Below are a few hints which may help when planning for your trip to Tunisia.
VISA
For South African passport holders, a visa is required to enter Tunisia. This visa can be obtained at port of entry or prior to departure from South Africa. As visa requirements are subject to change, please check the latest regulations when making your reservation.
CLIMATE
Mainly warm all year but extremely high temperatures may be experienced inland. Winter: December – February, cold and wet with possible snow on elevations. Summer: hot and dry.
CLOTHING
Dress should be modest and beachwear is appropriate only at the beach and beach resorts. We recommend lightweight clothing in the summer and suggest taking a light jersey or jacket as it may be cooler in the evenings. Warmer clothes will be required if travelling during the winter months. Sturdy and comfortable walking shoes are a must for exploring the historical sites. Do bring your own beach towel and swimming costume if you plan spending time at the beach.
TOILETRIES
We recommend that you bring some kind of washing soap to do your hand washing of clothes. It is also a good idea to bring a blow-up hanger, or some other light hanger, as not all hotel hangers can be removed from the cupboards, for hanging wet washing on. Remember to bring suntan lotion, and we also recommend that you bring a sun-hat. Mosquitoes can be a nuisance, and a mosquito repellent may come in handy.
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
Electricity in Tunisia is 230 Volts. If you travel to Tunisia with a device that does not accept 230 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter.
LUGGAGE
Passengers should restrict themselves to one suitcase each, in addition to hand luggage. For the flight, take toiletries etc. in a holdall. Please pack necessary medication in your hand luggage, as well as a change of clothing in the event of any delays. Please be aware of the restrictions currently applicable to Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAG’S) enforced by most airlines.
CURRENCY
The official currency of Tunisia is the Tunisian Dinar (“TND”)
Travel allowance should be taken in U.S. dollars.
Please ensure that you have some small US dollar notes available (eg $1 - $5 - $10).
Money can be changed at Bureau de Change offices, banks and in the hotels. Most credit cards are accepted in major cities.
LANGUAGE
The official language is Arabic, with French and Italian spoken mainly in the tourist resorts.
TIPPING
You will generally find Tunisians to be willing and eager to help you without expecting a reward, but we still urge on to conform to world-wide trends in this regard. Hotel porters should receive a small tip (approximately $ 1.-), for carrying your luggage (unless travelling in a group in which case this may be included in the tour cost). Guides and drivers should also receive a gratuity and the customary 10% is recommended for restaurant visits and room service.
Recommended average rates for passengers are:
Passengers on group tours (10 passengers or more travelling together):
Guide: US$ 4.- per passenger per day for a full day’s services
Driver: US$ 2.- per passenger per day for full day’s services.
Hotel staff: Usually 10 % of restaurant/room service bill.
Passengers not on group tours:
For passengers not travelling as part of a group but rather with individual services – please increase your tipping accordingly – we suggest doubling above rates for Guide and Driver
FLIGHTS-RECONFIRMATION
Please remember that it is imperative to re-confirm your flight at least 72 hours prior to departure. Failure to do so will result in the automatic cancellation of your flight.
GENERAL
Art & Music: Tunisian art and craft offers items made of wood, copper, textiles, leather, wrought iron, glass and ceramics. Other specialities which reflect the Tunisian culture are the blankets, rugs, grass mats, bright Berger rugs and knotted carpets with decorative designs. In Tunisia, the jewellery is usually handmade. The most popular design is the “Khomsa” or the “Hand of Fatima” which is generally made of gold or silver and found on ear-rings or pendants.
The Tunisian music is typically played on lutes, guitars and drum known at “Malouf”.
