Ultimate Africa Packing Guide

Elephants, Africa

Are you planning a trip to Africa, to travel or volunteer? Wondering what to pack?

We have compiled a very helpful packing list for Africa combining safari and travel essentials which are useful to travellers and volunteers alike.

This list will help you not to forget any important stuff.

Important documents

We advise you to make 3 photocopies each of all your important travel documents such as visas and passports. You should keep one copy in your backpack, one for your day-bag and one to give a set to your parents.

To be extra safe we recommend making copies of the following documents:

  • driving licence
  • serial number of flight tickets
  • international driving licence
  • serial numbers of travellers cheques
  • all insurance details and any emergency contact numbers
  • credit card numbers

Checklist Travel Essentials

  • Passport
  • South African Rands (ZAR)
  • All travel tickets
  • Vaccination documents
  • Cell Phone
  • Pens
  • Poncho
  • Mosquito net
  • Student identity and ISIC cards
  • Immunisation record
  • Travellers cheques
  • Money belt
  • Photocopies
  • Toiletries ( see below )
  • Medical kit
  • Clothes ( see below )
  • Waterproof and secure bag for documents and money
  • Water bottle

Safari and Travel Essentials

  • Visas
  • Insurance documents
  • Emergency numbers
  • Sun cream
  • Guide books
  • Passport photos
  • Glasses/ sunglasses/ contact lenses
  • Prescriptions
  • Sewing kit

Toiletries

  • Deodorant
  • Shampoo
  • Shower gel
  • Travel wash
  • Tooth brush and paste
  • Shaving stuff
  • Nail clippers
  • Wet wipes
  • Conditioner
  • Insect repellent
  • Safety pins
  • Sun screen
  • Lip balm
  • Patches
  • Moisturiser
  • Kleenex
  • Bath Towels

Added Extras

  • Watch
  • Film
  • Adapter plugs
  • Travel alarm
  • Flashlight
  • Camera
  • Combination padlocks
  • Spare batteries
  • Walkman/ CD Player/ iPod
  • Books
  • Address book
  • Telephone card
  • Photos of family/ friends
  • Re- sealable bags
  • Inflatable neck pillow

Clothes

  • Long trousers
  • Lightweight waterproof jacket for wet season
  • Comfortable, lightweight trekking boots or similar; and thick socks
  • Warm clothing: jacket, jumpers, gloves, woolly hat, scarf for Winter (May–August). Mornings and nights can be quite chilly
  • Tracksuits are quite useful for colder months
  • Long- sleeved shirts
  • Pyjamas
  • Swimwear and towel
  • Underwear
  • Jeans
  • Shorts
  • Sunhat/ cap
  • Comfortable/ presentable shoes
  • Smart sandals
  • Flip-flops
  • T- shirts
  • Belt
  • Sweater
  • Tops
  • Skirt

Medical Checklist

  • Sterilisation kit
  • Medical kit
  • Vitamins
  • Anti-diarrhoea medicine
  • Aspirins
  • Motion sickness medication
  • Water purification tablets
  • Throat lozenges
  • Antibiotic cream
  • Sharp- ended tweezers

Still researching a trip? These pages will help you book a dream experience in this continent: