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Are you planning on traveling to sunny South Africa for the holidays? Remember that when the U.S. is having its biting cold winter, South Africa is enjoying the summer heat. That means you’ll need extra goodies when you travel, like sunblock and hats. 

Exploring this country is an experience you’ll never forget. But if you want to make your trip memorable, there are some items you simply can’t go without. To help you, we’ve created the ultimate checklist before you travel to South Africa so you don’t miss a single thing! 

Take Care of Your Home Before You Travel 

The first task you should do before traveling to South Africa is to make sure your home is taken care of. If you have pets, hire a sitter to take care of them. You should also look into home warranties to protect your assets while you’re away. 

You may find that Choice Home has the best premiums and services for homeowners who travel often. You can get Choice Home Warranty 24/7 coverage at affordable costs. 

Sunglasses and Hats 

The temperatures during summer in South Africa can get extremely high. What’s more, the sun is exceptionally bright in coastal regions. If you’re planning on visiting beaches or going for hikes, make sure you have proper polaroid sunglasses and a hat to protect your face. 

Universal Charging Adaptor 

The plug outlets in South Africa are completely different from the ones in the U.S., so you’ll need a universal charging adaptor. You can then charge all your devices, from smartphones to laptops, so you can stay connected to your family and friends back home.  

Malaria Prevention Medication 

Depending on which province you’re visiting in South Africa, you may need to take Malaria prevention medication with you. In some parts of The Kruger National Park, there are high Malaria areas. So make sure you take precautions.  

Bug Repellants 

It’s no secret that South Africa has some interesting insects, from baboon spiders to various species of flies. But some bugs, like mosquitoes, can get annoying, especially in the summer heat. So make sure you bring bug repellant with you on your trip so you can deter irritating insects. 

If you can’t travel with certain bug repellants, then you can always get them from a local store in the area you’re visiting. Products like Peaceful Sleep and Tabard help to deter mosquitoes when you’re sleeping at night. 

Comfortable Shoes for Hiking 

There are so many places you can go hiking in South Africa. Hiking in the Drakensberg mountains is a popular choice for tourists. No matter where you decide to hike in South Africa, make sure you have comfortable and strong hiking boots. Wear thick socks to protect your feet. 

Appropriate Clothes for the Season 

There are some provinces like Cape Town where the weather can change drastically in one day. In other Provinces like Durban, it can get extremely humid. Pack light-fitting clothes such as shorts and T-shirts. Bring thin, long pants and long-sleeve tops in case the temperature drops while you’re visiting.  

A Rain Jacket 

June to August is considered to be the rainy season in South Africa. But during November and December, you may experience some overcast days with light rain in some provinces. To keep your clothes and your belongings dry, consider packing a lightweight rain jacket.  

Swimsuit 

If you’re visiting coastal regions like Langebaan in the Western Cape and Ballito in Durban, then there’s a chance you’ll want to swim in the ocean. Remember to pack your swimsuit so you don’t end up swimming in your clothes. 

Binoculars

Are you planning a safari trip to The Kruger National Park? Then, we recommend packing a quality pair of binoculars so you can see animals that are further in the distance. Binoculars are also great for bird spotting. 

A Small Flashlight

In South Africa, there are scheduled power outages called load shedding. There may be some hotels and Air BnBs that don’t have generators. Bring a small flashlight with you so you can find items in your bag or navigate areas in your room when there’s a power cut. 

You can keep tabs on load-shedding schedules by downloading an app called Eskom Se Push. Simply enter your location, and you’ll get notifications an hour before the power is scheduled to go out.  

Final Thoughts  

There are so many amazing places to see in South Africa, like the Voortrekker Monument, the Drakensberg mountains, and the beautiful scenery in Plettenberg Bay. No matter where you go in South Africa, make sure you pack all the items mentioned in this post so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest!