Go to content 
Clothes for South Africa, everything you need to carry
If you are reading this article on how to prepare a suitcase to travel to South Africa You are probably on the verge of a very special trip to this incredible country. Choosing clothes for South Africa is a challenge, so we are going to tell you everything you need to bring. A very complete list, so that with the excitement of the trip and the desire to live new experiences, Don't forget anything at home. Go for it!
We leave you Our recommended itineraries:
15 days in South Africa
21 days route South Africa
Top 10 places to see in South Africa
CLIMATE IN SOUTH AFRICA
As sure you already know, South Africa is located in the southern hemisphere, so if you travel from Spain you will experience the seasons in reverse. Although much of the country has a temperate climate all year round, Yes, there is a noticeable difference between seasons and you will have to adapt your suitcase to travel to South Africa and take the appropriate clothes.
Summer in South Africa: November – March
During the summer in South Africa temperatures vary depending on the region, but In general, you will find maximum temperatures that range between 25°C and 35°C with a sun that can be very strong.
En the northernmost regions, Being more desert-like, temperatures easily exceed 35°C. Whereas in coastal areas, such as Cape Town or Port Elisabeth, sea breezes moderate temperatures, creating a milder and more pleasant climate with even cool nights below 15°C.
El Summer is also the rainy season in most of the country, especially in the eastern and northeastern regions. Rains can be common, especially in January and February. However, they tend to be brief storms. We traveled during January and February and personally we had a large proportion of sunny days, but we did not lack a raincoat in our suitcase to travel to South Africa just in case.
You may be interested in: How to visit Kruger on your own y How to visit Addo
Winter in South Africa: May – September
In winter the climate is cooler, without being cold, maximum daytime temperatures vary between 10°C and 20°C in most regions, with the nights being noticeably colder. You will have to take it into account especially for sunrise safaris.
Regarding precipitation, Winter is a dry time. However, the Western Cape region, especially Cape Town and its surrounding areas, experiences its rainy season during the winter months. Although again there are not usually whole days of rain, rather occasional storms.
If you plan to add a mountainous area, such as the Drakensberg, to your itinerary you will need to wear winter clothing, as temperatures can drop below 0°C.
SUITCASE TO TRAVEL TO SOUTH APHICA, COMPLETE LIST
Clothes for traveling to South Africa
We took clothes for more or less a week and put 3 washing machines during the trip. Both in campsites and in various accommodations there was a washing machine or laundry service, it was not difficult for us to wash clothes during the trip. We tell you the clothes that, in our opinion, cannot be missing in a suitcase to travel to South Africa.
Detachable trekking pants
This type of pants They are ideal for going warmer on early safaris and then staying in shorts if it's hot.
Don't travel without knowing this✅ Guide and tips for traveling to South Africa
Other pants
We recommend long cloth pants, they dry quickly when you wash them, they take up little space and are cool if it is very hot. But come on, it's not a point you should worry too much about. Take what feels best and most comfortable for you.
In summer we wear 2 long and 2 short, If you travel in winter with some removable ones and the rest long ones you will be fine.
T-shirts & Shirts
Opt for cotton t-shirts and neutral colors, so you can combine them with everything. For summer we take 7 t-shirts each.
In winter, don't forget to wear some short sleeves for the middle hours of the day, but the most likely thing is that you will almost always go with long sleeves or a thin sweater.
It is also highly recommended bring a shirt in case it's hot but you need to protect yourself from the sun, Being on safari or walking along the coast is very appreciated. We carry a cotton one, but the ideal are the safari type ones with sun protection and ventilation like this one shirt decathlon.
Sweatshirt
Un essential in your suitcase for South Africa even in summer, both first thing in the morning and in the afternoons it is cool and you want to put it on. It was also quite cold at the top of Table Mountain, despite it being mid-day.
In the colder months you can bring a sweatshirt or sweater and a warm fleece.
foldable down
It will only be necessary if you travel between the months of May to September, although it doesn't hurt to put it in your suitcase for South Africa at any time of the year if you are a cold person and plan to do several Game Rides at dawn. This is the hack with which we travel because it takes up very little when folded.
It is also practical to take a neck scarf, I used it a lot early in the day and having dinner at the campsites.
Underwear and pajamas
I don't think you'll forget the underwear, but just in case I'll leave it on the list. As a recommendation that everything is comfortable for you when you are seated, it is many hours in the car.
And regarding pajamas, keep in mind that it is usually cool at night, and in many accommodations we did not see heating, although I imagine that if you do not go for the cheapest there may be some.
Swimsuit
It will depend a lot on the time of your visit to South Africa and the plan you have on your trip, but if you are the type of person who cannot resist a dip, you cannot forget to pack a swimsuit in your luggage.
In some camps in the National Parks there are swimming pools. QAll along the coast there are huge beaches and pools that fill with the tides. You will also need it if you do water activities such as diving or a swimming trip with sea lions.
Are you going to Cape Town? Lee: 1-day route to the Cape Peninsula & Most beautiful wineries in the winelands.
