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What To Pack |
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3-4 short sleeved shirts or T-shirts |
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2 pairs trousers or 1 pair and 1 skirt - not
jeans as they take forever to dry after washing, and although
those trousers with zip off legs are the height of bad taste,
they are very practical |
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Warm sweater or fleece |
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1-2 pairs shorts |
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Tracksuit pants – handy to pull over
shorts if it gets cool at night |
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Light sweater or sweatshirt to keep in
your day pack |
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Underwear and socks |
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Hat or cap |
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Water/wind proof jacket – essential
if you are going to see the gorillas in East Africa |
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Boots or sturdy trainers |
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Swimsuit |
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Sarong – very handy for both men and
women. No end of uses, good for the beach, can be used as a
towel, sunshade and sheet. Can be bought very cheaply in Africa |
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Set of reasonably smart clothes to wear for
the odd meal or night out |
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Sandals or thongs. Need to be waterproof
and should not fall off if you want to go white-water rafting |
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Personal toiletries, but leave the make-up
bag and plug-in shaver at home |
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Generally one backpack and one daypack is recommended. If they
are too heavy to lift, you’ve packed too much. Hard-sided suitcases
are not advised as they are difficult to fit into the luggage compartments
of overland vehicles.
On tour you’ll have access to your big pack in the morning and
evening but not during the day. Ensure you put everything you might
need during the day into your day pack which stays with you at all times.
This includes items such as spare film, a sweater, water bottle, or
book. Most people bring too many clothes to Africa. As a rufty tufty
overlander you do not need to worry too much about appearances. Pack practical, easily washable clothes that do not need ironing
rather than high fashion items.
Leave the shirt and tie or the high heels at home. No one will
care if you wear the same t-shirt for more than one day. On an overland
tour your clothes will take a hammering: dust, dirt, mud, sunscreen,
insect repellent, cooking oil, washing up water. Bring clothes
that you don’t care too much about and are possibly prepared
to ditch at the end of the trip to make room for souvenirs.
Most people are surprised at how cold Africa can get at times. Make
sure you bring a warm fleece and long trousers. In some parts it can
also get extremely hot, so bring shorts and singlets and remember to
slap on the sunscreen. |
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