Regardless of your home country, a trip to South Africa is a trip of a lifetime. When planning your trip to South Africa, especially if it is your first time, it is a good idea to create a packing list before you pack to make sure you leave nothing important out.
Factors to Consider in Creating the Ultimate South Africa Packing List
Consider these things when you create the ultimate South Africa packing list:
Are You Going on Game Drives and Walking Safaris?
Most visitors are keen to do a South African safari. If you plan on doing one or more game drives or a walking safari in a game reserve, such as Kruger National Park, you need to focus more on creating a safari packing list for your time in South Africa.
Where Will You Spend Time, and How Will You Travel Between Destinations?
Where you spend your time in South Africa and how you travel between cities may influence what you pack. When you fly to and from South Africa, you will take international flights with a significant luggage allowance of between 23 and 30 kg. If you plan on taking domestic flights between destinations in South Africa, you may not get the same luggage allowance and need to consider how you use your luggage space carefully to ensure your luggage doesn’t exceed the weight limit, as the extra weight could cause an extra cost for you.
If you plan on spending time in Cape Town, consider the weather in Cape Town, where you could experience four seasons in one day.
Time of The Year
The time of the year you will visit South Africa may influence what you need to pack. Although the climates in Johannesburg and Cape Town are mild in winter, it is best to take a range of outfits to cater to any possible weather situations. Layering can help you be comfortable regardless of the weather.
Click here to learn about the South African holidays to help you plan your trip. There are certain months when it is better to visit South Africa.
Other Destinations You Are Visiting
Are you combining your trip to South Africa with a visit to other African countries? If so, you need to consider not only what you pack for the South African leg of your trip and the other country, as the climates may differ from each other.
Not sure where South Africa is located – find out here!
Suggestions for Your Ultimate Packing List for South Africa
The following South Africa packing list includes the best things to pack for your visit to South Africa:
First Aid Kit
Always have a first-aid kit with you when travelling to South Africa. Include items such as plasters, pain medication and diarrhoea medicine. Also, take eye drops and a nasal spray to clear dust and soothe tired and irritated eyes. Most hotels and lodges will have a medical aid kit, but make sure you take your vitamins and personal medications.
Insect Repellent
Regardless of where you go in South Africa, the best thing to pack is insect repellent. You will need bug spray for mosquitoes and tsetse flies, especially if you visit South Africa during the summer months or on Safari.
Toiletries
Take your toiletries, such as shampoo and conditioner, in reusable containers. Not only will this weigh less, but it can reduce plastic waste, and you can use it multiple times in the future. You don’t need to pack a hair dryer – you will find a hair dryer in most hotels and lodges.
Extra Plastic Bags
It will be helpful to take extra plastic bags with you on your South African trip. You can use it for wet swimming clothes or placing opened snacks to keep them fresh and avoid spilling. Some people use plastic bags instead of packing cubes. You can even have every outfit in a different bag and grab one each day to wear rather than worrying about what to wear!
Sun Protection
The hot sun may be too hot for you if you are from a cooler climate. The average temperature during the summer months can get to the mid-thirty degrees Celsius, but the winter months can become quite cold. Regardless of the time of year you are visiting, taking sun protection is essential. At a minimum, you need sunscreen and a sun hat. Remember to re-apply sunscreen frequently during the day to ensure your skin remains protected at all times. Always have a hat that protects you from UV rays for the best protection.
Lip Balm
Whenever you travel to South Africa, take a lip balm with you. During the summer months, the sun can dry your lips out, and a good lip balm can go a long way to keep your lips moist. Many people find that the South African winters can dry their skin and lips out, and good lip balm is essential.
Travel Insurance
Regardless of where you travel in the world, make sure to have travel insurance for unforeseen events. A good option for travel insurance is Insubuy.
Yellow Fever Vaccination
If you are from a yellow fever risk country or have transited through a yellow fever risk country, you need to show proof of a yellow fever vaccination by having a yellow fever vaccination. You can see the list of yellow fever risk countries by clicking here.
