What to Bring to Africa: 13 Must-Haves for 2025
Are you wondering what to pack for a trip to Africa?
Then you’re in the right place! Here you’ll find everything you need for your best trip.
I’ve travelled through Africa many times, for months at a stretch. By now I can put my bag (singular) together quickly, and probably with my eyes closed. But it took practice!
There’s one mistake I’ve noticed that many people make when they put together their first Africa packing list. They tend to fill it with “safari wear”. Tilley hats and crisp khakis, as if they’ll be shooting a National Geographic documentary.
And if that’s an important part of the fun for you, go for it! But it’s not necessary. In reality, you can start with what you already own, and go from there.
What to Bring to Africa: A Quick Packing List
There’s a lot to know when it comes to how to prepare for a trip to Africa. But if you’re just looking for a quick list of stuff to take, see below, along with links to my favourite versions of the items.
Keep reading for a more detailed list, and for packing tips for your trip.
Things to pack for Africa
✔️ Basics for every trip:
- malaria meds (discuss with your doc!)
- sunscreen
- insect repellent with DEET
- toothbrush & toiletries
- small towel
- hair clips, ties, razor
- wide-brimmed hat with strap/clip
- sunglasses and cord/chums
- camera/extra batteries & SD card
- flashlight/ headlamp
- lightweight, quick-dry clothes
- a rain jacket
- charging cables
- power adapter &/or converter
- power bank
- laundry sheets
- filtered water bottle
- downloaded GPS app
- women:
- period products
- clothes that cover shoulder/knees
- toilet paper
✔️ Winter – Clothes For Cold Nights/Mornings
- think layers
- warm socks
- underclothes (go for cotton, even over fancy antimicrobial ones)
- warm nightclothes (yoga pants or sweats are a good choice)
- thin gloves
- fleece layer jacket
- knit cap
- neck gator or scarf
- long pants or hiking pants
- long-sleeved shirts
- thin, packable down jacket
✔️ Summer – Clothes For Hot Days/Nights
- short-sleeved shirts
- light, loose, linen-y pants
- shorts
- underclothes (go for cotton, even over fancy antimicrobial ones)
- light sleepwear
- flip-flops
- thin scarf/bandana to soak, wear on neck
- swimsuit
✔️ And a few things just for safaris:
- earth-toned clothing
- downloaded wildlife guide: Kingdon Guide: African Mammals is amazing
- binoculars: I prefer the 10×42
- closed-toe shoes or boots for bushwalking
- loose, comfortable clothes for around camp (keep reading!)
✔️ What NOT to take :
- jeans – this is controversial! I love jeans, but I never take them when I travel to Africa. The simple reason for this is, I want everything I take to be easy to hand wash and quick-drying. Two things that jeans aren’t. I’ll pack nylon or fine cotton shorts and trousers.
- bright and very dark colours like navy, black, orange, and red. Mosquitoes and tsetse flies tend to be drawn to these colours – they don’t need the encouragement!
- camo-coloured clothing is worn by the military, and can get you in trouble if you have it on. It’s even illegal in some African countries.
- plastic grocery-style bags. These are banned in some countries. Take a foldable tote or daypack along. Either can be used while shopping, as well as to hold your water bottle, sun protection, and whatnot when on the safari vehicle or out exploring the cities.
- large amounts of cash and valuable jewelry. ATMs are common in towns and cities, and jewelry runs the risk of being lost or stolen.
- heavy guidebooks. There are great guidebooks available for download.
- anything you think you might want with you. If you don’t know if it’s necessary, it probably isn’t. Leave ‘just in case’ stuff at home.
Things to Pack for Africa – the Unexpected
Now that we’ve covered the basics, here are a few unexpected items for your travelling to Africa checklist. I’ve learned that these are travel essentials for Africa. Think hard before you leave any of these behind.
1. A daypack or day bag
You might be spending your time wandering through the streets of Marrakech, or bumping through the bush on a safari truck.
Either way, an important part of what to bring to Africa is a small, light bag to put a few things in that you’ll need for the day.
I use this daypack on the safari vehicle, and while wandering through town.
You might prefer a thin, fold-away tote bag or cinch sack that you can stuff in your main bag when you’re not using it. Or the small zip-off pack that attaches to your backpack.
It may be something that you can also use as your personal item on your flight. I always have a personal item that will fit my small purse, along with what I’d like next to me during the flight.
You just need something comfortable to carry that isn’t bulky and in the way when you’re not using it. It should be big enough to hold your reusable water bottle, your camera, sarong, a snack, and your binoculars. I use mine as a shopping bag, too.
✔️ Check the price of this lightweight 22L daypack on AMAZON
2. A sarong and/or a long, thin scarf or bandana
This great to have, and takes up next to no room in your bag. A sarong is basically just a piece of fabric measuring about 64″ x 44″. You can bring one along, but they’re also widely available in Cape Town and elsewhere. I buy them as souvenirs.
A sarong can be used for so many things:
- a beach towel and cover-up
- something to sit on instead of bare ground
- a towel
- a shield from the sun if you’re on the sunny side of the safari vehicle
- a light sheet on hot nights
- a light cover if you’re sitting outside and it’s a bit cool
- a skirt
- tie a knot here and there, and it can be a casual dress or shorts
A sarong or long, thin scarf or bandana can also be a life saver on those really hot African afternoons. Soak it in water, even tepid or warm water.
Then wrap it around your neck or drape it over your shoulders. You’ll be glad to have this – trust me.
I couldn’t believe how cooling this was. Turn it over every once in a while as the side next to the skin warms up. It’ll be cool all over again.
A thin scarf and bandana work the same for cooling, of course, but have fewer additional uses. BUT, they also take up a bit less room in your bag. Which works better for you?
✔️ Check the price of this top-quality sarong on Amazon.
3. Reusable utensils
There are so many occasions where you might need something to eat with. There’s a lot of great street food in Africa. Often there aren’t any utensils available.
And if there are, they might be plastic, and you don’t want to contribute to that problem.
You DON’T have to buy a special set of travel utensils in a tidy little case. I find that these utensils can be small, awkward to use, and just aren’t a necessary expense.
I keep an old, mismatched fork, spoon, and knife – not sharp – from my kitchen drawer in my day bag. I wrap them in a dishcloth or handkerchief.
They always get used, and I’m always glad to have them.
If you decide you’d rather have the tidy case, this one comes with 2 reusable straws, a brush to clean it with, as well as chopsticks.
Check the price of this stainless steel travel utensil set on Amazon.
4. Light, loose dress & flip flops
The days can be hot and sticky. It’s blissful to have something loose and breezy to change in to. The crushed linen-type of fabric is my favourite.
This is for when you’re relaxing in the afternoon between game drives, or in the evening after a long day of exploring.
You can tuck it into a corner of your bag, and it doesn’t look like it needs to be ironed when you put it on. The wrinkles are a part of the style of the dress.
This type of dress can also work in places where shorts aren’t culturally acceptable. Although some parts of Africa are quite modern, many countries and areas are still very conservative, so be prepared to cover knees, shoulders, and neckline.
In addition, you’ll want closed-toed shoes if you’re hiking or going on safari walks. But you’ll have downtime at camp, or in the evenings wherever you are.
You’re going to want to let your feet air out, and it feels amazing to take your shoes off. Flip flops give you something to wear, and take up next to no room in your bag.
These are my all-time favourites. They’re thick enough that the acacia thorns won’t make it through to your foot, and so comfortable.
✔️ See the price of my fave FLIP FLOPS on Amazon
5. GoPro or Video Sunglasses
If you’ll be cycling, horseback riding, or going on a safari walk, one of these can be epic to have. You don’t have to stop every time you want to capture something.
These sunglasses are amazing because not only do they have polarized lenses and a large-capacity battery. They also have non-mirrored lenses, which are the best sunglass lenses for a safari.
