My favourite genre is the light packing list! Simultaneously a peek into someone else’s bag, and a free travel daydream, I offer you mine.
As a first time solo backpacker of 21, I set off for eight months of Asian wandering with the clothes I was wearing on the plane, spare underwear, and a school bag. At 51, having gained a dodgy back, balanced by age-related caution, I holidayed in East Africa, carrying 5 kg of gear. My packing regrets were not taking a spare bra, and taking more stuff than I used. I had enough space to loosely pack extra newspapers, small gifts, and snacks along the way. I resent carrying dirty laundry on my holiday, so I washed when clothes as I showered. I loved being asked where my luggage was!
I travelled to trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda, safari in Masai Mara, Kenya, and laze on Zanzibar, Tanzania. The climate range was 8-30 degrees celcius.
Packing List
Containers
Explore Planet Earth Pluto 35l daypack (500g, waterproof fabric, 1 main compartment, front pocket, side net pockets, lockable, unobtrusive looks, few straps, $AUD25, the only bag I carried when on the move as it fit in everything. Cons? Actually only 23l dimensions, zips not YKK or waterproof)
Sea to Summit Ultrasil Sling Bag (16l, YKK zip, 64g, tiny packed. On a plane, I whipped this out before I put my pack in the overhead locker or it was a day bag. )
neck pouch (Under clothes money and passport. Why not? I’d prefer handbag fabric, so I could also wear it externally when carrying tissues and a few bucks, mine was bulky, so I rarely wore it.)
Bra bank (Secure, small drawstring net bag and safety pin. Why not? Requires privacy to access, passport doesn’t fit.)
Ziplock bags (passport, liquids, paperwork, used toilet paper on trek, damp laundry, clothes compressed by sitting on them before sealing.)
envelope (To seal $ for hostel safe. Why not? Didn’t use it.)
mint tin (Holds tiny hairbands and earplugs, use as ashtray)
Paperwork
tickets, itinerary, contacts and bookings (Why not? On my phone would be better.)
passport
$ ($US in East Africa.)
$ cards (Separate accounts from the one used at home, carried in separate places from each other.)
vaccination certificate (Yellow fever.)
Dodads
purse
small LED torch (Why not? torch app on phone)
binoculars (Why not? Didn’t need them, as safari guide had them if desired)
phone (Torch, alarm, clock, camera, books, upload pictures or email on the rarely available wifi, music.)
charger
earbuds (Music)
padlock (No key to lose, flexible cable)
muesli bars
universal plug (Why not? Mine was bulky)
black pens with lids (Official forms, doesn’t leak in planes.)
glue (I love sticking beer labels and brochures in my diary.)
small pad with tearout pages (Diary, written English is easier for locals to understand than Strine drawl.)
bulldog clip (Binds paper and mossie nets, hangs laundry.)
Toiletries
conditioner (To wash my dry hair with, one mini bottle lasts 2 weeks.)
hairband (Doubles to hold packed sandals together.)
soap (Why not? I didn’t use it, as I found a bar in my digs.)
toothbrush
toothpaste
deodorant
tissues (Doubles as toilet paper.)
tampons
antibacterial hand wash (Some toilets!)
Chux dish cloth (Shoerag or light, quick drying towel!)
Medical Kit
antimalarials
aspirin
antibiotic, cold/flu, travel sickness antacid, poo stopper, nausea suppressant drugs (Why not? I didn’t use them.)
flight earplugs
bandaids
insect repellant
sunblock (I’ve got rangga blood, doubles as moisturiser.)
flight compression socks (Used when my others wouldn’t dry in the rainforest humidity)
Clothes
This was more than I needed. I washed clothes as necessary when I showered, with my soap, and dried them on the shower rail.
For Gorilla Trek; Rough Hiking
Doc Martens boots (Grip and ankle protection, entirely for the trek, I already owned them. Why not? Heavy, I had to wear them when moving, as they didn’t fit in my bag. Lighter hiking boots would’ve been better.)
wool socks (Long for boots and nettles.)
Basewear Merino underwear (Odour resistant, breathable, soft, temperature regulating.)
bra (Should’ve taken a spare.)
nylon pants (Nettle protection, secure leg pocket. Why not? Third pants/ skirt was unnecessary other than for the gorilla trek.)
disposable long sleeved tshirt (Nettle protection, sleepwear. Didn’t need, but did use, this third shirt.)
rain jacket (Why not? Bulky, I didn’t use it.)
gardening gloves (Nettle and thorn protection. Why not? I didn’t use them.)
For Masai Mara: Cold Nights
Basewear Merino undershorts (Respectable sleepwear, warm and cool.)
Icebreaker Merino Villa Pants (Secure pocket, warm at night.)
Kathmandu Merino Top (Warm.)
Barrier Men’s Merino Wool Jacket (Early morning safaris.)
wool socks
sun hat
For Zanzibar; Modesty and Coral Walking
Teva Zirra Lite sandals (You can wear socks with them, daintier than other Tevas for looks and packing space, you can shower or walk on coral or slippery surfaces in them.)
Basewear Merino underwear
maxi skirt (Often complimented on culturally appropriate dress in Africa, cooler than pants, light khaki to avoid mosquitoes and tsetse flies.)
Best and Less Mens Long Sleeve Tshirt ($7, cool cotton, culturally appropriate and sunsmart as it covered arms and collarbone, and was long and baggy.)
scarf (Cover hair.) most people would want swimmers
In short
If you’re gorilla trekking, you need
3 trousers/ skirts
3 shirts
3 socks
3 undies
2 bras
jacket
scarf
hat
swimmers
boots and
sandals.
If you’re not gorilla trekking, you need
1 trousers
1 skirt
2 shirts
1 socks
2 undies
2 bras
jacket
scarf
swimmers
hat and
sandals.
Happy travels!
aligelli: women's light travel 