Underwear – Bring whatever your heart desires for this one. At the end of the day, once your clothing will have been dried under the sun, it’ll all be crunchy anyway. ALSO, socks… bring a pair or two.
Bras – One nice bra and some sports bras. I’m more of a comfy-cute kinda girl but it’s always nice to have options when you need a little pick me up, if you catch my drift.
Swimsuit – Why not bring one? You never know if you’ll end up in Lake Victoria, the Indian ocean or some insanely nice resort pool.
Hat – This is always nice for when you don’t want to style your ratty hair and/or want sun protection.
Shoes:
Depending on your length of stay, you might over-pack in the shoe department. As comfy as it is, I think there is always a way to “de-tourist” yourself by staying away from the sneakers and maxi skirt look. Here are some options:
Cute yet Sturdy Sandals – For me, these were my go-to’s on regular days. For some, this may look like a pair of Chacos while for others this may be strong broken-in leather Rainbows.
Well-supported Tennis Shoes – Of course you’ll want to explore East Africa’s glorious nature and if you don’t bring your best sneaks, you’ll regret it.
Fashionable Sandals – For those days when you wanna be super chic or just want to dress up a casual outfit.
Toiletries:
This section was the hardest part for me on my first couple trips. Sometimes, I learned the hard way which meant that toiletries slowly became a luxury. Read these next tips so you’re prepared for the curve balls.
Conditioner – If you’re staying for more than a couple weeks, make sure to stock up on conditioner because it’s hard to come by if you’re not in the big cities.
Shampoo – I don’t wash my hair every day but shampoo is easy to find and shouldn’t be your biggest worry.
Soap or Body Wash – Can be purchased, I mean we’re all humans that need a cleanin’ aren’t we?
Lotion – To keep yourself from drying out.
Toothbrush/Paste – Easily Accessible
Deodorant – Not hard to come but if you’re loyal to the fruity/masculine smells found in American grocery stores you may want to stock up beforehand.
Perfume/Body Spray – A BIG one for those girls who don’t mind missing out on a shower but still want to smell nice. I forgot this one during my 6-month stay and was craving to smell flowery!
Razor – Some East Africans are astounded that Westerners shave in the way they do, as many in more rural places don’t partake in it as much. Some may marvel at your body hair or lack of. It can definitely be bought while in cities but I always brought some just for initial use.
Hair Brush & Accessories – Headbands and hair ties are always important things to bring to keep your hair off your sweaty neck. For people staying longer, I found it was always nice to have a little of home and bring a straightener or curler but keep in mind if electricity isn’t there… you may only finish one side of your hair (yes, that happened).
Feminine Products – Personally, I had a hard time finding tampons in more rural cities but they can be bought in the large cities. Pads are available in most cities.
Prescriptions – For the first time traveler to East Africa, malaria medication is a must, especially since our immune systems are super overwhelmed by the introduction to new environments. Surprisingly, when I stayed for a longer period of time I found that most expats don’t take it regularly because of the damage that long-term use can cause but also because treatment is fairly cheap. I would definitely suggest taking it for a week or two upon arrival but look more into your area of travel to better understand your risk. BIG ADVICE: If you can, I would suggest buying malaria meds when in Africa because it is significantly cheaper!
Additionally, bringing some kind of ciprofloxacin (cipro) for stomach bugs, traveler’s diarrhea and other material infections. It’s a pretty strong antibiotic that can, from my experience, attack many things! With antibiotic use, you’ll also want to consider bringing a probiotic to “reverse” the antibiotic effects.
Bug Spray – Bugs and Mosquitos will piss you off. Mosquito repellant is the best combat to fight those little suckers away and may save you a trip to a clinic.
Towel – Bring personal towels for your trip. I would recommend something lightweight for drying purposes and to maximize your bag’s capacity!
Sunscreen – No, you are not invincible from the African Equatorial sun! See below:
