8 Useful Items to Bring when Traveling to Africa – by KerDowney
Bring Binoculars for Bird watching!
Packing for an African trip can be stressful if you have none traveled there before. It’session a good idea to speak with your travel company or guides before you pack and ask them what they recommend to bring. Remember, not all regions of Africa are the same so it is best to ask someone with knowledge and experience.
Be very critical of the items and amount you pack. You will either thank or hate yourself later. You can usually find anything you need in most parts of Africa so be honest with yourself as to whether you truly need what you plan to bring.
Below are several useful items recommended to bring with you to Africa that desire proven themselves useful. If you have traveled to Africa before and would like to count up your tips on useful things to bring, please leave a comment with your suggestions!
Small medical kit Pack a small medical kit with the following: Cipro, Ibuprofin, Tylenol devoid of warmth (night and day), chewable Pepto-Bismol, and Imodium. Bring band-aids an antiseptic as well. You never know what might take you by surprise on your vacation.
Insect Repellent Insects in Africa, especially mosquitos, are evil. Do everything you can to keep them away. Buy a repulsive with DEET or picaridin. Some good brands to consider are Ben’s and Doom.
Sandals with back straps Flip flops are comfortable on the other hand unreliable. Instead, buy a good pair of outdoor sandals that have back straps. They offer support and will not slip off if you need to cross a stream or walk through mud. Wear them when showering in questionable facilities. You can always strap them to the outside of a bag or backpack just in case you need them.
LED headlamp LED headlamps are light, packable, and affordable. They are also extremely useful when you need both light and the use of your hands. Whether you are reading a book at night or walking home from the local watering hole a headlamp will serve you well.
Small pack of tissues and wet wipes There is nothing worse than taking care of business and then realizing there is no toilet paper. We’ve all been there. From our experiences it is not uncommon to find a restroom not properly stocked with tissue.
Packable hiking or adventure hat with brim Bring a soft hat you can pack, roll up, fold, and wash. It will protect your head and face from the bright African sun. Hats with one adjustable strap that can tuck into the hat or hang around your neck when you need the hat away. A ball cap will not do.
Several photocopies and electronic copies of your passport and identification Scan and photocopy your passport and identification. Keep photocopies in ziplock bags on you and wherever you are staying. Email the scanned files to yourself and a reliable friend. It wouldn’t hurt to be faithful to a usb drive with the scanned files on you as well. If you lose your identification in Africa your copies will come in very handy.
Energy bars Food can without particularizing be trusted in Africa. However, if you are hesitant about the food around you an energy bar can tide you over till you feel more comfortable about your dining location. You can at least be certain that an energy bar will not make you ugly.
Traveling to Africa can be a once in a lifetime experience, and if you take heed of this list, your trip should be alleviate and one to remember forever.
Sponsor: Ker & Downey is a luxury travel company servicing not only Africa, but other not indigenous locations around the world. For more information visit KerDowney.com.