What to Pack

A lion eating the carcass of an elephant that died of natural causes in Botswana
Photo by Venise Grossmann

Clothes
*optional

Three changes of clothing are fine, but this is what I bring:

6 t-shirts (2 brown, 2 green, 2 light brown)
1 brown tank
1 long sleeved lightweight travel shirt
Dress shirts (safari vest, dress brown)
1 pair of jeans (for the cities)
Brown cargo pants
Green cargo pants
Khaki cargo pants
Water sports shorts
1 wrap around beach skirt (African print)
Sleepwear
Water proof jacket
Underwear-6
Bras-3
Socks (hiking) 3
Brown fleece
Bathing suit
Hat (with a string)
Head scarf

Shoes

Sports sandals
Hiking boots

Accessories

African necklace

Toiletries

2 gallon plastic bags for packing
Razers
Pantiliners
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Dental floss
Ear swabs
Camping towel
Suntan lotion SPF50
Deet-3 containers
Clothes line
Blow dryer (for use in cities)
Make-up with sunscreen
Wet naps--3
Chapstick
Face sunscreen
Body lotion
Scissors
Mirror
Shampoo
Conditioner
Deodorant
Mousse or hair gel
Nail clippers
Tweezers
Alarm clock
Stuff sack
Laundry bag
Detergent

Camera equipment

L.L.Bean small slouch bag
Regular camera bag
Camera
Back up camera
Compact flash cards
2 lenses (2.8 Canon 300mm lens  and wide lens Canon 17-40 4.0)
Flash
Polarizer filter
Tripod
Wolverine Mini drive to back up files
Video Camera, microphone, and neck brace
Waterproof bag for camera (for canoe)
Waterproof bag for video
Video tapes

Medicine

Multi Vitamins
Calcium
Fish oil capsules
Aspirin
Personal medications
Ibuprofen
Sleeping pills for jet lag
Tums
Cold medicine—Day and Night
Antibiotic cream
Anti-itch cream
Immodium
Antibiotic (Ciprofloxacin)
Dramamine
Malaria pills
Bandaids/moleskin
Throat lozengers
Thermometer

Camping equipment

Travel Iron*
Adapter (3 flat pins 240 AC)
Camping pillow
Headlamp
Batteries--AAA
Umbrella
Rain poncho
Small flashlight
ThermaRest Air mattress
Sleeping bag

Knapsack

Inflatable pillow for plane
Watch
Pens
Mints
Eye glasses
Sunglasses/sports strap
Tissues
Wipes—travel size
Journal—journalism notebooks
One book per week of travel
Guide books*
Binoculars*
Cell phone and charger*
Lock for locker or string
Cereal bars

Money belt

Credit cards
Credit card numbers/Number to call to cancel
Cash in small denominations (no larger than $20)
Phone card: www.minutepass.com
International connection codes

Paperwork (Make 2 copies)

Passport
Visa
Airline tickets
License and insurance for rental car
Yellow fever card (if necessary)
Copy of trip documents
E-mail addresses (Print copy)
Travel insurance
Directions from airports
Map
Business cards

Luggage

(Duffel or rolling)
44 pounds--29 x 20 x 10 approx.
(Mine is 29 x 15 x 14)

To Do Before Departure

Make a distribution list on home e-mail
Call credit card companies to let them know you will be using your cards overseas
Check credit card pins
Pay bills early
Stop mail or arrange for pickup
Stop newspapers (or use online versions like I do)
Set up Out of Office reply for e-mail
Take cash in small bills—nothing over a $20 denomination
Tip for guide
Register frequent flyer miles
Buy Travel insurance
Get vaccines and malaria pills
Get required visas
International driver’s license*