Animals can be spooked by seeing the glinting sun or the reflection off of a mirrored lens. Rule number 1 – don’t spook the animals!
I carry a camera, too, but being able to record on the go means I won’t miss a thing.
Check out this GoPro deal with the essentials bundle.
✔️ See the price of this GoPro BUNDLE with head strap, handgrip, and case included on Amazon
▶ If you decide against the bundle, or if you already have a GoPro, you can get a quality, highly rated case sold separately.
6. Power Bar, aka. Power Strip
I’m sure you’ve packed your adapter so you can recharge your devices. And you’ve also determined whether or not you’ll need a power converter.
When it comes to what pack for Africa, these can’t be forgotten.
Travel Tip: North America uses a standard 120 V, with an A/B plug, Africa uses 220V. The type of plug depends on the country. You can find out what you’ll need on this page about choosing travel power adapters.
But, people from North America will need a power converter and adapter of some kind.
Some plugs, like Type M used in some of South Africa, may be too bulky to be included in many so-called “universal” adapters.
That plug and some others may need to be bought separately. Make sure you know what you need and what you have. Types C, M, N, G, and D are used in Africa.
Chances are you have more than one device or appliance that you’ll need to plug in. You could plug them each in one after the other.
But if you have a small power bar, you can charge everything at once, with just one adapter and one converter. Or, try my favourite adapter/converter/power bar in one.
These also come in handy when that one plugin that you have in your room is behind the fridge. Get in there and plug it in once, stretch out the 5-foot cord, and you’re all set.
✔️ Find this compact 3 outlet /3 USB port
POWER BAR on Amazon
7. Car Power Inverter
Rechargeable devices are a big subject when we travel these days. Cameras are one of them.
And if your camera is like mine, the battery needs to be plugged into the wall to charge.
If I’m camping, or for any other reason don’t have access to an electrical outlet, that battery still needs charging.
My power bank isn’t any help with this (btw always pack a power bank). But I usually have access to a vehicle. Having a power inverter that plugs into the 12V car plugin has saved me several times.
I never travel without one of these anymore.
* It’s also a good idea to always have at least one extra battery for that camera. Put that on your What to Pack for Africa Trip list, right under “extra memory card(s)”.
✔️ Find this Car Power Inverter Price on Amazon
8. Bug Repellent Clothing
When it comes to what to wear in Africa, bug-repellent clothing should be on your list.
The number of bugs you’ll encounter in Africa depends on what time of year you’re travelling.
And also on what the conditions are at your particular destination, and what that destination is.
If you hit a bad spot, the flying insects can be ferocious. Tsetse flies and mosquitoes are the ones you have to worry about. As annoying as they are, they can also transmit disease.
In Canada, Marks has a line of clothing with the so-called No-Fly Zone® Repellent Technology.
These garments are made with fabric that’s been treated with the pesticide permethrin. You can also – unless you live in Canada – buy a 0.5% permethrin spray to treat your own clothes.
🌍 Get a comprehensive Packing List PDF 📋 sent right to your inbox ↯
However, commercially treated clothes tend to retain their repellent properties longer. For example, if you spray a pair of pants yourself, you can expect it to last about 6 washes.
Commercially treated clothing is still effective after 70 washes. The spray also has rules for application given that it is a pesticide.
In addition, it can cause health problems if too much of it is inhaled or gets on your skin. I’d recommend the commercially treated options. They work for mosquitoes and tsetse flies.
Also, when it comes to avoiding insect bites, be careful what colours of clothing you pack. Mosquitoes and tsetse flies are more likely to bite if you’re wearing bright colours or clothes that are black or navy.
Another note regarding avoiding insect bites. It may be hot where you’re going, but avoid taking only shorts. If the insects are bad enough, you might want to have some long pants.
9. Shampoo, Conditioner, Body, and Skin Care Bars
In the interest of saving space in your bag – remember, carry-on only – try switching to bar cleansers and conditioners. They’ve come a long way.
