IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR UPCOMING SOUTH AFRICAN ADVENTURE!

Southern African Mystical Journey
14 Days, Jan 8th – 21st, 2024

We are so excited that you will be joining us in our upcoming South African Mystical Journey for January 2024!!  Here are all of the details again for your convenience.

PAYMENT TERMS:   Total price per person US$4000 in double accommodation.

•        A payment of US$3100 is due now.

•        And the FINAL PAYMENT of US$900 should be made in cash upon your arrival in Cape Town.

Single Supplement is an additional US$500. (Safari days require shared accommodation (At Buffelsdrift (2 nights) and Addo Park (2 nights)).

Please make all responses to us regarding this tour to this email address anotherplanetsouthafricatravel@gmail.com . Please use this email address and not Facebook or other social media, as it can be a challenge to coordinate everything with responses coming in from various areas.

FLIGHT DETAILS: It is usually less expensive to make your roundtrip international flights into Johannesburg (JNB). Therefore, you will need to make an additional flight reservation from Jo'burg to Cape Town (CPT), where our tour begins. Alternatively, there are now direct flights to Cape Town on Delta Airlines from Atlanta.

The tour starts on January the 8th, 2024. Most people prefer to fly in a day or 2 earlier, to rest up before the tour begins, in which case your flight should arrive into Jo'burg or Cape Town on the 6th or 7th, and connect to a flight to Cape Town (CPT). You can do a search for direct flights - availability varies from your point of departure.

Our tour ends in Port Elizabeth on January 21st, so you will need to book a flight from Port Elizabeth (PLZ) to Johannesburg (JNB) or Cape Town (CPT) to connect with your international flight on that date. If you are choosing to stay in South Africa beyond the end of our tour on the 21st, you are responsible for making your own arrangements.

The hotel we are using in Cape Town is called "Hollow on the Square" website here: https://www.hollowonthesquare.co.za/

If you choose to arrive early to rest up before our tour begins, you can book the extra night(s) directly from Booking.com or a similar website.

We will be happy to pick you up from the airport whichever date you fly in. However, please send us your flight itineraries so that we know when to pick you up from the airport in Cape Town.

MORE VERY IMPORTANT INFO

  1. Please send a copy/photo of your passport(s) right away to us at anotherplanetsouthafricatravel@gmail.com. These are required to make your safari bookings.
  2. Check that you have the correct dates Jan 8 – Jan 21. Our earlier communications had different dates which we had to change due to safari date availability.
  3. Be sure you are aware of your airline’s Covid/PCR test requirements, including any stopover/connections you will be making. Also check if they require Yellow Fever vaccinations. We are not going into deep jungle, but each country has different requirements.
  4. Send us copies of your Flight Itineraries so that we know when to pick you up from the airport.
  5. Be sure and read through the attachments which include an updated itinerary, Frequently Asked Questions sheet (FAQs) and a copy of the Term & Conditions which are also stated on our website https://anotherplanetperu.org/terms-and-conditions/
  6. Please send your WhatsApp number to Lesley at +51 974 792 316 so that we can include you in our WhatsApp Group “South Africa 2024” in case of emergency.


For a photo gallery of previous events, answers to frequently asked questions, testimonials, etc. you can also go to our webpage designed specifically for this tour at www.anotherplanetsouthafrica.org and Facebook Southern Africa Mystical Journey .

This is a journey of deep healing; this is the land from which the roots of humanity came. We are honored to have you share this experience. Should you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Another Planet - South Africa began these special and mystical journeys to South Africa in January 2015. Out of the many journeys we have done all over the world, this is by far the best yet!

This journey will take you from the cosmopolitan streets of Cape Town to the magnificent landscapes of beautiful beaches, majestic mountains, Safari’s & lush wilderness.

The beauty of South Africa is truly spectacular, and the overland route we will be taking along the coast from Cape Town to our Safari near Port Elizabeth is absolutely magnificent. There will be many opportunities to see the amazing wildlife and scenery, join in a traditional South African “Braai” (barbeque), visit the San People who are the oldest inhabitants of South Africa who date back at least 20,000 years. as well as many other adventures, and you will be accompanied by native South Africans and a marvelous group of our personal friends.

