Please note we are not blocking off a suite of rooms for guests at any hotel. This is because accommodation in the Winelands lends itself more to small boutique hotels, bed & breakfasts, and AirBnB rentals. For accommodation recommendations in the Winelands, Cape Town & Johannesburg, please check out the Travel page.
South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere, which means the seasons are reversed. July is a winter month here and part of the rainy season, but the climate in South Africa is quite mild and the Western Cape has been experiencing a prolonged drought. Average temperatures for Paarl in mid-July are 12* Celsius / 54* Fahrenheit during the day. The weather may feel Fall-like for our Midwestern and Northeast guests, so definitely dress in layers! The temperature could be anywhere from the mid-40s F at night, to low 70s F during the day.
South Africa gets a bad rap in terms of crime, but for the most part the fears are overblown. We've lived here for three years and have never had a problem (knock on wood!) But, just as in any country one travels to, it's best not to appear to be a tourist (keeps the paper maps & socks with sandals to a minimum!). Remain aware of your surroundings, don't let anyone stand too close when using an ATM. Don't carry a lot of cash, don't flash jewelry or gadgets. When driving in cities, keep car windows closed, doors locked, & purses/wallets not visible (some people even suggest keeping these locked in the trunk while driving). Like in any urban area, certain neighborhoods are considered less safe than others. In Joburg, you probably want to avoid areas such as Hillbrow, Yeoville, and parts of the Central Business District (CDB). Tourists are discouraged from visiting economically disadvantaged townships such as Alexandra ("Alex") & Diepsloot in Joburg, and Khayelitsha in Cape Town.
Car Guards are very common sight almost everywhere you go in South Africa. Typically they are just individuals working independently in an area, trying to earn tips and make a living. They will direct you to parking spaces, "help" you back out of spaces (definitely still use your mirrors, they are sometimes not the best at spatial awareness!), and "keep an eye on" your vehicle while it's parked (to be fair, they probably aren't going to risk their lives to prevent your car from getting broken into). It's customary to give them around a R5 tip when you return to your vehicle. If you have food leftovers you aren't planning to finish, they will also gladly accept these!
In South Africa, people drive on the Left. This is actually much easier to adapt to than one might think. (We got the hang of it pretty quickly!) Most major roadways in the country, especially freeways like the N1, are very well maintained, with good signage. Small backroads may suffer from potholes, however, so be aware of the HelpLine number for your car rental service! In general, drivers here are pretty responsible. The one exception would be Public Taxis. They are everywhere (they look like small white mini-buses, typically with the colors of the South African flag on the side), they are notoriously aggressive and somewhat erratic drivers, and it's best to just let them do whatever they're going to do. You definitely don't want to get into a road war with a taxi! The most important thing to remember is that they will often drive on the shoulder, so if you're making a turn or taking an exit, ALWAYS check your mirrors for a taxi barreling straight up behind you on the side.
The currency of South Africa is the Rand. The exchange rate fluctuates daily, but it is around R13.5 to the dollar. Prices of most things, (especially eating out, groceries, wine, accommodation, car rentals, and domestic flights) are much cheaper here than in the U.S. One key exception is the cost of gas ("petrol"), which is pricey here. Imported goods like electronics and even clothing are also more expensive. Most businesses will accept a wide range of credit cards, including Visa and MasterCard. American Express is less widely accepted but still an option in popular tourist areas. Discover is accepted everywhere that lists "Diner's Club" as a payment option. It is customary to tip around 10% at sit-down restaurants, as well as for services like beauty or spa treatments. Haggling is the norm when shopping for souvenirs, handicrafts, etc. Haggling culture is more laidback than in some countries, however. You can also reclaim money spent on VAT at the international airports.
We recommend these websites for more general info about the country: -- http://www.southafrica.co.za/south-africa-general-faq.html -- http://yatestours.com/south-africa-faq/
We recommend this website for a good overview: http://yatestours.com/south-africa-faq/
The city of Cape Town and the broader Western Cape region have been experiencing extreme drought conditions. But good news! The city has recently announced that the date for "Day Zero," (ie the day that municipal taps in Cape Town are predicted to run dry, given current water levels) has been pushed back to 2019 thanks to recent rains and increased water conservation efforts. Our wedding venue does not use any municipal water supply, instead they use a borehole and water from the Berg River. Therefore, our wedding venue will not be affected by water restrictions. The Western Cape relies heavily on tourism, so it is likely that tourist industry businesses will do everything in their power to accommodate the water needs of visitors, but it's always a good idea to conserve water as much as you can! (And hope for continued rain in the Western Cape!)