It can be tricky to avoid checking a bag when it comes to the liquid limits. If I’m packing for a 6-month trip, for example, a lot of my limit will be taken up with sunscreen and DEET mosquito repellent.
Since I can’t use anything with fragrance added, I try to bring what I’ll need with me. Bars really help me accomplish that.
Bars also last a lot longer than liquids, and the packaging is kinder to the environment. My favourite brand is Ethique, from New Zealand. They do offer shipping from the States, as well.
Along with a great selection of shampoo and conditioner bars, they have moisturizers, facial cleansing bars, and body wash bars.
I like them so much I use them at home, as well as when I travel.
✔️ Find this pack of travel size, soap-free Ethique bars, including shampoo, conditioner, and face cleaner and body butter on Amazon
10. Toothpaste Tablets
You might also consider toothpaste tablets. These have the same things going for them that the bars do, and they’re also kind to the environment.
If you’re not familiar with the concept, to use these tablets, put one in your mouth and bite it. Then brush with a wet toothbrush. It takes some getting used to, but it works!
✔️ Find this plastic free container of 100 toothpaste tablets on Amazon.
11. Laundry Strips
Another liquid alternative is laundry strips. They’re perfect for travelling, and again, I like them enough that I use them at home, too.
If you’ll be in Africa for longer than 10 days, and your goal is to NOT check a bag – and it should be – you’ll need to wash your things.
These strips are so convenient, for hand washing and laundromats. There are cheaper alternatives, but these ones remove dirt and stains better than the rest.
✔️ See these handy, fragrance-free laundry strips on Amazon.
12. A Nailbrush
Possibly the most boring addition to any list. But it’s a little crazy how much of that African soil will find its way under your nails.
On your list of things you need to travel to Africa, this should be at the top.
Dirty nails are always a bigger problem for me when I travel than it tends to be at home.
And whenever I don’t pack a nailbrush, I always find myself looking for one at every little shop I find. Not a great souvenir.
✔️ Find this great little wooden nailbrush on Amazon.
13. Something to do in your down-time
If you’re happy filling your time chatting and getting to know people, that’s great. But you’ll have time in the afternoons if you’re on safari, or when you’re travelling or winding down in the evenings.
Be sure to have something to read – an e-reader or tablets is great – some crossword puzzles, a journal… Something to fill the time. If you like, you can get my planner/bullet journal to keep you organized and help you remember the details:
I always bring a few snacks – candy, granola bars, or biltong. Just remember, if you’re in the bush, never store food in your tent or anywhere in camp that animals might be able to smell it. Let your guide know what you have so it can be stored with the rest of the food.
Things to Pack for Africa: Everything Else
This is your comprehensive packing list for Africa. You can also get this packing list in a pdf by clicking here.
• Your bag – Depending on what adventures you have planned, it could end up covered in dirt! Or tossed around, strapped to the top of vehicles. Or squashed under other luggage. Don’t use a bag you’ll worry about getting dirty or damaged. I use and recommend a sturdy, lightweight duffel.
• Packing cubes, if you’ve decided to give them a try. Having different coloured cubes, or doing something to differentiate, them makes it easier to find what you’re after. Compression cubes are great, but don’t let the weight of your bag get out of control.
• Reusable zip-top bags. A handful of small bags can come in handy for so many things. From left-over cookies to the 6 pairs of earrings I bought at a market.
Any time I haven’t packed some, I’ve ended up buying more, and am never able to find reusable ones in the stores.
• A sack or pillowcase for laundry. FYI, plastic grocery bags are banned in many parts of Africa. You’ll be fined if you’re seen with one.
• A pair of hiking shoes/trainers/hiking boots. Ideally just one of these. What to bring will depend on what sorts of activities you’ll be enjoying.
You might be doing a walking safari, or otherwise walking through the bush. You’ll want to have closed-toed shoes on for that. Be sure they’re well-broken in before you leave home.
