If you’re off to Africa with Kids, here is my Ultimate Packing List for Africa with Kids – you may not decide to take it all, but it’s a great starting place! Packing for Africa can feel overwhelming, but after several trips with our three daughters, we’ve learned what truly matters.

From the right clothing for changing climates to must-have gear for safaris and city adventures, we’ve fine-tuned our packing list to make family travel smoother. Whether you’re heading to the savannah, the coast, or bustling cities, this guide will help you pack smart, travel light, and be prepared for an unforgettable adventure. And if you want the printable guide scroll down to download.

Ultimate Packing List for Africa with Kids

My husband says that packing for Africa is easy. Pack in hand luggage he says! – Hand Luggage?!? Has he seen the bag of toiletries and first aid type stuff I’ve bought! But honestly, a family of 5 does not travel to Africa with hand luggage only whether this is their very first trip as a family or there twentieth.  We need some virtual security blankets with us – don’t we!

Clothing & Accessories – Packing List for Africa with Kids

• Dresses –  one casual dress and one nicer one (This will translate into about 5 each for the girls!)
• Trousers – a couple of loose cropped trousers and a pair of cargo trousers plus some cool white linen trousers for travelling.
• Shorts – Probably around 5 for the girls!
• T-shirts – 4/5 for us probably More for the girls
• Long sleeved shirt – I have one by Regatta.
• Cardigan
• Fleece – Nights and mornings can get a bit chilly on safari. It’s all about the layers.
• Windbreaker/rain jacket/rain poncho
• Underwear and Socks
• Swimsuit/Swim shorts – Just in case for us on this trip as not many of the places we are staying at have a pool.
• Pyjamas
• Light Scarf – dual purpose – warmth and if you need to cover up.
• Hat – A sun hat
• Sunglasses

Shoes – Packing List for Africa with Kids

• Sturdy Sandals – Teva are my sandal of choice but the girls have sandals from Keen that they really like.
• Trainers – Useful if you need to protect your feet from unsafe environments.  
• Walking Shoes/Boots
• Sandals – For the evening and in town.

Toiletries – Packing List for Africa with Kids

• Shampoo
• Shower Gel/Face wash
• Body Wipes – in case of lack of water
• Toothbrush/ToothPaste – Including a Steripod for each of us, a toothbrush cover to protect from germs.
• Deodorant
• Brush/Tangle Teezer – We never leave home without the Tangle Teezer as other hairbrushes cause too many tears!
• Hair Bobbles/Hair Bands/ – Necessary to keep the hair off your neck on those hot days.
• Towel – Ideally a small light microfibre travel towel that absorbs water quickly and dries fast
• Hand Sanitiser – I’ve bought an excessive amount of small bottles so we can all carry them, all the time.
• Glasses & Case
• Moisturiser
• Lip Balm
• Tampons/Sanitary Pads
• Make Up
• Tweezers & Nail Clippers
• Tissues

Medication – Packing List for Africa with Kids

• Malarial Medication – We have Malarone for both us and the girls.  In the UK many pharmacists in Asda for example can sell it to adults without a doctors prescription.  You’ll need a prescription for the children though.  We found Asda the cheapest for the tablets too.
• Ibuprofen/Paracetamol – tablets and medicine versions for the kids
• Insect Repellant incl DEET – We have chosen the highest we can have. We are taking both Jungle Formula and Lifeventure.
• Sun Cream
• After-Sun Lotion
• First Aid Kit including Savlon/bandages/scissors
• Plasters & Blister Plasters
• Rehydration Solution We use Dioralyte as both adults and children can use it.
• Antidiarrheal Medication
• Anthisan
• Clarityn and Piriton

Electronic Essentials – Packing List for Africa with Kids

• Mobile Phone and Phone Charger
• E-Sim – We use SimLocal
• Turbo Battery Charger
• Extra Memory Cards
• iPhone Headphones
• iPads – for the Kids
• iPad Headphones for Kids – We have some new Cozyphones which look super cool! Will be really useful for car journeys too I think.
• Headlamps/Torches – I’ve actually packed us one each.
• Laptop –  I’m a travel blogger, many of you can probably cope without!
• Camera
• Chargers and adapters – Funny story my husband tries to buy a new one every time we go to the airport. We have a LOT.

Travel Document Essentials – Packing List for Africa with Kids

• Visa – Check if you need to purchase in advance/and how far in advance.
• Villa/Hotel Confirmation
• Airline Information
• Boarding Passes
• Cash – Check currency that is used and how best to use this.
• Credit Card/s – What is accepted where you are travelling to – Visa/Mastercard/American Express
• Drivers License
• Hire Car Information
• Maps / Guidebooks
• Medical Insurance Info
• Pens / Notebook
• Paper
• Money for Tipping

Other Items in our Packing List for Africa with Kids

• Mosquito Nets and Mosquito Net Repair Kit – We are carrying with us three additional ones by Lifeventure for the girls in case the rooms only have one over the main bed.
• Books / Magazines
• Games – Card games and light to pack games such as Uno and Dobble. It’s always handy having a few colouring sheets, such as the free downloads from ABC Colouring.
• Travel Snug – To use on the plane and to assist with sleep on the international flights!  We love them you can see our review.
• I really hope you found this long list helpful.  The list does contain some products we’ve been sent but also some we have just bought and some we’ve had for years.
• If you have any questions about anything we are taking, or think we’ve missed something please do let me know!

Get The Free Printable Version Here

Click here or the image below to get your free Travelling To Africa With Kids and PDF printable and digital packing list from our free download shop. Just upload it to Good Notes for a digital version.

Phew!

NB: This list does contain some products I have been sent to review but it also contains significantly more that I haven’t.