We also will be working with our beloved Sangoma (traditional African healer) Lindy Dlamini, who will be spending a few days with us on our upcoming tour in January. We will also be working with our Grandfather medicine in full ceremony, in The Garden of Eden, as well as daily micro-dosing.

Also, please note that a part of your payment will go to support the street children’s project, Masizame, that Lesley started in the 90s.

We are always looking to improve on our past accomplishments, so we are thrilled to tell you that we are now including a couple of very interesting additions to our tour for 2023. Please see the itinerary which is attached for all of the exciting details on the places we will be visiting, inclusions and pricing.

If you know of someone you think may be interested in joining us on this tour, please let us know and we will send them an invitation and all the details.

YAY to our adventure together!

Weather

A subtropical location, moderated by ocean on two sides of the triangle-shaped country and the altitude of the interior plateau, account for the warm temperate conditions so typical of South Africa. South Africa has a temperate climate and is known for its long sunny days, hence the title: 'Sunny South Africa'. Most of the provinces have summer rainfall, except for the Western Cape (winter rainfall). Winter is from May to August; Spring from September to October; Summer from November to February and Autumn is from March to April.
Security
Please bring and wear a money belt. Use this to keep your money, credit cards and passport safe. A money belt is not used instead of a purse, but in addition to it. The items in your money belt should stay there for safekeeping – it is not meant to be accessed to get to the money you plan to spend on a daily basis.
The summers in the Cape attract lots of tourists. This season is warm and dry. Summer in Cape Town begins in November and December, and lasts till January and February.
What do the climate charts say about the temperatures in Cape Town during summer? The average temperature during summer is 20 degrees. The warmest months are January and February with a maximum temperature of roughly 26 degrees. It won’t get any colder than 14 degrees at night, so don’t bother to bring your fur coat. Or an umbrella, for that matter: rainfall is between 24mm (November) and 14mm (January).
Do bring some sun tan lotion, after sun and a hat. The sun shines approximately 10,5 hours a day during the summer months in November, December, January and Febuary. Humidity is lowest during summer.
Nice fact: the highest temperature measured in Cape Town was a steaming 41,3 degrees in January. Don’t worry; the Cape Doctor will blow a cool breeze your way. A strong south-eastern wind visits the Cape Peninsula during summer. When the Berg Wind (a wind blowing in from the Karoo) hits Cape Town you’ll be feeling hot, hot, hot.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Documents - Visa & Passport Requirements
All visitors to South Africa require a passport valid for six months from date of departure as well as at least one completely blank page in your passport, excluding the final page.
Visitors from the USA, most Commonwealth countries (including the UK and Australia), most Western European countries and Japan don’t require visas but will be issued a free entry permit on arrival valid for up to 90 days. Visitors of nationalities other than those listed above will need to obtain a visa prior to travel from a South African embassy or consulate.
Other Important documents
Make two copies of all your important documents, such as your passports, itinerary and emergency contact information.
Take one copy with you, packed in a different bag to the original, and leave a copy at home with an easily contactable person.
Try to memorize all your important details – passport numbers, credit card numbers, etc. If you lose your bag, this information will be very important.
Health Insurance Documents  
Health insurance card (your regular plan and/or supplemental travel health insurance plan)
Proof of international yellow fever vaccination (if required – depending on your country of origin), take your completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis card or medical waiver
If you are on any pharmaceutical drugs or medications, bring them along as well as a spare prescription. Copies of all prescriptions
Make sure prescriptions include generic names. Bring prescriptions for medicines, eye glasses/contacts, and other medical supplies.
Custom regulations allow you to bring in one month’s supply for your personal use.
Contact card
Carry a contact card containing the street addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of the following:
Family member or close contact remaining in your country.
Check your passport isn't about to expire and whether you'll need visas.
Check and double-check your travel details and don't forget to confirm your flights – including onward connections and returns.

