Important Information & FAQ

Question

Wait, didn't y'all get hitched already?

Answer

The afternoon of October 19, 2021, less than a week before moving to Angola, our parents joined us for a minimony in the courtyard of All Souls Church, Unitarian, in Washington, D.C., which we've kept largely under wraps to ensure this celebration is special!

Question

Where exactly is this place?

Answer

Jembisa is an award winning family friendly safari resort in South Africa's Limpopo Province. Just south of the Tropic of Capricorn, Jembisa lies within the UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, on a private malaria-free wildlife reserve encompassing diverse habitats and biomes including savannah plains, syringa forests, riverine forests, gullies, rock faces, cliffs, and flood plains. GPS coordinates of the lodge are S23°57.596, E28°23.029.

Question

How do I get to the main event?

Answer

As we’re celebrating out in the wild, the nearest international airport, O.R. Tambo (JNB), is about three hours away by road. Guests should decide if they would prefer to rent a car and drive to Jembisa, spring for a chartered 30-minute bush flight from Johannesburg, or take a shuttle bus with other guests. Shuttle bus passengers will meet in Pretoria, as detailed on the travel page of this website. Guests not staying at Jembisa may require their own vehicle.

Question

Do I need a passport or visa?

Answer

If you don't have a passport, or need to renew it, apply now; COVID-19 backlogs have caused monthslong delays in processing times. Guidance we have received states that each passport should have three consecutive empty visa pages. U.S. passport holders do not require a visa to travel to South Africa, but are are encouraged to review https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/SouthAfrica.html for requirements. For other passport holders, please consult your government's embassy or consulate in South Africa as well as the South African Department of Home Affairs to see if you need a visa: http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/countries-exempt-from-sa-visas.

Question

Do I need any shots to visit?

Answer

Jembisa is not in a malarial area. Please check out these links for information on required and recommended vaccinations, and much more: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/south-africa https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/SouthAfrica.html

Question

What if I get sick or injured?

Answer

While Jembisa is not in a malarial area, you may still have health concerns. In the nearest town — 50km (around 30 miles) away — there are two physicians: one pediatrician and one general practitioner. For more serious issues, quality private hospitals and other health facilities exist in Pretoria. Before leaving home, confirm that your current insurance policy covers you abroad, on African safari, and includes repatriation for major medical emergencies and death.

Question

Should I have safety or security concerns?

Answer

Limpopo, where Jembisa is located, is the safest province in South Africa! While the majority of tourists do not experience crime while visiting, Johannesburg and Pretoria are high-risk cities. When staying in or transiting through these cities, be vigilant at all times. Avoid walking alone, townships/rough neighborhoods, and unvetted taxis. Exercise particular caution at night. Do not display cash or other valuables. Keep your doors and windows locked (where you're staying and if you're in a car). If you're out exploring the city, carry only a photocopy of your passport and visa, unless it is essential to have the originals. Dial 10111 in an emergency. If you are a victim of a crime, your local consulate may be able to provide assistance. More advice can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa/safety-and-security. Travelers from the USA are encouraged to sign up with the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs Smart Traveler Enrollment Program at https://step.state.gov/step. Travel alerts can be found here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/SouthAfrica.html.

Question

How much will this trip cost me?

Answer

We know such a trip is a great expense. That said, we believe that South Africa offers a lot of bang for your buck. Jembisa has a range of lodging options; for guests staying there, thanks to our exclusive booking, and a generous subsidy from the mother of the bride, for a three night stay, you can expect to pay under $1600, per room for all three nights* to stay, eat, drink, and play ⁠— a fantastic deal for a resort of this caliber. Based on double occupancy, Tier 1 rooms come to around $775 per person for all three nights, Tier 2 $365, and Tier 3 $230. For double rooms only occupied by one person, a surcharge will be added per Jembisa policy; please keep in mind that prices may fluctuate due to exchange rates.

Question

Are children welcome?

Answer

Children are most welcome, and childcare is included for guests staying at Jembisa. Jembisa specializes in family safari experiences. Children are also welcome to stay at Lindani and Sunnybush Farmstay; childcare is available to Lindani guests for an extra charge. Let your little ones learn firsthand the wonders of the natural world and leave as mini game trackers. Plus, Millie will be very excited to greet your young travelers! Jembisa guests can expect to pay less than $75 per night per child and $35 per night per infant. Jembisa considers children as 3 to 11 years old; younger count as infants and older count as adults.

Question

What can we see at Jembisa?

Answer

Jembisa is home to an array of flora and fauna. Wildlife, or game, includes leopard, giraffe, zebra, hippopotamus, crocodile, civet cats, genet, serval cats, and numerous types of antelope, including oryx, gazelle, eland, kudu, and wildebeest, as well as porcupine, bushbaby, hyena, aardwolf, and aardvark. Additionally, you can see around 300 bird species.

Question

What non-wedding activities are there?

