http://www.southafricablog.com/06-02/this-is-the-adapter-plug-you-want.html

This site claims that this is the only adapter plug that will work. Anyone know where to get this? Or even better is this really true?

Also this blog is talking about the power outages in Cape Town; they seem to have settled down. I was not really worried except that we would have to walk to top of Table Mountain.

Hi Judy,
I ordered mine from Magellans.com. It's the EA23mhg S. African adapter plug-G. Only $6. If you have a converter, thats all you need. ( I hope ) My appliances have dual voltage so I'm hoping it's safe. S. Africa uses the 220-250 volt system.

Hi Judy and Suzie --

Suddenly something I thought was not an issue (we have one of the universal converters with multiple plugs) has definitely become an issue. We can't recharge the camera without power!!

I looked at both Judy's site and Magellans. Magellan seemed to recommend a Type H plug which has three flat, Y-shaped prongs. Suzie said they had told her a type G plug -- 3 flat, triangular shaped prongs. Wikipedia tells me that I need a type M plug -- a variation of the type D plug -- three round prongs but those prongs are larger than the type D.

Now this is a BIG issue!!

Ngaire, would you care to weigh in??

Betty

Betty,
My adapter plug has 3 round prongs....1 large, 2 smaller. On the package it says So. African adaptor plug used exclusively in SA. Only available adaptor plug is grounding. Grounding version is the only style available. It seems they have grounding and non-grounding. If this doesn't work, look out for bed head! :eek:

When I check in I'll find out if plugs are available for guests and compare. Fingers crossed.

This is in your paperwork and what Ker & Downey suggested. We did not really need our own adapater when we have visited in the past because they were provided everywhere we went. Cape Grace has a strip that allows you to plug in your 110 directly, no adapter needed. Singita has adapters in the rooms. It is ONLY Rovos that we will need these. We did buy one and took it with us from the link above.

Throughout Africa usual voltage is 220-240 AC. An adapter will be necessary for appliances that run on 110-120 AC. Most camps will provide the necessary outlets or adapters. ROVOS RAIL – you will need to have an adaptor with you or you will not be able to use your electrical appliances onboard.

http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/nongr.htm

The plug converter can be ordered for $4.00, others may find web sites with them cheaper. You also need to be sure that your hairdryer or curling iron is DUAL voltage and automatically changes when plugged in. Many hairdryers and curling irons are dual voltage now as are most travel items.

I went to look at the one we bought and finally found it. It has round prongs one thicker and longer and two matching round prongs that are smaller. It looks like the one on the link Judy posted above, the one from the link I posted and sounds like the one Suzie bought.

Some will take US plugs and European plugs so the design on the top may be different but it is DEFINITELY the round large prong style.

They are BIG - dont these people know about our luggage limit!!!!!

Suzie, apparently your G plug is not the same as the definition I found on Wikipedia, but the actual round-pronged South Africa plug. This was getting SO confusing!

Thanks, Ngaire. I guess I didn't see that part of our paperwork, though I read through it all last week! It's that brain-fault thing...

I think now that we won't need another plug -- we can charge up the camera, etc. at Cape Grace or Singita. Wherever they don't have a hair dryer I'll go 'au natural'.

By the way ... I was pre-packing for the trip tonight. Not as far ahead as you all might think -- we're leaving Florida for Seattle on Tuesday and will not return until two days before we leave for Africa. We also have two weeks in Egypt before we meet all of you in Cape Town. So I was pretty concerned about the 44-lb limit. Refined 'the list' over and over this week, and tried it out tonight. I think we'll make the limit for two 44-lb bags!!! Of course, Al will only be allowed two shirts and one pair of pants ....

Betty

I have never brought an adapter on our African trips - never needed one. All places we have been, including remote camps, have some means of recharging batteries. Hair dryers may be a different issue, that has not been a matter of great concern to me and Joan gets her hair properly cut for our travels! Also, if photo equipment does not have user replaceable batteries and the camera must be plugged in to recharge, it can be a problem since most camps don't run their generators at night. That will not be a problem at Singita.

Ngaire - do the places we'll be staying provide hair dryers? I was hoping not to bring one.

