General Clothing and Bush Wear
South Africans are generally very laid back and tend to dress casually. Our climate is very temperate, with warm to hot sunny days and moderate to cold evenings, depending on the season and area of the country.
Summer – bring clothes that are cool, light and comfortable. Summer temperatures can reach into the 30 degree range in some areas. An umbrella and raincoat is also advisable as South Africa gets most of its rain in summer. In high lying areas such as Gauteng, North Western Province, Mpumalanga afternoon and evening thundershowers are fairly common. If you are heading to the beach a bathing suit is recommended.
Winter – Winter days generally start off cold and tend to warm during the course of the morning, but we do also get some relatively cold days, especially in high-lying areas such as the Drakensberg. Nights are generally cold with temperatures dropping into low single figures. Jerseys and jackets are recommended, along with jeans / slacks, shirts etc. Cape Town gets its rain during the winter season so it’s advisable to bring rain gear along.
Always bring a hat, sunglasses and sunblock as the sun can be strong even in the winter months.
Walking shoes / trainers are a good idea all year-round, with warm socks in the winter.
For game viewing, a couple of neutral-toned items will be useful, but there’s no need to go overboard. A good pair of walking shoes is also advisable. In most game viewing areas, summers are hot throughout the day into the evening. Winter mornings and evenings can be cold, especially on game drives. It is advisable to bring warm jackets and to dress in layers that can be taken off as the day warms up.
For the evening, if you are dining at an upmarket restaurant or seeing a show, smart-casual attire is recommended
