Travel Documentation

Have your passport and visas ready and available at all checkpoints. Scan and copy these documents to print out. It is recommended that you e-mail a copy to yourself and someone back home in the event these documents are misplaced. Also, it may be worth bringing an international ID or license.

Passport and Visa

To travel internationally, you must have a passport in good condition and it must be valid for at least 6 months after the last day of your trip. Visa requirements change frequently and for various reasons. As a result, our Personal Vacation Managers are not always able to provide visa information and you should not rely on the information provided below to be the most current and accurate. The best way to obtain up-to-date information regarding visa requirements is to visit the official US government website for Americans traveling abroad, Travel.State.Gov (Canadian citizens should visit https://travel.gc.ca/, for all other countries please visit your government website or local embassy), which details specific information on the countries you would like to visit, including visa requirements.

You may also use a third-party visa service. These services require an additional service fee but make the process of applying for a visa much simpler.

Note: as of February 2024, most U.S. and Canadian passport holders traveling to South Africa and Mozambique require at least two consecutive completely blank visa pages in their passports upon every arrival. A visa may also be required, please check with your government website.

Note: as of February 2024, most U.S. and Canadian passport holders traveling to Sri Lanka are required to obtain a visa. Enrichment Journeys strongly encourages you to check your government website a few months prior to departure (and then again right before departure) to verify this information, as well as for all countries on your itinerary.

Note: as of February 2024, U.S. and Canadian passport holders traveling to Tanzania are required to obtain a visa. Travelers will need to obtain an electronic visa (e-visa) for Tanzania, by applying online, prior to departure. Enrichment Journeys strongly encourages you to check your government website a few months prior to departure (and then again right before departure) to verify this information, as well as for all countries on your itinerary.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are recommended to protect one’s health from preventable diseases abroad. It is always good to have routine vaccinations up to date when traveling for ailments such as chickenpox, measles and the flu shot. Use your own discretion when deciding on what vaccinations to have based on your preferences and personal medical history. During your Enrichment Journeys tour, the utmost care will be taken with prepared food, atmosphere and other elements, so the likelihood of contracting diseases is scarce.

For a list of recommended vaccinations based on destination, visit https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel or feel free to contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention directly at 1-800-232-4636.

Electric Current

You will need an adaptor for some parts of your trip. To see what the plugs will look like at your destination, visit https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/ and click on each country from the right menu.

You may also need to use a converter. Most countries outside of North and Central America use 220-240 V, whereas the U.S. and Canada use 110 V. However, most chargers these days have a box which will act as a converter so that it can be used in all countries around the world. If your charger box says “Input: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz” then you do NOT need to use a converter (but you may still need an adaptor so that the plugs fit in the socket).

Some hotels may have two and three pronged outlets to use for various appliances. Ship cabins also have outlets for you to use with their converter. However, we recommend having at least one or two adaptors with you, as we cannot guarantee that all hotels will be able to accommodate this.

Local Currency

South Africa uses the South Africa Rand (R), currency code ZAR

Mozambique uses Mozambican Metical (MT), currency code MZN

Madagascar uses the Malagasy Ariary (MGA), currency code MGA

French Comoros uses the Euro (€), currency code EUR

Tanzania uses the Tanzanian Shilling (Tsh), currency code TZS

Seychelles uses the Seychellois Rupee (SCR or SR), currency code SCR

Maldives uses the Maldivian Rufiyaa (Rf), currency code MVR

Sri Lanka uses the Sri Lankan Rupee (Rs or රු or ரூ), currency code LKR

Thailand uses the Thai Baht (฿), currency code THB

Malaysia uses the Malaysian Ringgit (RM), currency code MYR

Singapore uses the Singapore Dollar ($ or S$), currency code SGD

Please visit https://www.oanda.com/currency/converter/ for the current exchange rate.

How you handle your currency and financials while on the trip is up to you. Some people prefer to exchange all their money in advance, while others will rely solely on credit cards. We suggest having at least some local currency with you during the trip, at least enough to take a taxi if needed. Consider calling your bank ahead of time to make them aware of your international travel, especially when using cards or withdrawing money.

Tipping Guidelines

Tipping is always appreciated but not always required. Expect several instances throughout the hospitality industry that allow for tipping. Have small bills ready for hotel staff, boat crew, restaurant servers, drivers, guides and baggage handlers. If you have a meal outside the itinerary or hire a resident driver, a few dollars in the local currency is customary.

