Packing list

The following is a brief list of what to bring on holiday and normally the `less is best' rule applies. Note that luggage restrictions on some internal flights in Africa are often as little as 12-15 kg per person, preferably packed in soft bags (no hard suitcases!).
To help keep luggage to a minimum, you can make use of laundry services, and the towels and basic toiletries provided by hotels and lodges.

Clothing:

Should be comfortable, preferably not bright colours or plain white on safari
Shorts
Trousers for the evening (and day if very hot and sunny)
Long-sleeved shirts - to roll down against the sun or insects
Reef-type sandals are very practical, especially on water-based holidays, and closed shoes (e.g. trainers or lightweight walking boots) are recommended for walking & safari activities and to be worn at night (i.e. mosquito and tick bite prevention).
Walking boots (already broken in!), especially if walking or trekking.
A fleece or sweater - the nights can be cold during winter months and at any time in mountainous areas.
A windproof and waterproof jacket comes in handy, particularly during the rainy seasons
At least 2 changes of clothing for safari.
A change of informal, casual clothes for the evening / dinner.

Other Items:

A good, wide brimmed hat.
Sunglasses and sun block/screen
A kikoi or sarong can serve as just about anything from a scarf to a towel
First aid kit
A Swiss army-type penknife
A pencil and pad for daily notes - some biro-type pens leak in the heat
A small pair of field binoculars are very useful when on safari and in areas with a rich birdlife

Photography:

Film for cameras can be bought in bigger towns and cities, however it is advisable to bring plenty of film from home. This will ensure that you have quality film, well within sell-by-date!
Memory cards for digital cameras are not yet for sale in most African countries (especially in the rural areas) with the exception of South Africa, where camera shops are widely available. It is recommended that if you are using a digital camera, that you take plenty of memory with you, or some way of being able to download your photos, because these facilities are very rarely found in Africa.
Although batteries are widely available in most cities and towns, they are often very expensive and often not of the best quality. Hence it is recommended to bring rechargeable batteries from home.