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Cape Town Hotels: 3275 Reviews - 5893 Photos
Johannesburg Hotels: 1145 Reviews - 2003 Photos
Durban Hotels: 488 Reviews - 815 Photos
Port Elizabeth Hotels: 213 Reviews - 261 Photos
Sun City Hotels: 361 Reviews - 848 Photos
Pretoria Hotels: 467 Reviews - 650 Photos
Kruger National Park Hotels: 767 Reviews - 1563 Photos
Knysna Hotels: 215 Reviews - 352 Photos
Oudtshoorn Hotels: 143 Reviews - 258 Photos
Franschhoek Hotels: 47 Reviews - 96 Photos
Nelspruit Hotels: 18 Reviews - 44 Photos
Stellenbosch Hotels: 101 Reviews - 215 Photos
East London Hotels: 7 Reviews - 11 Photos
Richards Bay Hotels: 11 Reviews - 21 Photos
Sandton Hotels: 14 Reviews - 12 Photos

South Africa What to Pack

Storm brewing over Melville Koppies

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Storm brewing over Melville Koppies
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Pack Light!

by Flyboy9MR

Bags get moved around a lot to get to the safaris, so make sure they're durable. I used soft roller that ripped at edges. Pants that zip down to shorts are great! You'll especially need these during the winter (June - August). Good hiking boots - but nicely worn. Zamba or other facial lotion/creams are good. Mosquito repellent was provided at my camps, but if yours don't... bring it. Digital Cameras are great - but if you can afford it, get SLR cameras. Otherwise, get good lenses - need a good zoom/telescopic - and a good macro lens. Hat. Need to cover ears for night drives in winter (knit caps and/or scarfs). Gloves may help on colder nights.

Cameras and Film, Film, and more Film

by caslu

Pack light, especially if taking a domestic flight. They've very weight conscious. Good walking shoes and definitely a hat if you're doing any hiking. We did a few hikes while on safari (with an armed guide, of course) and those hats definitely came in handy. Malaria tablets were on the menu but that's all we really needed in the way of medical supplies. Took a Canon SLR with tons of film. Ended up with 13 rolls plus a lot on our digital. A good zoom lens is a must! Depends on what you're doing - we stayed in tents at Kapama but didn't really need any gear, everything was provided. Don't forget your hats!! A flashlight for those dark nights when you're in the bush and you see those eyes shining back at you. Whatever you do, don't run!

Take warmer clothing!

by geanster

I was in Zimbabwe and South Africa in September and beginning of October and my number one surprise was how the second that sun goes down, it gets surprisingly cool. I wasn't prepared, I took lots'o'shorts and t-shirts and like one jumper and a very light hooded shirt. I'd recommend taking another of each. Also chilly at the top of Table Mountain and other places you might end up at a higher altitude. I got all of my film developed as the trip progressed. They have many foto first's in the different shopping centers, etc. around SA. And they take an hour and even though I can't give definite prices, it came out to a little less than US one-hour developing. Definitely try to take enough film and batteries, especially when at safari lodges as they'll charge an arm and a leg as you're in the middle of the bush and simply MUST have a photo of that giraffe.

Zambuk herbal ointment

by ATLC

Zam-Buk Kruisesalf is a mild antiseptic for burns, minor wounds, scalds, itch, chapped hands and insect bites. It also seems to help muscle pains.It's real fun to be able to read the description in Afrikaans .

What should you really take with you...

by Tsakane

All depends are you going to stay in the cities, or are you going to go on a safari. I'd rather take my back pack anytime than a heavy suitcase. Travel light! If you need more clothing, you can always buy more in SA. And mind you, you MUST remember the climate: SA is in Africa, yes, but then winter months (it really is winter down there, when we up north have summer!!!) are really chilly1 Depending when you travel, take either you shorts&swimwear, or lots of warm clothing with you. Why to bring your own??? Most of the brands are available in SA. Hmmm... The same as before. Take your camera, the films and batteries are available in SA for sure. Mosquitoes aren't really a big problem in SA, but then, it's better to be careful than to get malaria=bring medication with you&it might be a good idea to bring your own net.

Mosquito Repellent

by kismet270

Bring a backpack. My advice would be to not buy so many things, but buy them once you are there. Mosquito Repellent for example will be much cheaper in supermarkets in South Africa. Suncreams too. Even swimming costumes, remember S.A is substantially cheaper than the UK or USA in almost every department apart from electrical goods. So even summer clothes, etc, go with a relatively empty case & buy all your neccessities on your 1st day there in a quick shop in a mall. Cape Union Mart is an excellent camping shop. It is found in most Malls in S.A.Call directory enquiries at 1023 for the number of the closest one to where you are staying. Films and developing is not so cheao in S.A, stock up on films before you travel.

Packing List

by tompt

In summer it is the rainy season, that means a heavy shower is possible from around November till April. Anti malaria tablets are sold everywhere, but when you are visiting the northeast ( Krugerpark or Kwazulu Natal)it is advisable to use Mefloquine tablets wich you have to start 3 weeks before arrival. Take a zoomlens for the best safari pictures. Most of our pictures are taken with a 300mm lens, some even with a 500mm lens. Rent a car with full camping equipment, it will save you the trouble of carrying to much luggage. All the neccesary things are on board, like sleepingbags, but also towels,cups, plates, cutlery, cooking gear, and so on...

Packing List

by Gypsy_Saskia

If you go to the Kruger area, make sure you start taking malaria tablets in time. You can by these in South Africa, both Lariam and another (less agressive) brand that is very good (forgot the name). Bring or buy loads of film! This country just makes you take photos again and again!A zoom camera is great for photographing the wildlife, especially in the parks where you have to stay in your car.

Packing List

by spetterke

Visiting the eastern part of the country,Kwazulunatal or Mpumalanga(Krugerpark),beware of the malaria mosquito after sundown,and wear long pants and shirts with long sleeves.Don't forget a good rain-coat.We had every night a thunderstorm. DONT FORGET MALARIA TABLETS in this area Be sure you have the right connecting piece with you,to put in the socket.IT is not the same as in the UK.It has three large round pins.

Packing List

by LarsLous

Antibiotics and something against malaria seems important to me.Have a look at the server of http://www.who.int/home-page World Health Organisation Watch out, nights in winter can be very cold, we had low temperatures, sometimes 0 degrees centigrade and less.

Top 3 Hotels in South Africa

The Table Bay Hotel Cape Town

9 Reviews and 345 Opinions One of the more expensive options, but if you can afford it then go for it. The location is great,...

Hotels in Cape Town

The Westcliff Hotel Johannesburg

5 Reviews and 201 Opinions Being a local, I have never stayed here (and probably couldn't afford to!) - having visited business...

Hotels in Johannesburg

Skukuza Restcamp - Kruger National Park Kruger National Park

8 Reviews and 100 Opinions This is the largest camp on the banks of the Sabie river, it is also the administrative centre of...

See all 33 Hotels in Kruger National Park

1,814 Hotels in South Africa

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Questions and Answers

Q: Hi all, im travelling to South Africa and Malarone is not sold in Argentina, so I should buy it when I get to South Africa. Do you...

A: You will need a prescription from a South Africa registered doctor.

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