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What should I pack for a trip to South Africa at the end of September?

• I am going to two safari lodges in South Africa, Victoria Falls, and Cape Town. The trip is a total of 15 days, including travel time.  I have looked online but advice is conflicting. I'd like to hear from those who have traveled there (or locals) about what to bring. I have to pack pretty lean. My first two stops are luxury safari camps, so I will have access to laundry at both. My last stop is 4 days in Cape Town, where I would like to wear something a little nicer than safari clothes. I'm limited to 44 lbs of luggage combined, including my carry-on, which will have my camera, passport, binoculars, wallet, etc.

• Answer:

  I lived in South Africa for the first 16 years of my life, and have been back a number of times since then. Whilst living there, I did a lot of travelling with my family. It’s a stunning, inspiring, beautiful place, and I have no doubt that you will love your time there. Of course, there are things to think about before your visit, so I’ll try to cover a few here.   Firstly, the weather.   September will bring about the close of winter, and the dawn of spring. The air will be cool and crisp in the mornings, but should warm up a bit during the day. Nights will likely be rather cold, so thick socks can’t hurt! In certain areas, it could also rain, so it pays to be prepared for that.   If you’re planning on going on game drives or early morning walks through the safari lodges, you’ll be grateful for a thick sweater and long, warm pants. Spending an hour or two in an open-top car will not be a warm adventure.   The Atlantic Ocean is cold at the best of times. In winter and early spring, there will not be too many people swimming down in Cape Town. The beaches are beautiful though, so if you’re feeling brave, pack a swimsuit!   My packing checklist number 1 is: Warm sweater for cold nights and early mornings A pair or two of jeans or warm sweatpants for game drives and chilly days Rain coat for the odd shower or blustery Cape winds A light sweater or jersey, to cover arms and keep out the chill A few pairs of shorts and shirts, or dresses, for warmer days My mother’s advice was always to dress in layers. Rather dress too warmly, and take a sweater off, than too lightly with nothing warm to put on.   Secondly, your surroundings.   It sounds like you’re going to some gorgeous places. I don’t need to tell you to take a camera with plenty of space for photos! There are, however, a few things you might not think about taking with you.   The sun in South Africa can be quite harsh, even in cooler weather. Make sure you take a good pair of sunglasses; you’ll appreciate them if you’re out and about in the mornings. Also, a decent sunscreen and lip balm will keep you from becoming a tomato.   Ah, yes… Shoes. For safari lodges, closed shoes with good grip are the way to go. Hiking boots are ideal, but sneakers or running shoes will be fine too. Walking through tall grass and over rocks in flip flops is a bite or a slip waiting to happen. Also, if you leave your shoes outside at night, remember to check them for scorpions in the morning!   If you’re relaxing, or out and about in the city, open shoes are perfect. In fact, when I was young, I hardly ever wore shoes! Whatever you’re comfortable wearing on your feet is alright, as long as you’re not going to damage yourself in them.   One thing I’m not too sure about is phone plans and networks. If I remember correctly, (and you may need to check this out) only South African residents can get local SIM cards. Most places, however, should have WiFi for you to connect to, so hopefully that isn’t too much of an issue.   Finally, tap water in South Africa is generally very good. In most places, it’s acceptable to drink the water, and you will usually be told if the water is not safe to drink. It’s also cool and delicious… something I definitely miss about home.   So, my packing checklist number 2 is: Closed, comfortable shoes with good grip for walking and climbing Long socks to stop thorns and branches scraping your legs Open shoes for chilling in the city or walks on the beach Sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm to keep your eyes and skin protected A phone with a working international SIM card for emergencies A water bottle, to fill and carry on longer walks and outings Finally, the people.   The people of South Africa are some of the kindest, warmest, most passionate people in the world. They are generally friendly and accommodating to foreigners and locals alike, so I hope you have that same experience. South Africa can be a dangerous place; but if you are careful and plan your visit properly, you will have nothing to worry about. Here are a few things to consider before you leave.   South Africa has 11 official languages, but almost everyone speaks English. If you need help, ask for it politely. Most people will be willing to take a minute to help you out. And if they can’t help you for whatever reason, they will tell you so.   Some people will be on the lookout for careless or unsuspecting tourists. These people may try to take advantage of you, in a number of ways. I hope you don’t have a problem like this, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Don’t give money to beggars, and if you feel harassed, ask someone for help. In public places, I would suggest keeping locks on your luggage, and an eye on your belongings at all times. Phones and wallets should be kept safe, and you should try to minimise the amount of cash you carry around with you.   Make sure you know where you are going and what you are doing. The last thing you want to do is get lost in a strange city, or stumble into a dodgy neighbourhood. Again, if you need assistance, someone will probably be able to help you.   Lastly, the people of our country are really chilled out. If you want to walk around in your swimsuit with no shoes on, that’s okay. You can wear shorts, or jeans, or a dress and get away with it in almost any situation. I would suggest taking a backpack with you, to hold your everyday items. Really, though, wear whatever you’re comfortable in.   My packing checklist number 3 is: Backpack to hold your raincoat, camera, sunglasses, water bottle, etc. A map, or a local guide book Preparation and research about places to see and things to do Well, that’s it for now. I hope you have an incredible visit to South Africa. If I think of anything more to add to this list, I’ll update my answer. Please let me know about your trip and how it goes! I look forward to hearing about it.   Good luck, and enjoy!