There is plenty to enjoy in and around Cape Town for an extended period of time even without a safari. That said, an African safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. South Africa's wildlife and safari parks are located in a different region that may require you to budget extra travel days. There are countless options across South Africa & Africa to enjoy. Here are just a few: 1. Closer to Cape Town, small, but has the Big 5: 5 star, Sanbona 2. Kruger Park, SO worth the flight!: 4 star, Elephant Plains 3. Kruger Park, SO worth the flight!: 5 star, Mala Mala Both Elephant Plains and Mala Mala are in the Greater Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands area. Any of the Sabi Sands lodges will be outstanding. JT and I had an incredible time at Elephant Plains. Flights would be into Hoedspruit airport, and book the lodge's shuttle from there -- DO NOT rent a car! While safe, the roads are poor, and difficult to navigate. We recommend contacting our travel concierge, Andrew, at afrifocustravel@gmail.com, to help plan your safari experience. Andrew will have good advice and guidance about safari tours that fit your schedule and budget. He can also help you arrange flights to and from Cape Town to the parks. Note that young children are not suited for safari environments.
Yes, we are holding a variety of rooms at Devonvale Wine & Golf Estate, located minutes from the wedding venue. If you wish to stay in one of these rooms, please contact reservations@devonvale.co.za, mentioning the booking code JTANDJACQUI. You can learn more about the room options and pricing on our "Travel" page. All transportation to and from both our Saturday night and Sunday night events will be covered from Devonvale.
Here are some areas to check out for Airbnb, Hotel, or B'nB: *Greenpoint/Seapoint* With easy access to Cape Town sites, the Greenpoint Promenade is a stunning beachfront walk you could do daily. Airbnbs come in all shapes and sizes in this area! *V&A Waterfront* Check out The One & Only Hotel, The Cape Grace, The Bay Hotel, or The Grand Daddy Boutique. While busy at Christmas, it's an easy walk to the Robben Island Ferry, easy drive or Uber to Table Mountain, Camps Bay, etc. *Constantia/Claremont* Check out the family-friendly Vineyard Hotel, which offers a big pool, spa, gorgeous walks on the grounds, easier access to Constantia Winelands, Cape Point, and 20 minute drive to the V&A Waterfront. The Alphen in Constantia, while more intimate than the Vineyard, is also a good option, with similar upside. *Bantry Bay/Camps Bay/Clifton* With stunning views on the Atlantic seaboard, Clifton/Camps Bay are the places to be. For larger Airbnbs or upscale apartments for rent, look no further than this area. *Cape Winelands* Outside of the hotel block, Franschhoek or Stellenbosch are recommended wine towns for lodging. There is also ample accommodation on wine farms - Boschendal, Leeu Estates, and Mont Rochelle all offer great accommodation.
Christmas Day is on a Thursday this year - a week and a half before our wedding weekend. If you can spare the time, we suggest aiming to get to Cape Town either for a sunny Christmas-by-the-sea, or right after. Flights are most affordable that time of year either on Christmas day, or on the 28th/29th of December. Give yourself a few days to recover from the jet lag and then enjoy all that Cape Town has to offer. We suggest heading to the Winelands Friday morning, January 2nd, to drop your bags off at your Winelands hotel, and then join us for a day on the Wine Tram!
US and European passport holders visiting South Africa for 90 days or fewer do not need visas. Be sure to have a valid passport that is not due to expire while you're traveling or within six months of your travel. For complete lists of visa-exempt countries, countries that do require a visa, or countries exempt from visa fees, please visit this website: https://www.southafrica-usa.net/homeaffairs/visitorsvisa.htm Please note that to check into most of your accommodations, you'll need a form of ID (like a Passport or Driver's License), and a valid credit card.
It is always best to consult your healthcare provider about this. There are no mandated vaccines to travel to South Africa; however, your healthcare provider may suggest a few to ensure you stay healthy on your travels. Note: if you plan to visit the Kruger National Park on safari, it is located in a malaria risk area. It is important to consult the park you wish to visit on their malaria risk and medication recommendations.
According to travel.state.gov, a level 2 ("exercise increased caution") travel advisory is suggested for South Africa due to general crime and unrest. Learn more here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/south-africa-travel-advisory.html
Like many large cities across the world, Cape Town has a deep economic divide which results in a high crime rate in some areas. However, practicing simple common sense can help you avoid any negative or unsafe situations. We caution you to avoid walking around at night, especially alone or in places where there aren't a lot of people around. Avoid places that are off the beaten path. Always have a plan of where you're going and how to get there. Cape Town is not the place to "wing it" or get lost. Be aware of your surroundings, and keep your personal belongings safe and secure at all times. Don't leave bags or valuables on car seats or dashboards when you're driving, getting a ride, or when parked. You may observe homeless communities or informal settlements in parts of the city. Simply keep your distance. You may be approached by people asking for money or assistance from you. Just remain calm and respectfully say "no". While traveling in a new place, sometimes, the safest thing you can do is just be at ease. Remain calm, blend in with your surroundings, and remain aware, but not fearful.
Uber is your best bet! It is safe, reliable and inexpensive. Never use local taxis or the bus system. If you want to venture further out, we recommend renting a car; however, driving and parking in the city can be a challenge. If you do rent a car, you may want to specify you would like an automatic car, otherwise, the default is manual. Keep in mind South Africans drive on the left side of the road, the road rules are quite different from the U.S, so be sure to do your research ahead of time.
The currency is the South African Rand (ZAR). You can look up the current conversion rate on Google. Everywhere takes debit and credit cards so you may opt not to use cash at all. This is also safer in general. If you are renting a car, there are often informal 'car guards' who may request they are paid and only take cash. We suggest paying them R5 or R10 (<$1) to avoid any unnecessary back-and-forth with them. For credit card and ATM transactions, always select local ZAR currency if prompted. If you select USD or Euros, there will be a conversion surcharge. Check with your credit card company if you have international travel fees. In general, South Africans DO NOT accept foreign currency, unless specifically stated (gift shops or restaurants atop Table Mountain, or on Robben Island, may do so).
They are. Children between the ages of 18 months and 12 years of age will be provided kiddies meals and care on-site at the Wedding. This means parents can pop in to check on their kids after the ceremony, during drinks, or dinner. We will be bringing in an acclaimed Nanny Service, Winelands Nannies, to assist. You may also opt to book a nanny through them, and have them come to Devonvale or other Airbnb/hotels across Cape Town and the Winelands to look after your kids while you enjoy the city! Learn more about Winelands Nannies here: https://www.winelandnannies.com/