South Africa Travel Packing List
Eastern Cape road trip on 35mm shot by Passenger Princess Analise
Packing requires foresight and a bit of finesse. Whether you’re someone who is comfortable checking a bag or prefer to travel light, there is a level of strategy that goes into anticipating what you’ll need while away from home. Below are some recommendations and considerations to bring ease to preparing for a trip to South Africa.
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Lightweight Cloth and Layers
The climate in South Africa varies greatly across the country. For example, Eastern Cape is quite humid while Johannesburg is really dry. If you’re road tripping across the country or visiting different regions, there is a bit more strategy that goes into keeping yourself comfortable and staying within airline baggage limits than say, a beach holiday.
In the past, I would do anything to avoid checking a bag. I still love to pack light and flowy dresses are my go-to. They’re functional in the day and appropriate in the evening. They don’t take up much room in a suitcase but with a different pair of shows or a jewelry swap they can take you from morning to night.
Flowy clothes generally make me feel like I have more options. I can tolerate a thin pair of pants in high heat but they also work in cooler temps. For me, jeans are hard to justify because if there is any chance of sweating or bloating, I want no part of them. That being said, it’s good to have at least one pair since they are more durable and do a better job protecting against mosquitos.
Cape Town is windy and requires a light jacket, even in Summer.
Electronic Considerations
South Africa also experiences load shedding. This means that at different parts of the day, the power is shut off in different parts of the country. There are varying stages of load shedding. Hotels often have inverters and some short term rentals have solar. This is something to look for when booking accommodations. If you’re staying in an apartment or a home, load shedding is more of a consideration.
The first time I went to South Africa it was stage 4 - 6 over the course of 2 months and that meant power was out 4 - 8 hours of the day. There is an app where you can see the load shedding schedule for the area you’re in and plan around this.
Power banks become an essential travel packing tool to have some backup when the power is out.
Do not, and I repeat, do not leave your devices plugged in when the power goes off. I damaged my computer by leaving it plugged in so it would start charging when the power came on. The surge is really bad for your electronics.
Give some thought to charging your machines when planning your day. If you know there will be a chunk of time the power is on where you’re staying, charge your devices. Issa lifestyle and practice in mindfulness.
Some phones still use physical sim cards, but many now only use e-sims. These are electronic sim cards that are installed without physically swapping cards in and out of your phone.
This is convenient because you no longer run the risk of losing your main sim card and you can have it all set up so you are connected from the moment you land.
I use Saily for ease installation as well as service in Africa while e-sim provider, Airalo, is “sold out” of e-sims in Africa. The code Analise5 will get you a discount on a Saily e-sim.
Sun Protection
Yes, melanated folks, we need protection.
After returning home from South Africa the first time, I had spent three days in Tembisa in the direct sun. I didn’t think anything of it but on the third day comrades were pointing out my nose and saying I “got color.” I went back to the apartment where I was staying to look in the mirror and see how burnt my face and chest were.
That evening in Johannesburg, I went out dancing with a friend and noticed my legs began to hurt. I had been walking a lot during those three days in Tembisa so I just thought I was sore. But after returning to the apartment and going to sleep, I woke up shivering with a fever.
I had a 16-hour flight home that next evening so I ordered juices, smoothies, and waters for delivery. I hydrated and slept until I had to go to the airport. Luckily, no one was in my row so I was able to stretch out and sleep. When I got home, I managed to go out to dinner with my family for my mom’s birthday then I climbed into bed and slept for three days only emerging to drink more fluids. My lips were so dry and my body hurt.
I’m not sure if I head heat stroke or sun poisoning but I know it was from over exposure to the sun with no protection and probably not enough fluids.
wear 45+ SPF sunscreen *even if you’re melanated* I like Sunbum and have different products for my face, lips, and body.
wear a hat if you’re going to be in the sun without shade or cover for a lot of the day
drink a lot of water before your trip and drink a lot of water during your trip. more than you think
make sure to stay hydrated in transit through airports and on the plane
bring sunglasses
Hout Bay just before sunset on 35mm shot by Analise Samantha Delphine Sesay
Below is a general packing list for a trip to South Africa.
Clothing:
Lightweight and breathable clothing
Comfortable walking shoes
Swimwear
Hat or cap
Jacket or sweater for cooler evenings
Rain jacket or poncho (depending on the season)
Toiletries:
Sunscreen with high SPF
Travel-sized (3.4 ounce or less size toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, etc.)
Electronics:
Cell phone
E-Sim (use code: Analise5 for a discount)
Travel adapter for outlets
Travel Essentials:
Passport and travel documents
Money (local currency and credit/debit cards with no foreign transaction fees)
Backpack or daypack
Health and Safety:
Prescription medications
Feminine hygiene products - I highly recommend diva cups for travel especially
Imodium and/or activated charcoal
Miscellaneous:
Sunglasses
Travel towel - I highly recommend a microfiber one. They dry very quickly and minimize bacteria. They also fold small to fit in luggage. I go nowhere without mine and promptly replaced it when I lost my first one
