Our expert packing list for South Africa, a country that holds great natural beauty and cultural diversity. Whether you want to search for wild animals in the bushveld, wander across vast dramatic landscapes or just lounge on the beach, South Africa has got you covered.
The thing is, you aren’t here to be sold on how epic South Africa is, you’ve done your research, you already know this!
No, you are interested in the best packing list for South Africa. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.
Our packing list covers everything from travel tips to travel essentials, we’ve even included what not to bring and a printable South Africa packing checklist at the end of this article (the first of its kind). Make sure you download that after reading this post 😀
Last but not least, if you plan on visiting the Mother City we recommend you to read our 121 Things to do in Cape Town.
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Packing List For South Africa – Travel Essentials
There are several items that should just not be left off of your packing list, we call these items the travel essentials. It’s these essentials that can truly make your trip to South Africa more convenient and thus in the long run more enjoyable. If you feel we have left something of the list, tell us in the comment section to get it added to our South Africa packing list!
Backpack
United By Blue
The perfect backpack for a day hike. United By Blue’s backpacks are made out of sustainable materials like recycled polyester. For every product purchased United By Blue removes one pound of trash from our oceans and waterways.
Cotopaxi
Super stylish, no two bags are the same. Be aware that a lot of the materials used are not entirely eco-friendly, but many of their bags are made using excess, remnant materials like fabrics, zippers, buckles, and thread, to prevent waste.
Travel Towel
Somerside Microfibre Towel
Travel towels make traveling that much easier. It’s light, easy to squeeze into any corner of your backpack and dries within minutes in hot weather.
If you don’t have a travel towel yet, consider getting this eco-version made from recycled plastic bottles.
Water bottle
Tree Tribe Eco Bottle
The task is quite simple: Stay hydrated and try to avoid single-use plastic. The solution is a sustainable water bottle that keeps your drinks cool and protects you from drinking microplastics.
It’s perfectly safe to drink the water from the tap in South Africa. In case of doubt, use water purification tablets.
Sunscreen
Raw Elements Sunscreen
I personally try to avoid sunscreen at all costs, but the sun in South Africa is SUPER potent.
If you plan on visiting the beaches (who wouldn’t?), check out this reef safe sunscreen from Raw Elements. Why not protect South Africa’s marine life while you protect yourself.
Travel Lock
Master Lock
This is one item I always forget to put on my packing list, instant regret.
One way or another there is going to come a time where a travel lock comes in handy. I like this one from Master lock as the locking mechanism is manipulatable.
Toiletries
Bamboo Toothbrush
A plastic toothbrush takes 400 years to biodegrade.
If you are in need of a new one, think about adding a bamboo toothbrush to your packing list for South Africa.
Natural Deodorant
Its was in South Africa that I first started using organic deodorants just like this one.
Trust me, they work so much better than conventional ones, with the added bonus that they do not harm the planet.
Security
Money Belt
A money belt should not only be on your packing list for South Africa, but pretty much any country you visit.
The more you travel the higher your chances of being pickpocketed are. With these money belts you can leave your wallet back at your accommodation.
Guide Book
South Africa Guide Book
The perfect Ebook for South Africa. Extremely low cost and so worth it if you are using a Kindle.
I personally love paperback books and always will, but you can’t deny the superiority of the Kindle for traveling.
Packing List For South Africa – Safari
If you’re visiting South Africa, there’s no doubt you’ll be going on safari in the Kruger National Park. If you haven’t planned that already, make sure you do (click here to organize your safari). Nothing beats the once in a lifetime opportunity to spot the Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Cape Buffalo and Rhinoceros, the Big Five all in one reserve! Safari is also a way to get closer to nature, to witness the important role wildlife has in our ecosystem. Plus, what’s cooler than adding a safari hat to your South African packing list.
Camping
Coleman Sleeping Bag
The perfect summer sleeping bag for South Africa, it can handle temperatures between 40 – 60°F (4 – 15°C).
I would recommend a sleeping bag liner to combine with this sleeping bag if you plan on visiting South Africa in winter.
Sleeping Mat
I have bad luck with sleeping mats, one way or another they always seem to get a puncture.
This sleeping pad however, is super durable. If you don’t already have one, give this one a look see.
Tent
One thing you need on safari is a tent. Nothing beats hearing the sound of a lions roar vibrate through the fabric of your tent.
This is probably obvious, but make sure you invest in a waterproof tent. Wet season in Kruger National Park is summer season October to April.
Travel Pillow
For most of my camping adventures, I’ve always just slept on a bunch of my jackets piled up into a ball. Two words, neck ache.
Travel pillow, totally worth adding to your South African packing list!
Binoculars
Bush Snell Binoculars
On safari binoculars come in handy, trust me! Once in the Kruger National Park whilst parked at the watering hole. A black rhino appeared in the distance. Without binoculars I would of missed out on the opportunity to see her.
Safari Clothes
Safari Hat
The ultimate sun protection, something you are going to need on safari in the baking South African sun!
This hat is waterproof and blocks out 98% of harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Safari Shirt
It doesn’t matter whether you are male or female, any gender looks damn badass in a safari outfit (only on safari). Take the Irwin family for example! 🙂
Safari Shorts
And finally, safari shorts to complete the look.
For the ladies, check out these safari shorts if you don’t like the ones you see here.
Bug Spray
Eco Insect Repellent
Eco-friendly insect repellent, remember the Kruger National Park is situated in a malaria risk zone. It’s important to keep mosquitoes away during your stay.
Read more about malaria in Kruger here.