Reusable Water Bottle
The tap water in South Africa is drinkable. Take a reusable water bottle and refill it instead of buying bottled water.
Take a Credit Card and Cash
You can use a credit card in larger cities and medium-sized towns in South Africa. In smaller, more rural areas, cash may still be king. You can also use cash to trip your safari guide or waiters. To make sure you can purchase what you need, always have a small amount of cash with you at all times.
Photography Equipment
South Africa is a beautiful country, and you will most definitely take many photos. Take a good camera with extra memory cards to ensure you can take as many pictures as you want. If you plan on doing a Safari or one or more bush walks, take a zoom lens with you to get the best photos of the animals you encounter.
Binoculars
If you love seeing wild animals up close, take a pair of binoculars with you on Safari or a bush walk.
Travel Adaptor and Power Plugs
You will need a travel adaptor when visiting South Africa. South Africa uses four different plug types, including types C, D, M, and N. South Africa uses a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. Bring multiple power plugs or a power strip with you to let you charge all your items simultaneously.
A Good Book
A general travel tip is to take an excellent book with you when travelling. You can read while travelling between destinations or while lying on the beach in beautiful Cape Town. If you are looking for wonderful books written by South African authors, try these books. Alternatively, get one of the best South African guidebooks to help you plan your days.
A Spacious but Light Day Pack
It would help if you had a light day bag to carry sunscreen, photography equipment and a light jacket as you go sightseeing. You can also use it for your water bottle, sunglasses and hat when you are not using it.
A Flashlight
If you are planning to go on a safari camp, you may go on a bush walk or need to get up at night to use the restrooms. It is a great idea to take a small flashlight to show you the way for these situations. Some people find a head torch useful, as you tie it to your head and don’t need to carry it in your hands.
South Africa Packing List for Clothing
Lightweight clothing in neutral or light colours is best when you visit South Africa. Quick-drying clothing will work best if you need to do laundry during your visit. Avoid packing dark clothing as it may attract tsetse flies while on Safari. Do not wear bright colours (including white and red) when you go on Safari as this may draw the attention of specific animals and make you a target.
Here is a packing list for when you go on Safari!
Before deciding on the best clothing options, consider the activities you will participate in and the time of year you will visit South Africa. To make sure you pack for any weather during your trip to South Africa, consider packing these items:
Rain Jacket
Depending on where you go in South Africa, you may encounter rainy days. Johannesburg and surrounding areas have their rainy season in summer, while Cape Town and its surrounding areas have a winter rainy season. Take a waterproof jacket or rain jacket with you to continue sightseeing on rainy days.
Shirt Options for South Africa
For general sightseeing, tank tops for women are perfect in summer. Long-sleeved shirts can protect you from insect bites while on Safari or doing a bush walk.
Shoes
If you visit South Africa in summer, a pair of sandals can help your feet cool down. Closed shoes are best for bush walks and spending time on Safari.
Taking a pair of flip-flops is a must when visiting South Africa. You can use this when taking a shower while camping in the bush or going to the beach to cool off.
Pants
For spending time on Safari or in the bush, consider taking lightweight, long pants or long trousers. For sightseeing and time on the beach, take short pants with you. In winter, a pair of long pants will keep you warm.
One Nice Outfit
If you love luxury hotels and experiences, consider taking one or more nice outfits with you with dress shirts, fancier pants and shoes. For visits to the fancier restaurants at night, men should consider taking a dress shirt and ladies a comfortable dress.
Swimming Outfits
If you visit South Africa in the warmer months, you will probably swim in the ocean or be lazy in a swimming pool. Take one or more swimsuits with you. A quick-drying towel will be helpful as well.
Warmer Accessories
The nights can be pretty cold in the South African winters. Taking items such as a beanie or scarf can help keep you warm on a night safari or night tour
