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Iconic Ski Destinations Picked for Maximum Skiing & Socializing
15 YEARS OF FUN SKI & SNOWBOARDING WEEKS!!!
Wyoming
February 2, 2025 - February 8, 2025
February 9, 2025 - February 15, 2025
Passport and Visa
USA and Canada citizens are not required to hold a visa for leisure travel. It’s crucial for you to have at least two blank pages per entry into South Africa for entry stamping. It’s also a requirement that your passport be valid for six months after the date of travel.
Local Currency
The South African Rand (ZAR) is the currency of South Africa. which is divided into 100 cents. The coins are one, two, five, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and R1, R2 and R5. The notes are R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200.
All major credit cards can be used in South Africa. If you have a "chip card", you will be required to enter your pin code. Pin-based debit cards are often accepted too.
Local Time
South Africa Time Zone - is abbreviated as SAST (South Africa Standard Time) zone and is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time that is 5 hours ahead of EST / 8 hours ahead of PST
South Africa does not utilize daylight saving time.
Electric Plugs
The South African electricity supply is 220/230 volts AC 50 HZ. Most plugs are 15 amp 3-prong or 5 amp 2-prong, with round pins.
The U.S. and Canadians will need an electric converter and probably a special South Africa plug. You can purchase one online here - https://www.bestsingletravel.com/travel-products
South Africa Weather
Being in the southern hemisphere, South Africa seasons are opposite to those of Europe and North America. The country is famous for its sunshine and is a relatively dry country.
The temperatures in Cape Town & Johannesburg average in the high 70’s to Low 60’s
Victoria Falls temperature in the high 80s to low 60s.
Kruger Park has a hot, subtropical climate and most of the year it is hot during the day (above 77° F). Game viewing is best during the dry winters months, however the wet summer season brings full waterholes, lush bushveld, many newborn wildlife and the summer migrant birds arrive.
South Africa Packing
Overall South Africa attire is casual and comfortable. Given the warm weather please consider the items you will bring with you.
Please check your international airlines for the weight and luggage allowances. South African Airways’ website regarding luggage requirements states Economy Class Travel is allowed a maximum of 50 lbs with a maximum dimension of 62”.
For safaris bring lots of mosquito repellent as well as anti-histamine and lotion for insect bites. If you are taking anti-malarials, don't forget to bring them too! Your ankles are the most vulnerable area, so pay special attention to protecting them.
Local Foods
South Africa boasts excellent fresh produce, meat, fruit, wines and seafood. Types of dishes served include sosaties (a type of kebab), bobotie (curried mince), crayfish, biltong (seasoned dried meat), and potjiekos (a casserole cooked for hours in a three-legged iron pot). Also try some traditional African and Afro-fusion dishes. The traditional beer -umqombothi - is a home-brewed sorghum beer sold in many African townships.
Shopping in South Africa
When in South Africa buy art and handicrafts. Gold, diamonds and semi-precious stones are usually a good buy, especially in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Shop for beadwork, baskets, rugs, and wood carvings.
When shopping in South Africa you can get a VAT refund on purchases. A tax invoice must be requested rr time of purchase. The invoice must have the seller's name, address, VAT registration number, description of items, the cost in Rands, and the amount of VAT charged. VAT is levied at a rate of 15%. For purchases of more than R3000, the buyer's name and address must appear on the tax invoice.
Cape Town, South Africa. There are lots of things to choose from - wooden carvings, beaded jewelry, tableware (silverware, serving pieces) with beaded accents, items made from ostrich eggs, batik table linens, and items made from recycled items (really cool stuff made from old Coke cans).
Johannesburg, South Africa. Johannesburg craft markets feature African masks, wooden carvings, beaded dolls, wire baskets and a variety of other native handicrafts. You will also find clothing, ceramics, collectibles, second-hand books, jewellery, and plenty of cheap mass-produced goods.
Kruger National Park, South Africa. Most camp/hotel shops offer a great selection of wildlife books, DVDs, safari clothing and African crafts.
Very Important
* Do not carry a lot of cash, you will not need it and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere
* Money – Debit/Credit cards - be sure to have your PIN numbers.
* Call your banks and credit companies and let them know you are traveling
* We do not advise to take Travelers Checks, they are hard to exchange
* A copy of your passport is always a good idea to leave with your emergency contacts
* Best Single Travel suggests that you visit your Doctor before your trip.
Don’t Leave Home without your Passport!
Emergency
US State Department +1 202-501-4444
Canada - 1 613 996 8885 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Lost Passport
America
You will have to replace the passport before returning to the United States. Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance. Contact information for U.S. embassies and consulates is also available in our country information pages. Ask to speak to the Consular Section to report your passport lost or stolen. If you have been the victim of a serious crime, be sure to tell a consular officer about it as soon as possible so we can provide appropriate assistance. If you are scheduled to leave the foreign country shortly, please provide our consular staff with the details of your travel. We will make every effort to assist you quickly. You will also be directed to where you can obtain a photo for your replacement passport. In most cases, you will need to get a passport photo prior to your arrival at the consular section.
The following list identifies a number of documents/items you should take with you to the embassy/consulate. Even if you are unable to present all of the documents, the consular staff will do their best to assist you to replace your passport quickly.
Please provide:
Report the loss or theft to the nearest Government of Canada office abroad.
We may issue a replacement passport if you meet all of the requirements, including submitting: a completed application form, signed by your guarantor:
Canadians living in Canada or the United States can ask for a replacement passport in person at any passport office or submit an application by mail or courier.
Canadians abroad (outside of Canada and the United States) can apply at the nearest Government of Canada office abroad.
Before we can replace the passport, authorities will investigate the way it was lost or stolen. This may delay the processing of the replacement passport.
America
The U.S. Department of State’s Office of Overseas Citizens Services (888) 407-4747 (or from overseas +1 202-501-4444) can assist U.S. citizens who are temporarily destitute abroad. If you find yourself in such a situation, here are some options:
If you cannot arrange for a transfer of funds from a private source, a Canadian government office abroad may, in certain emergency and exceptional circumstances, provide you with a loan for a flight back to Canada. This financial assistance is not a right, depends on the circumstances of each case and is subject to strict rules. A consular service fee of C$75 may be applied to the loan.
If you request and are provided with a loan to return to Canada or with other consular financial assistance while you are abroad, you must repay the amount within 30 days.