Gratuities are included for group meals, at hotels and at airports. The host, guide, or tour manager can be tipped roughly $10-$12 USD per person, per day. Drivers can be tipped $5 USD per person, per day.To view the gratuities policy for Oceania Cruises, please visit https://www.oceaniacruises.com/legal/terms-conditions.

For more information about when and how much to tip in each country, feel free to speak with your tour guide at the start of your Journey. A good reference for international tipping is https://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2008-11-11/etiquette-101-tipping-guide.

Time Differences

Please be aware that you may be crossing through several time zones throughout your Journey. To view a time zone map, visit https://m.worldtimezone.com/m-index12.php.

Climate

With the tour covering various regions, you will most likely come in contact with warm and/or cool weather, occasional rain, wind and/or damp environments. Check the weather online before departing for an up-to-date look at the conditions in major destinations.

Many countries outside of North America use Celsius. Here is a °C to °F quick reference guide:

High/Low Temperatures in Fahrenheit:

Practice the Local Language

Knowing a few phrases in the local vernacular can be a wonderful way to connect with people and feel immersed in the culture. Here are some keywords and phrases:

South Africa: While the country recognizes 11 official languages, most of its population in tourist areas speak English (below are some differences between South African English and American English):

• Robots: traffic lights
• Graze: to eat
• Koppie: small hill
• Sarmie: sandwich
• Braai: outdoor barbecue
• Bioscope: cinema
• Lekker: nice, good, tasty
• Baba: father or dad
• Check you: see you later
• Cuzzy: friend
• Gogo: grandmother or old woman (sign of respect)
• Shapshap: all good
• Skinner: gossip
• Chommie: “Pal” or “buddy”

Mozambique: the official language is Portuguese, though local dialects are also common.

• Oi (oy): Hello
• Tchau (chow): Goodbye
• Sim (sing): Yes
• Não (now): No
• Por favor (PAWR-fah-VAWR): Please
• Obrigado(a) (obri-GAH-du or obri-GAH-da): Thank you
  • If you are a male, say Obrigado (regardless of who you are speaking to)
  • If you are a female, say Obrigada (regardless of who you are speaking to)

Visit https://www.17-minute-world-languages.com/en/portuguese/ for more phrases with sound.

Madagascar: Malagasy, although French is also common

• Manao ahoana e: Hello
• Tonga soa e: Welcome
• Misaotra betsaka: Thank you
• Veloma: Goodbye
• Mifona: Sorry

French Comoros: the official language is French, though local dialects similar to Swahili (spoken in Tanzania) and Malagasy (spoken in Madagascar) are also common.

• Bonjour (Boh(n)-zhoo): Hello
• Oui (wee): Yes
• Non (No): No
• Où sont les toilettes? (Oo soh(n) lay twa-let?): Where are the restrooms
• Merci (Mare-see): Thank you
• Je vous en prie (Zhuhvoozahnpree): You’re welcome
• S’il vous plaît (Seal voo play): Please
• Pouvez-vous m’aider? (Poo-vayvoo meh – day?): Can you help me?
• Au revoir (Ah reh-vwarh): Goodbye

Visit https://www.17-minute-world-languages.com/en/french/ for more phrases with sound.

Tanzania: Swahili

• Habari (ha-BA-ree): Hello
• Kwa heri (kwha-HAIR-ee): Goodbye
• Asante (A-san-teh): Thank you
• Ndio (DEE-o): Yes
• Hapana (ha-PAH-na) No

Visit https://www.17-minute-world-languages.com/en/swahili/ for more phrases with sound.

Seychelles: Seychellois Creole, which is derived from French

• Allo: Hello
• Komman sava?: How are you?
• Mersi: Thank you
• Silvoupel: Please
• Wi: Yes
• Non: No
• Pardon: Sorry
• Orevwar: Goodbye

Maldives: Dhivehi

• Assalaamu Alaikum: Hi
• Vakivelan / Dhanee: Goodbye
• Shukuriyaa: Thank you
• Aan: Yes
• Noon: No
• Ma-aaf kurey: Excuse me

Sri Lanka: Sinhala and Tamil are the official languages. Sinhala is spoken in the southern and western parts of the island, while Tamil is spoken in the northern and eastern parts of the island. However, many people in Sri Lanka are conversational in English.

• Ayubowan(ayu-bo-wan): Hello
• Bohoma Sthuthi (bo-hoh-mahIss-thoo-thee): Thank you very much
• Hari Hondai: Okay / Very good

Thailand: Thai

• Sa-wat-dii: Hello.
• Sabaai-dii mái?: How are you?
• Yin-dii thii dai ruu-jak: Nice to meet you
• Karunaa: Please
• Khop khun: Thank you
• Chai: Yes.
• Mai chai: No
• Kho thot: Excuse me
• Thâo’rai’ or kii: How much, how many?
• A-ròi: Delicious

Visit https://www.17-minute-world-languages.com/en/thai/ for more phrases with sound.

