Southern Africa Packing List
Notes
- More packing advice >>
- Extra luggage can be left in a fine storage facility at the Johanesburg International Airport.
- It's best to leave expensive or irreplaceable jewelry at home.
- Print a copy of your reservation and place it inside your checked baggage for identification purposes while you are traveling.
Clothing
Your clothing should be lightweight, breathable, hand-washable, earth-toned, and quick-drying.
- Shorts
- Long pants (zip-off pants are very useful)
- Short-sleeved shirts
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Undergarments
- Socks
- Sport bras for women (roads can be bumpy)
- Fleece sweater
- Rain jacket or windbreaker
- A cap or sun hat with brim and chin strap
- Bandana (for dust, washing, etc.)
- Pajamas
- Swimsuit
- A fleece hat, gloves, and scarf for the colder winter months June-September
Footwear
- Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes, closed toe, preferrably waterproof
- Tennis shoes, sandals, dressy shoes, and/or flip flops for around camps & hotels
- Comfortable, breathable socks
Baggage
- Use a soft duffel for your main bag. Bags must not have wheels. The maximum dimensions of the soft bags are: 25cm (10 inches) wide x 30cm (12 inches) high and 62cm (24 inches) long.
- Day pack for daily activities and easy access (rain cover is nice)
- Waterproof plastic bags for storing clothing and gear (ziplocs work)
- Optionally, a packing cube, compression bag, or clear toiletry bag for ease of passing through security
- Optionally, a money belt, security pouch, and/or document organizer
Electronics
Store electronics in sealed water-proof bags (double bagged if possible).
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Camera, lenses, filters, extra memory
- Video camera
- Light tripod for keen photographers
- Batteries, chargers
- GPS (for Geocaching)
- Travel alarm clock
- Electricity converter/adapter if necessary (e.g. re-charging batteries)
Out in the field
- Strong binoculars, 10 x 42 are a good choice generally
- Quality camera with long lens
- A baseball cap or wide brimmed hat with strap
- Natural history guidebooks if you have them
- On your activities, take along any items you need for the day in a separate day pack: sunglasses, camera and video (lenses, batteries, extra memory, etc.), binoculars, water, snacks, bandana, hat, wet-wipes, hand sanitizer, etc.
Toileries
- Shaving supplies
- Nail clippers, file, brush
- Toothbrush, toothpaste
- Moist towelettes (handi-wipes)
- Hand sanitizer
- Lotion
- Hairbrush, comb
- Facial tissue
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher is recommended
- Lip balm with sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Q-tips
- Feminine products
- Cosmetics
First Aid
You really only need one first aid kit in your travel group, so coordinate with your travel companions.
- Ibuprofin, Aceteminophen
- Anti nausea tablets if you suffer from motion sickness.
- Bandaids/plasters
- Disinfectant, antiseptic cream, antibiotic ointment
- Gauze bandages and tape
- Throat losenges
- Vitamins
- Diahrea medicine
- Antihistemines if you experience allergies
- Ace bandage
- Melatonin, Acetazolamide, or other sleep aid
- Malaria pills (talk to doctor)
- Antibiotics (talk to doctor)
- Prescription drugs (talk to doctor)
Documents
- Document organizer
- Passport
- Visas for all countries if necessary
- Airline tickets, e-tickets (make sure name on ticket matches name on passport)
- Copy of AWR travel itinerary
- Medical insurance card
- Business cards
- Make copies of passport, visas, drivers license, airline tickets/schedule, travel itinerary, credit cards (front and back), travelers checks' numbers, frequent flyer numbers, travel insurance, and emergency contact information. Leave a copy with someone at home and put a copy in a travel companion's luggage and email them to yourself (or Google Docs).
Other
- Sunglasses with straps, UV protected, preferably polarized. Tinted fashion glasses are not good in strong light
- Eyeglasses, contacts, solution including spares. If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case you get irritation from the dust and wind while in the open vehicles.
- Binoculars
- Notebook, pencil and pen
- Cash, travelers checks, credit cards (including some small bills, U.S. dollars must be newer than 2002)
- Guide books, maps, language books as long as you are within the weight limits for your bags
- Duct tape (can be wrapped around water bottle)
- Water bottle or a camelback (useful on bumpy roads)
Kids
- Games, toys, books
- Swim toys
- Gifts for local children
Gifts for Guides, Local People
- T-shirts or hats
- Nerf football, frisbees, soccer balls
- Candy
Packing for the INTERNATIONAL flight
- U-shaped neck pillow (blow-up)
- Books/magazines
- Toiletries (3 ounces/container, 1 quart clear bag)
- Snacks
- Eye shades, ear plugs
- Melatonin or other sleep aid
