South Africa- What to Pack

South Africa has many different climates based on the various terrains. This subtropical country has mountainous areas, beaches, safari locations and wildlife reserves.

The east coast cities have higher temperatures and more rainfall than the west coast cities. Generally, the coasts and low lying areas are the warmest areas while the mountains can have below freezing temperatures! The best time to vacation here is the months of April and May. The rainy season has yet to happen on the Western Cape (which has its rainy season in the winter months) and the rainy season on the east coast has just completed.

The seasons in South Africa look something like this:
• Spring: September, November, December
• Summer: December, January, February
• Autumn: March, April, May
• Winter: June, July, August

It is important to remember that in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are exactly opposite of the Northern Hemisphere.

Attire:

It is a common misunderstanding that South Africans dress in tribal wear and more historical indigenous attire based on African culture. The dress in South Africa is much like ours in the U.S! The people are extremely fashionable and modern. South Africa imports the popular brands of fashion from the West and Asian countries. They have designer clothing available as well.

It is important to keep in mind that SA is generally a hot country, so bring some light, airy clothes! The dress is casual so wearing jeans, tees and skirts will allow you to fit in. Packing clothes might be easier than you think! However, it is important to remember that South Africans are generally conservative, so dress appropriately.

Like all countries, it is not a good idea to wear expensive clothes and jewelry in certain areas of the country. Having a responsible and knowledgeable tour guide will help aid in your safety during the trip as they should know the areas in which to be careful. You certainly wouldn’t want to lose your nice gold watch while on a safari or visiting an indigenous tribe!

Additionally, here are some key items that should be on your Checklist:

- plenty of sunscreen
- sun hat or other covering for your head
- sunglasses
- water bottle with filter (staying hydrated is important on your trip)
- power adapters (make sure your electronics are compatible)
- traveler guides/ maps
- a camera
- insect repellent (although most of the safari areas are malaria free, it is important to stay protected against other insects living in SA)

… And don’t forget to stop at your Passport Health location to pick up a mosquito/sun kit which includes appropriate repellents containing DEET, as well as a kit for traveler’s diarrhea including antibiotics and re-hydration powders.