Malaysia: Malay

• Halo (Ha lo): Hello
• Terima kasih (terima ka say): Thank you
• ya (ya): Yes
• tidak (ti dak): No

Visit https://www.17-minute-world-languages.com/en/malay/ for more phrases with sound.

Singapore: While English is one of the official languages of Singapore and many of its residents are bilingual, Chinese Mandarin and Malay are also very common.

Chinese Mandarin

• nǐhǎo (Knee how): Hello
• Zài jiàn (Zi gee’en): Good Bye
• Shì (Shr): Yes
• Búshì (Boo shr): No
• Qǐng (Ching): Please
• Xiè xiè (Sheh sheh): Thank you
• Búyòng kèqì (Boo yongsheh): You’re welcome
• Duìbuqǐ (Dway boo chee): Excuse me
• duō shǎo qián (Dor sheowchen): How much?
• Wǒ tīng bù dǒng (Wore ting boo dong): I don’t understand
• kuài zǐ (Kwhy za): Chopstick

Visit https://www.17-minute-world-languages.com/en/chinese/ for more phrases with sound.

Malay

• Halo (Ha lo): Hello
• Terima kasih (terima ka say): Thank you
• ya (ya): Yes
• tidak (ti dak): No

Visit https://www.17-minute-world-languages.com/en/malay/ for more phrases with sound.

Fun Facts

Check out these interesting facts about the destinations you will visit on your Journey.

South Africa

• South Africa has eleven national languages – including Afrikaans, English and IsiZulu.
• South Africa is approximately the size of Texas.
• The administrative capital of South Africa is Pretoria, but the largest city in terms of population is Johannesburg.
• Table Mountain in Cape Town is thought to be one of the oldest mountains in the world.
• Nelson Mandela is perhaps the most famous South African; after fighting for civil rights and being imprisoned during Apartheid, he became the first democratically elected South African leader in 1994.
• The Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean meet off the coast of southern South Africa.

Mozambique

• Mozambique’s population is incredibly young. The median age is 17 years old (2023).
• Maputo, the capital, is also known as “City of Acacias” due to the abundance of acacia trees that can be found throughout the city.
• Some of the dramatic scenes from Blood Diamond starring legendary Hollywood actor Leonardo Di Caprio were shot in Maputo.
• The Island of Mozambique, just around 2.5 miles off the mainland, is the country’s sole UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its architectural and historical significance.
• Stretching along the Indian Ocean from South Africa to Tanzania, Mozambique has over 1,530 miles of dazzling shoreline.

Madagascar

• Madagascar is famous for its vanilla, lemurs and baobab trees.
• Madagascar is the world’s fourth-largest island after Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo.
• Many animals and plants on the island are unique to Madagascar. Approximately 90% cannot be found anywhere else on earth.

French Comoros

• The Comoros islands are known as the “Perfume Isles” due to their aromatic plants, in particular that of the ylang-ylang flower which is the main aroma in Chanel No 5.
• The Comoros archipelago is actually made up of four main islands, as well as many smaller ones: Grande Comore, Moheli, Anjouan and Mayotte. Comoros gained independence in 1975, however Mayotte voted against independence and is still governed by France.

Tanzania

• Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa, approximately twice the size of California.
• Twenty-five percent of Tanzania is protected by national parks and nature reserves.
• Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park are known for their tree-climbing lions.
• Serengeti National Park spans approximately 5,700 square miles.
• Serengeti National Park is home to the big five: lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard and rhino.
• During the summer, millions of wildebeest and zebra migrate through Serengeti National Park in search for fresh grass – the largest mammal migration.
• Ngorongoro Crater has the densest population of wildlife – approximately 25,000 animals living within the park.

Seychelles

• The Seychelles are the only granite islands in the world.
• The coco de mer produces the largest seed in the world, which can weigh up to 33 pounds.
• Ian Fleming, the author of James Bond, visited the Seychelles in 1958 looking for inspiration for his stories.
• They Seychelles were uninhabited until about 1770 when French settlers arrived.

Maldives

• Maldives contains more than 1190 low-lying coral islands, of which about 200 are inhabited.
• It is the lowest and flattest nation in the world, its highest point reaching a whopping 7 feet 7 inches in elevation.
• During the middle ages, Maldivians used shells as currency. On modern coins they pay homage to that tradition by using the image of a cowry shell.
• Maldives islands are of coralline origins. Their amazing sand is white and extremely fine. Coralline beaches are rare, they represent less than 5% of the World beaches.

