August 28th – September 9th, 2024
Your fascinating trip to South Africa is on the horizon and what a memorable adventure it will be. Soon you’ll be captivated as we explore the diverse wonders of this remarkable country—from the vibrant streets of Cape Town to the stunning views of the Cape Winelands, and the rich wildlife of the KwaZulu-Natal game reserves, there’ll be so much to explore and experience.
Please read the following document carefully as it contains important information to help you prepare for the adventure ahead. If you have any questions at all, simply let us know!
You will need a passport to travel to South Africa. Your passport should be valid until at least April 2025 and it should have 2 full empty pages.
If you don’t have empty pages, please contact us and we will send you instructions for getting a new passport in time for the tour.
Citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most European countries are allowed to enter South Africa without a visa for stays of less than 90 days. As a result, no preparations are needed and you do not need to obtain a tourist visa for this trip. Upon arrival in the country, the immigration officer will simply stamp your passport and you’ll be allowed to enter.
Please note that the arrival airport for this tour is the Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and the departure airport is the King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban. Please make sure that you are flying into Cape Town and departing from Durban.
Currently, South Africa DOES NOT require any specific immunizations to enter the country, with the exception of a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate only from guests that arrive from countries with a high risk of yellow fever transmission. This rule also applies to travelers who have spent more than 12 hours in transit through an airport in any of these countries. However, it is always worthwhile to consult with a healthcare professional about other optional vaccinations that might be beneficial for you during the tour. These may include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Typhoid, Cholera, Yellow Fever, Malaria and Meningitis.
Get ready to embark on an exciting 13-day journey across South Africa, from the dynamic streets of Cape Town to the serene Cape Winelands, the lush landscapes of Knysna, and the untamed Sungulwane Game Reserve. This diverse tour offers a wide array of experiences, including savoring world-class wines, delving into vibrant local cultures, and embarking on exhilarating safaris in pursuit of the famous Big Five, all while enjoying the stunning coastal views and the raw natural beauty that defines this country.
Our adventure will begin in Cape Town, where we’ll admire some of the best views in the world atop Table Mountain, meet the African penguins at Boulder’s Beach, share a meal at a local’s home, and explore the bustling streets of Bo-Kaap. Moving from city to countryside, we’ll delve into the Winelands, tasting renowned wines, enjoying a picnic among the vineyards, and experiencing South Africa’s deep culinary heritage. The journey will then take us to Knysna along the picturesque Garden Route, where we’re set to explore natural reserves, visit a monkey sanctuary, and relax on a sunset catamaran cruise complete with a BBQ dinner. Finally, we’ll head into the unspoiled beauty of the Sungulwane Game Reserve in pursuit of the majestic Big Five, enjoying thrilling safari drives and serene evenings under the stars.
Beyond the sights and sounds, this trip offers a deep dive into the warm culture of South Africa and its people. Engaging with locals, enjoying a meal in a local home, and experiencing the day-to-day life will provide us with a unique perspective on the lively community spirit. These interactions will ensure that our journey is not just a visit, but a true connection with the heart of South Africa.
From safari eco-lodges to tented lodges and 3* and 4* hotels, you can always expect clean and comfortable accommodations. All rooms have a private bathroom and air conditioning. Amenities may vary by location.
We’ll use a private 19-seater air-conditioned van to travel between destinations, as well as 4×4 safari jeeps for our safari game drives. Additionally, our itinerary includes a flight from the George Airport (near Knysna) to Durban, with a 2.5-hour layover in Johannesburg.
Tap water in Cape Town, Franschhoek, and Knysna is safe to drink, as it undergoes high-standard treatments and regular testing. However, in St. Lucia and the game reserves, we recommend using bottled water for drinking as the water quality can be quite inconsistent. It’s also best to use bottled water to brush your teeth in these areas.
All of the food provided during the tour will be completely safe to consume. Fruits and vegetables are always washed in filtered water, so the chances of getting a stomach bug are very slim. While the allure of South African street food and local restaurants can be tempting, we recommend that you only eat from places your tour leader or local guides recommend.
The local currency in South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR). The current exchange rate is $1 USD = 19 ZAR.
In terms of spending money, you should estimate an average of $25 – $30 USD per day for all of your needs. This would be for meals that are not included in the tour, basic purchases (laundry service, snacks, etc…) as well as any activities you choose to do on your own.
Credit cards are widely accepted throughout the country, but it’s always wise to carry some cash, especially when traveling around the countryside. While most urban merchants readily accept card payments, smaller vendors and rural shops may only take cash.
