This is a guest packing list post by Melissa Johnson. See all packing list posts here.
In many ways, East Africa is a place of rich diversity, filled with living contradictions. It’s a place of lively and luxurious capital cities, beautiful safari parks, misty rainforests, relaxing coastal beach towns, and rural countryside villages. Extreme poverty and extreme wealth lie side by side, dry deserts and gigantic waterfalls can be found within the same country, and days filled with bright sunshine quickly transition into rain and thunderstorms. Because of this, packing for a trip to East Africa can be quite a challenge. But not to worry, you’ve got this packing list to help!
Clothing:
Most East African countries are still conservative in dress. Though you may be able to get away with above-the-knee dresses or skirts in capital cities while hanging out with younger crowds, I find that it’s always best to be respectful of the local culture and of those around you. Because of this, I’d strongly recommend packing longer bottoms, while short-sleeved and sleeveless shirts are totally acceptable.
2 dresses – I usually pack one casual dress and one nice dress for a dinner out on the town. (Have a look at our top 5 travel dresses).
2 skirts – Easy and breezy for walking around cities and villages — and for using squatty potties. (Check out the infinity skirt / magic wrap skirt.)
1 pair of pants – While jeans may be too restricting and warm, cargo pants are a nice alternative and are handy while hiking or during more adventurous activities.
2 tank tops or T-shirts – Those sweltering days will be best spent in light shirts.
1 long sleeved shirt or fleece – Rainy season nights can get a bit chilly in more mountainous regions.
1 windbreaker/rain jacket – Strongly recommended if you’re traveling during the rainy season. (Check out the North Face Triclimate. You can take the liner and leave the ultra warm bit at home for another trip.)
2 bras
5 pairs of underwear
1 swimsuit – Necessary if your plans include visits to the coast of Kenya or Tanzania, or if you get the chance to stop by any of the lakes in the Great Lakes region.
Scarf – Lovely to have if you find yourself getting a bit cold or if you need to cover up.
Giraffes in East Africa
Shoes:
Sturdy sandals – Chacos are a lifesaver, as they are waterproof and tough enough to handle the most intense and demanding excursions. I lived in mine while I was living in East Africa.
Closed toed shoes – Useful on dusty days or when you’d like to protect your feet from unsafe environments.
Nice flats or sandals – For a night out or a more formal occasion.
Toiletries:
Shampoo/Conditioner
Soap or Body Wash
Toothbrush/Paste
Deodorant – A little luxury to have when you find yourself in stinky situations.
Razor – Many East African women don’t shave and will actually marvel at your ability to grow hair on your arms and legs. I never shaved while I was there, but if shaving is your kind of thing, then pack a razor or two.
Brush
Hair ties – Necessary to keep the hair off your neck on those hot days. (Try a headband or a Buff.)
Birth Control
Diva Cup – After my time in East Africa, my Diva Cup is the one thing I recommend to all my fellow lady travellers. It’s easy, mess-free, light to pack, and ideal for rural life.
Prescriptions – If you want to stay happy and healthy during your travels, pack some anti-malarials and any other medications you may need (I recommend bringing Cipro and some probiotics along in case you find yourself suffering from a case of traveler’s diarrhoea).
Towel – Try a microfiber towel that absorbs water quickly and dries fast (Find one here at REI).
East African Village
Protection from the Elements:
Sunscreen – The higher the SPF, the happier you and your skin will be when you make it out without a sunburn.
Hat – Perfect for sunny days or when you find yourself unable to wash your hair for a couple of days.
Bug Spray – To prevent getting bitten by a malaria-carrying mosquito, pack a strong insect repellent.
Tech Gear:
Pack electronics and expensive technology at your own risk. Over the course of a year, I had a couple of friends who had their cameras or phones stolen when traveling.
Headlamp – An absolute lifesaver when the power decides to go out unexpectedly.
Laptop – Useful in capital cities when you’re able to stop in at an internet café. Most cafés have computers on site as well. (Try a netbook for size and price.)
Camera – To capture all the beautiful sights you encounter!
Chargers and adapters – Don’t forget the necessary converters for your electronics.
iPod – If you’d like some tunes for a long bus ride or beach lounging.
Read this post: Should I… Pack all these electronics?
East Africa boats
Other:
Passport and necessary visas – Requirements for acquiring a visa vary from country to country, so check before you board your plane!
Travel insurance – Lost luggage, stolen passport, cancelled flight? It’s best to be prepared!
Books or an E-Reader – Nothing better than a good read while travelling.
We recommend having a read of this post: Packing for Your Safety. You might also enjoy this helpful post on traveling in Southern Africa.
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About the author: Melissa Johnson is currently a grad student living just outside of Washington D.C. She has spent time abroad working with numerous international development NGOs, namely in Rwanda and Uganda. She has also visited Kenya, Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Honduras, Great Britain, and Canada. You can find her here on Facebook and Twitter.
*All photos, except for title photo, by Melissa Johnson.
Hi,
Great start to the list. Here are some extra ideas:
No camo/army print, no bright florals (bugs), no dark blue (attracts the tsetse fly)
No 100% cotton – will never dry in the humidity
No tank tops on their own – East Africa is very modest and conservative. Think long, loose layers, always. The image of Madonna, orphan shopping in a tank top and cowboy hat is cringeworthy.
No skirts shorter than knee. Midcalf is best.
No heavily scented toiletries (bugs!). Organic products will be more earth friendly as most of Africa is without a waste water treatment program.
I brought along a bar of anti-bug soap from a local craft store. Contained peppermint, citronella.
Bring the best quality, highest SPF you can find, as well as high DEET bug spray. Not the time to go all natural here!
Bring light body lotion. My usual brand just sat on my skin, wouldn’t sink in with all the heat. Was left with a greasy layer on my body.
A small, but comprehensive first aid kit is key. If you need a malaria test in a rural area, you don’t want to drain a local clinic’s band aids, lancets, etc.. Nor do you want to worry about the safety and hygein of the supplies.
Bring matches- electricty goes out often, but candles are everywhere.
Bring duct tape – at some point will be so helpful.
Bring some strong twine – you might need it to string up a mosquito net.
I also took: a small photo album of my home, my family to pass along, a few cassette tapes (remember them?) of favourite music to suggest as an alternative to the never ending church music on the buses, tiny containers of my favourite spices, and a jar each of peanut butter and nutella.
I never had a problem with tank tops in any of the countries I lived in, even when I was working in rural, religious communities (though I always wore tank tops with thicker straps rather than spaghetti straps). There were even times when I saw young, local city-dwellers walking around in tube tops! I think wearing skirts and dresses that are below the knee is most important. Either way, I never had anyone say anything about bare arms, so I suggest just going with what you feel to be most comfortable and respectful.
Also, in regards to tsetse flies, dark colors are fine to bring along. Just make sure you bring your laundry in off the line BEFORE it get dark!
is this list for 5 days only? (because of the underwear) just wondering who would go through all the trouble to go to africa for 5 days…
anyway, i spent several months living in very rural areas of zambia and malawi and here is what i have to say:
most people are overly cautious when they visit “third world countries”. dont overthink your packing list. do take the local dress codes seriously and bring your malaria prophylaxe, but honestly even if you end up having to take a malaria test in a rural hospital, so be it. ive been there a couple times and even in the most rural hospital they made sure to use clean needles and everything. just dont worry so much.
i suppse this list is primarily for safari tourists so here are some additions if youre actually going to stay in a village for a while:
1. bring something nice to give to children. do not bring candy! bring like colorchanging pencils, cool stationery, colorful hairclips for little girls, little bouncy balls and wild animal stickers for guys, just whatever you can think of.
also, feel free to bring lots of clothes you dont wear anymore. clothes are much needed almost everywhere.
for adults, you could bring discarded watches, glasses, nice pens, etc.
2. ditch the laptop
chances are, you are not going to be anywhere near a truly functioning internet connection anyway.
3. bring an old cellphone, not a supernice one
and leave it in the village when you leave
ok thats all i can think of right now, if i can think of more, i will add
Thanks you Lena for your excellent feedback – much appreciated!
Re: underwear – a lot of travelers tend to hand wash as they go. What would you recommend for a trip in Africa of… 3 weeks or so?
I agree with all above and would like to add…..Don’t under estimate how cold you can get in Africa. I recommend a high quality water proof and warm jacket to wear at night. Avoid anything with obvious brand names printed on it as you may attract unwanted attention from those who think your brand name clothes mean you’re wealthy.
I also recommend that you take baby wipes with you. Clean water for bathing purposes is not always available when you want it and the wipes can come in handy… as can you’re own supply of toilet paper.
Lastly, take click seal bags in a range of sizes. It gets dusty in some places. You can use the bags to protect your camera, journal and a clean set of clothes.
Adding to Lena’s comment above, kids and adults, love ball point pens. it’s nice to have some to hand out.