Durban What to Pack

 
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Leave those woolies!
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Gillybob 508 reviews
View over the Valley of a Thousand Hills
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Luggage and bags: Within the shopping centres of Durban, you will find plenty of opportunity to purchase more bags, suitcases and backpacks should your purchases leave you wanting more room. Prices are very reasonable and good quality items are readily available.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Travellers and tourists from Europe should find that even in winter, it is rare to need jumpers. A simple cardigan or jacket for cooler evenings should be all that is required.

My father lives just outside Durban and for only a few days a year will he put on a cardi - and he's a local (well, lived there for over thirty years).

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Most things readily available. Personal medication needs should be sourced in your own country and proof of prescription/requirement taken with you to avoid delays at customs.

Photo Equipment: APS film can sometimes be difficult to obtain. Other photography supplies should be found quite readily.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Whilst not readily found, specialist camping and outdoor stores will stock your needs.

Miscellaneous: You will find plenty of opportunity to purchase souvenirs. Purchase away from large shopping centres where souvenir shops are over priced. Many roadside stalls can be found near large tourist areas and these are often good places to source bargains.

Updated Feb 8, 2012

Related to:
 Backpacking

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How should one dress?
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Jenniflower 1567 reviews

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

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.

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: Sun screen (Factor 35), 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 a SOUTH AFRICAN plug extension.

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

This is so that you don’t get lost, plus can appreciate all that’s around you that much more.

It is not just a place to sight-see, but a place to learn from too.

Written Mar 24, 2009

Related to:
 Photography
 Birdwatching
 Eco-Tourism

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South African Adapter
MikeAtSea profile photo

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MikeAtSea 2923 reviews
South African Plug

Miscellaneous: South Africa has a very unique plug system as you can see on the picture. Adapters are available in many shops including some supermarkets. My recommendation is that you by your adapters when you are in the country.

Written May 3, 2005

Related to:
 School Holidays
 Work Abroad

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Packing List
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ratcorp 27 reviews

Luggage and bags: All the essensials. Just take Sun Screen Lotion. The African sun is harsh. Your wont even know your cooked until that evening. Durban has almost everything a person could get elewere in the world. Don't think because its in Africa you have to Take everything with you. Its has HUGE department stores , Electronics shops , food courts....
Photo taken of friend from UK - BASIC SHIRT with LARD .. HAT.. AND Food.. Typical friends...:-)HAHHA

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Durban can get hot and humid. VERY hot and humid. The Summer months are Nov to Feb , Winters are cool and plesant (you can wear shorts all year round)
Leather jackets and huge windbreakers are never needed (even when its gets cold (COLD in Durban is 20 Degrees ) Make sure you have light clothing , sunglass's and anything else you could think of one might need on a sumer holiday.The Humidity gets to danger point very often. Feels like a sauna . One thing you notice is how stifling hot it is when you climb off the plane. Its hits you HARD.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Any special medication should always be carried with you. Durban is more than able to suply you with anything you could think of in the medical department.
Just remember the atatchements (plugs ) for Electric razors and toothbrushs might not be the same , ussaly the hotels cater for you (They suply the adaptors) you just have to ask.

Photo Equipment: Sun, sun ,and more sun , Get geared for taking pictures in the sun , or sometimes overcast days . Any batteries or other equipment can ussaly be bought at the major shopping centers. Durban is not your avarage African city.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: BUG Spray , sun tan lotion and light clothing.

Miscellaneous: Durban is a BIG city. Most of the development is on the outskirts with the city center been rather dull. Most of the tourist atractions are on the outside of the city (Excepting the beatiful beachs )

Written Aug 26, 2002

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Packing List
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PeaceHavenSA 42 reviews

Luggage and bags: A light backpack, and cooler bag if possible.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Dress cool, it can also rain in the afternoons - especialy in summer

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: DON'T forget your swim wear, a MUST is proper SUN-PROTECTION CREAM

Miscellaneous: Durban is famed for its mild, sunny winter climate and year-round 'fun-in-the-water' weather. Durban is blessed with an abundance of vegetation and a subtropical climate with sunshine for at least 320 days a year. Temperatures range from 16°C and 25°C during the winter months of June, July and August. Summer temperatures can reach 32°C with relatively high humidity during the hot season.
Durban owes these characteristics to the equatorial current of the Indian Ocean which is the source of a vast stream of warm, blue water flowing south-west through the Mozambique Channel.

Seawater temperatures along the coast compare more favourably with those of the Mediterranean in summer (75°F mean) (24°C), but in winter they seldom fall below 66°F (19°C) - 10° warmer than the Mediterranean in the same season.

Durban's Rainfall
MONTH MILLIMETERS DAYS
January 124.9 15
February 116.0 13
March 118.2 13
April 97.2 11
May 75.9 7
June 33.5 5
July 39.7 6
August 44.4 6
September 58.2 7
October 88.7 15
November 104.4 17
December 114.3 16




Durban's Temperatures
MONTH MAXIMUM
TEMP °C MINIMUM
TEMP °C
January 32.7 20.5
February 33.8 20.3
March 28.7 19.7
April 25.8 16.7
May 24.3 12.8
June 22.8 9.5
July 22.7 9.5
August 23.0 11.5
September 23.3 14.4
October 28.1 16.3
November 29.1 17.9
December 32.7 19.3

Written Aug 25, 2002

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What to pack?...
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JackiKasner 19 reviews

Luggage and bags: A backpack for when you go out in the day.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Costume!!! Shorts, Skirts, T-shirts, ect..

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Sunblock!!!

Photo Equipment: Your camera

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Towls, make it 2...

Written Jul 7, 2005

Related to:
 Adventure Travel
 Beaches
 Cruise

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Essential items to pack.
Waalewiener profile photo

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Waalewiener 1129 reviews
Slippers & Bathing Suit

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Light cotton clothes , short sleeve shirts,
Hats.

Photo Equipment: Camera & lots of film

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Bathing Suits

Miscellaneous: Sunscreen Sun glasses Walking shoes
Beach Shoes,(slippers)

Updated Dec 30, 2002

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  Light cotton clothes , short sleeve shirts,Hats. Camera & lots of film Bathing Suits Sunscreen Sun glasses Walking shoesBeach Shoes,(slippers) 

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Q:  Hello I am planning to visit Durban in early March and would like to visit Kosi Bay. Finding a place to stay in Kosi is no... 

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A: Have you tried Baz Bus? I can't currently access their site to see if it would be of any assistance but maybe you will have better luck. 

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