Here is my packing list for the volunteer trip to Tanzania - everything I'll need for a 2 week volunteer experience. Half of our time will be spent in volunteer placements and we've been asked to adhere to a conservative dress code - below-the-knee skirts and covered shoulders (no tank tops, shorts or pants). That makes it tricky to pack lightly - or as lightly as I'd like (I hate lugging). We will need casual wear for after placement and when we go into the village, and neutrals for our safari weekend.
November is the short rainy season with hot, humid temperatures, but cooler nights out on the land.
I am listing every item that (right now) is slotted for packing. I may pare it down when it comes to stuffing it into the suitcase. But for now it is stacked neatly in a laundry basket.
When I return I will let you know how it all worked out. I'll find out if I packed the right stuff.
In my large sized rolling duffel:
- 8 tee shirts
- 4 short sleeved collared tops (polo + blouses)
- 4 sleeveless (polo, tanks for sleeping in/lounging)
- 3 skirts (placement with 1 doubling for dressier option)
- 2 pair of capris (black, khaki)
- 1 pair of cargo pants (safari)
- 1 crop khaki pants
- 1 cotton PJ capris (sleepwear)
- 2 long sleeved shirt (khaki for safari, light cotton as cover up)
- 2 long sleeved tee shirts (doubles for sleepwear)
- 1 light cotton cardigan (bring to placement)
- 1 lighter sweatshirt hoodie (chilly evenings)
- 1 sleeveless jersey dress to keep cool when lounging at home base
- rain poncho (it is rainy season!)
- 1 pair of wool socks/ 2 pairs of low cotton socks
- flip flops
- TOMS slip on shoes
- pair of black flats
- bathing suit (debatable)
- linen scarf
- belt
- bandanna (helps keep dust out of your mouth and hair back)
- wide brimmed hat
- 8 underwear / extra bra
- toiletries
- zoom lens
- headlamp
- water bottle
- compact fold up duffle bag (weekender for safari)
- extra sunglasses (cause I lose them - guaranteed)
- power adapter/converter
- micro towel / facecloth
In my sling bag:
- netbook
- journal
- book
- money and credit cards
- reading glasses
- hairbrush
- sunglasses
- ziplock bag:1 underwear, volunteer tee, socks, toothbrush (luggage gets lost!)
- pen
- DSLR camera
- bag of cords for electronics
- passport/yellow fever immunization card
- volunteer handbook
- med kit (anti malaria/diarrhea medications, lip balm SPF15)
- phone
- tickets and insurance paperwork
- wet wipes / tissue
- ear buds
I am wearing:
- hiking shoes + socks
- loose cargo pants
- t-shirt
- thick heavy hoodie (for cool safari nights too)
Packing List for Kenya 2010 - Keeping it Light!
I am listing every item that I am packing, and when I return I will let you know how it all worked out. I'll find out if I packed enough, and the right stuff. We were asked to pack lightly as we would be taking some intra-country flights on small planes which cannot accommodate large, hard sided luggage.
In my medium sized duffel:
- 4 tee shirts
- 1 pair of capris
- 1 pair of cargo pants
- 1 sweat suit (for sleeping in)
- 1 long sleeved shirt
- 1 long sleeved black dry fit shirt
- 1 polar fleece pull over
- raincoat
- 1 pair of wool socks/ 2 pairs of low cotton socks
- flip flops
- TOMS slip on shoes
- pair of dressier flats
- linen scarf
- bandanna
- wide brimmed hat
- 4 underwear
- toiletries
- DSLR Camera and zoom lens
- white cotton pullover sweater
- headlamp
- water bottle
In my messenger bag:
- netbook
- journal
- book
- money and credit cards
- reading glasses
- hairbrush
- sunglasses
- ziplock bag with pair of underwear, clean t shirt and socks
- pen
- digital camera
- bag of cords for electronics
- passport/yellow fever immunization card
- med kit and anti malaria and diarrhea medications
- Blackberry
- tickets and insurance paperwork
I am wearing:
- hiking shoes + socks
- cargo/capri pants
- t-shirt
- hoody
Now that I am back I would have made the following changes:
- forgot to bring sunscreen/moisturizer for my lips (Burt's Beeswax lip balm)
- would bring an extra pair of sunglasses (cause I went through 3 pair)
- gets cold at night so an extra long sleeved t shirt would be handy
- linen scarf came in really handy for warmth and for dressing up the tshirts for dinner
- the Ginger Gravol came in handy for sharing with the other guests ... car rides were a little "unsettling" for some
