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Packing Lists
General Packing Guidelines:
- Pack lightly since most items are readily available in Cape Town.
- Do not bring anything you would be devastated to lose for example irreplaceable keepsakes or valuable jewelry.
- Place valuable electronics, such as laptops, in your carry-on, not checked luggage.
- Consider bringing travel-sized toiletries to reduce weight and potential spills
- Check luggage weight restrictions and arrive in Cape Town with some spare weight to accommodate shopping
South African Plugs and Voltage:
- South African electricity operates at 220/240 Volts AC, while the U.S. uses 110 Volts. Ensure your electronics can switch between the two.
- Many laptops and cell phone chargers have built-in adapters, but not hair dryers and straighteners.
- South African plugs differ in shape; most are 15-amp 3-prong or 5-amp 2-prong with round pins. Adapters are available at local grocery stores.
Basic year-round packing list:
- Day backpack that can fit your laptop (you can use this as a carry on)
- Good hiking/running shoes, sandals, and work shoes
- Swimming towel
- Swimsuit/board shorts, even in winter
- Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses (even in winter)
- A couple of dressy outfits for city outings
- Work clothes for your internship
- Casual clothes for the weekend/after work
- Clothes suitable for hiking and exercise
- Emergency Cash. We suggest an amount in the range of $1000 that can be exchanged for Rands in the event you lose your wallet or credit card. You can pay for certain trips and excursions with foreign cash and receive a discount of up to 20% (e.g., the popular Garden Route Trip).
- Electronics (laptop, smart phone, charging cables, tablet, GoPro, etc.)
- Your prescribed medications for the duration of your trip in their original bottles as well as your prescriptions
- Passport, printed flight confirmations, and copies of essential documents
- Driver’s license (if renting a car or going on a road trip)
- Student card (for potential discounts and to use as a form of ID)
- Debit and credit cards
Packing for the winter months: June to August
- Cape Town’s winter is milder compared to many Northern Hemisphere countries but includes some cold, wet, and rainy days.
- Average daily temperature: 17°C (62°F); evenings can drop to 6°C (42°F).
- Central heating is rare in Cape Town, so warm clothing is essential.
- Essentials for this season include a warm, preferably waterproof jacket, sweatshirt, sweatpants for sleeping, jeans, warm clothes, a beanie or warm hat, warm slippers/socks, closed shoes that can withstand moisture, and some lighter clothes for warmer days.
Packing for the spring months: September to November
- Variable springtime weather, including some cold and rainy days (mostly in September) and warm, sunny beach days.
- Early spring (September) requires both winter and summer clothes; late spring (November) may not require many winter items.
- Essentials include a warmish jacket or rain jacket, summer clothes, sweaters, and closed shoes suitable for wet conditions.
Packing for the summer months: November to mid-March
- Warm weather with average temperatures around 24°C (75°F), occasionally reaching 32°C (90°F).
- Essentials: sunscreen and hats, swimsuits or boardshorts, beachwear/sarong, sandals, shorts, cool pants, dresses, skirts, t-shirts, and light jackets or cardigans and long pants for cooler evenings.
Packing for the Autumn months: Mid-March to June
- Lovely, sunny, and mild autumn weather, transitioning to winter towards the end of May and into June.
- Average temperature: 20-22°C (68-72°F).
- Essential items include a warm jacket and some winter clothes, summer clothes, jeans and long pants, and sweaters for cooler days.