checklist:Safari packing
• Toiletries (NB all less than 100mls), packed inside a re-sealable transparent bag for customs (and in case anything leaks). Squeezy silicone travel tubes work a treat and are re-fillable.
• Decant vitamins or supplements into holders plus any other vital medication, including malaria tablets and all tummy remedies. Don’t exceed 10g codeine, ever. It’s safest to carry scripts for painkillers etc. Check with airline if in doubt.
• Core spare change of clothes should always include two tops, a dress (Poetry’s reversible ones are a winner!), culottes and/or zip-off pants for safaris. Culottes can be dressed up or down, worn with walking shoes or sandals. Great for keeping mosquitoes away on a hot night.
• Choose the one pair of shoes you can’t live without, and good walking shoes with long socks for long grass.
• Spare underwear for 3 days (ever tried replacing these in a hurry in a foreign city or island curio shop/street market?!).
• Sunscreen: always have a tiny one in your handbag that you can reapply while you’re on the go - put the large one in a waterproof bag in the hold.
• Swimming costumes always go in hand luggage. And if you’re headed for an island, keep a kikoi or wrap with you too - doubles as a skirt if your luggage doesn’t turn up.
• Find a hat that’s gorgeous yet crushable and preferably UV-resistant: these are expensive and often hard to find.
• Scarf: silk is best. Flights often get cold, so pack at least one in your handbag, along with a puffer jacket.
• Buff: great for dust and protects your neck from sunburn.
• Refillable water bottle with a climbing carabiner to attach to a day pack, if needed.
• Eco-friendly mosquito repellent (even if the lodge supplies it).
• If going on safari in winter pack warm jerseys, scarf, beanie and gloves
• Always take a windbreaker / puffer jacket
• Wedding? Pack the gift, the whole outfit (including shoes) in your hand luggage. Not negotiable.
And finally, a last-minute handbag / cabin bag list:
• Mobile phone, camera, all cords, power bank, chargers, international travel adaptors, bag locks, cable ties.
• Passport, travel insurance, wallet (make sure someone has scans of the passport and cards in case they get lost)
• Vaccine passport, masks, small refillable sanitizer spray.
• Any prescription meds, including malaria meds if your Dr has prescribed these.
• Sunglasses and prescription glasses.
• Noise-cancelling headphones and Kindle.
• Make up: keep it all with you.
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss.
• • Hairbrush (those fold-up brushes with a mirror in the handle are genius).
• • A pair of sock liners for temples or homes where shoes are left outside.
Now you should be good to go!