Sri Lanka

• Due to its shape, Sri Lanka is known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” and the “Teardrop of India”.
• Sri Lanka’s primary power source is hydro-energy, utilizing its abundance of waterfalls.
• Until 1972, Sri Lanka was named Ceylon.
• Sri Lanka is home to the largest and darkest subspecies of the Asian elephant.

Thailand

• Of the 67 million people in Thailand, roughly 6.9 million live in the capital city of Bangkok.
• Thailand’s name in the Thai language is Prathet Thai, which means “Land of the Free”.
• The world’s smallest mammal, the Craseonycteristhonglongyai (the bumble bat), is found in Thailand.
• Thailand shares a border with four countries: Myanmar (formerly Burma) to the north and west, Laos to the north and east, Cambodia to the southeast and Malaysia to the south.
• In the past, all Thai young men including the kings became Buddhist monks for at least a short period of time before their 20th birthday. Today, fewer young men observe the practice.

Malaysia

• Malaysia is made up of two noncontiguous regions: West Malaysia on the Malay Peninsula, which consists of 11 states and East Malaysia, on the island of Borneo, which consists of two states.
• Malaysia’s national dish is Nasi lemak, a fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk, often served wrapped in a banana leaf and usually eaten for breakfast.
• Some buildings in Malaysia do not have a fourth floor. They are replaced by “3A” as the sound of four (sì) is similar to the sound of death in Chinese (sĭ ).
• Malaysia is the world’s third largest natural rubber producer. It is also famous for being the world’s largest supplier of rubber gloves.
• Malay brides wear their engagement rings on the fourth finger of their right hand. The ring is placed there by a senior female relative of the groom, instead of the groom himself.

Singapore

• Singapore consists only of one main island and 63 other tiny islands with a population of 4.6 million people. Most of these islands are uninhabited.
• Although English is the official working language and the most widely used language in Singapore, the national anthem “Majulah Singapura” is actually sung in Malay.
• The Singapore Sling was first served in 1915 at the Long Bar of the Raffles Hotel. The ingredients are gin, Cointreau, cherry brandy, Dom Benedictine, pineapple juice, Grenadine, Angoustura bitters and limes.

Recommended Reading List

Vacation should be easy, peaceful and, most of all, completely stress-free. Let us handle the details, so you can sit back, relax and curl up with a good book as you count down the days to your next Journey! We’ve compiled the following list of books and movies to introduce you to the destinations you are about to visit.

Books

• South Africa: Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
• South Africa: A History of South Africa by Frank Welsh, or by Leonard Thompson
• South Africa: Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
• Tanzania: Green Hills of Africa by Ernest Hemingway
• Tanzania: The Tree Where Man Was Born by Peter Matthiessen
• Tanzania: Tales from Tanzania: A Mostly True Story by Scott Balows
• Sri Lanka: Island of a Thousand Mirrors by Nayomi Munaweera
• Thailand: Dream of a Thousand Lives: A Sojourn in Thailand by Karen Connelly
• Malaysia: A History of Malaysia by Barbara Watson
• Malaysia: Into the Heart of Borneo by Redmond O’Hanlon
• Singapore and Malaysia: Crossroads: A Popular History of Malaysia & Singapore by Jim Baker
• Singapore: Ghost Train to the Eastern Star by Paul Theoux
• Singapore: The Singapore Story: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew by Lee Kuan Yew

Travel Guides

• All countries: Lonely Planet Travel Guides https://www.lonelyplanet.com/places
• All countries: Nomadic Matt Travel Guides https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-guides/

Films

• South Africa: Invictus (2009)
• South Africa: Zulu (1964)
• South Africa: Cry Freedom (1987) – set in South Africa but filmed in Zimbabwe and Kenya
• South Africa: Safarina! (1992)
• Africa: Out of Africa (1985)
• Tanzania: Tanzania: A Journey Within (2011)
• Tanzania: Wahenga (2018)
• Tanzania: Maangamizi: The Ancient One (2001)
• Malaysia: Anna and the King (1999) was filmed in Malaysia
• Malaysia: Entrapment (1999)
• Malaysia: Sandokan (1976)
• Singapore: Saint Jack (1979)

Receive your personalized eJourney Guide today!
Simply fill out the form below and your eJourney Guide will be on its way via email.
Your easy-to-read, printable PDF-formatted eJourney Guide makes it convenient to review and plan your next world-class Journey with us!