South Africa Trek 2018

Individuals are not able to participate on a Room to Read trip without signing our Site Visit Participant Agreement, Release and Waiver. Please do so as soon as possible and mail to the attention of Gouri Srinidhi at Room to Read, 465 California St, Suite 1000, San Francisco, CA 94104, USA. You can also send the form via email (gouri.srinidhi@roomtoread.org).

By signing this waiver you are acknowledging and agreeing to abide by Room to Read's Child Protection Policy. 

You can access our Site Visit Participant Agreement, Release and Waiver here. 

In order to enter South Africa, you will need a valid passport with at least two blank pages and six months validity remaining. The passport and any other required travel documents are to be presented along with the appropriate visa to the Immigration Control Officer at any entry point, such as border station, airport or harbor. To see visa requirements and apply for a visa, please visit http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/ or your country of residence's South African Embassy or Consulate office. 

For anyone planning to travel with a minor, please review South Africa's new requirements. 

Requirements for entry into South Africa differ from country to country, and are subject to change. Always make inquiries before travelling to South Africa by checking with the appropriate embassy or consulate.

Additionally, we highly encourage US travelers to register with the US Government Smart Traveler Enrollment Program by visiting the STEP website.

Parents travelling with children to/from or through South Africa need to provide an unabridged birth certificate of all travelling children under 18 years old.

The following needs to be produced when entering South Africa with a child:

Child and both parents

• An unabridged birth certificate
• A valid passport for the child

Child and parent
Parent must produce

• An unabridged birth certificate
• A valid passport for the child
• A court order / death certificate / affidavit confirming the absent parent has given permission for the child to travel

Child and guardian
Guardian must produce

• An unabridged birth certificate
• A valid passport for the child
• A court order / death certificate / affidavit confirming the parents have given permission for the child to travel
• Copies of parents / guardian ID documents
• Contact details of parents/guardian

All trip participants should visit their doctor at least 4-6 weeks in advance of their departure date. While Room to Read can advise about the risk of certain diseases, such as malaria, in areas where participants will be traveling, the organization cannot make recommendations for specific medications. Participants should ask their doctor for recommendations about malaria pills and other travel medications and immunizations.

For more information on immunizations either recommended or needed for travel to South Africa, please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

Room to Read strongly recommends that participants purchase travel insurance, or ensure that their regular insurance plans cover travel-related illnesses and injuries. All participants will be requested to provide insurance information prior to travel.

There are several companies that offer travel insurance. Below, we have listed two that you can contact directly. You can also call your insurance agency to see what is already included in your plan.

TravelStruck

For custom insurance packages our travel partner, TravelStruck, can work with you to ensure that all areas important to you such as trip cancellation/interruption, baggage delays and medical expenses are covered. Packages start around $50 USD per day. Click HERE to learn more!

International SOS 

This company offers membership to a complete network of travel assistance including travel advice, medical assistance overseas, and a global ‘911’ service including emergency medical evacuation. Sign up at least one day in advance of your trip. Membership is generally under $15 per day. Click HERE to learn more!

Below are some external resources that may help you learn more about South Africa, traveling within the country, and the culture and customs:

• CIA World Factbook: A general guide to South Africa's geography, people and economy 
• South Africa Tourism The South African government's tourism guide 
• Cultural Guide: A brief introduction of what to expect