free to bring a lot less clothing with us!

I think included at Ngala (no?) and less than $3 at Arathusa last year. Cheap enough - definitely worth not bringing extra clothes. We do our own laundry - we had a bathtub at Arathusa - with Tide packets we bring from home. DH sometimes is allergic to detergent he's not used to. Stuff dries really fast assuming normal S Africa weather. (no silly questions here!) Water and all drinks are extra at Arathusa, FYI. But again, inexpensive. But the filtered tap water was fine to drink, and DH is sensitive.

Check their web sites, usually says if laundry is included. I believe it was no cost at Ngala Lodge. I still don't mind paying for it, provides some income for locals.

Same for beverages of all types. I know all beverages were included at Ngala Lodge :).

regards - tom

If not included, the price is way less than you'll pay at home. Just remember that most places do not launder women's "smalls" (undies), so have enough of these, rinse them yourself or go the "paper" route. They're inexpensive enough (5/pr USD$5) and surprisingly rather comfy... then toss them.

Laundry is included at Ngala. I think we left it in the morning and it was usually returned late afternoon.

NGALA included (andBeyond policy :-) ) but Arathusa (same league as Elephant Plains Lodge) might charge a minimal fee. Let's be it 10/15ZAR per shirt nut for sure it's very very little compared to the trip ;-)

((@))

Thanks everyone - I was thinking the cost would be along the lines of exorbitant US hotel prices. I'll gladly pay $2-$3 for a shirt.