"Nee" (that's Afrikaans for no). But knowing "braai" (barbecue), "lekker" (nice/great/awesome), and "dankie" (thanks) will help!

Jokes aside, English is widely spoken and you should be able to get around with English alone.

Not really, but it doesn’t hurt to have some South African Rand on-hand. If you do want to bring some Rand, we recommend exchanging at your bank prior to traveling.

The Cape Winelands are one of the country's most picturesque and tourist-friendly regions. This is essentially the Napa of South Africa - except with much better views and a lot more history! As Jacques loves to remind us, George Washington drank Groot Constantia wines before California was even a state. That said, standard travel sense still applies: don’t flaunt valuables and keep your wits about you.

We also highly recommend visiting Cape Town. Like any major city, Cape Town has safer and less safe areas. Stay street smart: be aware of your surroundings, stick to well-lit areas, and keep an eye out for pickpockets.

If you’re driving, you might come across the very South African practice of informal car guards, who will ensure nobody snoops around your car while it’s parked in exchange for a small cash tip (think R5). Don’t panic if someone in a high-vis vest knocks on your window as you pull into a parking spot! 

Yes! We’ll send out more tourism, hiking and food recommendations for the Cape closer to the wedding.

In the meantime, some of our favorite wineries nearby are Babylonstoren, Boschendal, La Motte and Delaire Graff.

We also recommend checking out a few areas while you’re in the Cape:

• Stellenbosch: a lively college town with a long history

• Franschhoek: literally the “French Corner,” a hamlet full of art galleries and great restaurants

• Cape Town itself: especially the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, the Bo-Kaap neighborhood, and Table Mountain.

Feel free to arrive a few days early!

The seasons are flipped in the Southern Hemisphere - don’t be the tourist who only realizes this once you land!

December is peak summer with long, warm and sunny days. Daytime temperatures usually hover around 30°C (85°F), and it rarely rains - this is the dry season in the Cape.

South African power outlets pack a punch at 230V, and they look different from American ones! Bring an adapter, or your iPhone charger might have a very short African adventure.

Most definitely yes! For Anna, the most surprising part of South Africa was the wildlife: dassies (stout rodents the size of a small dog) in the mountains and penguins on Cape Town’s beaches.

But what catches you off-guard will really depend. South Africa is a unique and dynamic young democracy that’s forging its own 21st century - after just a few years in the US, Jacques now experiences reverse culture shock whenever he goes back!