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Weโve compiled a hands-on list of South Africa- specific things you shouldnโt forget to include when you travel. Also, weโve helped you remember to leave behind certain things that could get you in trouble at the airport.ย
Get out your checklist! Ohโฆ you havenโt made one yet? Just as well โ because we are here to make sure you create all the most important boxes to tick. Dont forget this at home.
We are sure that most of you have had to pack your suitcase for a trip before โ perhaps for a weekend of camping, a holiday, a hiking trip, etc. But the way you pack differs when you leave home for an extended amount of time, like for a gap year or studies abroad โ and it differs depending on your destination.ย
Weโve compiled a hands-on list of things you shouldnโt forget to include when you travel toย SA,ย as well as things you should not bring (most of them are relatively obvious).ย
Alrighty! Get out your pen and paper and start scribbling.
Make sure you pack this
Important Documents
- passport and visa
- flight details
- university acceptance letter
- confirmation of medical aid (try to bring a copy of your vaccination history)
- some cash in the local currency โ Rand (more than R 25 000 in cash needs to be declared at customs)
- an international driverโs license (in case you want to rent/drive a car or scooter)
- travel insurance documents
Tip:ย Make two copies of all your documents. Stash one in your suitcase and the other in your hand luggage. Remember to save important contact details in your phone or address book. And keep the luggage tag where you can easily find it โ you donโt want to be left clueless if your bag gets stolen or lost.
Toiletries & Health
- mosquito repellent
- sunscreen
- any medication you personally requireย
- contact lenses, contact solution and glasses
Appliances
- an international/travel adapter. The South African electricity supply is 220/230 voltsย ACย 50 HZ, so be sure that that is compatible with any appliances you are bringing, or else buy a converter/ transformerย
- a small torch (in case there is a power cut – we have frequent scheduled power outagesย
- camera and charger (capture those memories)
Don’t bring this along
What you do in your free time back home is not our concern, but we donโt want to end up watching you being denied access into South Africa, or getting deported for illegal importationsโฆ
In addition to the listed items below, be sure you remind yourself of theย hand-luggage regulations!ย For example, donโt pack more than 100ml units of liquid into your hand luggage, or dangerous things like pocket knives and pepper spray. It will be confiscated. Check the details on your flight ticket/with your airline for the exact regulations.ย
Strictly Prohibited Stuff (donโt bring this under any circumstances)
- habit-forming drugs & narcotics (that includes Bob Marleyโs favourite herbโฆ)
- any poisonous or toxic substances
- explosive substances (including fireworks)
- cigarettes that exceed a mass of 2kg per 1000
- fully automatic, military, or unnumbered weapons
- counterfeit goods (faked brands)
- any form of plagiarised work
Restricted Stuff (you can bring it, if you have proof of authorisation or a permit)
- up to 2L of wine/ 1L of spirits (you need to be over 18)
- firearm/weapon (you need a permit)
- gold coins and unprocessed minerals
- plants, animals, and animal products (no yogurt, no honey, no exotic butterflies โ you get it)
- medicine (You can bring medicine for personal use, but if itโs for more than 3 months, you need a prescription or official letter from a physician)
- herbal products (you need a Department of Health permit)
Stuff you can bring from duty free (per person)
- up to 200 cigarettes and 20 cigars (you must be 18 or older)
- up to 250g of cig/pipe tobacco (you must be 18 or older)
- up to 50ml perfume or 250ml eau de toiletteย
- up to 2L of wine or 1L of spirits and other alcohol
Unnecessary stuff
- a safari kit โ you donโt have to look like a game ranger when you come here
- Self-tan โ believe us when we say you wonโt need it
- Friends โ youโll make plenty of those while youโre here
- pop-tarts and your favourite snacks – you can leave them at home, weโve got tasty stuff tooย
- Aspirin โ believe it or not, weโve got pharmaciesย
- an American football – We play Rugby, the ballโs bigger and so are the men (eish!)
Don’t worry about this stuff
- special dietary food items โ we have it all here, from gluten, sugar, and lactose-free products, to superfoods, supplements, vegan and organic brands
- dictionaries โ we have 11 languages (officially), youโre bound to understand one of them
- Ebola โ wasnโt us
- lions โ they don’t roam the streets at nightย
FundiConnect 2cents
Whatever you do โ donโt stress. If you have forgotten something, itโs really not the end of the world. You will probably end up packing more than you need, and you’ll want to leave some space for treasure to take home.ย
Once youโve thought through and ticked off all of your check boxes, then youโre bound to be prepared to jet-set into the land of South African adventures. We wish you the best of luck! If you have any questions for us, please donโt hesitate to ask us here.
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