Special Semester Tour Route: South Africa, Botswana & Victoria Falls

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

For entry into South Africa, all passport types must have a validity of at least 6 months and contain 3 blank pages. Care must be taken to ensure that these blank pages are free from ink stains.

Passengers entering or exiting South Africa must complete the online passenger and customs declaration via the South African Traveller Declaration system at www.sars.gov.za/travellerdeclaration/ prior to their travel.

IMPORTANT WARNING FOR CHILDREN UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE

You can find below the required documents for guests under 18 years of age and information on this matter.

Extreme caution is required in this regard. Boarding the aircraft with incomplete documentation is not possible.

In accordance with amendments to relevant laws, effective from June 1, 2015, a birth certificate is required for all visitors under 18 years of age. For Turkish citizens, an excerpt from the Population Registry obtained from the Population Directorate, once translated by a sworn translator, will serve as a substitute for the birth certificate.

NEW IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS

1. Children traveling with both parents

Requirements:

(i) Parents traveling with their child/children are obligated to present birth certificates proving their parenthood.

(ii) For adopted children, parents are obligated to present an adoption certificate proving their adoption.

Explanatory note:

This regulation applies to both South African citizens and other foreigners upon departure and arrival.

For passengers entering/exiting from countries that do not issue birth certificates, a document issued by an authorized authority that serves as a substitute for a birth certificate must be presented. All submitted documents must be originals or certified copies issued by a notary or equivalent authority.

2. Children traveling with only one parent

Requirements:

(i) Parents traveling with their child/children are obligated to present birth certificates proving their parenthood.

(ii) A sworn consent letter from the non-traveling parent (as recorded on the birth certificate), stating that the child may enter and/or exit South Africa with the traveling parent, must be presented.

(iii) A court order transferring all parental rights and responsibilities or legal custody must be presented, or

(iv) In the event of the death of one of the parents recorded on the birth certificate, a death certificate of the deceased parent must be presented.

(v) In cases where the non-traveling parent has not provided a consent letter, legally divorced couples must also present a court order.

In situations where both parents have passed away and the child is traveling with a relative or another adult close to the mother/father, the person accompanying the child must have the General Directorate certify that the child entered or exited the Republic of South Africa together with them.

Explanatory note:

The date of the consent letter may be no more than 3 months prior to the travel date.

3. Children traveling with adults who are not biological parents

Requirements:

(i) The adult must present a copy of the child's birth certificate.

(ii) A consent letter from the child's parents or legal guardian permitting the relevant person to travel with the child must be presented.

(iii) Copies of the identity documents or passports of the child's parents or legal guardian must be presented,

(iv) Contact details of the child's parents or legal guardian must be presented.

In situations where both parents have passed away and the child is traveling with a relative or another adult close to the mother/father, the person accompanying the child must have the Border Police certify that the child entered or exited the Republic of South Africa together with them.

4. Children traveling without any adult

Requirements:

(i) For persons under 18 years of age to enter and exit South Africa, a letter or statement must be provided by the mother and father, or by one of them alone, or by their legal heir.

(ii) If one of the parents provides this document, they must also submit a court decision demonstrating that they hold full guardianship rights.

(iii) A letter containing the address and contact details of the place where the child will stay in South Africa and the adult who will receive the child must be presented.

(iv) A copy of the ID card or valid passport and visa or permanent residence permit of the person who will pick up the child in South Africa must be presented.

(v) Contact details of the child's parents or legal guardian must be presented.

5. Children under special care as defined in the Child Act of 2005

Requirements:

A certified copy of the permission form obtained from the Social Services Department where the child resides, as prescribed in Section 169 of the Child Act, must be presented before departing from the Republic of South Africa.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT

This tour is organized subject to a minimum participation of 20 people. If sufficient participation is not achieved, the final cancellation notification date is 20 days prior to the start of the tour. Tours canceled due to insufficient participation will be notified to you through your agency.

