Rwanda Safari Packing List
General Packing List
- In general, pack lightly. Leave room for gifts and souvenirs. Softsided luggage packs more easily into the safari vehicle.
- Always carry passport, airline tickets and money on your person. A fanny pack or moneybag that hangs around the neck works well.
- In case luggage doesn’t arrive the same day you do, put enough clothing and supplies for the first day in your carry-on luggage.
Footwear
- Sturdy, comfortable shoes, preferably waterproof. They will get dirty.
- Tennis shoes or sandals for lounging in the evening
- Comfortable, breathable socks
Clothing
- Shorts, mid-thigh or longer (not advisable for village visits)
- Lightweight, breathable pants
- Short-sleeved shirts, cool and breathable (neutral colors are best, avoid black, dark blue and bright red)
- Bathing suit if staying at a lodge with a swimming pool or if visiting Zanzibar
- Long-sleeved fleece or sweater for evenings and/or early mornings
- Rain jacket or rain poncho
- Women: pants (capri-length or longer) and shirts that cover the shoulder are advisable for village visits.Lightweight dresses or skirts that cover the knees are optional depending on how rural your village visit is but can also be worn for evening dining at the accommodations.
- Men: short-sleeve shirts with collars (for visiting villages or evening dining at the accommodations).
- Keep valuable jewelry to a minimum
Note: Laundry service is available at most lodges either at a nominal cost or free of charge in some cases.
Baggage
- Day pack, for you to carry
- Large waterproof duffel bag or backpack
Other
- Sun hat
- Maps, guidebooks
- Scarf (for dust and/or sun)
- Batteries
- Sunglasses
- Binoculars
- Money (small US bills for small purchases and tips. Larger US bills and/or travellers checks for bigger purchases)
- Journal/notebook, pencil and pen
- Electricity adapter
- Energy bars and snacks
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Playing cards, games, books, Frisbee
- Camera, memory cards, minitripod
- Mementos for guides and other travellers
- Personal music device
- Video camera
- Travel pillow
- Trekking specific items: garden gloves, ankle gaiters or tube socks, hiking poles (local Eucalyptus hiking sticks can be borrowed on site from the park office)
Toiletries
- Small towel
- Roll of toilet paper (for some public restrooms)
- Soap
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Handi-wipes
- Lotion
- Glasses, contacts, solution
- Comb, mirror
- Shampoo (without heavy fragrance)
- Unscented Deodorant (use cologne/perfume sparingly, if at all, in case it might attract bees or other insects)
Documents
- Passport (scan your passport and email it to yourself in case you need an emergency replacement)
- Yellow fever certificate (REQUIRED if traveling from or through an endemic zone – refer to Medical Tips)
- Medical and Travel Insurance
- Address book
First Aid
- Ibuprofen
- Antiseptic cream
- BandAids
- Bandages and tape
- Sunscreen (SPF 15+)
- Diarrhea medicine
- Anti-malaria pills
- Antibiotics
- Insect repellent
- Antihistamines
- Lip balm with sunscreen
- Prescription drugs
Recommendation
Rwanda Suggested Safari Packages
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Our experience with White Plains Safaris and Joseph was amazing! The service was impeccable since the very beginning: during the reservation process, Joseph was extremely helpful, flexible and very honest. After booking, he supported us in any way he could, including paying for our Visas as we had some issues doing that online by ourselves! He was also very helpful in creating the itinerary, which proved to be amazing as it offered great game drives and diversity of landscape. Things kept being perfect throughout our trip; the accommodations he had reserved were very nice and always positioned perfectly, to avoid extra driving. During the game drives he was very accommodating and always asking for our feedback to make sure we had the best time. He brought us in amazing spots thanks to his unstoppable Land Cruiser and we got to see many animals including 3 leopards from very close! We also enjoyed his company very much and he was always able to answer our questions and providing interesting insights on the animals, the parks and Kenya in general. We always felt safe and well taken care of, so I would (and will) strongly recommend Joseph and White Plains to anyone looking for a good time in Kenya and Tanzania. January 2023
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