flying from the usa to johannesburg the from johannesburg to capetown.........lots of questions and starting a new thread..........been hereing about traveling with medications both prescribed and over the counter? some state that certain drugs are illegal in south africa...........when traveling i usually just take what i need and put it all in one bottle whcih is mixed with vitamins over the counter drugs and prescription drugs.being told to leave everything in its original bottle and to be careful what i bring in as far as over the counter........some threads state tylenol pm is illegal...other state benadryl is illegal.......first time traveling to africa so i want to be sure im doing it right and will not run into problems.............

Haven't heard anything about SA, there was some reference to OTC meds being illegal in Zambia, search for that thread it was recent.

Don't fret about medications. It can't hurt to keep the paper receipt-copy of the prescription with you.

I've never heard of a single problem in South Africa with medications. I've flown in/out of Joburg many times with zero problems.

If you still are fretting, I'd call the South African embassy in your home country and ask.

thanks for your input......was more worried about over the counter than prescription meds..and taking the paper receipt is a great idea.....i followed the thread for zambia and yes your right they did arrest american citizens for carrying benadryl and tylenol pm.....glad to hear that isnt the case in johannesburg.always carry both plus other meds just in case......getting lots of different answers on weather some say its warm some say its cold in early august.....according to research seems to range high 50"s to low 60"s in degrees daytime and then 40"s at night. any input would be greatly appreciated since im alittle confused about packing.....im thinking shorts and tank tops are not needed..

Tylenol PM is the only Tylenol combination with Bendryl in it.
also

It is only for sale in the USA.

Do not know why they would add Bendryl to tylenol,other than for its number one side effect of sedation .

I think you'll also find that in many instances, medical care and medication in South Africa is on par (sometimes even better) than USA care. There's a reason why South African doctors, nurses and medical professionals are in high demand in North America and elsewhere.

Oh yeah, do pack shorts. Temps can vary widely depending on where you are. To me it always feels a lot hotter than the forecast says it is.

thanks again to all for your advice and input.....the benadryl is illegal in certain area's of africa like zambia......as well as tylenol pm......two differewnt products both illegal......Percy i was refering to bringing it in from the usa and how some threads here stated us citizens were detained for having it in their possession.....
I called the sa consulate and they state anything prescription should remain in their original package or bring the prescription paper receipts for them if you want to put them all together in one......

"MrsAK on Apr 4, 09 at 09:06 PM
Oh yeah, do pack shorts. "

That's why I love my zip-offs.

Nicolino, Is it a big deal for you to get the paper receipt of the prescriptions? If not, I'd throw those in the bottle with the pill or have them close by so as not to worry about the medications. Holidays should be fun and worry free. Including the receipt should help make things worry free.

"I think you'll also find that in many instances, medical care and medication in South Africa is on par (sometimes even better) than USA care."

From what I've heard, South Africa used to have great medical care but according to some South Africans I know who have left South Africa under its' "new leadership and government", medical care is rapidly deteriorating and HIV and crime is escalating. I personally don't know about the medical care as I've never been there, just what I've heard from some South Africans who would know a lot more than I.

It depends on where you go.

The public health system is absolutely chaos. I will not set foot in a public hospital. My mother is a nurse (I grew up in South Africa) and she has about 30 years experience behind her. Run if anyone tries to take you to a public health center.

On the other hand, private hospitals are top notch. And it's not nearly as spendy as US health care. On our last trip my dear mother broke her foot on a friday night. We went to the closest private hospital (mediclinic). Two hours in the emergency room and she was all taken care off, including the billing.

hi nicolino

of course healthis important, as is clothing, but do you have any queries about itineraries? accommodation? driving?

there is a wealth of help and experience available here [and I don't mean me] if you would like to avail yourself of it.

regards, ann

"And it's not nearly as spendy as US health care. "

Yeah, 10 dollars for one tylenol from the hospital here, geez.

hi ann,

thanks for the reply and for asking about itinerary, accomodations etc.....we are meeting a tour group in johannesburg so our 17 days are completely planned. we will be using the Protea hotels in all the areas that we will be visiting as well as in capetown etc. has anyone used the protea hotels? we are told they are 4 star hotels...

ok so this might sound funny but does the main city area of johannesburg have chain drug stores like we do in the usa....stores equal to rite aid or cvs etc?

Oh of course!

Unless you are out in the bush, you'll find that Jo'burg is just like any other western city, complete with malls, chainstores, mcdonalds and so on.

Dischem is pretty popular and cheaper than anywhere else.
Clicks is good for beauty products, household stuff, general hygiene supplies, supplements.
Pick 'n' Pay is a large grocery chain, but they have wonderful pharmacies.
I don't know where you'll be staying. I usually go to either the East Rand Mall or Eastgate (I usually stay on the east rand). Shopping in downtown Johannesburg is not cool. Try and find a mall and big up all your prescriptions and odds and ends for your trip in one go.

hi nicolino,

to get an idea about what other people thought of protea hotels, have a look at trip advisor - for example, the protea wanderers in jo'burg is rated no.27 out of 73 hotels and you can read individual reviews as well.

as for the area, downtown Jo'burg is going to be the same as most places. what is it you think you are going to need so desperately? i have a feeling that your image of SA is somewhat off-beam. are you really not interested to ask people here about places you are going to visit, animals, people? do you have no spare time at all? no optional excursions? no meals on your own?

SA is a fabulous country and it would be a shame not to make the most of the experience.

regards, ann

its a pretty busy trip ann. johannesburg, soweto, hazyview, kruger, swaziland, st lucia, kwazulu natal, garden route, cape town, oudtshoorn, knysna, mpumalanga province and port elizabeth. we are going to kruger national park, hluhluwe-umfolozi game reserve, cape of good hope nature reserve,cango caves, ostrich farm, fetherbed nature reserve, tsitsikamma forest, and many other places of interest. there is some spare time and we booked a few tours wineland tour, cultural village tour, mandela's prison etc. im very excited

I'm sure you'll have a great time. There are drug stores and your tour leader would be able to help and know where to find things if needed.

<<there is some spare time>>

really??? you have 14 destinations in 17 days. wow.

as well as being excited, I hope that you are also fit.

regards, ann