What to pack for South Africa

Miscellaneous: South Africa has very few public telephones (and even fewer in working order) so be sure to bring your mobile phone (called a cell phone here) - this also helps you avoid extortionate rates charged by hotels for using phones in the rooms. In view of the security concerns, it is also always wise to be able to raise the alarm/call for help/ask for directions should you need it.

The local convention is to include an item in your telephone directory labelled ICE (which stands for 'in case of emergency'). Then if, God forbid, you are involved in an accident, the paramedic/police will at least know who to contact (provided that they don't steal the phone -sadly this does happen). If you are an overseas tourist, make sure that this number includes the international dialling code (eg. +44 for the UK, +61 for Australia and so on).

If you are going to be here for some time, investigate the possibility of buying a local SIM card so that you can make calls at local rates - there are branches of Vodacom, MTN and/or Cell C (the three big local players in the cellphone market) in most major shopping centres, and they should be able to help you out with this.

Luggage and bags: Shopping for most South Africans is a religious observance, and the opportunities for retail therapy are almost endless! Just because this is a developing country doesn't mean that the shops are third world: complexes such as the Sandton City, Eastgate and Rosebank Malls in Johannesburg are palatial and the range of shops is mindblowing.

One other outstanding - and maybe unexpected - feature is the quality of the shopfitting and displays: compared to Australia and New Zealand in particular, the stores look much more appealing, providing you with the excuse that the merchandise was so beautifully displayed that it just jumped out from the displays into your arms! Major international brands are represented, and local stores offer great variety and value for money. Opening hours are also liberal - most malls in the cities are now open seven days a week (usually 09:00 - 17:00 or later on weekdays, and from 10:00 - 16:00 on a Sunday)

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Comfy shoes for traipsing around the mall! If you are intending to buy clothes or shoes here, be aware of the fact that South Africa uses the UK sizing system (see many sites on the web for the conversion)

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: You can get pretty well everything, but be sure to bring a prescription with you just in case you need to replace your prescription drugs.

Photo Equipment: The light is very bright in South Africa, so high speed film (if you're not using digital) and polarising filters are helpful. If you are intending to do any game viewing (and, if not, why not, as this is one of the most wonderful game spotting destinations in the world?), bring zoom lenses and extra photo cards, as you'll almost invariably take far more photos than you anticipate! (you can buy virtually any sort of camera equipment in the major centres, but it is generally more expensive than overseas)

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: You can wear light weight clothing during the summer (November - February). In winter a jumper or jacket may be needed, especially in the mornings and evenings. If you visit a game reserves try to wear neutral colors like brown, beige or khaki that help to blend in with the background. And don't forget your long-sleeved shirts and trousers for the evenings to reduce the chances of mosquito bites.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Everything you need is available in the shops in South Africa. Make sure before you visit a place, if you need to take Malaria tablettes. Some of the tablettes must be taken 3 days or a week before you vistit the Malaria area.

Miscellaneous: VISA - Full EU Passporst did not require visas for a holiday visit but it is better to check with your travel organiser or the SA High Embassy before departure. Passports must be valid for six months.

Luggage and bags: For a 4 day stay (not counting the total time to get there which was a day), I packed a huge suitcase with about 3 pairs of jeans, a jacket, hoodie and t-shirts. Don't expect tropical climate because the nights can get a little fresh. It's also considered rainy season around this time. I didn't run into any torrential downpours, maybe a light drizzle.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Hoodies are definitely recommended because the weather can be cloudy and moist in springtime. I didn't need to use the heavier jacket I had brought, but it wouldn't hurt to take it as a precaution. I survived well wearing the normal T-shirt,jeans and sneakers. If you plan on doing excursions or safaris, I'd recommend packing some good walking shoes or boots. I wore sneakers at Pilanesburg since the majority of my time was spent inside a vehicle. Bring a wide-brimmed hat to protect you from sun exposure when you're out on reserves.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Bring hand sanitizer and keep it with you when you go out on day trips, especially to any reserves. It'd come in handy to cleanse a cut and what not. Sunscreen is recommended of course.

Miscellaneous: I got immunizations just in case. I did this before I left at a travel doctor's office. I finished off some Hep-A and Hep-B shots, and got a typhoid shot. I would recommend getting those before you go, just to be safe. I didn't go to Kruger National Park or the eastern most part of South Africa where malaria exists, so I didn't need to worry about malaria meds. If you do go to that part of South Africa, then of course, check into getting malaria medications. Avoid the type that have bad side effects. You can ask your travel doctor which ones I mean.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: It will be a lot of confusing if you need malaria tablets or not.
The experts in your country will not be sure either. The health companies who produce the tablets will tell you that the risk is high and the locals will tell you that they never need or use any because they cannot take the tablets anyway as you can only take malaria tablets for a limited time. The choice is yours, depends a lot on the season and the exact locations you are going to visit, in general the risk in not very high, however, taking Malarone tablets for couple of weeks would not kill you but malaria can.

Luggage and bags: Backpack is more comfortable maybe then a suitcase, but you will not carry your stuff much anyway, in some places, others will do it for ya.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Good walking shoes especially if you plan to do some hiking and walking safari. Light colours safari cloths recommended for the comfortability as well as better camouflage.
Warm cloths for the nights, especially if visit during the South African winter which is June to August.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Mosquito Repellent can be helpful, depends on the season you visit, we in the winter didn’t need it at all.

Photo Equipment: I think this is very clear and no need to mention, you go all the way here to see the animals, have the best what you can get, a good zoom is a must for good catch of animals shots.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Warm sleeping bags in the winter as it will be cold at night.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: South Africa has a varied climate depending on where you are at. It's hot and dry in the Northeast by Kruger NP but can be cold and wet in the Capetown area. You will need to make sure that you account for this. Particulary if you visit Capetown be prepared for numerous changes in weather while you visit.

Luggage and bags: Luggage with wheels is always a good idea, wherever you are travelling.

If you are doing a night hike, bring a backpack and a water bottle.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Some ideas:

Light coloured clothing that doesnt absorb the sun as much as dark clothing. If you're going on safari, pack comfortable walking shoes and khaki, brown or beige casual clothes.

Long-sleeved shirts and trousers will help protect you against the sun and insect bites.

Take a warm jacket for game drives; and, if you're going in summer, make sure it's water-proof.

A cap/hat that covers your head and neck.

Long socks if you are going hiking (extra protection against snakes if you come across one).

Sunglasses.

Comfortable sandals and tackies/trainers/sneakers.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Take your recommended Malaria tablets if in a malaria zone, sun screen (at LEAST Factor 35 I would say), headache tablets (from being in the car during the sun all day, may bring on a headache), and usual little things like some plasters for blisters, Tabard for the mossies (mosquitos), cotton wool, germolene etc.

Photo Equipment: : Your camera, with charger, and an appropriate plug extension/adaptor.

Bring along the best lens you can - a zoom lens will be needed as the animals are often in the distance and may only look like tiny specks in your photos when they are developed.

Miscellaneous: Have a map of the area handy, plus a local bird, flower and tree book. For this you also need a pair of good quality binoculars. Take a torch and some bog roll if you are doing outdoorsy things (just in case!).