As for exchanging money, the best method is via ATM machines which are located all around the country. However, check with your bank at home as many banks charge high foreign transaction fees every time you withdraw money overseas. If using an ATM is not an option, or the fees are too high, simply bring USD, Euros or GBP to exchange at money exchange offices in the cities.
Tipping in South Africa is common and expected. Here’s a general guideline:
South Africa is safer than most people think. The chances of anything happening are very low as you’ll learn from our orientation on the first day of the tour. As for general travel safety, we recommend sticking with the old rule of using the same common sense you would use at home.
➜ Watch your stuff – When wandering around crowded areas, it’s always a good idea to keep your wallet and phone in your front pocket or secured in a purse or backpack. The purse, backpack or shoulder bag should be hanging by your front hip, with zippers fastened. Keep in mind that when out and about each day, you may leave valuables in your room as the hotels we use are all very safe.
➜ Scams – Although rare, local scams can sometimes occur. One of these scams involves ATMs, where thieves may peek over your shoulder to steal your PIN or install devices on the machines to capture your card details. It’s safest to always use ATMs located inside banks. For taxis, we recommend using reliable apps like Uber to prevent overcharging. Also, it pays to be cautious of individuals posing as tourist police at airports or various sights as they may attempt to check your documents and then demand payment for non-existent fines. Always request identification in such cases, and if anything seems off, seek assistance from an officially uniformed officer or airport staff. As with any travel, if something doesn’t feel right, it’s best to politely decline and walk away.
➜ Sun and Bugs – We recommend packing items such as sunscreen, hats and insect repellent in order to ensure you’re protected from the elements throughout the trip.
During this trip, we can expect relatively consistent weather. August is an ideal time to visit South Africa, with no intense heat and cool evenings. Here are the average temperatures of each destination we will visit:
While traveling in South Africa, you are free to wear whatever clothing you wish as South Africans generally dress as they do in any Western country
We recommend packing the following items:
The most important thing is that you don’t overpack as moving around the country with your luggage can be tiresome and the less stuff you have, the more thankful you’ll be once the tour begins.
If you have any questions about other items you were thinking about bringing or not bringing, just send us an email and we’ll be happy to let you know if such an item is necessary for this trip.
➜ Luggage For all of the internal flights, the maximum weight for checked luggage is capped at 20kg (44 lbs). Please note that the maximum dimensions for checked-in luggage is 43″ long x 75″ width x 90″ high. For your carry-on, make sure that it’s no heavier than 7kg (15 lbs), and that it measures no more than 22″ long x 14″ width x 9″ high. You can also bring along an extra personal item that fits under the seat.
You may bring your camera bodies and lenses into South Africa as a tourist.
Drones weighing up to 7 kilograms (15.5 pounds) may be operated in South Africa, provided you have a Remote Pilot Certificate and always adhere to the local laws to avoid heavy fines.
South Africa uses different plug outlets than you might find in other parts of the world. The most commonly found is Type M, but you may also come across Type C and Type N outlets. It is highly recommended to purchase a Type M adapter in advance.
As for electricity, check your chargers to see if they say 110 – 230V If they do, you will not have any problems charging your device while on the tour.
South Africa has generally strong internet and all of our accommodations will have WiFi. However, please note that in safari areas, connectivity might be weaker and is generally restricted to shared spaces such as the lobby or restaurant, not in individual rooms. While connectivity may occasionally be poor, you will generally be able to access the internet and complete necessary online activities, though it might take longer than usual due to the potentially spotty connection.
The easiest way to stay connected during the tour will be to purchase an E-SIM before the trip, as this will allow you to stay connected from the moment you land at the airport.
We can also set up local SIM cards upon arrival for those who wish. Just make sure you have a GSM-enabled unlocked phone in order to use a foreign SIM card.
Another option is to activate your home network’s ‘international plan’ which will allow you to continue using your phone as you would at home, with access to a data connection, for a fee that usually ranges from $5 – $10 per day.
Yes! Some days, particularly in the cities, will include time together as well as free time for you to enjoy a destination at your own pace. With that said, your tour leader will always be available to offer personal recommendations and suggestions as to things you might want to do or see, places to eat and other interesting activities that you might want to check out when there is free time.
We will set up a WhatsApp chat 2 weeks prior to the start of the tour that will include all of the participants as well as your tour leader. This will allow everyone to get to know each other in advance, ask questions and communicate with your tour leader both before and during the tour. It will be very useful for you to have WhatsApp available to you during the tour as this will be the main method of communication.
That’s it for now and we hope you are continuing to get more and more excited about this incredible adventure, just as we are!
If you have any questions about anything, please reach out to team@wanderingearl.com