Packing List For South Africa – Electronics
Okay I’m going a bit overboard in this picture, you obviously don’t need four cameras on your packing list for South Africa, that’s true. However, you do need at least one camera, to document all the dramatic landscapes and wildlife you’ll experience during your stay in South Africa. Some of the following travel gear I recommend below is fairly pricey and really only necessary if you are an extreme travel gear junky. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking your time to build up your electronic inventory and you will still enjoy South Africa to the fullest without this gear on your packing list! (Side note: remember to always recycle your broken electronic gear)
Camera
DSLR Camera Set
This is pretty much all you will need to take the most magnificent photographs during your stay in South Africa (or any country for that matter).
It includes a tripod and all the lenses you will possibly need while on safari, i.e. a zoom lens. Not to mention filters for some long exposure shots.
Browse here for smaller entry level cameras.
Power bank
Solar Charger
This powerbank really came in handy on one of my cycling trips.
If you know you will constantly be around an electricity source during your stay, then scrap this item. Just be aware of the notorious load shedding in South Africa before you do. 😉
Drone
DJI Drone
One of the coolest inventions to hit planet earth. The beauty these machines capture is unparalleled to anything else. If you’re not convinced, watch this video.
This particular drone is one of my favorites, the Mavic Air 2.
GoPro
GoPro Hero 7
The second coolest invention to hit planet earth. If you want to keep a video diary of your trip to South Africa the GoPro for sure offers the best perspectives.
This is the Hero 7, not the newest model but just as good and half the price of the Hero 8.
Adaptor
South African Adaptor
We South Africans have a strange almost primal electrical socket. This South Africa Travel Plug Adapter comes in a pack of 3 and accepts plugs from all countries including USA.
Kindle
As I said earlier, I absolutely adore paper books, I mean this website is even called Softback after all. However, there’s nothing worse than traveling with heavy books in your backpack.
The Kindle immediately solves that problem, you can essentially store over 1000 books on a device that weighs 6.7 ounces, convenient.
Overrated Travel Items
Im sure after reading this packing list for South Africa you have a pretty good idea what to bring, the question now is do you know what NOT to bring? Below we list 7 items you should rather leave at home, ignore them, do not bring them on your trip to South Africa!
Vuvuzela
These were popular during the soccer world cup in 2010. Pretty much all you heard was the violent eruption of Vuvuzelas all around the country. Then, for some unknown reason, the entire world adopted this insanity. Once while traveling through Hamburg I even spotted a restaurant named Vuvuzela. If you own one, leave them at home, if you want to buy one, take my advice, don’t.
Camelbak
The movie 121 hours made these plastic bags pretty damn famous but come on let’s face it, when do you ever need to use one?? Save South Africa and the rest of the world from unnecessary plastic pollution and invest in a Kleen Kanteen instead.
Books
I’m so sorry my beloved books, I hate to put you on this list, But, you know my true feelings, right? When it comes to traveling, books are extremely unpractical, even one solid travel guide can weigh you down tremendously. One backpacker tip is to tear out the pages you are finished with, effectively lightening the load, what a waste! If you do resort to bringing books and using this tip, leave the torn out pages in a hostel room somewhere so other people can use it.
Entire Makeup bag
I cannot really relate here as I don’t genuinely bring along makeup on my travels. However, think about it when will you ever use it all? Especially here in South Africa, it’s so hot, trust me your face will really appreciate the fresh african air instead of chemical paste.
Neck Pillow
I get that these things offer a more comfier airplane ride (not for me), but for the love of god when will you ever use it again? They just end up taking up space unwanted space. If you plan on camping a lot during your stay in South Africa and you don’t want to invest in this epic camping pillow, then yes perhaps they may come in handy after all.
Umbrella
Sweet jedediah, there is nothing more stylish than using an umbrella in the rain (preferably in London) but in SA, an umbrella is unwarranted and unnecessary. It will take up so much of your luggage space, plus it doesn’t rain all that much here – it’s kind of an issue, #dayzero (but not at the moment, don’t worry).
Blow Dryer
South Africa (particularly Cape Town) is not really humid, the african sun and cool breeze will dry your hair in no time, save on space/weight and leave this luxury item off your South African packing list.
Packing Checklist (TO PRINT)
Weather in South Africa
Summer in South Africa
During the summer months in South Africa, you will experience hot, tropical weather throughout much of the country. December, January, and February are amongst the most popular summer months to visit the country.
Water temperatures are warm and ideal for swimming (except beaches situated along the Atlantic ocean).
What to pack: During these months, make sure to pack clothes that are cool, lightweight, and easy going, as the African sun can be scorching.
Fall in South Africa
March is usually the last warm month in South Africa, with the average daytime temperature ranging from 77 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit (25 to 28 degrees Celsius). In April, you’ll notice the temperature drop slightly more, with fog often occurring. In May, there are showers and dark heavy clouds. Temperatures in Cape Town typically hover around 65 degrees Fahrenheit, while Johannesburg is usually above 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) during this time.
What to Pack: Again,pack light, breathable clothing, and be prepared for some showers.
Winter in South Africa
Much of winter in South Africa is extremely unpredictable, from June through August. The temperature varies greatly depending on where you visit. For example the mother city (Cape town), can drop to 47 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius) in July while it’s 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius) in Durban. Snow is less common in Cape Town, but is known to fall in winter within the mountains. Also, if you are aiming to see whales in Cape Town, winter is the best time to do it!
What to Pack: Pack long-sleeved shirts, rain jackets, hoodies etc. Although winter in South Africa is no where near to Europe or cities like New York, it can still get pretty chilly at night time.
For more information on the average temperatures throughout the year, visit this website.
Book accommodation in South Africa
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