FAQs

Question

Do I need any specific vaccinations or travel visas to travel to South Africa?

Answer

Nope! no additional vaccinations or visas are necessary. It is very easy to travel to Cape Town!

Question

I don't travel often, booking this feels overwhelming to me.

Answer

Both Mercedes & Cory travel A LOT (we both travel for work and book flights / hotels weekly) PLEASE feel free to reach out to one of us if you have any questions or need help figuring out any of this! We know this trip will be quite the commitment and endeavor for many people and we want to make this as easy as possible for you! (We are never too busy for you guys!)

Question

I'm concerned about cost.

Answer

Totally understandable! The flights over to Africa are no joke. (we recommend booking by July for best pricing) That being said, once you get there everything is VERY affordable! The USD is 18:1 with the South African Rand (ZAR) For example: a 15 min uber drive is ~$5, a standard entree is ~$10 at a nice restaurant, a 4 course chef's tasting menu at a 5 star restaurant is ~$35, bottles of wine are ~$10-15 at a nice restaurant, cocktails are ~$5.

Question

Credit Card / Cash / ATM Use:

Answer

Credit Cards: almost all restaurants /bars take credit cards, check with your credit card provider about foreign transaction fees. It may be worth getting a travel credit card to avoid these. CASH: Cash goes a long way in Cape Town - hand someone a 100ZAR bill (~$6 USD) and you can get a lot done! We recommend carrying some cash with you for situations like this. ATM's: average ATM withdrawal limit is 4000ZAR/per day ($216 USD), and a lot of them don't work. (This is Africa! lol). ATM fees are 3% with a debit card if you withdraw in ZAR. Conversion rates are 13% so ALWAYS TAKE OUT MONEY IN THE CURRANCY OF THE COUNTRY YOU ARE IN TO AVOID CONVERSION FEES. If you want to avoid using an ATM there, you can go to your local bank and ask for a withdrawal in ZAR before you leave, but it will usually take them about a week to get it in, so plan ahead!

Question

What is the weather like in Cape Town in early December?

Answer

Early December is SUMMER in Cape Town! The average temperature is 60-75*F. Cape Town is right by the ocean, so it can get windy and more chilly at night with the humidity - we recommend packing a light jacket or shawl for the evenings. Stellenbosch is in the wine valleys and is warmer & less windy.

Question

What should I pack?

Answer

Mercedes will send out a packing list closer to the wedding day to help with this!

Question

Do I need a converter / adapter for my electric devices?

Answer

ADAPTERS: (This changes the shape of the plug/outlet) South Africa uses Plug types M, N and C. We recommend getting a "type C Universal" Adapter and a "type M" Adapter if you plan to use a straightener or curling iron. Both can be found on Amazon. CONVERTERS: (This changes the voltage) South Africa runs on 230V and 50Hz, which differs from the United States (120V/60Hz). These days, the vast majority of personal electronics are dual-voltage, which enables them to run on either system so you will only need an outlet adapter. To be sure, check the label on your devices - If the label states 'INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz' then you do NOT need a converter. (This is common for devices with chargers like tablets/laptops, photo cameras, cell phones, toothbrushes, and some hair straighteners etc.) For these devices you will only need a plug adapter. HAIR TOOLS: Straighteners / curling irons will work with a type M plug adapter. Check voltage range on the device to determine if a converter is also needed. I do NOT recommend bringing your hair dryer - since these require more power they are more likely to ruin the motor even if the voltage is in range. Most hotels have one you can use. Copy paste the link below for a more in-depth description with pictures: https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/advice-for-you/when-travelling/travel-adaptor-for-south-africa/ If you still have questions - ask Cory, he's an electrical engineer!