South Africa
GO beyond ourselves ~ GIVE from your heart ~ GROW as a community
South Africa
Africa
Sometimes, things happen for a reason. The Hearing the Call team was originally set to visit another location in Africa, but a sudden change forced them to shift plans just two weeks before the trip. Since then, South Africa has blossomed into an incredible destination and partnership.
South Africa is a diverse and vibrant country located at the southern tip of Africa, known for its stunning landscapes, rich wildlife, and cultural diversity. It boasts iconic destinations like Cape Town, Kruger National Park, and the Garden Route. With a blend of modern cities, historic sites, and natural wonders, including mountains, beaches, and savannas, South Africa offers something for every traveler, from adventure to cultural exploration.
South Africa Development & Partner
Hearing the Call aims to establish sustainable hearing healthcare in every location it serves. The process begins with immediate relief efforts, followed by collaboration with local partners to identify individuals for long-term solutions through education and training. As development continues, we provide essential equipment and resources, empowering the local community to deliver ongoing care with our support. This approach ensures lasting impact and local self-sufficiency in hearing healthcare.
Must-See Attractions
Cape Town
Cape Town, located on South Africa’s southwest coast, is known for its stunning natural beauty, including Table Mountain, pristine beaches, and the iconic Cape of Good Hope. It’s a cultural melting pot with a rich history, diverse neighborhoods, and world-class dining. Cape Town offers a blend of outdoor adventure, scenic landscapes, and urban sophistication, making it a top destination for travelers. It is also home to some world-class vineyards.
Cape of Good Hope
The Cape of Good Hope, located at the southern tip of South Africa, is a rugged and scenic coastal landmark known for its dramatic cliffs and stunning ocean views. Often mistaken as the southernmost point of Africa, it’s famous for its rich biodiversity and historic significance in maritime exploration. A popular spot for hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography, it is part of the Table Mountain National Park.
Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay, located along South Africa’s Garden Route, is a coastal paradise known for its beautiful beaches, lush forests, and vibrant marine life. It offers a mix of outdoor activities, including whale watching, hiking, and watersports, as well as luxury resorts and fine dining. With its stunning scenery and relaxed atmosphere, “Plett” is a popular destination for both nature lovers and vacationers.
Expert Guidance to Help You on Your Trip
Visa Information
No Visa is REQUIRED at this time for citizens of the United States to enter South Africa. There are some special conditions concerning minors.
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Flight Information
Please arrive by midday or earlier on Day 1 to allow for flight delays. You will fly in to Cape Town (CPT) where you can do some touring on your own. HTC will arrange a flight from Cape Town to George.
You will depart from George (GRJ).
You will depart from George (GRJ).
Electrical Information
Power plugs and sockets (outlets) of type D and type G.
The standard voltage is 230 V at a frequency of 50 Hz.
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The standard voltage is 230 V at a frequency of 50 Hz.
Additional Trip Information
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website www.cdc.gov, there are no required vaccines for South Africa, but make sure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date. Please refer to the following CDC website for information on South Africa.
One of the first things you have to be aware of on any international trip is the necessary vaccines. Some of the vaccines are hard to get in a quick time frame. Please make sure you read and check the CDC website for information on vaccines immediately.
As we travel internationally, we may be exposed to certain diseases that are rare in the United States. Fortunately, the risk of catching these diseases is still quite low since we will be on site for only a short time and will be eating properly prepared food, etc. However, since it is impossible to eliminate all risk, there are a variety of vaccines and immunizations that provide prevention against many of the most serious infectious diseases in the world that we ask each delegation member consider receiving.
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Most expenses will be prepaid for you including: ground transportation, medical evacuation insurance, hotel room accommodations, translators and team meals.
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Each volunteer is financially responsible for paying for and obtaining a passport and visa (if necessary), receiving any necessary immunizations, all food/beverage items in all airports and outside team meals, and any other personal expenditures/shopping during the trip.
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You will want to take enough cash with you for personal shopping. Bring U.S. currency that is as new as possible and undamaged. Traveler’s checks and credit cards (VISA or Master Card) will be good in airports, major hotels and many shops, but cash is the easiest and most convenient method of payment.
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You will be able to exchange money locally. Please bring new $100 bills. You will get a better exchange rate than smaller bills, and they don’t take older money.
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The currency in South Africa is the rand. To find the most up-to-date currency conversions, please go to XE Currency convertor.
Here are some helpful guidelines concerning the safety and security of your personal items:
Be mindful of how you carry your purse or where you place your wallet. Men, keep your wallets in a front or zippered pocket, as keeping it in your back pocket will make it susceptible to pickpockets. Ladies, keep purses across your chest or use a fanny pack (keeping your hands free is also wise).
An under garment money belt worn around your waist is a safe way to carry your personal cash or passport.
Stay with a group of people at all times – always go somewhere in pairs.
Take a minimal amount of jewelry with you – nothing flashy.
Be a confident traveler even if you are unsure or uneasy in a certain situation; confidence and calmness is key.
We also suggest that you make copies of all flight itineraries, wallet contents, passport, visa, etc. and carry copies in a separate, secure location. It would also be a good idea to leave copies of everything with someone at home also, just in case. These copies could prove invaluable should your personal documents be lost or stolen.
We hope you will enjoy the local cuisine. Most meals will be eaten at a hotel or local restaurant. All foods that will be provided to you should be well prepared and safe for you to eat.
Meals are supplied on clinic days, but not on travel or recreation days.
As far as drinking water is concerned, to be on the safe side, always drink bottled water and brush your teeth with bottled water at the hotel. Avoid ice. Bottled water will be available.
You may want to take some personal snack items with you – good items to take include granola bars, dried fruit, and trail mix.
WEATHER:
South Africa’s weather varies by region, with a mostly temperate climate. The coastal areas experience mild, wet winters and warm, sunny summers, while the interior regions, including Johannesburg, have hot summers and cooler, dry winters. The Western Cape has a Mediterranean climate with winter rainfall, while the eastern coast is more tropical with year-round warmth and summer rains. Overall, South Africa offers a mix of weather patterns, making it a year-round destination.
For further information about weather, please consult these sites: Weather.Com and Weather Underground.
TIME ZONE:
Cape Town is in the South Africa Standard Time zone and does not observe daylight-savings time.
Click here to view the current time in South Africa.
Clinic Dress Code
Please wear long pants and the team t-shirts provided by our partners. We have found that breathable type pants by Eddie Bauer or Columbia are a good option for hot clinic days (jeans are fine). You will receive TWO clinic t-shirts on the first day of the trip. You may be able to do laundry (for a small fee) at the hotel; we also recommend bringing a mini bottle of detergent (can be purchased at the travel section) to do laundry in your room.
Bring comfortable shoes to wear. No open toe shoes for clinics.
No shorts in the clinic.
Before/After Clinic
There will be time for recreation (going out, dinner, etc.) after clinic days.
Bring a fleece jacket for the mornings and evenings when it could get cool. Days will be fairly warm.
Day-Off
On our day off, it is fine to dress like an American tourist. Please keep jewelry to a minimum.
Here is a one week packing list as an example. You can click here to get a printable list.
Clothing
4 – Pants
5 – Shirts
8 – Pairs Socks
2 – Clinic Shirts (will be provided)
2 – PJ’s
Walking Shoes
Windbreaker or Light Jacket
Swimsuit (if needed)
Sandals
Toiletries
Shampoo
Conditioner
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Razor
Hair Things
Brushes
Sunscreen
Bug Spray
Lotion
Sunglasses
Kleenex
Imodium
Advil
Any Medications Needed
Miscellaneous
Cash
Passport
Passport Holder
Bank Card
Credit Card
Pen (to fill out forms)
Neck Pilow
Phone Chargers
Computer chargers
Converter/Transformer
Laundry Detergent
Wine Opener (for others)
Head phones