Since we're on the subject (sort of)--one more 44# limit question... Are we allowed to carry on anything in addition to the one per person soft-side 44# limit bag we check on the flight to Singita?
And another question--at one point Ngaire mentioned the need to use a portable female urinal type thing for "personal needs" in the bush. I can't find the link to obtain those, could someone post it again? Thanks.

With all of these "last minute" questions popping up, is anyone interested in an online "chat?" This allows for more real time interaction. We just need to make sure to work around Ngaire's schedule since she is our primary source.

Peggy,

I can't remember the brand that Ngaire mentioned before, but, I have ordered "TravelJohn" from Drugstore.com.

I was given one years ago by European friends who always keep them in their glovebox when they don't want to stop on the autobahn.

Marc,
I'm always up for an online chat!

I agree - an online chat would be very helpful.

Peggy, here's the link:

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/s...ay?memberId=12500226&productId=49571

Just checked back and it's slightly cheaper at drugstore.com.

TravelJohn

back to the adapter - which should we buy - grounded or non-grounded, or does it matter?


Just checked the Rovos website - there are hairdryers:

"In the en suite bathrooms original fittings combine with the modern technology of hot showers, hair dryers and shaver plugs. "

Leslie,
The 3 prong adaptor plug IS grounded.....according to Magellan's "travel wizard) that's all you'll need.

Everywhere will have hairdryers no need to bring one.

With our trip may not even need the traveljohns that much we are going totally first class. Never hurts to have a few though. We are not out that long on a game drive but if you need one it is sure nice to have.

44lbs of soft sided luggage and one carry on per person - for the charter flight to Singita I mean SMALL carry on. The type you could keep on your lap, a camera bag, big handbag that type of thing. There are no overhead compartments.

Is the chat room still working, got it up used it once or twice and now it has been dormant. Karen may know if it is still working. I am open to that we just need to do it in the evening.

OK, I'm set on the adapter, the traveljohns and the 44# limit :D , but would still be up for an online chat. Any time is fine with me--whatever works for Ngaire.

Peggy, have you ever done one of these? I know you are much smarter than me on computers, but I could just not keep up! They were talking so fast! I don't even like IM'ing. I guess it was like that.

Agree with Olivia - chats are difficult to follow - how about an e-mail round robin with selected topics? then everyone can think out their response.

Since this is a rather "exclusive" (meaning only its own topic) and thread, I don't see the need to do that, unless there are others who do. That way, all of the non posters who Ngaire has on the trip can read or maybe post for the first time.

If so, what are your questions? I'm sure Ngaire is already here to answer. I would suggest we all read the "book" first. Geez, can we possibly have questions after this?

Maybe we can clutter up the forum a little more with topic-specific threads. Like "What do we wear for dinner at Singita?". Chat gets lost when you close it out unless you take notes; this forum can be our notepad.

Olivia and Pam, good points. This forum does provide a permanent answer while chat gets lost.

Ngaire, I had a good chat with Karen in chat room today; still works.

Ngaire, our original chat room is no longer up and running but I replaced the link to the chat room with the MSN chat room that we used briefly. As Marc mentioned, it seemed to be working fine but the problem with the MSN room is that Mac users can't use it :(

After I posted the e-mail suggestion, it occurred to me that specific topics make mroe sense - good idea Olivia and Pam.

I do agree this forum is better because the information stays here to refer back to later on.

Only four people coming that are friends of mine that were not regular LCT'ers. These two couples are in the personnel business (my other life) and know each other well. We have all travelled together many times - going back to the Song of Flower.

Judy and Joe are posting here now so they are reading the threads.

Mike and Tommie are about to be married, getting ready for an annual personnel conference that they are very active in for early April and on such a treadmill and doubt they have a second to post or read, I just hope they pack!! ROAR is going to be their honeymoon. In fact Mike is flying back to Johannesburg on the 19th to give a speech and Tommie will be in our care for the night of 19th. Nothing like sharing a night of your honeymoon without your new husband 30 or so brand new friends!!!!

We shall endeavor to break her in gently, so to speak...