South Africa - General Information

Packing List

Climate

South Africa’s climate is generally sunny and pleasant. Winters are usually mild, although snow falls on the mountain ranges of the Cape and Natal and occasionally in lower-lying areas, when a brief cold spell can be expected throughout the country.

Cape Town: cold & wet (May to August); sunny & warm (September to May)

Durban & Johannesburg: dry (May to September); wet (October to April)

Required Clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens and rainwear. Warmer clothes are needed for winter.

Safari Recommendations

Packing List

· 2 pairs of khaki shorts.

· 2 pairs of khaki or light weight pants or chinos- convertibles work well for the bush but keep a pair for Cape Town

· 1 Pair jeans

· 1 khaki safari jacket or fleece type jacket (Camouflage is not allowed). In winter months this can be a thicker insulated anorak type and lighter in summer months (wind breaker)

· 1 bathing suit.

· 1 warm sweater or sweatshirt or anorak for unexpected blustery weather in the Cape.

· 3 long sleeved shirts. (you will use these in Cape Town as well as the bush so versatile – light – colors are good)

· 4 short sleeved shirts or T shirts.

· 3 sets of underwear.

· 3 pairs of socks.

· 1 pair of sneakers or running /hiking shoes.

· 1 pair of tevas / sandals or rubber flip flops (for streams and showers)

· 1 cotton hats or visors. A bandana.

· Ladies may like to take a sports bra, the roads can be bumpy!

· A water bottle belt is an idea if you plan to walk a lot!

· Plus: Toilet kit with moisturizer, sunscreen and repellent, medical kit, and your preferred camera kit.

Accessories

Bring two pairs of dark glasses (in case of loss), and of course your prescription glasses if you need them. Contact lenses are not advisable as one rides in open cars on sometime dusty plains!

Sunscreen, min 15 SPF, and moisturizer are a must in the African sunshine. Watch the face, neck, arms and the backs of your legs when in shorts!

Every person should have their own binoculars. You will not want to pass them back and forth when the action starts, or a special bird is sighted. Binoculars do not have to be expensive, but you will get more enjoyment from a better pair. Get a “light gathering” and a “wide field” type. I recommend something close to 10 x 40 – technology, size and weight is improving all the time, as prices come down. I use Olympus 12 x 30.

Electric appliances can be used in all lodges, camps and hotels and private homes, with the correct transformer and plug adapters (please see above Electricity section) . Southern African plugs are all the same standard. Get a Universal Adapter which will run most appliances or for video and camera battery charging.

Other small items to consider: Moisturizer, small packets of Kleenex and Wet Ones, lip balm, insect repellent, face soap, shaving stuff, large zip lock plastic bags to keep cameras dust free on the game runs, hard candy for “dry mouth” syndrome, plus a dust mask for those with allergies or the unwanted head cold. Leave your jewelry at home. Your watch is all you really need.

Entry, Exit & Health Regulation

Passport/Visa (for US citizens)

Passport Required? Yes

Visa Required? No

Passports: Passport valid for at least 30 days after the intended date of departure required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Passport Note

Passport must have at least two blank pages for entry stamp. This cannot include the ‘endorsement’ page at the back. Passengers who also require a visa must have a passport with two blank facing pages, one for the visa and one for their entry stamp. Anyone attempting to enter South Africa without the required pages will be returned to their country of origin.

Visas

Not required for US citizens for stays of up to 90 days for business and tourist purposes.

Health: Vaccinations

Diphtheria – Recommended

Hepatitis A – Recommended

Malaria – Sometimes*

Rabies – Sometimes

Tetanus – Recommended

Typhoid – Sometimes

Yellow Fever – No*

* Kruger National Park, the Lowveld region of Mpumalanga and northern KwaZulu-Natal are considered a low risk malaria area during December-April.

** A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age arriving from an infected area.

Inoculation regulations can change at short notice. Please take medical advice in the case of doubt. Where ‘Sometimes’ appears in the table above, precautions may be required, depending on the season and region visited.

Electrical Consideration

Electrical plug, adapter & transformer

South African Electrical system: 220/230 volts AC; 50Hz.

South Africa has a three large round-pin plug, although in some areas round two-pin and UK three-rectangular blade plugs are used.

Although most international hotel rooms have 110 volt outlets for electric shavers and appliances, you may want to consider carrying a plug adapter, converter and/or transformer for your electric / electronic applicances.

Unless your appliance is dual voltage, you need to use a “converter” or a “transformer” to change the 220-volt electricity into 110-volt electricity in order to use a 110-volt appliance. If your appliance is dual voltage, you can switch it to work on 220-volts, without a transformer or converter. (Remember to switch it back to when you return home).

Laptops come with AC Adapters and power cords that can take in voltage (INPUT) in 100-240 V range hence they will work in both USA and South Africa and you do not need a converter or transformer. However you will need a South Africa – North America plug adapter.

Social Conventions & Tipping

Social Conventions

Handshaking is the usual form of greeting. Normal courtesies should be shown when visiting someone’s home. Casual wear is widely acceptable. Formal social functions occasionally call for a dinner jacket and black tie for men and full-length dresses for women; this will be specified on the invitation. Smoking is prohibited in public buildings and on public transport, and restaurants have enclosed or outdoor smoking sections.

Tipping is entirely at your discretion but we recommend the following guide:

Transfers – US$2 per person

Restaurants – 10 percent for good service and up to 15 percent for exceptional service

Game lodge staff – up-to US$25 per stay

Rangers/ trackers – US$10 per person per day