AFRICA PACKING LIST AND TIPS 11/19/25
1. LUGGAGE:
· Two or Three checked luggage allowed (will vary with each airline) –50lbs max and 62” max. Standard max allowed is 62” total (length + width + height).
· Trunk required for personal luggage at www.walmart.com Sterilite brand. $29.98. Size 62” max.
· Get a used suitcase as close to but no greater than the 62”, to pack the max allowed. Suitcase doesn’t have to be perfect. Duct tape can patch up damage. Operating Main zipper is essential for secure closing. Other zippers can be broken.
· Get a luggage strap from Walmart for $5 and secure loose ends with duct tape after fitting tightly to your trunk. Secure the length adjusting mechanism with duct tape to help avoid breakage causing a loose strap. It doesn’t have to be a man, but man strength is needed to tighten strap to the max. A loose strap can hang on conveying equipment and cause more trouble than no strap at all. Run strap from front to back around middle and smallest dimension of the trunk and snap shut behind the trunk handle attempting to nestle the buckle out of the way as much as possible to avoid snagging on other luggage or airport luggage conveyor.
· Option: You can duct tape trunk edges and latches to prevent accidental opening and dust from entering while traveling dusty dirt roads.
· Cover the trunk vents from inside with duct tape to prevent dust from entering. When traveling on bumpy dirt roads, the trunk will act as a bellows and suck in dust.
· Better to secure the trunk thru the lock hole with a strong zip tie after airline agent has cleared the trunk to be placed on the conveyor.
· Carry-on can be wheeled pilot suitcase and/or backpack; about 20 lbs. Check Airline requirements. Usually only 2 items allowed.
2. Sleeping Bag:
· Uganda is warmer with 75 to 80 degree nights and 85 to low 90 degree days. In UG some may chose only a sleeping bag liner if warm natured. No bed cover til 10 or 11 at night.
· TZ is much cooler and needs a sleeping bag rated at 20 degrees. We are usually in mountains at 4000 to 7000 feet. Temps around 52 degrees at night 75 days.
· A cheap bag will take up a third of your precious trunk space. Look for the lightest and smallest sleeping bag.
3. Toboggan Hat: warmth at night for that bare head.
4. Tent light: extra batteries or solar. Normally an over-head loop to hang from.
5. Small flashlight (or 2): extra batteries. Head lamps for toilet trips a night and handy for many other tasks. All lights make a nice interpreter give for men or women.
Travel Pillow: Academy, Walmart or Amazon. For tent sleeping.
Neck Pillow: Academy, Walmart or Amazon. Some choose for plane and bus.
Blow Up Mattress: Academy, Walmart or Amazon. Twin size about 39’ wide and over 6’ long by 6” thick. As low as $15 to $20. Sleeping on the tent floor works well with a good blowup mattress over a small light-weight tarp to help protect from thorns. Harbor Freight 6’ x 6’ tarp can fold double to 3’ x 6’. Bring a Battery Inflater Pump with the 4 D Cell Batteries ($15 Amazon, Walmart). The C Cell (6) model is weak and takes forever to inflate a mat. Bring extra batteries. Check Battery size req’d upon purchase. All adds weight. You and tentmate share if agreed.
Clothing info, dress code and comments: Scrubs for Medical and Children’s Ministry are good and you can get used ones and leave as a gift. Ankle length long skirts for ladies in Evangelism, ladie’s hygiene and Jesus Film. Fleece or lightweight jacket for plane, mornings & night Jesus Film showings. We want to blend, not offend. Can wear leg covering under a skirt to stay warm on a windy hillside at night at the JF. Plain gold or silver jewelry with no fancy stones…not even CZs. They would not know that it is not a diamond. Columbia or Magellan shirts / pants are lightweight for packing and dry fast when washed. We would suggest no jeans…. heavy to pack and slow to dry. You can bring powdered soap to wash your clothes, but can also get them washed at the Safari Lodge. Modesty is the rule. No sleeveless tops and no shorts for men or ladies in Camp. Wear a slip under skirt. No tight exercise pants or jeans without a skirt over them. No low-cut blouses that show cleavage. If not properly dressed, you will be asked to change into suitable clothing with team leaders making the call.
