The "real feel" weather for South Africa/Lesotho in the winter?
Apr 19th, 2009, 02:07 PM
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The "real feel" weather for South Africa/Lesotho in the winter?
I'm booked to leave July 10th for a 17 day trip to South Africa, arriving in Johannesburg and taking in Kruger National Park and Capetown, along with stops in Lesotho and Swaziland. (yes, I know, a bit crowded of an itinerary.)
My question is, do you think I'll find an insulated jacket necessary? (It's suggested by the tour company, but on my only previous trip with them I found that I didn't need the raincoat suggested for the Amazon rainforest.) I realize you can't know how I feel about weather, but let's just say that Mid Atlantic US in October I'm usually fine with a sweater. I've looked at the historical data for the locations, but 50 degrees in one place can certainly "feel" quite different that somewhere else. I'd rather not have to buy (and pack!) a jacket if I could get by with some cashmere pullovers or something similar; my coats tend to be long and either woolen or velvet, not really the thing for this type of travel.
If you think the jacket is a good idea, any suggestions on one that packs up easily?
Many thanks!
My question is, do you think I'll find an insulated jacket necessary? (It's suggested by the tour company, but on my only previous trip with them I found that I didn't need the raincoat suggested for the Amazon rainforest.) I realize you can't know how I feel about weather, but let's just say that Mid Atlantic US in October I'm usually fine with a sweater. I've looked at the historical data for the locations, but 50 degrees in one place can certainly "feel" quite different that somewhere else. I'd rather not have to buy (and pack!) a jacket if I could get by with some cashmere pullovers or something similar; my coats tend to be long and either woolen or velvet, not really the thing for this type of travel.
If you think the jacket is a good idea, any suggestions on one that packs up easily?
Many thanks!
Apr 19th, 2009, 08:29 PM
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Hi Amy
For the gamedrives in Kruger for early morning and late afternoon/evening you would certainly need something very warm - a sweater will not be anywhere near enough. The chill factor in an open vehicle is high and being bone cold is very uncomfortable. Not coming from the States I don't know your weather, but at home in Australia in winter I can easily get away with one layer. In winter is Sth Africa on a gamedrive I would easily have 4 or 5 layers, then a jacket with scarf, beanie and of course, gloves. The jacket I wear I get from a hiking store, it is not insulated but is surprisingly warm - like a bit fleecy.
Just keep in mind that the temperatures during the day do not translate into the temperatures in an open vehicle!
Hope that helps.
Kind regards
Kaye
For the gamedrives in Kruger for early morning and late afternoon/evening you would certainly need something very warm - a sweater will not be anywhere near enough. The chill factor in an open vehicle is high and being bone cold is very uncomfortable. Not coming from the States I don't know your weather, but at home in Australia in winter I can easily get away with one layer. In winter is Sth Africa on a gamedrive I would easily have 4 or 5 layers, then a jacket with scarf, beanie and of course, gloves. The jacket I wear I get from a hiking store, it is not insulated but is surprisingly warm - like a bit fleecy.
Just keep in mind that the temperatures during the day do not translate into the temperatures in an open vehicle!
Hope that helps.
Kind regards
Kaye
Apr 19th, 2009, 08:33 PM
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Thanks, Kaye! That's just what I was looking for...some real-world experience. 
I hadn't calculated on the effect of the open air vehicles, but I can certainly see where that would be a big factor. Guess I'll go check out Sierra Trading Post or REI for something warm--and not forget my scarf!
I hadn't calculated on the effect of the open air vehicles, but I can certainly see where that would be a big factor. Guess I'll go check out Sierra Trading Post or REI for something warm--and not forget my scarf!
Apr 20th, 2009, 06:08 AM
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I'll agree with Kaye regarding game drives. In Johannesburg and in Lesotho you're at high altitude, so it feels pretty cold. When I lived in Jo'burg I needed a real winter coat -- not as heavy as I need here in Illinois, but a real coat nevertheless.
Celia
Celia
Apr 20th, 2009, 07:41 AM
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Hi Amy! I am hearty Canadian and I still bundle up for those morning game drives in Kruger (in winter - July/August). I wear shorts and a T-shirt with wind (nylon) pants over top, a heavy, long-sleeved fleece with a high zip-up collar, a fleece vest over that and a nylon wind-proof/water-proof jacket with a hood over all. I also wear a wool hat and warm mitts and drape the blanket the camps provide over my legs. That just keeps me warm - those open vehicles at dawn are a killer! By 10am, it's warm, and I am usually down to my shorts and T-shirt - layers are good! Robin
Apr 20th, 2009, 12:58 PM
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Thanks to Celia and canadian_robin, for reinforcing! If a former resident and a hearty Canadian needed layers, I'd better get my warm stuff together--only 80 some days 'til the trip! (Can you tell I'm looking forward to my first trip to sub-Saharan Africa?)
Apr 20th, 2009, 01:15 PM
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As canadian_robin has implied, layering is your friend during those cold morning game drives. I don't pack a thick winter jacket, but bring lots of long-sleeved layers and the thickest windbreaker I've got.
