Packing List for an East Africa Adventure

Important Note on Luggage:
Small domestic flights in East Africa have a strict 15 kg (33 lbs) weight limit for soft luggage. It’s essential to pack efficiently and choose lightweight, flexible bags. I used my Rick Steves adjustable backpack – here is another option from Amazon.

General Packing List for East Africa Travel

Travel Documents:

• Passport (with necessary visas)
• Travel insurance documents
• Vaccination certificates (e.g., yellow fever)
• Copies of important documents

Clothing:

• Lightweight, breathable shirts (long and short-sleeved) – at least one quick-dry top. Many camps and lodges will do laundry for you, but they may not have dryers, so quick-dry tops are ideal.
• Quick-dry travel underwear for women and men. Note that these are modest cultures and prefer not to wash your underwear, so take some quick-dry travel underwear that you can wash in the sink in your room.
• Lightweight pants and shorts – a pair of convertible pants is ideal for women and men
• Light jacket or fleece for cooler evenings – I also took along a lightweight scarf that had been treated with insect repellent.
• Swimsuit
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sandals or flip-flops – we wore these on the long safari drives and had sneakers with us “just in case.”
• Hat and sunglasses

Accessories:

• Soft-sided duffel bag or expandable backpack – we packed an extra duffel with supplies for a school visit coordinated by Pack For A Purpose – we then used that duffel to take home souvenirs
• Small daypack for excursions
• Reusable water bottle
• Travel towel
• Headlamp or flashlight
• Plug adapter and voltage converter

Toiletries and Health:

• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Basic first aid kit (including prescription medications)
• Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
• Hand sanitizer, tissues, and wet wipes
• A few disposable gloves – for the roadside bathroom breaks – you’ll thank me later for this recommendation.

Tech and Gear:

• Camera with extra batteries and memory cards – optional – I just used my iPhone
• Power adaptor
• Binoculars for wildlife viewing – optional – the safari vehicle should be equipped with at least two pairs
• Power bank for charging devices on the go – a solar-charged power bank is ideal for longer days. Also, the remote lodges are known to lose power for short periods of time

Additional Packing Lists for Specific Activities

Safari Packing List

Clothing:

• Neutral-colored clothing (avoid bright colors)
• Lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants (for sun protection and insect bites) – dress in layers
• Warm layers for early morning and evening game drives
• Comfortable and durable shoes – if you are in a national park, you won’t be getting out of the vehicle much; if you are on a private reserve, you may be walking/ trekking/ hiking

Gear:

• Wide-brimmed hat
• Sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen in it
• Bug repellent
• Snacks if you get hungry
• Small toiletry kit for use in the “washroom,” which is the area behind the safari vehicle (gloves, tissues, small paper bag for trash – the “sick bags” from the planes work well!)
• Lightweight scarf or bandana (to protect from dust)
• Safari hat with a strap (to avoid losing it in the wind)

Gorilla Trekking Packing List

Clothing:

• Long-sleeved shirt and long pants (to protect against scratches and insect bites) – dress in layers – pretreated with permethrin at home before you leave for Africa.
• Waterproof jacket and pants
• Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots
• Gaiters to protect your legs from mud, thorns, branches, and insects
• Garden gloves (to protect your hands while trekking) – even if you wear them for a few minutes while getting up or down a hill to be by your “family,” they are essential to protect your hands

Gear:

• Walking stick (often provided by lodges or at the trailhead)
• Waterproof backpack
• High-energy snacks
• Reusable water bottle
• Insect repellent and sunscreen – don’t put on the insect repellent until your guide tells you to; some insects are attracted to repellent, so it depends on where you will be trekking if you should wear it or not

Chimpanzee Trekking Packing List

Clothing:

• Similar to gorilla trekking: long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and waterproof clothing – dress in layers
• Comfortable, lightweight hiking shoes

Gear:

• Lightweight daypack
• Snacks and water
• Insect repellent and sunscreen

Final Tips:

• Pack light and prioritize versatility. Layering is key for adjusting to changing temperatures.
• Soft luggage is essential due to space constraints on small flights.
• Don’t forget to leave some space for souvenirs!

With these essentials in your bag, you’ll be well-prepared for an incredible East African adventure.

Getting to East Africa