What do you pack on a trip to Africa? What are your travel essentials for a trip to Africa? Here I will cover what to pack for a trip to Africa for anyone visiting. These packing lists will help you enjoy the trip. Also, you can read the best travel tips you’d need and travel apps to make your trip seamless.
Leaving your region for another place isn’t always easy. As a result, you will often ask if you’re packing the right things for the trip.
I always feel giddy and excited when I see people adding African countries to their vacation lists. So often, Africans are always leaving the continent for holidays. So, it’s exciting to see foreigners coming to our region.
If you’re a foreigner looking to visit Africa, be sure that you will have a warm welcome. From experience, Africans are welcoming and would always strive to ensure that you have an enjoyable stay. Also, check out the best places to visit in Africa and fun things to do while you plan your itinerary.
What to pack for a trip on your visit to Africa
Packing for an Africa trip is easy. But there are some essentials that you must never forget. It helps to make your stay easier and more bearable.
I’d like to share some things you must have when packing for a trip to Africa.
I know you’re curious to know what they are. So, I wouldn’t keep you waiting. They are:
Skincare product
Africa is a hot climate region, and your skin may not be used to such weather conditions. So, you should have your skincare products when packing for a trip to Africa.
Even if you’re an African going to another African country, you should remember your skincare products. I always ensure that I have my sunscreen with me at all times.
Some of the fun activities to do in Africa are usually outdoor activities. From hiking to visiting the beach, kayaking, etc. All these would require being outside, and I’m not particularly eager to joke with my skin. So, my sunscreen would always come in handy.
If you have other skincare products that you always use, ensure that you also take them along.
Powerbank
As a tourist, I expect that you’d only sometimes be indoors. You would ideally be exploring various places and might only be indoors when it’s time to sleep. You need a backup plan to help power your devices. So, one of the most important of what to pack for a trip to Africa is a power bank.
Therefore, you should carry your power bank when packing for a trip to Africa. It is portable, and you can use it anywhere. Also, it may be that there isn’t constant electricity in the area you are visiting. And you would want to avoid a situation where your device’s battery is down.
All you need to do is to ensure that you have a sling bag that can always contain this power bank.
Light clothing
When visiting a new region, it is always best to consider the weather conditions. Therefore, I cannot advise anyone to take along heavy clothing when packing for a trip to Africa.
Yes, the climate might be cold in places like Kenya. Still, it doesn’t mean that you should carry heavy clothing as it could sometimes get hot.
It is best to pack light clothing when visiting Africa. For example, jeans, a polo, or a sleeveless dress. This is because the wealth here is quite hot. So, you need loose-fitting or basic clothes for your visit. Also, check out my blog post travel clothes for women to shop for your trip.
Click here to buy a maxi dress
Insect repellant
I love how much the world has advanced lately. We now have repellants that one can spray on the body without any adverse effects. These repellants help to keep away insects and ensure that nothing leaves a mark on your body.
So, having one of these repellants on your trip to Africa is best. The region tends to have insects, and I know you wouldn’t want these bite marks on your body.
The last time I traveled without my handy repellants, I had to deal with itches for most of my trip, making me uncomfortable.
Painkillers
Oh, how much I love Africa! However, the scorching sun is something that I only sometimes enjoy. Sometimes I sit outside and try to soak in the sun. Other times, it burns so much and becomes unbearable.
And it could get so hot that you’d begin to have a headache. So, it would be best if you also had painkillers when you pack for a trip to Africa. Asides from the headache you get from the sun, you can also experience body pains. It comes when you visit various places and experience fatigue.
Would you rather the tiredness hold you down and prevent you from having fun? So, your list of what to pack for a trip to Africa is incomplete without painkillers.
Camera
It should be a no-brainer that you have to carry along a camera when visiting a new place. However, let this be your reminder if you have forgotten.
How can you even think of visiting without your camera? You will regret it if you do, as there are many things to do in Africa and beautiful places to explore. You would want to capture memories, and your camera makes that possible.
It is also best to have a memory card on your camera, so you do not run out of space. In addition, the memories will remind you of the time you visited Africa and make you want a return visit. Below I will be linking the camera I use for blogging, Canon E550D. I love it because it is easy to use even for an amateur.
Accessories for your head: Scarves, hats, face caps
Again, let us remind you that there is a high tendency for the weather to get hot while you’re in Africa. So it may be hotter than what you’re used to in your region.
Thus, it would be handy to have headgear when packing for a trip to Africa. It could be a face cap or hat. What matters is that it protects your head and protects you from the scorching sun.
In addition, if you’re looking for something to help you out during a bad hair day, the headgear will protect you. I can’t even imagine traveling without headgear. So why should anyone do that?
Sunglasses
It’s cool when people wear sunglasses. Sometimes, you’d notice that you took a super cool picture, but your eyes refused to cooperate in the picture. In such a case, your sunshade would cover the eyes, and your image would be perfect.
You may say that I’m biased because I love sunglasses. However, it is common knowledge that one looks badass when wearing sunglasses. Also, you would want to protect your eyes from the hot African sun.
If you do not have sunglasses, this should be your cue to get one. Your African traveling bag is only complete with sunglasses.
Toiletries
You can only sometimes depend on your accommodation facility for your toiletries. These are essential items you must have when traveling to any place, and Africa is no exception. You want to avoid a situation where you’d be stranded when you need toiletry.
Your soap is something you should remember. There are high chances that you have a specific soap you use, and you might not get it in the region you’re visiting. Amongst essential toiletries, I suggest that you pack wet wipes when traveling. It makes stain removal easier and faster.
You shouldn’t see toiletries as something hard to pack when traveling.
Passport
See, your passport should be the first thing you pack when planning a trip to Africa. It is what admits you to new regions as the immigration authorities would need to sign and stamp on your passport. You can only leave your area for an international country if you have a passport.
So, if you’re packing for a trip to Africa, you should have your passport. If it has expired, you should go and renew it. It is a vital document for anyone who engages in international travel.
Africa is a fun place to visit with so many fun things to do. With this list of what to pack for a trip to Africa, your visit will be seamless. Below is a miscellaneous list of what to pack for a trip to Africa:
- Yellow Fever Vaccine card: Yellow fever is common in some parts of Africa. So, you need to protect yourself from contracting this ailment. So, a yellow fever vaccine card is a must when making a list of what to pack for a trip to Africa.
- Visa: You can travel to Visa-Free countries in Africa depending on your country while you may need a visa to visit too. Check with immigration.
- Another thing to add to your list of what to pack for a trip to Africa is a pair of sneakers. You may want to explore hiking on your visit, this will come in handy. Africa has so many fun mountains and hills you can visit. So, you’d definitely need hiking shoes.
Travel resources you need to travel to Africa.
- Travel insurance: Get your insurance ready from Insubuy
- Flight tickets: Book cheap flight tickets from Trip.com
3. Book your stay in any hotel of your choice. Get the best deal with Trivago.
4. Opt for hotel alternatives by booking your stay in a hostel. Network and have a fun trip by booking a hostel using hostelworld.
5. Solo traveler? I have you covered. Plan your trip with the best tour group for a fun-filled time in Africa. Book your tour using GetYourGuide. You can get a tour for as low as $30.
Have a fun trip to Africa. Don’t forget to follow this list of what to pack for a trip to Africa. Feel free to comment below.