Botswana What to Pack

Packing List

by janiac

If you go to Chobe in June, July, August, be prepared for some very chilly mornings and cool evenings. The days were nice. For morning safaris we actually wore fleece and winter jackets and gloves. Here we are enjoying a breakfast packed by the lodge at a camping ground overlooking the river. Pictured with us is our GREAT guide, Sam Don't forget bug spray and sunscreen if you're on Doxy

Packing List

by IslandPixie

The Batswana are generally a very honest people, so your bags should be fairly safe from petty theft. Most crime, but not all,is committed by Zimbabwean or South African illegal immigrants. Most bags should be safe as long as you keep an eye on them. Waterproof bags would be useful if you are planning on hitching during the summer months (October to March) An umbrella is useful for the summer storms or alternatively for keeping the baking sun from frying your brains. In winter (April to September) it can get nippy at night, so take a sweater and some pants. Anti malarial drugs are a must. Anti bacterial cream is also handy as any small cut can easily develop an infection. A good mosquito repellant is very useful, and a very high protection sun cream is necessary if you plan to be out in the sun for more than 15 minutes at a time (factor 30 is what I used, with zinc block for lips and...

Packing List

by c_mesteller

I recommend taking as little as possible. If you are travelling into the remote areas, you don't want to have to carry around a lot of heavy bags. Small, sturdy, easy to carry. No need for any dress up stuff here, that's for sure. Bring a hat for sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, a rain slicker or poncho, and a variety of shorts, shirts and pants. Something warm at night is helpful too. Bring easy to wash cotton or cotton blends. Loose items will be most comfortable in the scorching heat. I never had any problems with either the water, or with eating any raw fruits or vegetables since I was in rural areas. Everything was very clean, but its probably a good idea to have some pepto bismol or imodium. Bring plenty of sun screen and insect repellent. Tsetse flies hurt a lot when they bite! It was useful to have some sting relief lotion as well as aloe vera lotion. Also, carry...

Packing List

by DaKoyote

Very light backpack...don't pack heavy...!! Bring a small variety of clothes for hot and cold weather. I was there during August 2000 and it was very hot during the day and very cold at night. Travel toilet paper!!! Bring a light weight camera with a great zoom. Also bring fast film to catch animals on the run and in the dark. Bring a sleeping bag and a small travel pillow. Don't forget a small flashlight, mosquito repellent ( i would recommend 'jungle juice'...it works great...didn't get bit once!!) Bring a light weight pair of binoculars...they don't have to be the BEST out there, you can get fairly close to the animals...but not too close!!!

Pail and sleepingbag in local winter time

by Pierangelo

Strongest possible mosquito repellant

by pmarshuk

Make sure you have a good supply of very strong mosquito repellant and make sure it's DEET based.

Packing List

by rosenben

We had to take enough food and petrol for 3 weeks