Rans (ZAR) is the currency used in South Africa. $1 USD = $17-18.5 ZAR
Johannesburg is 7 hours ahead of Chicago (CTD) and 6 hours ahead of New York (EDT).
- Biltong: A cured, air-dried meat similar to American beef jerky. - Droewors: Air-dried, spiced beef sausage (like "Chomp" beef sticks but better). - Boerewors: Sausage made from coarsely ground meat (primarily beef), mixed with spices like coriander, black pepper, and cloves. - Kingklip: South African white fish (flavor and texture is similar to Grouper). - Pap en sous: Mielie-pap (a maize meal porridge similar to polenta or grits) served with a tomato and onion relish (sauce). - Bobotie: A beloved South African national dish consisting of spiced minced meat baked with a golden, creamy egg-custard topping. It is similar to shepherd's pie, but with a unique sweet, savory, and aromatic flavor profile. - Koeksister: A traditional South African confectionery made of fried dough infused in cold sugar syrup - Malva pudding: A sweet, spongy dessert soaked in a warm, buttery cream sauce. - Rooibos tea: An herbal tea made from the leaves of the Aspalathus linearis plant. It is known for its reddish-brown color, earthy flavor, and lack of caffeine.
Summer in the USA = Winter in South Africa (similar to Chicago fall weather). It is very dry so we do not expect to see much rain. Monate Game Lodge (the wedding venue), can range from 68°-73°F during the day and drop down to 42°-45° F at night. Johannesburg will be a bit cooler - 60°-68°F during the day and can drop as cold as 37°-40°F at night (which is fairly similar to the weather in Cape Town).
The wedding ceremony and reception are both expected to take place outside (weather permitted) so please dress accordingly. For ladies we recommend bringing a sweater, shawl, or jacket to the ceremony as it will get cooler at night. Packing in general: The weather during the day is similar to a fall day in both Chicago and New York with it getting much cooler at night. We recommend packing layers: pants, sweaters, a few jackets. Items you can easily add and take off depending the day.
Semi-formal (no tuxes. Suits and gowns recommended). Please no sneakers for the ceremony
Transportation will be provided by the Shulruff and Pye family who have coordinated a shuttle company to pick up guests at one of two hotels in Johannesburg. The shuttles will arrive Friday (time is TBD but please expect the pickup time to be on the earlier side - i.e. noon and earlier). As we get closer to the day, we will be sure to provide a more detailed itinerary.
We recommend site seeing. Traveling to Johannesburg (if you did not have time before the wedding), Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Table Mountain, Kruger Park, Game Drives, and do not skip out on the many vineyards!