Bring Binoculars for Bird watching!
Be very critical of the items and amount you pack. You will either thank or hate yourself later. You can usually find anything you need in most parts of Africa so be honest with yourself as to whether you truly need what you plan to bring.
Below are several useful items recommended to bring with you to Africa that have proven themselves useful. If you have traveled to Africa before and would like to add your tips on useful things to bring, please leave a comment with your suggestions!
Small medical kit
Pack a small medical kit with the following: Cipro, Ibuprofin, Tylenol cold (night and day), chewable Pepto-Bismol, and Imodium. Bring band-aids an antiseptic as well. You never know what might take you by surprise on your vacation.
Insect Repellent
Insects in Africa, especially mosquitos, are evil. Do everything you can to keep them away. Buy a repellent with DEET or picaridin. Some good brands to consider are Ben’s and Doom.
Sandals with back straps
Flip flops are comfortable but unreliable. Instead, buy a good pair of outdoor sandals that have back straps. They offer support and will not slip off if you need to cross a stream or walk through mud. Wear them when showering in questionable facilities. You can always strap them to the outside of a bag or backpack just in case you need them.
LED headlamp
LED headlamps are light, packable, and affordable. They are also extremely useful when you need both light and the use of your hands. Whether you are reading a book at night or walking home from the local watering hole a headlamp will serve you well.
Small pack of tissues and wet wipes
There is nothing worse than taking care of business and then realizing there is no toilet paper. We’ve all been there. From our experiences it is not uncommon to find a restroom not properly stocked with tissue.
Packable hiking or adventure hat with brim
Bring a soft hat you can pack, roll up, fold, and wash. It will protect your head and face from the bright African sun. Hats with an adjustable strap that can tuck into the hat or hang around your neck when you need the hat off. A ball cap will not do.
Several photocopies and electronic copies of your passport and identification
Scan and photocopy your passport and identification. Keep photocopies in ziplock bags on you and wherever you are staying. Email the scanned files to yourself and a reliable friend. It wouldn’t hurt to keep a usb drive with the scanned files on you as well. If you lose your identification in Africa your copies will come in very handy.
Energy bars
Food can generally be trusted in Africa. However, if you are hesitant about the food around you an energy bar can tide you over till you feel more comfortable about your dining location. You can at least be certain that an energy bar will not make you ill.
Traveling to Africa can be a once in a lifetime experience, and if you take heed of this list, your trip should be smooth and one to remember forever.
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Thanks for sharing this helpful list. I agree with all of those items. Here is a short list of what additional items I would recommend to bring:
Guidebook – There are a lot of really useful guidebooks out there! I recommend National Geographic, Lonely Planet, DK and Rough Guides.
Money belt – In big cities it is a good idea to carry your passport and credit cards in a money belt, either around your waist or around your neck. These can be hidden under your clothes.
Electrical Adapters – In Africa there are several different outlets. Depending on where you travel from (what kind of plugs you use in your country), you might need an electrical adapter or converter.
Water purifiers or filters – Depending on how you travel, you might need this. If you go on an organized tour, you will always have clean bottled water available. But if you decide to venture out on your own, a water purifier or filter is good to have. I recommend the SteriPEN!
This is all I could think of. Do you have any more suggestions? Please share them here!
Good List!! I want to add one thing Camera This is a very individual choice for all.something to consider are options to record key moments of your trip without interfering with the experience.
Good post. I would add money belt and convertible pants that zip off to become shorts. About the sandals, I definitely would not wear those on safari, too many bugs, spiders and snakes. Here’s another list of helpful planning tips for a South African safari: http://myitchytravelfeet.com/2008/10/02/anticipating-a-south-african-safari/
Great list! I cant stress enough how helpful energy bars are! Always comes in handy for me!
I definitely agree that you have to have a camera. Africa has so many great adventure activities, from shark cage diving to bungee jumping in Vic Falls. A camera will help you capture all these memorable moments!
Also a cheap cellphone. Most African countries like South Africa and Namiba sell cheap sim cards that you can purchase and immediately be connected.
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