South Africa Preparations

Need to bring enough cash for the whole time in South Africa?

  • Any issues with type of money we bring? (Crisp $1 and $5 bills are good to have for tips, etc. in Myanmar)
  • Consider daily tip for Trip Director (guideline is $7-$10 per person per day)
  • Housekeeping staff at hotels (guideline is $1-$2 per room per night)
  • Taxi: no need to tip, but rounding up to the next whole number is nice
  • Restaurants: tipping is not a common practice; no more than 10% even if  service is excellent
  • Visa or MasterCard accepted some places, but not all???

Bring

  • Shirts: short and long-sleeved in breathable fabric (2 of each?)
  • Light rain jacket with hood
  • Shoes and socks – comfortable walking shoes
  • Compression socks
  • Casual good-traction shoes or sandals – Teva
  • Sweater, fleece
  • Pants/jeans – comfortable and loose fitting is best for comfort and movement
  • PFG pants for long pants and shorts
  • Walking shorts – long cut for modesty
  • Cotton sweater or sweatshirt for air-conditioned bus
  • Wide-brim sun hat or visor
  • Swimsuit, for hotel pools
  • Underwear and sleepwear
  • Shower shoes/sandals
  • One long skirt for visits to temples
  • Daily essentials – toothbrush, deodorant, etc.
  • Spare eyeglasses, contact lenses and your prescription
  • Sunglasses and a neck strap
  • Ballcap
  • Sunscreen – MOM (2)
  • Insect repellent with DEET (30-35%)
  • Compact umbrella
  • Washcloth (not always supplied)
  • Pocket-size tissues – MOM
  • Handkerchiefs (10-12) – STEVE – for wiping tops of water bottles and drying hands after washing
  • Moist towelettes and/or anti-bacterial “waterless” hand cleanser
  • Flashlight with extra batteries and/or headlamp
  • Passport, air ticket and credit card photocopies
  • Extra passport-sized photos
  • Moisturizer, lip balm
  • Money/passport pouch
  • Prescription medicines
  • Vitamin C  – STEVE
  • Cold remedies – Claritin, Cold-eeze,
  • Pain relievers  – STEVE
  • Stomach upset: Pepto or Mylanta – STEVE
  • Laxatives
  • Antihistamine: Benadryl
  • Anti-diarrheal: Imodium  – STEVE
  • Band-aids – STEVE
  • Moleskin foot pads
  • Antibiotic: Neosporin
  • Neck pillow for flights/buses? – STEVE (2)
  • Earplugs and earbuds (for phone)
  • Heavy blindfold for sleeping on flights? – STEVE
  • Sense of adventure
  • Trekking poles – STEVE
  • Lockable zipper for luggage – STEVE
  • Compact binoculars?
  • Hand-wash laundry soap – MOM
  • Travel clothesline – MOM
  • Sink stopper – STEVE (rubber gripper)
  • Razor – STEVE
  • Plug adaptor – STEVE
  • Surge protector – STEVE
  • Tablet PC with power cord – STEVE
  • Good camera with zoom lens and camera bag – STEVE
  • iPhone with charger and plug – STEVE
  • Partial roll of toilet paper w/o cardboard – STEVE
  • South Africa book – STEVE
  • Get Born a Crime book about Trevor Noah (electronic borrow from HCPL?)
  • Tennis balls

 

Pack carry-on with one full change of clothes, camera, medications, travel documents and irreplaceable documents. Put some items in ziplock bags