• A wide-brimmed hat preferably, or cap. A hat will offer better protection for neck and ears. Non-negotiable for keeping the sun off. It’s good too, for keeping crazy hair contained while camping.
• hat clip to attach your hat to your shirt, so you don’t lose it when it blows off.
• Sunglasses and cord/chubs
• The 1L airline-approved plastic quart bag for your liquids. There’s a 3-1-1 rule in place here, for now.
• A case for your shampoo bars – Or two. I like ones that close up for travel, and also have a tray on the bottom so the bars aren’t sitting in water.
• Toilet paper. If you’ll be doing any camping out, especially, you’ll need to take your own toilet paper. Even if you aren’t, it’s a good idea to pack some. Eventually, you’ll need it.
Wiggle the cardboard centre out so you can squish it flat. If you’re in Africa for a while you’ll be able to buy single rolls there.
• Toothbrush, floss, lip balm. Consider toothpaste tablets. One less liquid for your bag.
• Nail clippers, tweezers, lip balm, hand lotion (skin can get dry in the heat).
• Hair clips, ties – you know what you need here.
• shaving supplies – men and women. Women might want to consider waxing before your trip.
• A toiletry bag for the little things. These could be the bars, hairbrush, toothbrush, etc.
• Earplugs, in case you have a noisy neighbour or need them for the plane.
• Sun protection and mosquito repellent, with DEET. You can’t find DEET in African pharmacies. Sunscreen can be bought here, but if there’s a particular type you need, best bring it with you.
• Deodorant – a stick or bar, to avoid liquids.
• Laundry strips. These work great and are uber-portable and convenient. An elastic clothesline, too.
• Any medications. This includes your malaria prevention. These often need to be started a couple of weeks before you leave. Advil, allergy medication, anti-itch cream, Pepto Bismol, Immodium, etc.
• A small first aid kit. Bandaids, alcohol swabs, tweezers for splinters or ticks, antibacterial ointment, gauze pads, and adhesive tape. Nothing sharp if it’s going in your carry-on. Remember TSA rules.
• Contact lenses. Consider using glasses for the trip – one less thing to worry about.
• Spare pair of glasses/contacts, if you have them.
• Period supplies. You will be able to find them at pharmacies, though tampons may take a longer search. Consider reusable products, like a menstrual cup, washable pads, or period underwear. However washing cups might not be practical if you’re camping.
• Zippered mesh pouches to corral all of the small stuff. These are the ones I have, and I love them.
• A rain jacket. Perfect for a cooler evening, for layering, and for rain. You don’t want to have to sit out a rainy day inside. One that can be folded up and worn like a daypack when not needed is great.
• One or 2 long-sleeve button-down shirts. They’re good to keep the sun off if you burn easily, and they work as a layer. They can look a bit dressier if necessary. Try a “washed linen” sort of finish, so you don’t have to worry about wrinkles.
• 2 pairs of shorts, or skirts if you’ll be in a place where more modest dress is required.
• 2 pairs of long pants if shorts won’t be appropriate. Jeans are fine, but they’re hard to hand-wash and slow to dry. Try some loose cotton or linen-y pants, or khakis if it’s cooler.
• 2 comfortable T-shirts.
• 5 pairs of underwear, 3 pairs of socks, if you’re a sock wearer. Women, 2 bras should be enough. Remember, you have laundry strips to wash things out.
Stick with cotton underwear, even over the antimicrobial fabrics. They breathe, they’re absorbent, and they’ll keep you comfortable and healthy.
• Your preferred sleepwear. It usually cools off at night – leave the satin nighty at home. Yoga pants can do double and triple duty.
• A universal sink plug. It’s surprising how many sinks in the world have no plug. You’ll need one if you want to wash your underwear.
• The best camera you can afford. A lot of the things you see will be once-in-a-lifetime sorts of things. You’ll want good photos as keepsakes. Take at least one extra battery. And more memory cards than you think you’ll need.
