Packing list
We recommend a number of items for a trip to Southern Africa. We have compiled a packing list for you with the most essential requirements.
Clothing
- Hiking boots
- Slippers or rafters (hiking sandals)
- Raincoat/windbreaker
- Long pants or zipper pants
- Shorts
- T-shirts, long and short sleeves
- Pullover / fleece jacket
- Underwear and socks
- Hat and gloves (Only in the winter: May to August)
- Towels
- Swimwear
- Snorkel gear (only for Mozambique or Malawi)
- Plastic bag for dirty laundry
- Laundry detergent
It is advisable to pack the clothes in plastic bags against the dust.
Care and protection
- Good sunscreen cream (factor 30-50)
- Lip balm with sunblock
- Head cover, cap or hat
- Insect repellent (with DEET)
- First aid kit (painkillers, bandages, diarrhea inhibitors etc.)
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Hairbrush
- Vaccination booklet (check the necessary vaccinations on the website)
- For contact lens wearer: spare glasses
Practical
- Passport + copy
- Debit card + credit card
- Cash – good to have some cash before arriving in Africa
- Daypack for excursions and walks
- Sunglasses
- Binoculars
- Flashlight and / or headlight (a mini Maglite type AA with white bright LED (s) is recommended)
- Spare light for flashlight and batteries
- Field bottle / water bottle
- Something to read (books, travel guide, e-book etc.)
Electronics
- Mobile phone
- Camera with spare batteries or second battery and memory card(s) – separate storage for the files is recommended in case when you lose your camera
- Charging cord 220V and / or 12V for film camera / battery charger (lighter plug)
- World plug (an adapter is sometimes available in stores locally)
Travel bag, suitcase or backpack
In general, the advice is not to take too much luggage with you. Maximum. 15 kg per person in soft bag(s). We do not recommend taking hard suitcases with you. The storing space in the 4×4 cars is limited when traveling with 4 people in 1 car and soft bags are easier to pack. An extra cover for a bag or backpack against dust is also useful.
NB baggage rules for South Africa oblige the traveler to travel with a bag or suitcase with 1 flat side and without loose straps or protrusions. Baggage that does not comply can be refused. An option is to get your bag ‘wrapped’ in plastic at the airport.