In East African culture, referenced dress above and odd colored hair like blue, pink, etc may indicate prostitution or general loose morals. Ear jewelry for men may mark the wearer as homosexual. Homosexuals, prostitutes and trans individuals are welcome as attendees in our churches, but not on our teams. Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda and Tanzania and is sometimes dealt with severely. We come as ambassadors for Christ and should always represent Him and model His teaching. It is confusing to those to whom we witness when we seem to approve of deviate behavior of any kind. The bible addresses all the above issues. We want to stay away from the edge….away from practices that may put our appearance in conflict with our message. The apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23: “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law(though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law, I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessing.”
11. Bucket: 2 ½ gal at Home Depot or others, plastic with handle. Cost 3 bucks and weights nothing. Lay side-ways and stick end of folding, armless canvas chair into bucket and pack with underwear and socks. Bucket takes up little space. Can wash body, hair and clothing with available water.
Geriatric large wipes like used in hospital. Four per day is enough. Academy or Amazon. This is the most common way most bath. But temporary outdoor shower will be provided. You carry water to it from kitchen.
Lightweight poncho in case of rain.
Passport: PP holder for protection on belt, around your neck, fanny pack, small cross-over purse, large pant pocket. Passport should be valid for 6 months beyond departure back to the US.
Visa: $100 multiple entry for TZ at airport or online. $50 online for UG. Additional instructions from leaders.
Fleece or lightweight jacket for plane, mornings & night Jesus Film showings.
Lightweight backpack or tote carrier for Jesus Film and at your ministry post for water, misc.
Washcloth for hotels. There are none in Africa provided at most hotels.
Snacks/lunch for 3 meals Uganda and 4 in TZ during bus travel. Food Bars, nuts, raisins, candy, cookies, peanut butter crackers, crystal light to add to water for flavor. Special food or spices for yourself on bus and in camp kitchen. Tuna packs, beef or turkey jerky, or Dollar Tree Chicken Salads are good.
Bottled water will be available during all travel for purchase from vendors. One Large bottle of water will be furnished to travel from airport to village. MedReach Filtered water available at no cost in camp. Save smaller Coke or water bottle to refill in camp. Having a spare bottle is best.
Bring Small device batteries and Power Bank. Adapters for African electrical outlets. A unit is sold at Walmart for about $20 that includes multiple outlet configurations including the 3-prong African receptacle. This is an adapter to make your electrical cord end fit the receptacle. This is not a voltage converter. All hotel power is 240 volts. Camp will have 12volt solar charging unit with USB and C outlets. A Multiple USB plug strip is great to share with for roomies.
Ear plugs for blocking out snorers in camp, sleeping on airplane…. and hyenas!
Pack clothes in Suitcase Cubies. Amazon has these if you want. They are useful. NO PLASTIC ZIPLOCKS in TZ or UG. Probable exceptions for food and meds.
Comfortable walking shoes that are broken in. White sport shoes will get very dirty. Leather shoes are great to wipe off the dust. No open toed shoes and wear socks. Get thick-soled shoes. Acacia thorns can go through a shoe in the village.
Insect repellant for body with 100% DEET. REPEL is great, no aerosol allowed on `airplane.
Medicines: Imodium AD, Neosporin, Sinus meds, prescription meds, Pepto Bismol, Aspirin for air flights to prevent clots for older folks, sleep aids, eye drops. Carry personal meds with you….NEVER in checked luggage or stored away on top of bus.
27. Toilet paper for toilet stops. Carry TP at all times.
28. Pen and black Sharpie. You will use for many things...one keeping track of your own water bottle.
One roll of 2” gray or light color Duct Tape to mark things. Black 1” Gorilla narrow tape is good for using as a strap for repairs.
Sunglasses and hat for Safari that will not blow off.
Flip flop shoes for hotel showers and in tent. Close toed shoes in camp because critters can embed under you toenails.
Teaching materials, tracts, bible, small notebook for Journaling if you like.
Gift for your interpreter or a special person. Do not give money to anyone, except through Hudsons. Any extra items you brought can be placed in the kitchen to spread out amongst the Gift Bags at mission end.
Antibacterial hand sanitizer.
For Uganda, take a metal fork, soup spoon and knife to leave. Soup Spoons needed in TZ. Old ones or mis-match ones you’re about to discard.
