Cape Town, South Africa 2024 for spring break
 We were supposed to do this trip in a 2022 but covid regulations and restrictions in Botswana prevented the travel. So, Safari 2024 it is.
The kids, now 12 and soon to be 14, are probably at the point where we could hope to get another one or two years of them even wanting to associate with us, so off we went to South Africa for another jaunt of culture, amazing food, scenery, hikes, and wild animals
I did not document our last South Africa trip because that was pre-blog as an era. Originally, in 2016, we went to ZA on a safari that I won through a preserve called Zulu Nyala and then to Cape Town for an IUGA conference. I will not redocument this in part because of the PTSD from the plane ride arriving, in which a gentleman from Pretoria tried to bleed out on me and die on a 16 hour flight, prompting a Delta investigation which has now led to much better EMKs on their international flights. You’re welcome. The continued PTSD from the event was worth it, however, not just because of the improved EMKs and safety protocols wtih crew, but also it led to my husband and I flying Delta One later that year to Myanmar prior to military takeover and mass genocide of the Rohinga population near Bangladesh. That blog entry will be done in time, however, tourists are not permitted in most of the country at this point after the unlawful incarceration of Aun Sang Suu Ki and military coup which has rendered the country in a standstill. So, I guess I have time for Myanmar posts, and likely what I have to say won't be relevant if the country opens again.
A word about South Africa and the injustices of the aftermath of a social and racial system that was so oppressive towards native Africans that it still permeates the underlying mood of the culture. It was still not that long ago,
 it shows with interracial relations in a lot of places. Since the abolition of apartheid, the white population has declined from 24% to 9% in 30 odd years. Mandela is worshipped for the push to level the playing ground and giving Africa back to Africans, developing the African National Conference. His accolades are much deserved. However, in the past decade, as power and money do, the ANC has fallen into a spiral of corruption leading to its ousting in the last major election. Election is in May this year and the signs and number of parties vying for power is mind boggling with our stupid 2 party system. But, the wounds from past apartheid are just under the surface, and classism is obvious in some regions more than others. Additionally, in spite intentions to increase socioeconomic status in many of the poorer areas, unemployment is still near 40% and opportunity extraordinarily sparse in many areas. There are many efforts to improve the socioeconomic disparity, but it just isn't there yet.
The national currency is the rand, 1 rand being about a nickel. The exchange rate is pretty stable, although major touristy ATMS do price gouge a tiny bit. In comparison to other countries we have been in, Argentina and Myanmar in particular, it is minute. Transportation is pretty easy with air and hired vehicles. Major cities caution walking at night as with everywhere, but the warnings are a bit more intense, especially in JoBurg. I never felt unsafe, to be clear. When it is just my husband and I traveling, we probably would have heeded the advice slightly less, but since kids change the equation, we abided by the chill at home at night rule in Cape Town.
Customs are similar to Europe in the big cities with the exception that tipping is expected and every time you park, move, pee. In most places, there will be attendants walking around making sure your car is safe. You are expected to give them a few Rand and this also goes for rest rooms and any other minor assist. Late in the trip I was out of coins and gave the housekeeper and bathroom attendants 200 Rand a piece and one started crying, gave me a hug and said how much that would help with shoes for her kids. So truly, don’t be a shithead and carry small bills, occasionally give a housekeeper a big tip…unemployment is rampant in some areas, and many service workers are paid horribly. If you can afford to go to safari, you can afford to make someone’s entire day with something you would just buy a beer with at home.
Who not to tip? Child labor. This is hard because the kids are so cute and will do dances etc. But, they are being kept out of public education to earn a Rand or two for the family, and it is not good to encourage that. While the public schooling in South Africa is far from fabulous, it can help reverse decades of lack of education and initiative, which, in the long run, is far more important. So, for the kids I brought stickers and chapsticks as gifts. A BIG hit. In retrospect, I really should have thought about buying a bag of deflated soccer balls and donating them, as all of the children are avid soccer fans and the tools of the trade there aren't always top notch.
Climate: you are either near the Tropic of Capricorn or the equator depending on location. Spring in the US and Europe is a great time to avoid painful heat. Two weeks before we went temps were exceeding 40 degrees Celsius but we had mostly good non sweltering weather. Layer if you’re going to be out all day.
Chargers: in todays electric obsessed society, chargers are a must. I am going to link the one we bought and also the solar power bank in case you’re at a place without electricity for a while. Additionally, bring bar body wash and shampoo if camping as well as completely biodegradable laundry sheets for freshening up clothes. You can get a camping clothesline at REI or any outdoor store for cheap to hold things. Bring your own water bottle and minimize plastic and also your own sealing coffee mug for drives. I got a hydro flask and a Brümate for the trip. Pack lightly if camping…you don’t want a ton of gear to schlep around. Minimize plastic and waste, be a good human, that's the name of the game.
Pre-safari needs:
solar Power bank (not the best but it will do)
Camera goods https://doddcamera.com/lens rental (anyone but lensrental.com)
Ok, enough blabber:
