Table of Contents

17 Top South Africa Packing List Items for 2022 + What to Wearable & Non to Bring

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South Africa offers environments that range from craggy cliffs, pristine beaches, lush forests, lagoons, and the humming cities of Greatcoat Town and Johannesburg. Equally the southernmost country on the African continent, S Africa is a sought-after destination for tourists, travelers, and adventurers.

The below list volition guide you lot on what to wear in South Africa, what Not to bring, and the answers to the top Southward Africa FAQs. Have a great time, and make the most of this incredible destination!

South Africa
Go ready for a trip of a lifetime!

What to Pack for South Africa – 17 Essentials

  • ane. Neck Wallet

    In a destination as touristy every bit South Africa, you'll want to prevent pickpocketing and petty theft past keeping your belongings organized and secure. This neck wallet is essential for keeping your phone, passport, wallet, and other valuables securely fastened beneath your apparel and out of reach for wandering hands.

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  • 2. Binoculars

    If there was ever a time to bring binoculars on a trip, it's now. They are totally essential if you're going on safari – you never know which member of the Large Five you might run across! These ones are waterproof and can hang easily from your cervix when not in use.

    Binoculars

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  • iii. South Africa Power Adapter

    One of the most important items non to forget to pack is a good quality power adapter. Using this handy adapter, you lot'll be able to plug in your electronics from your home country with ease in South African sockets. This one as well include USB ports for charging phones and cameras etc.

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  • iv. Packing Cubes

    If you don't travel using packing cubes, y'all're doing it all wrong! Packing cubes are past far the best mode to remain organized and avert overpacking on trips overseas. This fix is bang-up because it comes in a variety of fun colors and includes extra bags for laundry and shoes.

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  • v. Hiking shoes

    You'll most likely do a lot of walking when you lot're in South Africa, whether it's backcountry hiking, waterfall hunting, or large game stalking. In all cases, sturdy walking shoes are essential. These ones are my all-time favorites.

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  • half dozen. Insect repellent wristbands

    In summertime, South Africa is teeming with pesky mosquitoes. In addition to wearing bug spray, you may want to call up about taking malaria pills during your trip. Brand sure to habiliment an insect repelling wristband similar this one to go along abroad those mosquitoes, ticks, bitter flies, gnats, and chiggers. It works for upwards to 300 hours and so y'all can only slide one on and forget nigh information technology!

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  • vii. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

    Using a VPN is something you may not have previously considered, but it is an absolute must-have when traveling away. Plow on your VPN when you connect to public sources of WiFi in hotels, cafes, and airports to prevent potential hackers from accessing your passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive data.

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  • 8. Daypack

    Chances are, you're going to desire to explore 1 of South Africa's national parks, or at least hit some local hiking trails during your stay. Stay organized during outdoor outings, sightseeing, and everything in between with a solid daypack. This one is well-designed, and great for a full day on your feet.

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  • ix. Swimsuit Cover upwardly

    Don't forget to bring a swimsuit cover up if you lot're hit up a embankment town like Durban or Port Elizabeth! This i is cute, versatile, and looks great during a twenty-four hours of swimming, diving, jogging along the embankment or even hiking through the jungle. Pack this with a beautiful swimsuit and some flip flops.

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  • ten. LifeStraw H2o Bottle

    Drinking tap h2o in South Africa is perfectly safe. Bring a reusable h2o bottle that y'all can refill over and over once again. This ane is great because it comes with a congenital-in LifeStraw water filter every bit an added layer of protection for your drinking water.

    LifeStraw Water Bottle

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  • eleven. Solar Charger

    On overnight safari or trekking trips, it will prove handy to bring your own solar charger from domicile, and then y'all'll never accept to worry about your phone or camera running out of bombardment. Specially if you plan to use your telephone for photos, music, or navigation, you won't want to worry about your battery dying at an inconvenient fourth dimension.

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  • 12. Travel Insurance for S Africa

    For your trip to South Africa, brand sure you lot accept expert, reliable travel insurance. Beyond offer you peace of listen during your trip, travel insurance will cover your costs in instance of emergency. Nosotros always use World Nomads because of their generous and comprehensive coverage.

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  • 13. Bandana

    Bandanas are incredibly useful while traveling. They can serve every bit headbands, face up masks, napkins for snacks, so much more. They tin can exist used to protect your neck from the dominicus, or as a scarf to keep warm when it's cold. Tie one of these to your daypack earlier leaving home.

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  • 14. Quick Dry out Travel Towel

    Whether y'all're spending the solar day on safari or at the embankment, a quick dry travel towel is one item you'll be glad y'all packed. Perfect for keeping you lot absurd on a hot twenty-four hours or tossing back in your pack afterward a day in the ocean, this travel towel is a fantastic compact and lightweight option.

    Travel towel

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  • xv. Sturdy Sandals

    Be sure to pack a sturdy pair of sandals for your trip to South Africa. You'll probable be spending a lot of fourth dimension on your feet and then you lot'll want something comfortable and breathable to wear all day under the hot lord's day. These Tevas are perfect for any South African activity.

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  • 16. Activated Charcoal

    Peculiarly if it's your first time to Africa, you will undoubtedly be intrigued by the wide variety of regional delicacies to try. Bring along activated charcoal tablets to absorb unfamiliar toxins in your organisation to keep you enjoying South Africa and out of the bathroom.

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  • 17. Gorgeous Outfit

    For evenings out in the larger cities similar Johannesburg and Greatcoat Town, you'll desire to wearing apparel to impress. This stunning one-piece is perfect for a nighttime on the town, every bit it's lightweight and breezy and can be dressed up or down depending on your accessories.

    V Neck switzland

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What should I wear in South Africa?

In South Africa, breezy and coincidental is the accustomed style. On embankment days, plan on wearing swimsuits, tank tops, shorts, encompass-ups and sundresses. When you get out for drinks or dinner, simple and cute outfits are good, so bring some uncomplicated dresses, a nice pair of khakis, and simple sandals. A chapeau and sunglasses are likewise a proficient idea too. For any athletic activities, shorts and a tank top are good to beat out the rut. No matter what, bring comfy walking shoes. A nicer outfit and heels or apparel shoes might come in handy for going out to dinner or dance clubs in ane of South Africa'due south big cities.

What should WOMEN habiliment in South Africa? – (Click to expand)

Since locals tend to dress adequately conservatively, try to avoid wearing annihilation besides revealing. But wear swimwear at the embankment and puddle, and comprehend up with loose wear or a sarong. Longer skirts and breezy pants volition assistance you vanquish the heat.

What should MEN wear in Due south Africa? – (Click to expand)

In general, casual, versatile wear like t-shirts, shorts, polos and swimwear are good to pack. If y'all're planning on going to any nightclubs, know that men are required to clothing a shirt with a collar, and no sneakers or lawn tennis shoes are allowed.

Packing for the Seasons in South Africa

South Africa is a year-round destination because of its fluctuating regional climates. The Cape has wonderfully hot, dry out atmospheric condition in its summer months (November-February). Dress in lightweight clothing and bring walking sandals, like Chacos or Tevas. Most of the country has warm, sunny days and cool nights during summer and jump. When packing for an autumn or winter trip ( June–August) , recollect to pack long-sleeve shirts, sweaters, warm socks, a jacket and raincoat. Scarves, gloves and beanies may also come in handy.

How to dress for activities in South Africa? – (Click to expand)

Safaris – Article of clothing neutral, lightweight clothing on safari trips. Also bring a wide skirt dominicus hat, and plenty of sunscreen!

Hiking – Always wear synthetic fabrics, then that they don't trap moisture. A solid synthetic short-sleeve t-shirt is a proficient idea. If it's chilly, make sure to bring a midweight synthetic or fleece long-sleeve summit to layer on superlative.

Beach days – Bring a few swimsuits and coverups that dry chop-chop. Sunglasses and sandals are likewise a great idea.

Dining and Dancing in Greatcoat Town – Cape Boondocks is an up-and-coming way capital letter, and so experience gratuitous to dress upwardly! Call up dresses, button downs, heels and dress shoes.

Wine Tasting – If y'all're headed to the cute Stellenbosch to taste some earth class wines, dress nicely, and wear advisable footwear like sandals with a low heel.

Sightseeing – Casual or athletic clothing is fine. Wear comfortable walking shoes, or your hiking boots if you're looking to salvage infinite in your haversack or luggage.

What Not to bring to South Africa

  • 1.Short shorts or Mini Skirts

    In general, revealing wearable is considered inappropriate in almost all parts of Africa. A good rule of thumb is to brand sure your shorts reach your fingertips when your hands are hanging by your sides.

  • 2.Lots of Cash

    Most larger towns and cities in South Africa have ATMs, so y'all can take out local currency once you go far instead of conveying around all your money at once.

  • three.Mosquito Net

    Pretty much all hotels, hostels and airbnbs volition already have mosquito nets installed.

  • four.Unnecessary Valuables

    Things can go lost on the route, and in that location'southward ever some risk of theft when traveling anywhere. Unless you totally, definitely need it, leave the valuables (like jewelry) at home.

What Not to wear in Due south Africa? – (Click to aggrandize)

Stay away from short shorts, and revealing tank tops. Unless yous're going on a safari, don't vesture safari wear. You lot'll stick out like a sore pollex if you're walking around any major cities in khaki coloured and cliched safari habiliment!

FAQs for South Africa travel:

  • 1. What's the best time of year to get to South Africa?

    Southward Africa'south summertime months are Dec to March. Autumn is April to May. Winter is June to August, and leap is September to Nov. Because Due south Africa covers such a large surface area, and each region's offerings modify with the seasons. Bank check local weather atmospheric condition throughout the year, and plan from there.

  • 2. What languages are spoken in South Africa?

    There are xi official languages of South Africa: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Sotho, SiSwati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. Fewer than ii per centum of South Africans speak a first linguistic communication other than an official one. Most South Africans can speak more than than one linguistic communication!

  • 3. What kind of adapter do I demand to bring?

    In Southward Africa, D, M and N ability sockets are used.

  • 4. How can I capture all my Southward Africa trip memories?

    Bring a camera, GoPro, or video camera with an extra bombardment to capture the special moments of your trip. If your batteries are rechargeable, make sure you lot bring the charger! Apps like 1 Second Everyday as well make for skillful memory savers.