Check out Moondance's South Africa Adventure Camp

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.

Upper Body Layers

Long Underwear / Base Layer Top (1)

At least one synthetic, non-cotton, medium-weight long sleeve top, other can be cotton

Qty: 2-3

Patagonia Capilene Crew, TASC Performance Beaver Falls

T-shirts

Minimum of 2 synthetic, non-cotton t-shirts, other shirts can be cotton

Qty: 3-4

Patagonia Capilene T-shirt or Marmot Windridge

Lightweight Top

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

Qty: 1

Patagonia R1 Fleece

Insulating Jacket

Synthetic or down insulation, non-cotton. This can be a synthetic or down “puffy” jacket, or an additional heavyweight fleece

Qty: 1

Patagonia Nano Puff or Down Sweater

Fleece Jacket

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

Qty: 1

Patagonia Synchilla or R2 Jacket

Rain Jacket with Hood

100% waterproof rain jacket with a hood - no ponchos!

Qty: 1

Patagonia Torrentshell or Marmot Precip

Sports Bra

For girls

Qty: 2-3

Required clothing items

Lower Body Layers

Long Underwear / Base Layer Bottom

Synthetic, non-cotton medium weight long underwear bottoms

Qty: 1-2

Patagonia Capilene Lightweight/Midweight Bottoms

Quick-dry Shorts

Synthetic, non-cotton shorts

Qty: 3

Patagonia Baggies

Bathing Suits

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

Qty: 2

Long Pants

1 pair of synthetic, non-cotton hiking pants. 1 pair may be cotton or a yoga pant. REQUIRED 1 pair of loose/flowy pants to be culturally appropriate during community service. Leggings are NOT appropriate during community service.

Qty: 2-3

Underwear

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

Qty: 6

Required Clothing Items
NOTE: You can expect to get your clothes dirty during your community service section, so keep that in mind when choosing specific clothing and footwear items.

Head + Hands

Gloves

Wool or fleece, non-cotton medium weight gloves

Qty: 1

Warm Hat

Wool or fleece, non-cotton beanie

Qty: 1

Hat

A baseball hat or wide-brimmed hat for sun protection

Qty: 1

Work Gloves

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

Qty: 1

You can expect to get your clothes dirty during your community service section, so keep that in mind when choosing specific clothing and footwear items.

Footwear

Trail/Tennis Shoes

A pair of comfortable, closed-toe sturdy shoes

Qty: 1

Socks

Non-cotton, lightweight hiking socks (At least 2 pair heavier weight - wool) + regular socks

Qty: 8 Pair

Smartwool or Darn Tough

Required Shoes

Toiletries

Dopp Kit*

Contains: toothbrush, toothpaste, prescription medication, travel shampoo & soap, deodorant

Qty: 1

Patagonia Black Hole Cube 6L – M

First Aid Kit*

Contains: Insect repellent, reef safe waterproof sunscreen (Kokua, Thinksport, Stream2Sea), zinc oxide, 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 Pair

Required Hygiene Items
*Please keep all toiletries in your checked luggage, with the exception of your toothbrush and any personal/prescription medication

Backpacks & Bags

Duffel OR Backpack

45-60 liters; MUST be small enough to carry on the plane

Qty: 1

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 55 L

Day Pack

25 – 32 liter daypack /school backpack to carry your rain jacket, water bottle and snacks

Qty: 1

Patagonia Refugio Pack 26 L or Sea to Summit Ultra Sil Day Pack

Buy in our gear store

For carrying all of your gear

Miscellaneous

Wallet

Personal wallet with $185 spending money and valid identification

Qty: 1

COVID-19 Vaccination Card + Copies

Valid COVID-19 vaccination card + 2 additional photocopies of your vaccination card

Qty: 2

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 Africa Entry Documents

Instructions to follow in the spring

Qty: 1

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

Pack Towel

Absorbent & quick to dry, large or extra-large is ideal

Qty: 1

Sea to Summit Drylite Towel

Buy in our gear store

Required additional items

Additional Equipment

Water Bottles

Minimum 32oz water bottles

Qty: 1

Nalgene 1L Wide Mouth

Buy in our gear store

Mesh Stuff Sack

1 extra mesh stuff sack for dirty clothes storage, sleeping bag size

Qty: 1

Sea to Summit Mesh Stuff Sack

Headlamp

With fresh batteries + 2 sets of spare batteries

Qty: 1

Black Diamond Spot or Black Diamond Storm

Sunglasses

With 100% UV protection

Qty: 1

Goodr

Sunglass Holders

Qty: 1

Croakies or Chums

Additional Required Items

Optional Gear

Camera*

With charger + international adapter, and a 32- 64GB memory card

Qty: 1

Go Pro

With charger and 32-64 GB memory card

Qty: 1

Buy in our gear store

A Good Book

Paperback books are less bulky…highly recommended for long flights

Qty: 1

Notebook with pen

For journaling

Qty: 1

Small Binoculars

Recommended for wildlife safari

Qty: 1

Personal Protective Equipment: Mask

Two (2) reusable, breathable masks that completely cover nose and mouth and fit snuggly; Moondance will not provide masks. To be used where it is required by trip location or outfitter.

Qty: 2

Not required but highly recommended.
*Since we don’t allow cell phones during the course of our trips, you may not use your phone as a camera. Leaders will take photos that will be shared at the end of the summer.

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
COVID-19 Vaccination Card
Completed International Travel Authorization form

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

Lodging

Sleeping

During your trip you will stay in a variety of accommodations: Tented safari camps, hotels, and lodges(all single gender).

Eating

Eating utensils (plates and cutlery) will be provided throughout the trip.

If you have any special dietary restrictions/ considerations, please contact the Moondance office for further information.

Immunizations

Recommended Immunizations

Routine Vaccines

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include:
Chickenpox (Varicella)
Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
Flu (influenza)
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
Polio
Shingles

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to the country this trip visits.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to the country this trip visits. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to the country.

Malaria Medication

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Ecuador take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Find country-specific information about malaria.

Rabies

Rabid dogs are commonly found in this country. If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in this country, there may be limited or no rabies treatment available.

Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.

Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include

Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
Visitors to rural areas
Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to this country.

Typhoid

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see Your COVID-19 Vaccination for more information.

Cholera

Active cholera transmission is widespread in South Africa. Cholera is rare in travelers. Certain factors may increase the risk of getting cholera or having severe disease (more information). Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera.

Vaccination may be considered for children and adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission. The following areas do not have active cholera transmission: Cape Town, Durban, Kruger National Park, and Port Elizabeth.

Measles

Infants 6 to 11 months old traveling internationally should get 1 dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before travel. This dose does not count as part of the routine childhood vaccination series.

Cholera

Active cholera transmission is widespread in Kenya. Cholera is rare in travelers. Certain factors may increase the risk of getting cholera or having severe disease (more information). Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera.

Vaccination may be considered for children and adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission.

Resources to Share with Your Physician

Click here to view a map of where Moondance groups will be traveling throughout South Africa. Provide this information to your physician of choice (primary care physician, travel clinic, etc.) in order to get the most accurate suggestions for immunizations and vaccinations.

Click here to see what the CDC recommends for travelers in South Africa.

Flights

South Africa 1, June 5 - June 21, 2024, Option 1

Arrive

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Arrive before 6:25 PM

Depart

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Friday, June 21, 2024
Depart after 11:05 AM

Inbound Flight

Date	Flight	Departure City	Departure Time	Arrival City	Arrival Time
Wednesday, June 5, 2024	Delta 200	ATL (Atlanta)	9:25 PM	JNB (Johannesburg)	7:00 pm (6/06)

Outbound Flight

Date	Flight	Departure City	Departure Time	Arrival City	Arrival Time
Thursday, June 20, 2024	Delta 201	JNB (Johannesburg)	9:55 PM	ATL (Atlanta)	8:05 am (6/21)

South Africa 1, June 5 - June 21, 2024, Option 2

Arrive

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Arrive before 5:45 pm

Depart

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Friday, June 21, 2024
Depart after 8:40 am

Inbound Flight

Date	Flight	Departure City	Departure Time	Arrival City	Arrival Time
Wednesday, June 5, 2024	United Airlines 188	EWR (Newark)	8:45 PM	JNB (Johannesburg)	5:45 pm (6/06)

Outbound Flight

Date	Flight	Departure City	Departure Time	Arrival City	Arrival Time
Thursday, June 20, 2024	United Airlines 187	JNB (Johannesburg)	8:00 PM	EWR (Newark)	5:40 am (6/21)

South Africa 2, June 22 - July 8, 2024, Option 1

Arrive

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Saturday, June 22, 2024
Arrive before 6:25 PM

Depart

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Monday, July 8, 2024
Depart after 11:05 AM

Inbound Flight

Date	Flight	Departure City	Departure Time	Arrival City	Arrival Time
Saturday, June 22, 2024	Delta 200	ATL (Atlanta)	9:25 PM	JNB (Johannesburg)	7:00 pm (6/23)

Outbound Flight

Date	Flight	Departure City	Departure Time	Arrival City	Arrival Time
Sunday, July 7, 2024	Delta 201	JNB (Johannesburg)	9:55 PM	ATL (Atlanta)	8:05 am (7/08)

South Africa 2, June 22 - July 8, 2024, Option 2

Arrive

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Saturday, June 22, 2024
Arrive before 5:45 pm

Depart

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Monday, July 8, 2024
Depart after 8:40 am

Inbound Flight

Date	Flight	Departure City	Departure Time	Arrival City	Arrival Time
Saturday, June 22, 2024	United Airlines 188	EWR (Newark)	8:45 PM	JNB (Johannesburg)	5:45 pm (6/23)

Outbound Flight

Date	Flight	Departure City	Departure Time	Arrival City	Arrival Time
Sunday, July 7, 2024	United Airlines 187	JNB (Johannesburg)	8:00 PM	EWR (Newark)	5:40 am (7/08)

South Africa 3, July 9 - July 25, 2024, Option 1

Arrive

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Arrive before 6:25 PM

Depart

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Thursday, July 25, 2024
Depart after 11:05 AM

Inbound Flight

Date	Flight	Departure City	Departure Time	Arrival City	Arrival Time
Tuesday, July 9, 2024	Delta 200	ATL (Atlanta)	9:25 PM	JNB (Johannesburg)	7:00 pm (7/10)

Outbound Flight

Date	Flight	Departure City	Departure Time	Arrival City	Arrival Time
Wednesday, July 24, 2024	Delta 201	JNB (Johannesburg)	9:55 PM	ATL (Atlanta)	8:05 am (7/25)

South Africa 3, July 9 - July 25, 2024, Option 2

Arrive

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Arrive before 5:45 pm

Depart

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Thursday, July 25, 2024
Depart after 8:40 am

Inbound Flight

Date	Flight	Departure City	Departure Time	Arrival City	Arrival Time
Tuesday, July 9, 2024	United Airlines 188	EWR (Newark)	8:45 PM	JNB (Johannesburg)	5:45 pm (7/10)

Outbound Flight

Date	Flight	Departure City	Departure Time	Arrival City	Arrival Time
Wednesday, July 24, 2024	United Airlines 187	JNB (Johannesburg)	8:00 PM	EWR (Newark)	5:40 am (7/25)

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, Student Universe. 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.
Please keep in mind the group flights will begin and end in Newark, NJ or Atlanta, GA. It is imperative that every student arrives to their gateway city in a timely fashion. If one individual does not arrive in on time to make the group flights, it can delay the entire trip. Leaders are not guaranteed to be on the flight.
If your child is travelling as an unaccompanied minor please purchase the service for both legs of the trip. Please give your contact information as the contact. Moondance will reach out closer to the summer with the leader’s information for pick up/ drop off.