Trip Finder
South Africa + Mozambique
Information for Enrolled Students

Packing List

Keep in mind that June and July are winter months in South Africa. Warm layers are very important, as evening temperatures can dip down into the high 30s. We ask that you are respectful to cultural sensitivities and cover your knees/shoulders during the community service projects and while traveling in public with your group.

Duffel Bag

45-60 liters, with shoulder straps, MUST be small enough to carry on the plane

Qty: 1
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 55 L, North Face Base Camp Duffel S 50 L
Buy in our gear store

Daypack

20-30 Liters Daypack/Backpack to carry your rain jacket, water bottle, and snacks

Qty: 1
Patagonia Refugio Pack 26L, School Backpack

Sleeping Bag Liner

Highly recommended. Silk, cotton, or synthetic. Used as a “lightweight sheet” in warm climates in lieu of a sleeping bag. Used when staying in hotels/ hostels as a personal sheet.

Qty: 1
Sea to Summit Expander Travel Liner

Trail/Tennis Shoes

A pair of comfortable, closed-toed, sturdy, lightweight shoes (able to get dirty)

Qty: 1
Brooks, Salomons

River Shoes

These can be open-toed, but do need to have a back strap - no flip flops!

Qty: 1
Chaco, Teva, Keen - NO FLIP FLOPS

Socks - athletic

Regular, comfortable athletic socks, can be cotton

Qty: 2
Bombas, Footjoys, Champion

Socks - lightweight

Non-cotton, lightweight hiking socks

Qty: 2
Darn tough or Smartwool

Socks - medium-weight

Non-cotton, medium-weight hiking socks; warmer socks

Qty: 2
Darn tough or Smartwool

Long Pants

Synthetic, loose, appropriate pants that can get dirty to be worn during community service. These pants must be loose to be culturally appropriate. Leggings are NOT acceptable, but looser joggers would suffice.

Qty: 1

Fleece Pants or Sweatpants

Synthetic, non-cotton fleece pants or sweatpants

Qty: 1
Patagonia Synchilla Fleece Pants, Patagonia R1 pants, Moondance Sweatpants
Buy in our gear store

Quick Dry Shorts

Synthetic, non-cotton shorts

Qty: 2
Patagonia Baggies, Lulu Lemon Speed Up Short, Nike Dryfit
Buy in our gear store

Bathing Suits

Boys: your quick dry shorts can double as a bathing suit

Qty: 2

Underwear

Synthetic, non-cotton are best (but a couple cotton pairs are permitted)

Qty: 8

Fleece Jacket

Synthetic, Non-cotton - This needs to be heavier than the Lightweight Top

Qty: 1
Patagonia Synchilla, Patagonia R2 Jacket, Patagonia Micro D Jacket, Marmot Rocklin Full Zip Jacket

Insulating Jacket

Synthetic or Down insulation, non-cotton. This can be a synthetic or down "puffy" jacket

Qty: 1
Patagonia Nano Puff, Patagonia Down Sweater, North Face Thermoball Jacket, or an additional heavyweight fleece

Rain Jacket with Hood

100% Waterproof Rain Jacket with Hood - NO ponchos!

Qty: 1
Marmot Precip, Patagonia Torrentshell

Lightweight Warmer Top

Synthetic, non-cotton. This can be a fleece pullover, sweater or a full-zip jacket

Qty: 1
Patagonia R1 Fleece, Arc'teryx Covert Cardigan

Base Layer Top

Synthetic, non-cotton, light-weight long sleeve top

Qty: 2
Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Long-Sleeve Tee, Patagonia Tropic Comfort Hoody

Long Underwear Top

Medium-weight long-sleeved (polypropylene or Capilene, NOT Cotton)

Qty: 1
Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew or Zip Neck, North Face Wander Sun Hoodie, SmartWool Merino 150 Base Layer, Marmot Polartec (Baselayer Long-Sleeve Crew)

Sun Hoodie

Lightweight sunshirt with hood to protect arms and neck from sun

Qty: 1
Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody, Patagonia Tropic Comfort Hoody

Sports Bras

For Girls

Qty: 4

T-Shirts - cotton

For travel days

Qty: 2
Classic Shortsleeve Moondance tee
Buy in our gear store

T-Shirts - synthetic

Synthetic, quick-dry, non-cotton t-shirts

Qty: 3
Patagonia Capilene Cool Shirt, Marmot Windridge, TASC Performance Carrollton Performance Crew
Buy in our gear store

Bandana/Buff

For additional sun and wind protection. Buffs are tube-like and can be worn up to 12 different ways providing versatile sun protection. Can even be worn as a headband!

Qty: 1
Moondance Buff
Buy in our gear store

Baseball or Wide-Brimmed Hat

For sun protection

Qty: 1
Buy in our gear store

Warm Hat

Wool or fleece, non-cotton beanie

Qty: 1
Buy in our gear store

Gloves

Heavy wool or fleece gloves

Qty: 1

Work Gloves

An inexpensive pair of basic work or gardening gloves for the community service project

Qty: 1

Headlamp

With Fresh Batteries + 2 Sets of Spare Batteries; This is very important!

Qty: 1
Black Diamond Spot, Black Diamond Storm, Black Diamond Astro

Stuff Sack

Nylon or mesh stuff sack (sleeping bag size) for dirty clothes, etc.

Qty: 1
Sea to Summit Stuff Sack, Sea to Summit Mesh Sack

Sunglasses

With 100% UV Protection

Qty: 1
Goodr, Smith, Oakley, Sunski

Sunglasses Holder

Qty: 1
Croakies or Chums

Water Bottles

32oz Water Bottles

Qty: 2
Nalgene 32oz Wide Mouth Water Bottle
Buy in our gear store

Dopp Kit

Contains: toothbrush, toothpaste, travel shampoo & soap, deodorant, sunscreen

Qty: 1
Patagonia Black Hole Cube 6L-M

Small First Aid Kit

Contains: Insect repellent, waterproof sunscreen, Band-aids, Moleskin, Chapstick w/ sun prevention, Wet Ones wipes, Dramamine (if prone to motion sickness), personal hand sanitizer.

Qty: 1

Prescription Glasses + Contacts

If your child wears glasses and/or contacts, please bring at least one spare pair of glasses/ lenses. Contact lens wearers should bring a pair of glasses as backup in addition to contacts.

Qty: 2

Blister Pill Pack or PillBox

The best way to send medication is with PillPacks by Amazon or a Pill Box.

Qty: As needed
Consider https://pharmacy.amazon.com/pillpack

Personal + Travel Medications

Please bring any personal medications and travel medications as advised by your Physician.

Qty: As needed

Carabiner

Non-plastic

Qty: 1
Sea to Summit Large Accessory Carabiners

Pack Towel

Absorbent & quick to dry, large or extra-large works best

Qty: 1
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel

Whistle

Small, pea-less plastic will do; most backpacks/daypacks have whistles on their sternum strap which would suffice!

Qty: 1

Wallet

Personal wallet with $200 spending money and valid identification; be mindful of international exchange and certain credit card restrictions

International Travel Authorization

Original signed and notarized international travel authorization form

Qty: 1

Passport + Copies

Passport (valid for 6 months after the last day of your trip) + 2 additional photocopies of your passport

Qty: 1 + 2 copies

South African Entry Documents

Copy of Birth Certficate

Qty: 1

Unaccompanied Minor Fees

If you do not pay online in advance for the return flight's UM Fees, make sure your student has enough money to cover it (varies by airline)

Long Underwear/Base Layer Bottom

Synthetic, non-cotton medium weight long underwear bottoms

Qty: 1
Patagonia Capilene Lightweight/Midweight bottoms, Marmot Polartec or Baselayer Tights

A Good Book

Paperback books are less bulky

Notebook with Pen

For journaling

Binoculars

Compact and lightweight for wildlife viewing; HIGHLY recommended

Qty: 1

Camera

With charger, extra battery, and 32-64 GB memory card

Qty: 1
Canon Powershot G9 X

GoPro

With charger, extra battery, and 32-64 GB memory card

Qty: 1

External Charger

Portable charger/power bank to charge camera and GoPro

Qty: 1

International Adapter

Country-specific power adapter for charging cameras

Qty: 1

Packing Tips

In the event that your luggage is delayed or lost in transit, we want you to be prepared. Therefore, wear tennis or hiking shoes on the plane. Plus, pack the following items from this packing list in your daypack / school backpack carry-on:

  • A change of clothes (underwear + t-shirt + shorts or pants)
  • Your rain jacket
  • Prescription medications & toothbrush
  • Passport, ID, money
  • Completed International Travel Authorization form

These items are already included in the packing list – they are not additional items!

Flights

South Africa + Mozambique 1, June 4 - June 20, 2025

South Africa + Mozambique 2, June 21 - July 7, 2025

South Africa + Mozambique 3, July 8 - July 24, 2025



Important Travel Notes:

  • We highly recommend that all students fly on the designated flights above. If you have any questions OR if you are considering another flight path please contact the Moondance Adventures HQ BEFORE purchasing your airfare.
  • We also highly recommend making your flight reservation through our partnered travel agency, Corporate Traveler. They are familiar with all Moondance flights. Please follow this link to start the booking process.
  • Remember when booking your child’s flight to allow at least a 3-hour layover in any connecting airport to avoid missed connections or baggage delays.
  • It is imperative that every student arrives in their gateway city in a timely fashion. If one individual does not arrive on time to make the group flights, it can delay the entire trip.
  • Leaders are not guaranteed to be on the flight.
  • For more information, check out our travel portal here!
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