Send some details about Lesotho when you get back--I've been thinking about going there and about curious about others' experiences.
Send some details about Lesotho when you get back--I've been thinking about going there and about curious about others' experiences.
Apr 21st, 2009, 08:19 AM
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In Lesotho it snows and gets real cold. That is where the whole of South Africas cold comes from in winter.
I live close to the Kruger... In winter I will have a long sleeved T-shirt on, and maybe a light jacket. On exreme cold windy days, something with polar fleece as well in the mornings or evening. I hardly where a jersey and a jacket together. Normally I walk aroung just in the T-shirt by 10 o'clock.
Cape Town always have wind, so you will need a jacket, and winter time is cape town's rainy season, last year there was floods, so I would suggest a versitile jacket, perhaps the kind with removable polar fleece on the inside, with a cap for the rain. Our camping shops like Cape Union Mart and Trappers Trading hace such jackets
Take a blanket for your legs for the game drives. Here the lowest temp we had the last couple of years were 5 degrees celsius and it even goes up to over 30 degrees celsius in the day... But mostly our lowest temp is 14 degrees celsius.
Hope this helps!
I live close to the Kruger... In winter I will have a long sleeved T-shirt on, and maybe a light jacket. On exreme cold windy days, something with polar fleece as well in the mornings or evening. I hardly where a jersey and a jacket together. Normally I walk aroung just in the T-shirt by 10 o'clock.
Cape Town always have wind, so you will need a jacket, and winter time is cape town's rainy season, last year there was floods, so I would suggest a versitile jacket, perhaps the kind with removable polar fleece on the inside, with a cap for the rain. Our camping shops like Cape Union Mart and Trappers Trading hace such jackets
Take a blanket for your legs for the game drives. Here the lowest temp we had the last couple of years were 5 degrees celsius and it even goes up to over 30 degrees celsius in the day... But mostly our lowest temp is 14 degrees celsius.
Hope this helps!
Apr 21st, 2009, 06:03 PM
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Babies do tend to interfere with the typing! Thanks again to all for the help; I've ordered a Merrell insulated jacket and I'm going to bring my big warm pashmina for wrapping purposes, and then layer, layer, layer.
Actually, I'm kinda looking forward to some cold weather in July; here in Philadelphia it's usually just plain stinkin' hot at that point, and very humid as well.
Actually, I'm kinda looking forward to some cold weather in July; here in Philadelphia it's usually just plain stinkin' hot at that point, and very humid as well.
Apr 21st, 2009, 06:52 PM
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amy.....im doing a 16 day trip in august to the same places.......very excited......i see you've been to the amazon rain forest and thats my next trip which i havent even researched yet.........would love your input.......what tour company did you use? are you using the same company for south africa? im in new york and i heard its cold in south africa in august......would really like to hear about the amazon......when did you go? whats the best time to go?
Apr 21st, 2009, 06:57 PM
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Oddly enough, I am using the same tour company for both--and it's the only time I've used them! It's OAT, (Overseas Adventure Travel) and I like them fine, but it's just that I usually travel on my own. But after doing three weeks solo and on my own in India last year, I opted for the easy way and let OAT do the legwork on this one.
On your other posts I have links to my two Amazon trips; once was August, once July, as I'm one of those unfortunate creatures who can only travel in the summer. But I loved it then, really.
On your other posts I have links to my two Amazon trips; once was August, once July, as I'm one of those unfortunate creatures
who can only travel in the summer. But I loved it then, really.
Apr 22nd, 2009, 07:03 AM
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As a South African who formerly lived around DC, I can tell you it will be cold. Aside from the previously mentioned open air game drives, you also need to remember that most South African properties do not have central heating. We tend to use gas or electric heaters in each room.
I remember a family friend visiting us in Jo'burg, from Canada, and her saying that it was one of the coldest nights she'd ever experienced. Although our temperatures don't drop as low as the US or Canada, we haven't designed our buildings to cope as well either.
The benefit here, is that it actually warms up very nicely during the day. And finding a protected spot in the sun actually warms you up! So like all the other posters have said - layers are the key!
Lesotho has recorded snow on every single day of the year. We were there on New Years Eve (the height of summer) and nearly froze, so I would suggest layers there too.
I remember a family friend visiting us in Jo'burg, from Canada, and her saying that it was one of the coldest nights she'd ever experienced. Although our temperatures don't drop as low as the US or Canada, we haven't designed our buildings to cope as well either.
The benefit here, is that it actually warms up very nicely during the day. And finding a protected spot in the sun actually warms you up! So like all the other posters have said - layers are the key!
Lesotho has recorded snow on every single day of the year. We were there on New Years Eve (the height of summer) and nearly froze, so I would suggest layers there too.
May 14th, 2009, 01:18 PM
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DD is heading to Lesotho for 8 week internship on June 8. What would be a useful "bon voyage" present she will be able to use there. Not sure how primitive her facilities will be. She is taking all her winter clothes, they are already gone from stores here in Ohio, but presumably could order something (quick) from the Internet. Thanks!