VISA

FOR SOUTH AFRICA: Ordinary Passport - Visa not required; Green Passport - Visa not required; Service Passport - Visa not required. The Republic of South Africa does not require visas for Turkish citizens. *** Your passport must have at least 5 blank pages. In destinations requiring a visa, the visa application must be made using the documents specified in the "Documents Required for Visa" list provided by your agency. To avoid issues with customs police at the border of the country to be visited due to torn, worn, wet, and/or similarly damaged passports; such passports must be renewed, and if the country requires a visa for T.C. citizens, the relevant visa must be in the new passport. In case of failure to comply, responsibility lies with the passenger. Since there is a possibility that police officers responsible for entry/exit will request a document showing joint parental consent when our guests under 18 years of age travel alone or with only one of their parents; we recommend that our guests under 18 years of age and their parents exercise sensitivity in this regard.

HEALTH

There is no mandatory vaccination requirement for Turkish citizens entering South Africa. We recommend that you do not drink tap water during the tour and consume only bottled water that you open yourself for the first time.

FLIGHT DURATIONS

Istanbul to Johannesburg: 9 hours 35 minutes; Cape Town to Istanbul: 10 hours 20 minutes

OPTIONAL TOURS & EVENTS

Optional tours and events are organized by the local agency providing services, subject to a minimum participation of 20 people, and participation is not mandatory. If the required number is not met, tours may not take place, or optional tour/event prices, content, and vehicles used may vary depending on the number of participants. Additionally, the dates and times of optional tours/events may be changed by the guide based on whether museums, historical sites, or venues are open/closed and weather conditions.

ACCOMMODATION

During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be located at distances greater than the specified kilometers. Triple rooms are assigned according to hotel availability; in such rooms, the bed provided for the 3rd person may be smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed and 1 extra bed. Since extra beds are foldable or referred to as coach beds, participants who are the 3rd person and/or children booking are deemed to have accepted potential crowding in the room and the type of bed. Child discounts apply to a single (1) child staying with 2 adults and falling within the age group specified in the pricing section. Breakfasts included in the tour program, which are part of the services provided at the hotel, are served in a limited menu typically consisting of butter, jam, bread, tea, or coffee, appropriate to the breakfast culture of the country being visited, and may be served in a separate hall allocated for the group.

CURRENCY

The currency of South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR). You may bring both currencies, but USD bills must be printed in the year 2000 or later. Otherwise, currency exchange offices prefer to exchange the money at a lower rate.

TIME ZONE

It is 1 hour behind Turkey. When it is 12:00 in Turkey, it is 11:00 in South Africa.

PHONE USAGE

All mobile phone operators can be used if your phone is enabled for international roaming. However, there may be areas in the country without network coverage.

CLOTHING AND ESSENTIAL ITEMS

We recommend bringing clothing suitable for seasonal temperatures that you can easily put on and take off (e.g., jackets, sweaters).

FOOD CULTURE

In South Africa, generally inspired by Malaysian and European cuisines, they have created a diverse culinary culture. Fresh vegetables and fruits are always present on their tables.

ELECTRICITY

In South Africa, electricity is 220/230 volts, and Type M three-pin round thick sockets are used. Examples of sockets can be seen at http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/typeM.htm.

SHOPPING

South Africa, the country with the world's largest gold mines and the highest gold production, offers jewelry as the first product that comes to mind for shopping. In jewelry stores, you can find beautifully designed and unique pieces. Additionally, you can purchase sculptures made by local people, carved wooden products, handmade leather goods, and glass items crafted by glass artisans at markets.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Having a valid passport and/or having obtained a visa (for destinations/passports where a visa is required) does not guarantee entry into the country. The passport police have the authority to deny you entry. Bin Rota is not responsible for this situation; responsibility lies with the passenger. BinRota acts as an intermediary between the passenger and the airline and is subject to the Hague Protocol of September 28, 1955. There may be risks of delays in scheduled and private flights, or flight times may change prior to the current tour and flight. BinRota is obligated to notify passengers of such changes as soon as possible. Our passengers purchase the tour knowing and accepting that flight details may change. Children aged 0-2 years do not pay airport taxes or airport service fees. Panoramic city tours included in the tour package are tours lasting a maximum of 2-3 hours, organized for general introduction to cities and conducted panoramically with guide commentary from inside the vehicle, excluding museum and historical site entries. If panoramic tours, including other tours specified in the program, cannot be carried out because local authorities do not allow visits or entry on the corresponding day and time, or due to closed roads caused by any event, or if weather conditions make it impossible to conduct the tour, Bin Rota is not responsible for the inability to carry out said tours. Some tours may be conducted by public transport or on foot, depending on available facilities, at points where roads are closed or vehicle access is not permitted.