Packing list for South Africa, travel insurance for South Africa, and taking your belongings

To take or not to take to South Africa, leave at home or arrange locally?

Sufficiently insured or not for your activities in South Africa?

Sufficiently insured or not for your trip to South Africa?

What to take with you to South Africa: spotlighted

Featured items:

• Documents: passport that is valid for at least 30 days after your departure date upon arrival. An online and/or offline copy of your passport is also always useful.
• Money: a little cash (South African rand) is always useful for the smaller places, but it is easy to use an ATM. Also take your credit card with you for deposits and roadside assistance.
• Care: high factor sunscreen. This is often cheaper at home. Sunglasses with good protection.
• Outdoor and conveniences: a good hat, or possibly a cap and sunglasses. A thin buff is useful for dusty safari trips.
• Clothing: layers are useful. Airy, lightweight clothing for the day and something warmer for the air conditioning or the cool evenings and mornings camping. Beachwear is of course also no harm! Neutral colored clothing for the safari.
• Shoes: comfortable walking shoes and sandals.
• Protection: in the rainy season (November-March) a raincoat, poncho and/or protective cover for your backpack is useful. Medicines and travel kit: a first aid kit with at least plasters, painkillers, ORS and mosquito repellent.
• Safety: money belt and possibly locks for your bag.
• Technology and equipment: world plug with type M, because otherwise it will keep trying for a long time. Powerbank for regulated and unregulated power outages.

What are some other options for packing as well?

• Reusable water bottle with filter.
• International driving license for your car adventures.
• Small binoculars for your safari or chill evening in the bush.
• Are you going camping? Bring a headlamp and something fun to do.
• Women: a shawl or scarf is multifunctional for the cold, temples and culturally sensitive places.
• A good sense of adventure.

What should you know when you bring your stuff with you to South Africa?

• The reversed seasons compared to the northern hemisphere. 
• What activities you are going to undertake and what is useful to bring with you.

Are there mosquitoes in South Africa?

• Yes, mosquitoes are present, especially in the northern and eastern regions. Malaria is a risk, especially during the months of September to May, the malaria season.
• Higher risk areas are the north-east of KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
• During the winter months (approximately May to August) the number of mosquitoes decreases considerably, especially in the higher areas. This is due to the cold and because it is drier.

Are there sandflies in South Africa?

• Sand flies are generally not a problem in South Africa.

Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, in South Africa?

• DEET and anti-mosquito sprays are readily available.
• You can easily get it from large pharmacies and supermarkets.
• Some shops where you can get it are Clicks and Dischem. Popular products are Tabard and Peaceful Sleep.

Can you buy a joint or weed in South Africa, or take it with you to South Africa?

• In 2018, the Constitutional Court of South Africa ruled that the private use and possession of cannabis by adults is legal.
• This means:
  • You can smoke in your own home.
  • You can have a limited amount at home for personal use.
  • You can grow plants (for yourself).
• Public use, sale, and possession in large quantities remain prohibited. You also cannot bother anyone else while you’re smoking a joint - not even a family member.  
• The exact boundaries of “personal use” are not strictly defined in law — so there is some room for interpretation, including for police officers.
• You absolutely cannot import or export weed, not even a little, not even in a cookie, not even if you “didn’t know it was in your bag.”