Grahamstown, South Africa: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2022]

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Traveling to Grahamstown, South Africa? If you're planning to go to Grahamstown, we have some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.

Contents

About your travel guide

Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.


When to go to Grahamstown, South Africa

Based on the climate and weather in Grahamstown, the best time to go is December. See below for details.

Important essentials for Grahamstown, South Africa

Here are some general tips on what to wear in Grahamstown, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.

COVID-19 ESSENTIALS FOR 2022


  • Kids' KN95 masks

    N95 masks don't exist for kids. These are a good alternative (and can also be used by adults if N95 masks are not available).


  • N95 masks to use in crowded airports

    These N95 masks provide the best level of COVID protection possible.


  • Travel disinfecting wipes

    Use these to sanitize plane and hotel surfaces.


  • A vaccine card protector

    Vaccine cards frequently get worn. An unreadable vaccine card can have severe consequences. This vaccine card protector helps stop that.


  • Hand sanitizer

    This hand sanitizer is an easy-to-carry plane-friendly product.


  • Travel insurance

    If you or a companion get COVID-19, your amazing trip can be ruined. Good travel insurance can help. See plans

General health necessities

Don't forget these

What to wear/what to pack for Grahamstown, South Africa by month

Already know when you're traveling?

January

If you are traveling to Grahamstown in January, you will notice that it is warm. Expect it to rain regularly. Average temperatures (including nighttime) are in the low 70s F (low 20s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

If you go to Makana Botanical Gardens, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Binoculars

    Like these

February

February in this region is a perfect temperature. Temperatures average in the low 70s F (low 20s C), with daytime temperatures significantly higher. It rains a bit less than half of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

If you go to Makana Botanical Gardens, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Binoculars

    Like these

March

If you are traveling to Grahamstown in March, you will notice that it is a perfect temperature. Expect it to rain a bit less than half of the time. Average temperatures (including nighttime) are in the high 60s F (low 20s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

If you go to Makana Botanical Gardens, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Binoculars

    Like these

April

If you are traveling to Grahamstown in April, you will notice that it is mild. Expect it to rain about a third of the time. Average temperatures (including nighttime) are in the 60s F (high 10s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

If you go to Makana Botanical Gardens, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Binoculars

    Like these

May

May in this region is mild. Temperatures average in the low 60s F (mid 10s C), with daytime temperatures significantly higher. It rains sometimes.

What to wear/what to pack:

If you go to Makana Botanical Gardens, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Binoculars

    Like these

June

June here is relatively cool. Temperatures average in the high 50s F (mid 10s C), with daytime temperatures significantly higher. There is frost once in a while. It rains occasionally.

What to wear/what to pack:

If you go to Makana Botanical Gardens, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Binoculars

    Like these

July

July here is crisp. Temperatures average in the 50s F (mid 10s C), with daytime temperatures significantly higher. There is frost sometimes. It rains sometimes.

What to wear/what to pack:

If you go to Makana Botanical Gardens, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Binoculars

    Like these

August

If you go to Grahamstown in August, you will notice that it is relatively cool. Expect it to rain 5-10 days this month. Average temperatures (including nighttime) are in the high 50s F (mid 10s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

If you go to Makana Botanical Gardens, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Binoculars

    Like these

September

If you go to Grahamstown in September, you will notice that it is mild. Expect it to rain a bit less than half of the time. Average temperatures (including nighttime) are in the low 60s F (mid 10s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

If you go to Makana Botanical Gardens, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Binoculars

    Like these

October

October for Grahamstown is mild. Temperatures average in the low 60s F (high 10s C), with daytime temperatures significantly higher. It rains about a third of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

If you go to Makana Botanical Gardens, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Binoculars

    Like these

November

November for Grahamstown is balmy. Temperatures average in the 60s F (high 10s C), with daytime temperatures significantly higher. It rains 5-10 days this month.

What to wear/what to pack:

If you go to Makana Botanical Gardens, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Binoculars

    Like these

December

If you are traveling to Grahamstown in December, you will notice that it is a perfect temperature. Expect it to rain a bit less than half of the time. Average temperatures (including nighttime) are in the high 60s F (low 20s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

If you go to Makana Botanical Gardens, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Binoculars

    Like these

Activities for Grahamstown, South Africa

Here are some activity recommendations and activity-specific packing tips for Grahamstown.

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