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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.

Please check also our FAQ.

Clothing (use layers)

  • 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:  end of May to early 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) (you can buy Peaceful Sleep spray locally in most supermarkets)
  • 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
  • Malaria Prophylaxis

Practical

  • Passport (at least 6 Months valid after returning home) + paper copy or scan (pdf)
  • Debit Card / Credit Card
  • Travel Insurance Card
  • Cash – good to have some back-up cash (USD/EUR/GBP etc.) before arriving in Africa. You can get local currencies at the ATM
  • 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.)

Food & Coffee

  • A coffee maker is not included in the equipment (e.g. a Mokka Express is useful)
  • There is no need to bring your own food unless you are on a special diet

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 widely available in stores locally)
  • A drone can be nice but it’s not allowed to use drones inside the National Parks

For the 4×4 car and rooftop tent

  • Small repairs can be fixed with duct tape and tie wraps (both available 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 as they might not fit into the car. 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.