What to pack for a holiday to Zimbabwe and southern Africa

Written by Beth, updated September 2025

This article gives you info on why you need to pack certain items for your holiday to Zimbabwe and southern Africa. If you want to go straight to the downloadable packing list, here’s the PDF: Packing checklist for you to print or save to your phone.

If you’re travelling as a family, also see my article on Flying to Africa with a baby.

This article contains affiliate links of my choosing, to help you shop for the right products, and to contribute cents to the running of this website. Links open in a new tab so that you don’t lose your place in this article.

1. Mosquito repellent

• Insect repellent is a must, especially if you visit Zimbabwe between October and April (i.e., the rainy season). The spray-on stuff is much easier than the cream, and DEET-based repellents are best for adults and older children (check the label for this). Here’s a good DEET spray-on mosquito repellent on Amazon.
• For younger children, try Mosiguard Natural Repellent.
• Inserestingly, Victoria’s Secret Bombshell has also been reported to help repel mosquitos, as has Avon’s Skin So Softdry oil.
• You can also wear a band around your wrist or ankle that emits a citronella fragrance to deter the bugs. These Xpel mosquito repellent bands are quite good, and there’s the Xpel Deet-free kids moquito repellent bands which also I attach to the baby’s bed at night. For more information on preventing malaria, see the Health in Zimbabwe page.

2. Good walking shoes/trainers

• You need a trusted pair of shoes that will take you up rocky mountains and along river beds without any fuss (because you never know what’s around the next corner). They need to cover your whole foot and ankle properly so that thorns and dust can’t easily get in. Something like these sturdy Karrimor women’s hiking shoes.
• Plus you’ll want a pair of sandals for when you’re staying in a city (away from most bush creepy-crawlies), or around the pool. It’s too hot to wear boots all day, every day. I have these Havaianas and wear them all the time when in Harare.

3. Sunscreen

• This rule has been drilled into us for so long that it’s second nature by now (or at least, it should be). Use SPF 50, for the body as well as the face.
• Nivea Sun Protect and Moisturizing Sun Spray is good because of its spray-on application and it locks in moisture in the dry heat.
• Garnier Ambre Solaire is good for the face.

4. A kikoi

• Also called a sarong, a wrap or a kikoy. I have a nice big kikoi: the kind that can be used in so many different ways that it’s irreplaceable, whatever the season or occasion.
• I use it as a wrap-around skirt, a scarf on a cool night’s game drive, or as a mat for sitting on the grass. You could even hang it up in a tree for shade.
• You might want to buy this in Africa though, as a souvenir, and to use on your next holiday.

5. Suitable clothing

• Hot weather clothes: If you’re going on a game-viewing or safari trip, cotton clothes in neutral tones are best. Animals’ eyes are most sensitive to colour extremities – so don’t wear neons or very dark shades. If you’re wearing bold colours, animals will see you long before you’ll see them – which will make wildlife sightings more difficult (and potentially more dangerous).
• Some clothing also has SPF built into it, but unless you’ll be doing an intense walking or canoeing safari, this isn’t really necessary.
• A wide-brimmed hat. This is a must; sunstroke is no joke. I’m tempted to buy a new one every time I go on holiday, such as this Jaxon & James Cotton Safari Fedora.
• Sunglasses. That African sun is fierce on the eyes.
• A swimsuit. Plus a cover-up too, if desired. Hotels and lodges usually provide towels, but bring your own if you’re self-driving or self-catering.
• Warmer clothes: A long-sleeve light jacket for the evening (year-round), and long-length pajamas if you’re visiting during winter (May – August). The winter nights can be colder than you might expect, so bring a few pairs of long-sleeve shirts, long trousers, fleece jackets (like this Karrimor ladies fleece) and a wooly hat if you’re visiting during these months. Read more on Zimbabwe weather and climate.
• Ladies, those game drives can be bumpy, so consider bringing a sports bra.
• Note: In some countries it’s sometimes recommended that women wear long skirts in public, but this isn’t a big deal for tourists in Zimbabwe or southern Africa, especially in safari camps where skirts are not always practical. Bear in mind that longer skirts/shorts are generally considered more respectable in populated areas, and that revealing clothing may attract attention in cities and villages (although Zimbabweans are used to tourists wearing almost anything).
• For Victoria Falls: consider wearing a quick-dry shirt or gym shirt. The spray from the falls in high water season is like rain, but in warm weather, gym clothes or swim-type tops will dry quickly afterwards. Here’s an example gym top you could wear to see the falls.
• Top tip: Clothes in camouflage patterns are illegal in Zimbabwe (although not always enforced). See more Safety tips for Zimbabwe.

