Livingstone What to Pack

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: If you are traveling during Zambia's winter (Jun-Aug), bring layers (sweaters, fleece, windbreaker, etc.), because it can be hot during the day (25-30 degrees Centigrade) and cold at night (10 degrees or less). Also, bring a light waterproof jacket or poncho for visiting Victoria Falls, because you will get wet from the mist.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Bring bug spray and malaria pills. Start taking the pills a few days two days before you arrive. Zambia has malaria, especially in the summer. Also, bring medicines for diarrhea and upset stomach, in case you get some bad food or water. In addition, bring sunscreen. You will need it, even in the winter.

Photo Equipment: Bring an extra battery and memory card. You will take lots of pictures.

Miscellaneous: Bring US dollars, especially $1 and $20 dollar bills. The immigration desk at the border prefers $20 bills for Visa payments. $1 bills are very useful for tips. Most shops, restaurants, and other tourist-related businesses in Livingstone accept dollars.

Luggage and bags:
You came all this way to see on of the natural wonders of the world. Its 11 kms out of town, it’s hot as hell here all year round and (thankfully) there are no facilities inside the National Park. That means carrying around heavy water bottles all the time. On top of that is the huge souvenir/craft market at the entrance to Victoria Falls National Park. These guys seem to think all tourists live in a huge house and are rich. I mean their items are very large and they will try hard to rip you off. If you can get a good price – that’s right – you have to carry it around somehow. Don’t mess up your holiday here by having a cheap bag rip. You cannot find a quality replacement here. They are all fakes.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Even with sun screen on, my shoulders were a little sun dried after a 2-hour hike around the top of table mountain in Cape Town. This one pictured is from South Africa and it's expensive! If you're coming from the U.S., you can get it cheaper at Wal-Mart or Chez Target!

Miscellaneous: I usually don't wear a watch and rely on my mobile phone, but I couldn't get a signal in either Zambia or Botswana, so leaving my phone on caused the battery to die much quicker (usually my mobile phone battery lasts about a week -- but there is lasted about 8 hours because it was constantly searching for a signal!)

Miscellaneous: Don't worry, if you forgot to bring along a hilarious travel book by Bill Bryson, the Exclusive Books store in the Johannesburg airport carries a good selection.

Miscellaneous: Are you planning to send post cards? You may need some addresses you don't use on a daily basis. Just a thought.

Miscellaneous: Just in case! Your laptop will not fit in the hotel room safe, and theft is high in Africa.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Duh! The sun is hot in Africa. I usually don't burn much, but down here it's definitely possible. The South Africans recommend at least SPF 30.