What shoes to pack to travel to South Africa
Choose something comfortable and not too tight on your foot. think that you will spend many hours in the car.
We travel in summer and practically always went in sandals, we also get along slippers trekking shoes and flip flops for the beach and camping showers.
If you go when the weather is colder I would take one or two pairs of comfortable slippers and flip flops.
Toiletry bag for traveling to South Africa
Don't worry about leaving yourself some hygiene because supermarkets in South Africa have everything.
We took solid shower gel and shampoo, a small bottle with an additive, brushes and toothpaste, a comb, deodorant, SPF 50 sunscreen, and cream. carWe bought a large jar of body cream there.
First aid kit for a trip to South Africa
When it comes to medicines, it is always better to consult with a doctor from international vaccination centers. But I leave you a list of what we were carrying in our luggage for South Africa and what we always take to almost any country.
- Paracetamol and ibuprofen
- strepsils
- Frenadol
- Biodramina (the ocean may be rough in South Africa)
- Fortasec or tiorfan (Less aggressive antidiarrheal than fortasec)
- Oral serum
- Antibiotic cream
- Thermometer
- Strips
- Sterile gauze pack
- Mono dose iodine
- Anti mosquito spray (although you can also buy it there)
Furthermore, it is recommended to take Malarone to take it before you can go to the doctor if you have symptoms of malaria (prescription required). We personally saw very few mosquitoes despite going during the rainy season, but it is an area with Malaria so it is better to be safe.
Other essentials | What to bring to South Africa
To finish the list of everything that cannot be missing in your suitcase to travel to South Africa, Let's go with some essentials that you can't leave at home.
Binoculars
Your best friend during safaris to enjoy seeing the animals clearly. We recommend that you have at least a x10 magnification. we take these binoculars from Decathlon and I didn't love how it looked. Highly recommended!
Camera and telephoto lens
If you like photography you will really enjoy taking a telephoto lens. I personally always use my camera with an 18 to 135mm lens, but to travel to South Africa I bought a telephoto lens and it was a success!
I chose to buy a Sigma 100-400mm by Wallapop and resell it upon return. Another good option may be to rent it in Grover.
Front light
On the one hand because in the camps the light is scarce, but above all because of the load sheeding, as they are known the controlled power cuts that occur daily in South Africa. In the accommodation they usually leave you a couple of flashlights or candles, but if, for example, they catch you making dinner, you will be very grateful to have a front.
Cap or hat
Whatever time of year you go, it is essential to travel to South Africa, especially on safari. You will spend many hours in the car and the sun can be really uncomfortable and burn you easily.
We who went during the hottest months practically every day wore a cap or hat.
Of course, don't forget your sunglasses either.
Power adapter
In South Africa, plugs are used type D or type M. They are not common inputs so universal adapters do not include it.
In most accommodations we had at least a European entrance, but if you want to go more quietly I recommend a D adapter.
And yes or yes, I would take an adapter multi-input to plug everything in at the same time, since we have it we don't know how to travel without it.
More guides amazing places in south africa ➞ Isimangaliso, Hoop Reserve, Drakensberg.
Reusable water bottle
It is not recommended to drink from the tap (although in some cities it is drinkable), but we do recommend bringing a couple of bottles as these. so you can buy bottles and refill, It is practical, somewhat more sustainable than buying 1,5L and you keep the water cool.
microfiber towel
In all The accommodations we stayed in gave us towels and in the Kruger camps they also give us, but a towel doesn't hurt microfibre in case you swim in the camp pool or try the Atlantic Ocean at a stop on the Garden Route.
international driving license
Es mandatory to have it to be able to drive in South Africa, You can request it at the DGT for €10 and take the buscarI'll do it in person a few days later. Keep in mind that you also need to bring your national ID; without it, the international ID is not legally valid.
Travel insurance
We have written an article to tell you everything about travel insurance for South Africa in detail, but in the list of essentials we did not want to leave out the importance of having good travel insurance that covers everything you plan to do in South Africa.
Credit card without commissions abroad
In South Africa practically everything can be paid by cardIn fact, some places don't even accept cash. Therefore, it's advisable to bring a travel card to avoid paying bank fees.carIAS and poor conversion rates are essential.
¿BACKPACK OR SUITCASE TO TRAVEL TO SOUTH AFRICA?
For a trip to South Africa, it doesn't really matter whether you bring a backpack or a suitcase because you'll be traveling by car and you'll be parking.car always practically in front of your accommodation. I would tip the scales towards the suitcase because of how easy it is to open and takecar something you need during the day, backpacks can be a little more tedious.
I find a carry-on suitcase and backpack ideal as luggage for traveling to South Africa, or even a large suitcase shared between two people.
I hope this article helps you choose clothes to travel to South Africa and prepare your suitcase well. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did! You can continue preparing your trip by reading our other articles South Africa.
Did you know….
By purchasing through our links you are supporting us at no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping us grow ♥