6. Camera gear

• You’ll definitely want to capture those not-to-be-forgotten wildlife sightings and spectacular landscapes. Popular wildlife cameras are the Canon EOS R5, the Sony A9 III, and the Nikon Z9. The extremely fast shooting speeds mean that you can quickly capture a moving animal. The ISO range for low light shots helps you during those twilight moments.
• If taking a DSLR, don’t forget spare batteries, spare memory cards and a multi-way adaptor suitable for Type G plug sockets. Zimbabwe sockets are mainly square 3-pins, but check with your accommodation ahead of time.
• A telephoto lens will help you get close-up shots of animals without disturbing them.
• For more details on photographic equipment to take on safari, see my article Photo safari gear: What’s in my camera bag?

7.  A small first aid kit and toiletries

• Buy some basic medical items such as plasters, ibuprofen, paracetamol, Immodium, tweezers, after-sun cream, a cream to relieve insect bites and stings, antiseptic cream, eyecare essentials, etc.
• Make sure you take enough prescribed medication to last the duration of your holiday.
• If you wear spectacles, bring a second pair just in case.
• If you’re prone to hayfever, don’t forget your antihistamines.
• If you’re travelling to a malaria area of Zimbabwe, pack your malaria pills (Malarone is considered to be the best and doesn’t have bad side-effects). See the article on Health in Zimbabwe.
• Add these to the toiletry necessities that you would usually pack for any holiday, such as deodorant, toothbrush, sanitary items, etc.
• If you have long hair, a small can of dry shampoo will be useful to freshen up your hair between washes. Many lodges and hotels have hair dryers, but check with them beforehand. They usually don’t have hair straighteners so bring your own if this is an essential for you.
• If you’re going away for a long trip, you could take a shampoo bar rather than liquid shampoo to save on weight, parabens and plastic.
• If you’re so inclined, wet wipes and anti-bacterial hand sanitiser will help you feel fresh during a potentially hot and dusty game drive.
• The high altitude can lead to dry skin, so take lip balm and moisturizer.
• Also take a refillable bottle – places such as Victoria Falls have drinking water stations.

8. The right books

• Or three, if you like reading as much as I do.
• Why not check out my posts on books about Zimbabwe for some inspiration?
• Stuarts’ Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa has excellent animal descriptions and helpful information for any safari-goer. From aardvarks to zebras, there are so many more animals in Zimbabwe than just the Big 5. To get the most out of your safari, take a mammal book with you to help cross the fascinating beasts off your list.
• You’ll see hundreds of birds in Africa, and a Bird identification book will make your experience so much more rewarding.

9. Passport, flight tickets, accommodation confirmation details

• Write down a list of the names and reservation details of the lodges and transfer companies you’re using, as well as their physical addresses and contact details.
• Ensure your emergency contact details and travel insurance are readily available.
• Bring a photocopy of your passport, just in case. Also, check it’s expiry date in advance.
• Apply for your e-visa in advance, to save time at the airport.

10. Cash

• Take US Dollars in small denominations (preferably 10s and 20s) – avoid anything larger than a $50 bill, if you can. This is because some shops and restaurants struggle to give change for large denomination notes.
• Try to pay for as much accommodation and activities before arriving in Zimbabwe.
• Debit cards are more widely received than credit cards. For full details read the section on Money in Zimbabwe here.

11. A good torch/flashlight

• This is a just-in-case item that can come in very handy when you’re in the bush or a city when there’s a power cut.
• I use this Lenser torch which is small and lightweight, but still very bright.

12. The right luggage

• When you’re on a game drive or just walking around a city, it helps to have a small bag containing water, your camera, sunglasses and so on. It should be small and easy to carry on your back or across your chest, and it shouldn’t be in neon or bold colours.
• For a backpack to use in flight or overland transit, this Samsonite cabin bag fits under a seat and has compartments for important items.
• Also take a plastic or fabric carrier bag to store dirty clothes in your suitcase and avoid the spread of dust.
• These Waterproof luggage organiser bags, for example, will be really useful.
• Packing cubes will help you sort your safari clothes from other clothes.
• Suitcase locks or small cable ties are useful for those long-haul flights. If you’re using cable ties, remember you’ll need something sharp to cut them with at the other end (which will have to be waiting for you at your destination, as you can’t fly with sharp items).
• For Victoria Falls: You may need a phone/tablet waterproof pouch because the spray from Victoria Falls in high water season is like rain. Or you could take a small umbrella to snap a photo quickly.

