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Electricity - up, up and away

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Electricity - up, up and away

Postby Malene » November 10th, 2008

I just realized I havent purchased any plugs to convert the electricity in South Africa.

Can I buy converters from US electricity to SA electricity in Jo'burg airport?

If not I will have to drive 2 hours tomorrow to get those....

I am down to the last 24 hours before departure, and I am very excited.

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Postby Africaholic » November 10th, 2008

Ok, first, if your electronic/electric gadget is dual volatage, you do not need a converter, only an adapter, which is most likely what your question is about. You are NOT likely to find US to South Africa adapters in Jo'burg or anywhere in South Africa. You would have a better chance if you needed an adatper from the Western European plug. On top of that, parts of South Africa use the same outlets as Great Britain, and many places use a format for which it is hard to find an adatper for (it usually is not even in a set that is supposed to include adapters for all word outlets). This adapter has three fat round prongs.

If you have the adapter for Western Europe, the one with two straight round prongs, you can use that one as a go between, as you are more likely to find a Europe to South Africa adapter in Jo'Burg. Depending on where you're staying, they might also have adapters you can loan for the duration of your stay. My experience has been, that those also ONLY accommodate those with European plugs.

How far are you from a Fry's Electronics store? They carry all the different adapters. Make sure you bring BOTH the Great Britain AND the typically South African adatpers!
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Postby Malene » November 10th, 2008

Thanks Africaholic -

I guess I ma getting up earlier tomorrow to figure that one out. Here's to the last minute...........

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Postby Africaholic » November 10th, 2008

Just know, in the end it will have been all worth it!

Have a great trip - I wish I was going, too!
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Postby Malene » November 11th, 2008

Ahh, relief - I dug through our travel stuff and we have world wide plugs. If all else fails then we can do the piggy bag with the European plug.

Iwill post trip reports and pictures when we return.

Thanks for the well wishes.

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Postby Africaholic » November 11th, 2008

Fantastic!

I am looking forward to reading your report(s) and seeing your pictures. They'll make me "homesick", no doubt.

Happy packing, and have a save trip!
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Postby Eppyboy » November 24th, 2008

i could not find one US to south african plug anywhere in southern africa...im really not exaggerating either...maybe the airport has them but outside of that you find a lot of european to south african and british to south african but not US to south african...
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Re: Electricity - up, up and away

Postby GoBackpacking » February 19th, 2009

I had a worldwide AC converter/adapter but still had to buy a specific AC adapter once I arrived in South Africa. They sell them in the camping stores...not too expensive when the exchange rate is favorable.
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