Answer

In addition to room and board, your stay at Jembisa includes a variety of exciting activities at no extra cost! Spend your spare time visiting historic San (Bushmen) paintings and Iron Age sites, mountain biking, swimming, playing tennis or croquet in the wild, (fly) fishing, going on guided bushwalks, day and night game drives, photographic safaris, river walks, hiking, birding, ranger shadowing, and campouts under the stars with a group of 10 or fewer. For a very reasonable fee, treat yourself to an aromatherapy massage too. Offsite guests may choose to partake in certain activities at their lodges and can join most Jembisa activities with advance notice.

Question

What is a game drive? What about a bushwalk?

Answer

A game drive is an excursion through nature to view wildlife; a bushwalk is a hike or walk in nature. Jembisa offers both, always with a trained guide, from 30 minutes to just keep your children occupied, and up to four hours.

Question

What about the Big 5?

Answer

According to National Geographic, the term "Big 5" was coined in the late 1800s during Africa’s colonial period; it refers to what trophy hunters thought to be the most challenging and dangerous animals to hunt on foot, and today is considered a "must-see list of iconic megafauna" for safari-goers. The mammals include the lion, leopard, African buffalo, endangered African savanna elephant, and rhinoceros, including the near threatened white rhino and critically endangered black rhino. While these animals do not all reside at Jembisa, the Big 5 are in the vicinity, and excursions can be arranged, usually for guests six and older.

Question

What will the weather be like?

Answer

Mid-July should be clear and cool. Expect morning, evening, and overnight temperatures to be chilly, with nighttime lows that can fall to around 40°F (4°C), or even down to freezing along the river. During the day, temperatures usually warm up to the low- to mid-70s°F (20s°C). July is winter, and often a dry period in the Waterberg, which means a lot fewer insects.

Question

What is the food situation?

Answer

Jembisa prides itself on using fresh local ingredients and seasonal produce from its organic kitchen garden. Dietary requirements can be catered to with advance notice. A wide range of drinks are available at no additional cost, including South African wines.

Question

Will my credit cards work there?

Answer

Before traveling, it is a good idea to inform your bank and credit card companies to avoid having your account frozen or your card declined. Learn about possible foreign transaction fees or ATM partnerships; some institutions reimburse or do not charge such fees. Do your research now! Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in South Africa. It's a good idea to have a debit card as backup in case your credit card doesn't work. There is an ATM in the town closest to Jembisa.

Question

What about electronics?

Answer

You can use your smartphone to connect to wireless internet at Jembisa. Should you wish to use your cell phone outside of Wi-Fi zones, contact your carrier to learn more about roaming on your current plan. Alternatively, you can buy a local SIM card at the airport upon arrival, which you can use in an unlocked GSM phone; prior to commencing your journey, contact your provider to make sure your device is not locked. The Vodacom network is the most reliable at Jembisa, and Vodacom has shops at the airport where you can buy a local SIM. Electrical outlets in South Africa come in several shapes and sizes. You should bring an adaptor that fits "Type M" sockets. Ensure your devices and chargers are compatible with 230V, or you will need a (usually very heavy) transformer to convert the voltage. The bride will bring a travel hair blow dryer if you need to borrow one.

Question

What else should I pack?

Answer

In addition to an electrical adapter and clean undies, you'll probably be most comfortable wearing layers, considering the range of temperatures. Neutral colors and earth tones will help you blend in; think vintage safari chic, no stilettos or dark suits. Bring your swimsuit for a dip in the heated pool, workout clothes and tennis shoes if you'd like to borrow a racket and hit some tennis balls on the hard court. Binoculars and hiking boots might be helpful but aren't essential. If you plan to go on the optional golf outing, you can rent clubs but not shoes. We will share a more detailed packing list as the celebration approaches.

Question

What about our footprint?

Answer

The owners of Jembisa are passionate about stewardship of the natural world, prioritizing land and wildlife management to protect it for the future. Jembisa is a member of Waterberg Nature Conservancy, BirdLife South Africa, and supports Fauna & Flora International, the world’s oldest international wildlife conservation organization.

Question

What's up with the utilities crisis?

Answer

Recently, South Africa has been facing water shortages and power outages. While load shedding, or rolling blackouts, do affect Jembisa, generators provide electricity for essentials. Fortunately, Jembisa is in the midst of installing solar panels, which is happening in phases across the different units. Until the project's completion, during load shedding, unfortunately, heat cannot be guaranteed. Jembisa gets its drinking water from a reliable borehole. Compared to some of the places we've lived, you won't be roughing it!

Question

How do I sign up?

Answer

If you have any issues with the RSVP function on this website, please contact us ASAP. Do not reach out to Jembisa directly to book your wedding celebration stay.

Question

What if I need to cancel?

Answer

You may want to consider travel insurance. Any cancelations beyond May 10, 2023 may incur cancelation charges.

Question

accessibility

Answer

While it offers a high level of hospitality, Jembisa is still rugged. Guests will be bumping along rough roads, often in open air vehicles. Pavement, including sidewalks, is extremely limited. Please consider your personal fitness and contact us should you have any concern.

Question

disclaimer

Answer

This website is meant to offer friendly recommendations, not actual legal or medical advice. You are encouraged to do your own research in line with your personal or family circumstances.