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An Easy, Fashionable Africa Packing List

04/03/2022 by Kristin Addis 21 Comments

“What in the world do people pack when they go to Africa? Where do I start? What is essential and what should I leave behind on my Africa packing list?”

This was my question before I went to Africa for the first time, heading to South Africa with a backpack full of denim shorts and tank tops, kind of clueless about what was and wasn’t cool to wear there.

It turned out that in most of Southern Africa, people dressed just like where I’m from in California – it’s all about fashion, feeling comfortable, and keeping it laid back.

In Africa, you’ll see all kinds of interesting fashion decisions. I have to laugh to myself a little bit each time I travel there and see foreigners like me decked out head to toe in beige and olive green safari gear. They’ve got the vests, the hats, and the pants that zip off at the knee.

Honestly, what do they think they’re going to need that for? You’re not even allowed to get out of the safari vehicles when in the wildlife areas, because of, you know, lions, hippos, and buffalo.

africa packing list
Safari shorts? Check. ‘Nocs? Check (Post-safari near the lodge in the Serengeti)

While you can most certainly make the safari chic work for you by opting for the more stylish and modern cousins of the original, it’s also totally fine to go for the same cute clothes you’d wear at home, while keeping a few general rules in mind:

  • Don’t bring anything that is expensive or that you really love. That tends to be the general rule I employ for traveling anywhere. You might lose some, stain some in that red African dirt, and the tough washboard-and-scrub washing methods are going to age them quickly.
  • Keep modesty in mind, especially in parts of East Africa, like Tanzania and Zanzibar, and in Morocco and the surroundings where it’s a Muslim majority.
  • Bring some cute and nice-looking clothing, but above all, keep practicality in mind.
  • Quick- drying clothing is your friend, because the rainy season in Africa is for real.

My Africa Packing List:

africa packing list
  • 4-5 tank tops (click here for the ‘chubby unicorns need <3 too’ tank for $10)
  • 2-3 lightweight shirts that cover upper arms and shoulders (I love this simple one). More if you’re traveling in conservative places.
  • Sandals or flip flops (these leather ones are cute and comfy)
  • Hiking boots (if you plan on hiking or gorilla trekking):
africa packing list
Hiking boots are a must for trekking in the jungle (photo from Uganda)
  • 1 pair of comfortable everyday shoes (I brought stylish boots but sneakers could also work)
  • Several pairs of socks
  • 1 lightweight dress or long skirt:
africa packing list
My long, lightweight skirt
  • At least a week’s worth of undies, or more
  • At least one sports bra and one regular bra
  • 1 lightweight rain jacket (or a heavier jacket if you’ll be spending time in the mountains and trekking)
africa packing list
Wearing my rain jacket in Tanzania
  • Several pairs of lightweight pants – harem pants and trekking pants or yoga pants
  • 2-3 pairs of shorts
  • 1-2 bathing suits
africa packing list
Hanging out in the safari shorts and a beandau top on the Tanzanian coast
  • 1 hat to cover your face from the sun (I love this embroidered hat)

I got custom shoes and these adorable shorts for way less than I would have at home.

Other Africa packing list essentials: bags, toiletries, camping equipment

africa packing list
My trusty Africa backpack

Each time I travel to Africa, I tend to bring my PacSafe Venturesafe Exp55 with me. It’s lined with Exomesh which makes it slash-proof, the zippers lock, and it has RFID-blocking technology so that theives can’t ‘bump into’ me and scan my credit card and passport info. Some airports like the one in Johannesburg are not as trustworthy with checked luggage, so this bag assures that thieves can’t get to any of your valuables.

I also bring along a smaller cross-body purse and wallet that has space for multiple currencies. They both have the exomesh, RFID-blockers, and strong zippers as well.

africa packing list
With the purse in Tanzania

I make myself the least attractive target that way.

I also lock up my belongings in my Pacsafe wire mesh bag protector. Unless your room has a safe, use this to lock your things up. It’s very common to have money or items stolen in Africa. Sadly, it’s often pressure from local mobsters on the people working in the hotels, or desperation given how low the wages are in most of Africa.

More Africa packing list essentials:

There are a few more absolute essentials that you should bring from home that you will struggle to find in Africa, with the exception of South Africa and major cities like Nairobi, Kigali, and Lusaka:

  • Sunscreen
  • Venus razors
  • floss
  • hair products
  • face wash

If you’re camping, I highly recommend the following:

  • MSR tent meant for heavy wind and rain and has a footprint
  • headlamp
  • light, blow up sleeping mat
  • light sleeping bag
  • Bonus: I was really happy I brought my hammock

Insurance, immunizations, and meds:

Travel insurance is an important addition to this packing list because it covers you in the worst case scenario, which is being flown to a country where you can get the proper care you need. I use World Nomads since their explorer option also covers adventurous activities like hiking and scuba diving.

You might not expect to find that in major cities in Africa, like Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg, Kigali, Kampala, Nairobi, and surely plenty of others, immunizations and anti-malarial pills are way cheaper and often don’t require a prescription. I always buy my anti-malarial meds on the ground (though it’s important to take them before you will be exposed, so plan ahead).

africa packing list
Wearing lace shorts made from a local designer in Cape Town

Keep in mind, Africa is huge, and this list is for those traveling through the southern and eastern countries with some suggestions for the far north as well.

If you’re just sticking to South Africa, modesty isn’t a big concern and staples like hair products and sunscreen are easy to replace, but as you head more north and east, expect things to be a lot more lean and basic. You may be shocked at how difficult it is to find things that are totally common back home. Plan ahead and you’ll have a blast!

Enjoy the beautiful adventure in comfort and style, and not in head-to-toe beige safari gear!