 

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

Never walk around any city at night, even if you are part of a group. If you need to go anywhere after dark, ask your hotel or guesthouse to order a reliable taxi for you. Do not just hail any passing taxi on the street!
When out walking anywhere, avoid wearing flashy, expensive watches and jewelry and carrying large amounts of cash. Carry your camera unobtrusively in a bag, rather than slung over your shoulder.
Walk purposefully as if you know where you are going and are not a “lost tourist.” Hold your bag close to your body and beware of pickpockets and other confidence tricksters on the streets and in crowded stores. Be aware of ATM theft—never distracted by a stranger asking for assistance at an ATM!
It is best to walk in a group at any time of the day or night. Avoid walking in isolated areas (even groups) after dark.
Each hotel has a safety deposit box available to you to keep your valuables safe.
Water
The water in South Africa is potable and delicious – it is ranked third in the world for safest drinkable tap water. Bottled water is available for sale if you’d rather.
Money & Purchases
South Africa’s national currency is the South African Rand. Foreign currency can be readily exchanged at banks, bureau de change and many hotels but most travelers simply draw cash at ATMs (cash machines) which you’ll find throughout South Africa’s towns and cities. Not only is this far more convenient but ATMs also tend to offer a better rate of exchange.
We’d advise against carrying large quantities of cash, however, so for big purchases rather use your credit card. Most major credit cards (Amex, Mastercard, Visa and Diners Club International) are widely accepted in shops, restaurants and hotels but are not always accepted at many petrol stations.
You can claim back the VAT (the 14% value-added tax) on products you purchased in South Africa and are taking out the country (provided the total value of purchases exceeds R250) so be sure to keep your tax invoices and claim your cash back at the airport when you leave.
IMPORTANT:  Alert your credit card company that you are traveling to South Africa, or they may put a block on it when they see a charge from a foreign country.
Laundry 
Hotels provide laundry services should you need them.
Language
Most everyone in South Africa speaks English. There are several other languages, the most popular of which are Afrikaans, Zulu and Xhosa.
Electric Current
South Africa uses 220V electrical current. Bring a power outlet converter. South African outlets are only compatible with type M outlets. Type C and G outlets are also found on occasion. Converters for use with standard American plugs, type A and B, can be found in most hardware stores. Here is a photo of the common electrical plug found in South Africa:
Batteries
Bring extra batteries for your camera.
Luggage Allowance
It is very important that you not exceed the luggage allowances per your airline’s policy unless you are prepared to pay for it. We highly recommend you bring a portable luggage scale as it really helps you know what to expect when you get to the airport.
Insurance 
We recommend that you take out travel and medical insurance to cover personal accident, medical expenses, loss of effects, and all other expenses which might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, inconvenience or delay. We cannot accept financial responsibility for any unexpected loss or occurrence.
We do not have any recommendations for travel insurance – sorry! Please check with your insurance agent.

 

What to Bring – Sample Checklist

  • Good quality sunglasses, preferably polarized
  • Sun hat
  • Golf/Polo-shirts, T-shirts and long-sleeved cotton shirts for the evening
  • Shorts/skirts
  • Long trousers/slacks
  • Track-suit
  • Underwear (sports bra recommended on game drives as the roads can be bumpy and uneven), and socks
  • Good walking shoes (running/tennis shoes are fine)
  • Sandals or slip-slops
  • Swimming costume
  • Camera equipment and plenty of film, batteries or charger, extra memory card
  • BINOCULARS – ESSENTIAL (Night vision binoculars are not essential but highly recommended if your safari includes night activities)
  • Personal toiletries (basic amenities supplied by most establishments)
  • Prescription medicines for duration of your stay
  • Malaria tablets (where applicable)
  • Moisturizing cream & suntan lotion, and after-sun lotion
  • Insect repellent e.g. Tabard, Rid, Jungle Juice
  • Basic medical kit (aspirin/ paracetamol, plasters, Imodium, antiseptic cream and anti-histamine cream, etc.)
  • Tissues / “Wet Ones” towelettes
  • Ear plugs and eye mask for sleeping
  • Waterproof /dust proof bags or covers for your cameras, and a UV filter for your lens
  • Visas, tickets, passports, itinerary, vouchers, personal money
  • Nearly all resorts and hotels offer laundry facilities (indeed, many lodges include this service in their rate).
  • Pack something warm for game drives: a windbreaker or hoodie is ideal.
  • South Africans are relatively casual, but you'll need something more formal to change into at the hotels.