• A flashlight and headlamp. Rechargeables are great, as are high lumens when you’re in the bush.
• Binoculars, especially if you’ll be going on safari. I recommend a 10 x 42 x 60 pair, though any is better than none. Well worth the space they take up in your bag. Many wildlife sightings will be from a distance.
• a swimsuit
• Your phone, with the data you arranged here. An Airalo eSIM is a terrific way to go for cell and data.
• Earbuds. Wireless ones are great but can be easy to lose, so corded might be better. Your choice. Noise cancelling is a plus.
• A refillable water bottle. Collapsible ones are terrific. But if you tend to always have yours out, you don’t have to worry about packing it away. Bonus if it has a built in filter.
• A Grayl water purifier bottle for turning non-potable water into drinking water. They’re a great alternative to all those plastic water bottles and they don’t use chemicals.
Hiking Shoes for Africa
There are several important factors to consider when shopping for the best shoes for safari:
- Comfort: Choose shoes that fit well, have good arch support.
- Durability: Safaris can involve a lot of walking, and you need shoes that can withstand rough terrain. Just as importantly, you need soles thick enough to handle acacia thorns.
- Protection: If you’ll be hiking or taking safari walks, you’ll want to wear closed-toed shoes. Thorns, scorpions, and other nasties are common.
- Breathability: The African sun can be scorching, and you need shoes made with breathable materials.
- Water Resistance: Depending on the season, some safari destinations can be wet and muddy. Choose shoes that are water-resistant or waterproof to keep your feet dry and comfortable.
Travel tips to remember when you pack:
- keep your clothes to lightweight things that are easy to hand wash and that dry quickly. Pack light by packing less, and hand washing.
- be aware of cultural norms where you’re going. Zanzibar, for example, is more than 99% Muslim, and you’ll need to keep legs and shoulders covered. When you’re not on the beach, at least. Respect the culture. Always.
- leave your “good” clothes at home. You’re clothes are going to get dirty, and they may be hard to get entirely clean. It’s all part of the fun!
- try to bring multi-purpose items as much as possible. For example, a good pair of straight-leg yoga pants can be pyjamas or day-wear, and you can dress them up a bit to go out on the town.
- Also keep in mind that mosquitoes and tsetse flies are attracted to dark and bright colours. You want to blend in when on safari, too. For these reasons, earth tones like khaki and tan are your best bets.
- But leave the camo at home. In many African countries, wearing camouflage clothing is associated with military or paramilitary forces. It may be seen as disrespectful or provocative for a civilian to wear camo.
Pre-Planning Essentials for Your Trip to Africa
✓ Travel Insurance – Safety Wing Nomad Insurance is a great option. Easy to get and easy to use, their customer service is top-notch.
✓ Vehicle Rental – if you’ll need your own vehicle while you’re in Africa, Discover Cars has you covered, whatever type of vehicle you’re looking for.
✓ Park ‘N Fly – another worry out of the way. Pay for your airport parking, and get shuttled right to departures – all with a 15% discount.
✓ eSIM – cell phone use can be a huge concern when you’re travelling. Blow that anxiety out of the water with Airalo eSIM. Works in 190 countries, entirely online.
✓ Resources Page – browse our resources page for everything you need to cover your travel bases.
Packing for your trip to Africa is a great part of the anticipation of travelling. Unfortunately, it can also be really stressful when you’re not sure what to bring.
Especially if it’s your first time travelling to Africa, you may have no idea what you might need. As well, depending on where you’re going, you might not be sure what you’ll be able to pick up at your destination.
Now you have everything you need to have a great time in Africa!
(Wait – don’t forget some snacks for the flight and a refillable bottle of water. No sense in blowing your budget on a $10 banana and a disposable bottle of water at the airport!)
Happy travels!
You might also like:
• How to Plan a Trip to Africa: the Essential Guide
• Tips for Travelling Solo for the First Time
• Must-Have Travel Apps for Africa 2025
• Travel Resource Articles
