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Packing List for Southern Africa

Ready for your adventure in Southern Africa? Wondering what you absolutely must bring? Think of your khaki safari hat, a pair of binoculars, and your malaria tablets! But that’s not all. To make sure you don’t forget anything crucial, we’ve put together a comprehensive packing list. Tick off the items as you pack, and you’ll be all set for your African adventure!

Charlie's Travels | Blog | Packing List for Southern Africa

Absolute Essentials You Can’t Do Without

    • Passport (but you probably knew that).
    • Yellow Fever Booklet with the required stamps, if applicable. Check the NHS or travel clinic website to see which vaccinations are mandatory for your trip.
    • Bank card (don’t forget to set it to worldwide use!) and your credit card (you can pay almost anywhere with it).
    • Insurance card—you never know!
    • Mobile phone (yes, in case you forget it).
    • A small bag or waist pouch to keep these important items safe.
    • DEET! Absolutely essential. Preferably two bottles.
    • Something you absolutely mustn’t forget: a deck of cards! It might rain, and in Southern Africa, you can’t just pick up a deck of cards on every corner like you can in the UK.
Paspoort

Travelling to Southern Africa: What Clothes to Pack

    • A few comfy summer outfits (ladies, maybe save the hotpants for your Spain holidays).
    • Lightweight trousers! It can get quite chilly at higher altitudes, and they’ll also protect your legs from thirsty mosquitoes.
    • At least one jumper if you’re travelling in summer, and definitely a few warm jumpers/jackets/trousers if you’re travelling during the colder months.
    • Raincoat—yes, it rains in Africa too.
    • Around five pairs of underwear (you’ll have to wash these yourself in the shower).
    • Enough pairs of socks so you don’t need to wash them every day.
    • Flip-flops & sandals.
    • Trainers (suitable for hiking as well).
    • Swimwear.
    • Sunglasses!
    • A hat or safari-friendly cap to protect against sunstroke.

Packing List for Southern Africa: Toiletries

    • Toothbrush & toothpaste.
    • Face cleansing wipes (yes, even for men!). The unpaved roads can get dusty, and the cities might leave a thin layer of dirt on your face.
    • For the ladies: a bit of makeup (but don’t overdo it—you’re travelling. A bit of lipstick is fun if you’re going out!).
    • Comb or brush—whatever you prefer.
    • Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen! One SPF 30 and one SPF 50 should do.
    • After-sun for those who turn into tomatoes.
    • Soap and shampoo, ideally in small bottles.
    • A small bar of soap for washing clothes (or underwear).
    • Deodorant (your fellow travellers will thank you).

Travel Safely in Southern Africa: First Aid Kit

    • Antiseptic like Betadine or Sterilon.
    • Plasters, some bandages, blister plasters, and sports tape (great for preventing blisters or patching up anything else).
    • Paracetamol and ibuprofen.
    • Imodium or ORS, for when things start moving a bit too quickly...
    • Malaria tablets

Packing List for Southern Africa: Other Essentials

    • Sleeping bag liner and pillowcase—a must if you’re staying in a hotel and not sure when the bedding was last washed.
    • Universal travel adaptor (unless you fancy buying one at your destination).
    • Possibly an impregnated mosquito net.
    • Sarong—incredibly handy. Use it as a towel, dress, or skirt.
    • Binoculars.
    • A small, quick-drying towel.
    • Driving licence (if you have one and plan on driving).
    • Earplugs (essential for sleeping on buses while local TV dramas blare at full volume).
    • A combination padlock.
    • Possibly a pocket knife.
    • Tissues—great for when you need to go but there’s no toilet paper, or just for a runny nose.
    • A deck of cards! It might rain, and in East Africa, finding cards isn’t as easy as it is in the UK.
    • A book. Just one will do—you can easily swap with others once you’ve finished.
    • Alternatively, an e-reader.
    • A notebook and pen for jotting down special experiences.
    • Optionally, a thin money pouch to wear under your clothes. Handy but not essential.
Tick off these items, and you’re ready to embark on your adventure in Southern Africa!

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