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Electrical outlets in S. Africa

FLboy

I'm hoping anyone who has traveled on the South African Elegant Adventure can settle some confusion on my part and tell me what kind of outlet adapter/converter is needed on this trip. I have seen in a tour book that it is an F or L adapter that has either 2 or 3 prongs in a row. However when looking on Amazon to purchase one I find that the three pronged adapter in a triangle pattern is supposedly the correct one to buy. Also what is used in Sabi Sands resort and at Victoria Falls? Thank you

Comments

FLboy

I failed to mention that the three pronged adapter is called an M type. Not only that but Google states that the C and N types are used. Very confusing and frustrating!

MikeHenderson

We used the type C while we were there. The C plug will work with the type N outlet. I don't remember any type M outlets.

Here's some info - https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plug-voltage-by-country/south-africa/

AlanS

FLboy

Think of it this way- in the US you could encounter standard 120V outlets that accept plugs with two blades and a round grounding pin, but you can also encounter 220V outlets that accept various types of larger 3-blade plugs and are used for big appliances- washers, dryers, etc. The same goes for most foreign countries- they will have one outlet for standard small devices and appliances and another one for bigger appliances that draw more current. The big difference- all overseas outlets are 220V. You are most likely to encounter Type C and N. C plugs don't have the center grounding pin which is not typically used with wall worts (power modules used by cameras, cell phones, tablets, etc. but they can be used with a Type N receptacle. The other thing that is happening in lesser developed countries is that they are updating their electrical outlets.

FLboy

Thanks!

janet_dzubow

You will need an English type outlet for the Victoria Falls Hotel as well.

British

Do you mean English English or American English?

BKMD

English
[ ing-glishor, often, -lish ]
adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of England or its inhabitants, institutions, etc.

(from dictionary.com)

MikeHenderson

I don't think I've ever heard anyone refer to American electrical plugs and outlets as English.

But perhaps a more accurate description might be UK instead of English because those oversized type G plugs are used in some parts of what used to be the United Kingdom, other than just England (Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Hong Kong, Singapore, etc). Luckly, Australia and India avoided those plugs and outlets.

British

Of course, I was just trying to be funny! When I was a child, the old round three pin plugs we had in our house built in 1901 were being phased out to the ‘square’ three pin plugs. We had both as my dad changed the wall outlets out. Also, even into my adulthood, appliances came without plugs, you had to fit them yourself! Scarey right!

MikeHenderson

For humor, it's always a good policy to put a smiley face at the end of your statement to let people know that you intend the statement to be humorous. Many things that would be obvious in face-to-face conversation are not obvious in writing.

British

A legitimate question, the outlets are different. Does everyone here know what an English plug and outlet look like. 😀

perrybo

We are on the April 25, 2025 tour of Elegant South Africa, staying at Cape Grace, Lion Sands Kruger Natl Park, Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge, the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel in Johannesburg and The Victoria Falls Hotel. I'd hate to bring along a couple of the giant Type M plug adapters if they are not needed.

Has anyone else stayed at some or all of these places? Can we get by with type C/N (Euro) and Type G (UK, etc.) adapters?

perrybo

Sabi Sabi replied:
We do provide international adaptors in all our suites for guests to use, so you do not have to bring your own. They are multi adaptors and so can connect a couple of items at a time and our US guests have no issues connecting their appliances. If you do prefer to travel with you own, in South Africa the standard voltage is 230 V. The standard frequency is 50 Hz. The power sockets that are used are of type C / D / M / N. Here is an image of what standard South African plug sockets look like (note Sabi Sabi sockets do not have USB ports)

yxz7kj0e.bmp

perrybo

Victoria Falls Hotel replied: Please find attached for your reference.

jixen3ke.bmp

MikeHenderson

@perrybo - Just a suggestion. It might be better to post pictures in JPEG format than BMP. There's a lot more support for JPEG than for BMP.

AlanS

Also, use "Attach image" (mountain and sun icon tool button) rather than "Attach file"