|
|
| |
Home >
Adventures by
Disney > Destinations >
South Africa
> Travel Tips |
|
| |
|
|
| |
 Travel Tips - What To
Know Before You Go
Start planning your Adventures
by Disney South Africa family vacation with this list of
travel tips that covers what to know before you go. |
|
|
Preparing for Your Adventure
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
Required Travel Documentation |
|
| |
|
|
| |
If you are a U.S. citizen, you will need
a valid passport to enter South Africa and return to the United
States.
U.S. passport holders traveling to the Republic of South Africa for
90 days or less for tourism or business purposes do not need visas.
Your passport must be valid six months beyond your intended stay and
must contain at least two blank (unstamped) visa pages each time
entry into the country is sought in addition to the
endorsement/amendment pages at the back of the passport. Please be
advised that if you do not comply with this regulation, you run the
risk of being forced to return to your previous destination at your
expense. Also be sure to allow yourself sufficient time to have your
application processed if you are applying for a new passport or
renewing an expired passport. Refer to
www.state.gov
for further details.
In addition, guests 17 years of age or younger may be required to
show additional documentation when traveling with a single parent.
If you are not a U. S. citizen, please check with the South African
Embassy or Consulate at
www.saembassy.org for information on documentation requirements.
Passport Services
You can apply for a passport through CIBT, Inc., a third party
travel document company servicing the travel industry (not
affiliated with the Walt Disney Company).
Click here for more information or call CIBT at
(800) 406-1523. Be sure to mention Adventures by Disney,
account #55134, for special pricing options.
PLEASE NOTE: ADDITIONAL CHARGES WILL APPLY FOR TELEPHONE
CALLS made to access CIBT specialists. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
What to Pack |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Please limit your baggage to one piece
of luggage per person plus one carry-on. There is a per guest
luggage restriction of 40lbs. which is strictly enforced due to
weight limitations when traveling to Kapama on smaller aircraft
employed on this route. As a result of frequent security changes, we
recommend that you check with your air carrier as well as the
Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) web site
www.tsa.gov for
current restrictions.
Comfortable shoes are needed as this adventure includes a
considerable amount of walking. Most attire is casual, although one
"smart casual" outfit is recommended. Layered clothes are best,
especially sweaters or jackets for cooler mornings and evenings.
| Clothing |
Miscellaneous |
| • T-shirts (short and
long-sleeved) |
• Passport |
| • Collared shirts |
• Medication |
| • Light sweater |
• Camera/video camera |
| • Jeans or long pants |
• Extra batteries or
charger for camera |
| • Casual Dress/Skirt
(optional) |
• Electric adapter |
| • Shorts |
• Sunglasses |
| • Lightweight rain
jacket |
• Sunscreen |
| • Hat |
• Insect repellant |
| • Swimsuit |
• Toiletries |
| • Close-toed shoes |
• Umbrella |
| • Sturdy-soled walking
shoes |
• Universal power
converter/adapter |
| • Sandals |
• Warm sweater when
traveling
during May - August |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
Weather |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Since South Africa is situated in the
southern hemisphere, its seasons are the reverse of those in North
America, with midwinter in June and July and midsummer in December
and January. In general the country enjoys a sunny climate all year
round. Cape Town and the southernmost part of the Western Cape have
a mild, changeable winter—the time most rainfall occurs, with
temperatures ranging from a high of 64°F (18°C) and a low of 45°F
(7°C). Summers tend to be warm to hot where highs and lows can reach
79°F (26°C) and 61°F (16°C), respectively. Overall, the average
annual temperature in Cape Town is 63°F (17ºC). The summers in the
interior regions of the country, including the Kapama Game Reserve
are hot with more frequent rain. Winters are dry and warm, although
they can sometimes be chilly at night. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
En Route
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
Arrival/Departure |
|
| |
|
|
| |
We will pick you up at Cape Town
International Airport (CPT) on your scheduled arrival day.
International flights into Cape Town generally arrive mid-day if the
flight is routed through a European gateway such as London or
Frankfurt. Flights departing East Coast gateways such as Atlanta,
Dulles or New York typically arrive in the evening hours in Cape
Town. Some flights departing the U.S. may include a changeover in
Johannesburg en route to Cape Town. Regardless of your flight's
arrival time, you will be met at the Cape Town airport and
transferred to your hotel.
On the final day of your Adventure, an early afternoon flight will
bring you from the Kapama Game Reserve to O. R. Tambo International
Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg for your return flight home. To assure
a comfortable connection in Johannesburg, your evening flight should
not be scheduled any time prior to 6:00 p.m. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
During Your Adventure
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
Currency |
|
| |
|
|
| |
The unit of monetary currency is the
South African rand. ATM machines are available in most places to
obtain cash in the local currency, and credit or debit cards are
widely accepted. However, cash and traveler's checks are suggested
to settle most accounts. From time to time you may have trouble
paying with traveler's checks, but you will be able to exchange them
at local banks or post offices. Your Adventure Guide can help you
with any currency issues or language barriers. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
Tipping |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Adventures by Disney has pre-paid
certain tips and gratuities for all included meals and activities
such as tips for porters, housekeepers, drivers, activity providers,
local experts and dining room staff for included meals.
On Your Own Dining Gratuities: When eating at a restaurant, a
gratuity may have already been included in the bill, but if you are
unsure, ask your server. If the gratuity is not included and you are
satisfied with the service, a 10% gratuity is customary.
Adventure Guide Gratuities: Gratuities for your Adventures
Guides are not included. If you feel that your Adventure Guides have
provided excellent service, we suggest the following discretionary
gratuity: Per Guest/Per Adventure Guide/Per Day - $5-$8 USD.
For example:
• For a 9-day adventure, the Adventure Guide gratuity per Guest,
per Adventure Guide: $45-$72 USD.
• For a family of 4 for a 9-day adventure: $180-$288 USD per
Adventure Guide. For 2 Guides, this is a total of: $360-$576 USD.
Adventure Guides accept local currency, U.S. dollars and travelers'
checks. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
Transportation |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Adventures by Disney has arranged
for all of your accommodation and transportation needs during your
stay in South Africa as specified in your trip itinerary. If you
choose to visit other parts of the country on your own, we highly
advise you to hire a driver and car to escort you during your
travels. Please ask your Adventure Guide for any assistance
regarding any transportation arrangements you may need. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
Language |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Besides English, South Africa has 10
other official languages: Afrikaans, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Sotho,
Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, and Zulu, with Afrikaans being
the first or second language of the majority of South Africans.
However, English is widely understood in urban areas and is the
dominant language of the government and media.
The following is a list of words and phrases you may want to use
during your trip to South Africa:
| English
|
Akrikaans |
Pronunciation |
| Hello |
Hallo |
Hallo |
| Goodbye |
Totsiens |
Totseens |
| Good morning |
Goeie môre |
Gh-oo-ee maw-re |
| Good afternoon |
Goeie middag |
Gh-oo-ee-uh midd-ahgh
|
| Goodnight |
Goeienag |
Gh-oo-ee-nah-gh |
| Yes |
Ja |
Yah |
| No |
Nee |
Kneer |
| Adventure |
Avontuur |
Avan-toor |
| Cheers! |
Gesondheid |
Gazoon-teit |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
