Before You Depart

FLIGHT INFORMATION

Your departure flights from the U.S. to South Africa and back are on the below airlines. We recommend that you check in three-and-a-half hours before departure.

ADVANCE SEAT ASSIGNMENT

The above airlines do not assign seats in advance. Seat assignment can only be arranged when you check-in at the airport.

BOOKING YOUR OWN FLIGHTS

Booking your own flights has advantages like flying from your home airport, choosing your own seats, upgrading your seats, and using and collecting airline miles. Tour-only travelers are responsible for arranging their entry and exit flights, as well as their arrival and departure transfers. Unused land services including those caused by air schedule changes and delays are non-refundable and smarTours cannot be held responsible.

When booking your flights, please note that our tour starts in Cape Town and ends in Johannesburg. We recommend that you:

• Fly into Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
• Fly out of O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) after 7 PM (due to travel)

BOOKING YOUR OWN TRANSFERS

In South Africa, private taxis are reliable ways to get to/from the airport. You may also check the airport’s website for additional information on how to book a private transfer in advance.

TOUR MEETING POINT

When and where you’ll meet the rest of the group depends on if you purchased our air-inclusive package with group flights from/returning to the U.S. or our tour-only package.

• smarTours Group Air Travelers: Upon arrival in destination, please proceed through customs and immigration. Our Tour Director will be waiting for you at the airport upon arrival in the arrivals area near the point you clear customs with a smarTours sign.
• smarTours Tour-Only Travelers: Please arrive at your preferred time. The Tour Director and group will meet the morning of Day 2 for breakfast and an orientation meeting. Hotel check-in is generally not before 4 PM.

TOUR ENDING POINT

The final end point for your tour depends on if you purchased our air-inclusive package with group flights from/returning to the U.S. or our tour-only package.

• smarTours Group Air Travelers: On our last day, we’ll transfer to the airport for our connecting flight from Victoria Falls to Johannesburg International Airport where we’ll catch our return flight to the U.S.
• smarTours Tour-Only Travelers: The tour ends upon arrival at Johannesburg International Airport (JNB) in the early afternoon.

PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION

You must be in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. All visitors are required by the South African immigration authorities to have a minimum of two consecutive blank visa entry pages in their passport. Insufficient pages in the passport normally results in denied boarding or denial of entry upon arrival, and the person is likely to be detained pending return to their country of origin. A visa is not required for U.S. passport holders. Non-US citizens should check with the South Africa and Kingdom of Eswatini consulates as to the most current visa requirements. Please remember that it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary travel documents before the trip.

You will need a Zimbabwe visa. U.S. and Canadian citizens can obtain the visa on arrival at the Victoria Falls airport. U.S. citizens will pay a fee of $30 in U.S. dollars (cash) for single entry visa. If you are planning to join the Chobe optional excursion to Botswana, you’ll need a double entry visa, which is $45. Canadian passport holders’ single-entry visa fee to Zimbabwe is $75 and if taking the full-day Chobe optional trip, an additional fee of $75 applies to reenter Zimbabwe. smarTours recommends you have the exact amount in cash as it can be difficult to get change. Passport holders of other countries need to check with the Zimbabwe embassy before departure about visa requirements. Visa fees & regulations are subject to change.

TICKETS AND FINAL DOCUMENTS

Final instructions, documents, and travel tips will be emailed to you 10–14 days before the scheduled start of your tour. If you have not received your final documents, please check your spam folder or contact smarTours.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Please consult your personal physician or local public health authorities regarding taking anti-malaria pills, as well as other recommendations.

CLIMATE

South Africa is located in the southern hemisphere and has the reverse seasons to those of the U.S. The weather is temperate, even in the winter. Overnight temperatures are 10-20 degrees lower. Here’s what you can expect:

• April–September: Highs in the 60s and 70s.
• October–March: Highs in the 70s and 80s.

NON-INCLUDED MEALS

Food costs in South Africa are quite reasonable compared to the U.S. In Cape Town, you may dine at either of the hotels used on this tour or in a nearby restaurant recommended by your guide. The V&A Waterfront also offers a fantastic range of dining options. Your hotel will accept credit cards for your non-included meals.

CREDIT CARDS AND LOCAL CURRENCY

The official currency in South Africa is the South African rand (R, ZAR). Hotels, restaurants, and many stores accept credit cards and credit cards are the most convenient way to carry money in the region. However, for “street shopping” and incidentals you will need local currency. For convenience, and the best exchange rates, we recommend withdrawing local currency at an in-store ATM. Avoid using ATMs in the street. You may also exchange money at your local bank before you travel. The official currency in Eswatini is the Swazi lilangeni (SZL) which is fixed to the Rand. The South African rand is accepted throughout Eswatini and there is no need to exchange cash. It is recommended that you bring along cash in small denominations and that you alert your bank and credit card company of your travels.

The official currency in Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwean dollar (ZWL). Credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are the preferred mehtod of payment and are readily accepted at hotels, restaurants, and many stores. However, for “street shopping,” you will need cash and U.S. dollars are typically accepted. You may find that ATMs do not have cash and that hotels may be reluctant to exchange monies. You can pay in U.S. dollars at all airports, immigration offices, and many vendors/shops, but note that they will only accept newer, crisp U.S. dollar notes with the “large heads” printed on them (these are notes printed after 2001).

Electricity

South Africa operates on 230 volts/50 Hz and uses plug types C, M, and N. Learn more about plug types, adapters, and converters. Please note South Africa has a system of “load shedding” which means power turns off to particular areas on a rotation due to the shortage in electricity supply. Most hotels, restaurants, shops and safari lodges have sufficient backup power in place to avoid major disruptions during load shedding. The impact on tourists is minimal.

BAGGAGE

Each passenger may bring one piece of checked-in luggage and one carry-on piece. Please check with the airline for the maximum weight and size for luggage. We recommend that you do not over-pack and that you take a variety of separates with climate and comfort in mind.