13. Download offline Google Maps

• Download an offline version of Google Maps of your travel area to your phone in advance.

14. An unlocked cell phone (optional)

• You can buy a SIM card in Zimbabwe and use your own phone to make calls – but the phone needs to be unlocked first. There are SIM card booths at main Zimbabwe airports.
• You can buy a cheap basic unlocked phone for travel purposes, like this Samsung. 
• Much of Zimbabwe has cell signal, except in remote areas of the National Parks.
• There’s Wifi in main Zimbabwe airports, city accommodation and coffee shops for you to use your home phone.

15. A charging bank

• You can charge this Charging Bank when you’re in a city, and then use it to top up your phone or tablet when you’re on a long journey or in the bush.

16. A journal and pen

• Whether you want to list all the animals you’ve seen on safari, or just jot down your reflections on certain events, a journal is a great way to record your Zimbabwe holiday.
• This Moleskine Notebook is stylish and long-lasting.

17. Binoculars

• Many game lodges and hotels have binoculars for guests to borrow, but take your own if you don’t fancy sharing. They are very useful in game parks and at lookout spots – you’ll be amazed at how much wildlife is just out of immediate view.
• This Nikon Prostaff will do the trick.

20. Microfibre towel

• If you’re self-driving, it’s best to take your own towel – a microfibre towel is practical because it dries quickly and takes up minimal space.

If you’ve forgotten anything, don’t worry too much! Cities and towns have grocery stores and pharmacies, so you will likely be able to buy what you need.

Not enough space?

To compress your clothes into a small space, you could pack them in a vacuum bag that comes with a portable hand pump.

Extra space?

If you’ve got space in your bag, why not pack some practical items that you can give to staff at your accommodation? You should never give out sweets or money to children that you meet, as this doesn’t provide any long-term solutions (and candy can lead to tooth decay in a place where dental facilities are minimal).

You could pack some purpose-based items that are useful for education and medical care, such as this 10-pack of blue pens, 10-pack of exercise books, bandages, plasters, or even some second-hand books.

Also see the website Pack with a Purpose that has connections with specific safari camps in Zimbabwe to practically help local communities. If you want to donate money to those in need in Zimbabwe, check out charities like KidsCan, Emerald Hill Children’s Home and Zimbabwe Orphan Trust rather than giving out cash.

The Ultimate Trip Planning Kit: Digital Download

This kit is the essential digital bundle for anyone who wants to stop being overwhelmed by logistics and start getting excited about the adventure. It replaces messy notes and endless tabs with organised, proven templates.

This is what you get …

• Booking & budget tracker (in Excel format; simply upload to Drive to use in Google Sheets): A customisable template for you to track your trip budget and providers
• Itinerary planner (in Excel format; simply upload to Drive to use in Google Sheets: A customisable template for you to plan your trip dates
• Sample costs & providers (in PDF format): An example of costs for our 20-day Cape Town & Zimbabwe itinerary
• Sample itinerary (in PDF format: An example of the calendar for our 20-day Cape Town & Zimbabwe itinerary
• Ultimate packing checklist for southern Africa (in PDF format): Printable or viewable on your phone, this is the definitive packing list

And, if you prefer to plan your trip with good old pen & paper, you also get …

• Booking & budget tracker (in A4 PDF format): A printable template for you to track your trip budget and providers
• Itinerary planner (in A4 PDF format): A printable template for you to plan your trip dates

Yes! I’m ready to download the Ultimate Trip Planning Kit for £3.99

I am an affiliate for some of the products that I recommend on this site. If you purchase items through my links I may earn a commission from Amazon and other providers. You will not pay more when buying a product through my links. I’ll only ever link to a product that I think is right for the readers of Great Zimbabwe Guide. Affiliate links contribute valuable pennies towards the running of this site. Thank you for your support. – Beth

Check out my Zimbabwe travel quick reference guide for more articles.

Great Zimbabwe Guide gives travel tips, information and inspiration about Zimbabwe, Africa. We share stories of Zimbabwe’s talented people, world-class wilderness & wildlife safari experiences, all wrapped up in an unmatched climate. 

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Are you planning a Zimbabwe holiday? I can recommend Go2Africa, Africa’s Leading Safari Company (and one of our affiliates). Go2Africa has been tailor-making safari holidays for thousands of clients from across the globe since 1998. You can research African destinations, accommodation, and more. Even better, you can directly contact their safari specialists who can help you get the African experience that’s perfect for you. 

Check out the Go2Africa website, or see their Zimbabwe tours here.