*Some of these links are affiliate links and BMTM sponsors. Anything you purchase helps to support this site at absolutely no additional cost to you. Much love! 

Read Next:

How to Book an Affordable Serengeti Safari

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About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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Comments

  1. Nina says

    04/04/2017 at 5:10 am

    Everything on this list is SO cute. I’m so not with it when it comes to packing right. haha. I ALWAYS pack 50% OK stuff and the other half is “wtf was I thinking.” I’m getting better though! I really like to safari shorts for anytime actually! And all the unicorn things… I need unicorn things! haha. I wish I was a hat person but my hair is too big. lol. Thanks for this info, Kristin!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      04/05/2017 at 12:25 am

      I used to pack pretty badly too but I’m getting a lot better now. Lots of trial and error! I love hats because that African sun is intense!

      Reply
  2. lisa says

    07/10/2017 at 9:28 am

    Hi Kristin,
    Thanks as always for the amazing posts.
    Did you use the same Ariat hiking boots in Kyrgystan?
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      07/11/2017 at 3:57 am

      I did not, I used another pair I have from Quechua and they’re not as nice. Lesson learned.

      Reply
  3. Danielle says

    09/12/2017 at 6:31 am

    Hi Kristin,
    Saw this post and guess what, I’m currently in Cape Town and want to do a little shopping? Where would you recommend?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/12/2017 at 11:36 am

      I found some awesome boutiques with stuff made by local designers on Long Street and in Woodstock. Check out the Neighbourhood Goods Market on Saturdays too. Have fun!

      Reply
  4. Gina Redden says

    10/09/2017 at 3:32 pm

    Hi Kristin, I’m planning to spend some time in east Africa alone next year – an overland trek, some time in Kigali and maybe Tanzania and a couple of days in Nairobi. This is the part I’m worried about. I’d like to go to the David Sheldrick wildlife trust and maybe a few other places and I want to stay somewhere inexpensive. Are hostels a safe place to stay in Nairobi for a single woman traveler? I think you mentioned them but they sound a bit sketchy….probably the stereotypical Nairobi fear that you spoke of. Where do you stay in Nairobi if just for a few days.
    Thank you,
    Gina

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      10/10/2017 at 2:25 am

      I haven’t actually been to Nairobi but have been to other big cities in the area like Dar es Salaam, Moshi, Arusha, Kigali, and Kampala. I would just only walk during the day, and take cabs longer distances or at night. Ask at your hostel where is safe to go and where isn’t. Most hostels are locked with guards and plenty of other travelers, so I’ve felt OK in them. Have fun!

      Reply
  5. Turid from Norway says

    08/16/2018 at 3:50 pm

    Hi. I’m planning on a three months trip whatever I have time for of Malawi, Mosambik, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. I consider going alone as a female 27 years old and will use my experience of solo travels through south east asia and tanzania with a girl friend of mine. I want to travel with hand luggage, but I guess that is not a good idea if I will have to cary a bunch of sun screen to some places!? I am typical scandinavian with light skin and blonde hair. Also I wonder what is the easiest way to get from country to country? Where should I begin my trip? Thank you 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      08/16/2018 at 9:12 pm

      Sunscreen is a good idea, especially since it’s hard to find once you reach East Africa, apart from in big cities. You could just bring several small bottles. As much as I hate suggesting so many small plastic items, it’ll help you go carry on only. It makes sense to fly into South Africa and go through Namibia to Botswana and work your way up and east. Local buses really suck, but they work. You can also sometimes take trains and long distance buses, or join an overland tour.

      Reply
  6. Martin says

    02/11/2019 at 4:10 pm

    This packing list is helpful. I am off for Cape Town in April. Thanks

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      02/11/2019 at 5:36 pm

      Have fun!

      Reply
  7. Laura says

    03/07/2019 at 12:19 pm

    What did you pack for an adapter so you could use hair tools? I would like to bring a curling iron or straightener but most adapters I see say not to use hair tools with them!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      03/13/2019 at 11:59 am

      I don’t own any curling irons or straighteners! Sorry I can’t help more.

      Reply
  8. tahira says

    04/25/2019 at 2:47 am

    HI Kristin

    thank you for writing everything in detail. I checked overland tours from Kenya to Tanzania nd they are super expensive, starting g from 1500 USD. Flight is even more expensive. I am travelinging solo, what will be the best way to travel between Zanzibar, Tanzania and Kenya?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      05/01/2019 at 6:34 pm

      Not sure how many days that is but if you’re solo that might be the best way to go – something like an Acacia Africa or G adventures is the cheapest. Otherwise you can do public transport but I have to warn you it’s rough in that part of the world. Overcrowded vans with bald tires and massive delays constantly.

      Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    11/09/2020 at 1:08 pm

    Great review…I must say however that, I am from East Africa and the part that says, “. It’s very common to have money or items stolen in Africa” is just ??we are good people….expect normal people with diverse and interesting cultures, just like anywhere in the world… You’re welcome to Nairobi, Kenya.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      11/14/2020 at 8:59 am

      I know you’re good people! I definitely don’t want to suggest otherwise. I just want people to know that in some parts, things do get stolen from rooms and to avoid issues by keeping things locked up.

      Reply
  10. Annon says

    02/19/2021 at 3:40 pm

    All of the other travel sites I have looked at said that you should NOT pack tank tops or shorts because Africa is a very conservative country and it’s considered very disrespectful. Did you not find that to be the case? I was trying to figure out how to dress cute (and weather appropriate) without showing any shoulders or knees!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      02/21/2021 at 10:16 am

      Africa is a continent so it really depends on which country you’re going to. Modesty was not a big concern in the southern part of the continent but in the northern part it sure would be.

      Reply

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