What to Pack for a Holiday to Zambia

What to pack for a safari holiday to Zambia

No matter where you go on holiday it’s important to spend some time thinking about what items you need to pack and not just stuff a load of clothes and toiletries into a bag. This is no different when visiting Zambia, especially if you will be going on safari.

Here’s a list of what to pack. Scroll down for more info!

Packing checklist:

• Clothes in neutral colours
• Long-sleeved shirts that offer protection from the sun and mosquitoes
• T-shirts
• Shorts
• Jeans or safari trousers for an evening and cooler days
• Jackets and sweaters for early morning and evening game drives
• A lightweight waterproof jacket
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Swimwear – many lodges have a pool where you can cool off. Also, you may want to jump into Devils Pool, Victoria Falls, or do some white-water rafting.

Accessories and electronics to pack:

• Camera
• Extra storage cards
• Additional lenses
• Binoculars
• Flashlight/head torch
• Bird book
• A lightweight day bag – for day trips
• Travel adapter plug – Electric Power is 230V running at 50Hz. The plug type used is a three pinned, rectangular blade plug.
• A power back or solar-powered phone charger – power blackouts are quite common. So be prepared!
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• A hat
• Insect repellent
• Anti-histamine cream and tablets
• Glasses – if you wear contact lenses bring a pair of glasses as well as dust can be a problem
• Anti-malarial tablets – consult your doctor

More advice on what you need to pack for a holiday to Zambia.

Throughout the year, Zambia is hot. With average temperatures of 25°C/77°F and highs of 40°C/104°F in September and October. Zambia has two seasons: a dry season and a wet season. The rains tend to start in November and continue through to March. During this period, you will certainly want to bring a raincoat. Although, temperatures are still high and you will dry off quickly.

With the climate in mind, comfortable and casual clothing is recommended. During the day, it is hot so our advice is to pack lightweight loose-fitting clothes in natural fabrics such as linen and cotton that will keep you cool. As you will be under the beating sun, it is advisable to wear long trousers and long-sleeved tops to cover your skin from the strong sun. By wearing long sleeves, you can just roll them up if you want to catch some sun.

The temperature does drop in the evening so you will want to pack a lightweight jacket or fleece to keep the chill off. Furthermore, May, June, July and August are chilly months, particularly during June and July. The average morning temperature is 10°C/50°F. So, if you’re outside during the evenings and perhaps on an early morning game drive you will need a thicker jacket and maybe even a warm hat and gloves.

When on safari, we suggest you wear light neutral colours; khaki, green and brown. Avoid white as with the dust it will get dirty very quickly. Avoid blue or black clothing as tsetse flies are drawn to these colours and their bite can cause some discomfort.

Considerations for women:

• Zambia is a conservative country, so knee-length (or longer) skirts or trousers are ideal.
• Avoid wearing revealing clothes
• Leave valuables and jewellery at home
• A sports bra – the road surface during game drives can be extremely bumpy

Considerations for men:

• In rural towns and villages, it is more acceptable to wear long trousers rather than shorts

One last thing, if you will be flying on small aircraft during your time in Zambia, the luggage allowance is usually limited to a maximum of 20 kg (44 lbs), which includes hand luggage. Most lodges and camps provide a same-day laundry service so you don’t need to pack items for every day – this should help free up some space in your case. Additionally, a soft rucksack is more practical than a hard suitcase as it’s easier to fit into the small planes and transfer vehicles.

If you follow this checklist you will be ready to for all temperatures and situations. Knowing you have everything you will possibly need, you can enjoy your holiday without fretting that you’ve forgotten something important. Just don’t forget your passport!

If you have any questions about what to pack, please contact us.