Plastic bags and Ziplocs: Plastic shopping bags are forbidden, but will generally accept Ziploc for food and meds. Aerosols are also generally forbidden, but smaller ones will likely not be seen. Tuck away underneath in checked luggage.
Take a can of Permethrin Clothing and Gear Insect Repellent for outside & inside of tent and Spray clothes before departing if you want. Read the directions. Look at Walmart for aerosol can. Carry in Checked Luggage in Ziploc bag. Aerosols are always subject to be taken by TSA. The smaller tones are least noticed.
Liquids no larger than 3 ½ oz each allowed. Put all toiletries and liquids in a 1-quart, see-thru container. No Ziploc bags.
Make a good effort to bring everything in the smallest size or lowest count possible. Your trunk fills quickly.
Small hair dryer/Curling Iron if needed. One with Dual Current is great. Check the black plug to know. It would say 120-240 watt.
Money needed for souvenirs and airport snacks: A few bucks for US travel out and in, or credit card. $100-$250 total is good for whole trip unless you want to buy some more expensive things. You may need to buy one or two $15 meals with drink on your own.
Exchange: If coming to TZ early, exchange one of your $50 bills at airport to cover your share of taxi, tips and to have some pocket change. You can get more later at a better rate. 5% tips are acceptable. All of us combined tip as a Team the Bus, Luggage(at mission end) and Safari drivers. When arriving in UG, get all your money exchanged. You may also get more exchanged later at end of mission back in town, if needed. Bring $100 or $50 bills; clean, latest series bills with stripe on $100 bills. No $5, $10, $20’s in country because you get a much lower exchange rate. You may bring a few $5, $10 and $20 bills for your own use to change with another team member at mission end to rid him or her of extra shillings and provide you a few more shillings to purchase small items. They will not accept any bills with marks of any kind, dog-eared, torn or folded money. In TZ, Arusha Cultural Heritage accepts Visa Cards with 5% upcharge fee. Most others want TZ shillings. In UG only shillings accepted.
If you have an international capable cell phone, you can use with a Plan from your Carrier. WIFI is weak in Africa when everyone is trying to get on it. You and your contacts need to Download WhatsApp prior to trip.
You may need to Inform your bank and all Credit Cards of the dates that you will be out of country. If you have a Bank Debit Card, there are safe ATM’s. Be sure you know your Pin Number. The money comes out in Tanzanian or Ugandan Schillings and may have a daily limit.
We will go back to hotel for showers before you fly. So have a clean set of clothes for returning to USA on plane.
At hotels you will have access to your Carry-on only for 1st night and at Safari Lodge. To shower, freshen up and/or change cloths before departure to US, all your luggage will be available to you allowing you to rearrange and pack souvenirs.
Reminders already covered above and additional comments: A sleeping bag, air mat and a quad folding armless chair for inside and outside tent take up space in your trunk. Two or three clothing changes will suffice. You will be amazed how little clothing you actually need. Camping is not a time for fashion. Washing powder and a bar of bath soap with a small 2 ½ gallon bucket to wash clothes, hair and body will be useful. We should have a light-weight temporary shower set up for water you heat in the US kitchen and hand-carry to the shower. The reason for a personal trunk instead of suitcase is that it can make a table and seat inside tent. It’s sturdy, it’s not odd-shaped and doesn’t have soft sides with missing wheels. Get one cheap 6’x 6’ light-weight tarp to fold and lay under your blow-up mat, and another to put on the floor to catch the dirt tracked inside, then pulled up to shake dirt outside. Tanzania will be cold at night due to elevation. Recommending a lightweight 32degree sleeping bag for UG and a more substantial 20degree bag for TZ. In TZ wear layered clothing to sleep in with gloves and toboggan. You can leave items in MedReach storage for your return and have more room back to the US for souvenirs. Please do not give camping articles to an individual African. We supply our African teams with sleeping gear because most have little and get cold. We ask that you leave the inexpensive quad folding chairs because we use them to eat in the US kitchen and for our interpreters. Our East Africa Mission Coordinator, Laanyuni Mbesere, will arrange a place to leave things you want to donate to the MedReach camps. Bring any special sugars, sweeteners or items you want in the kitchen like flavored coffee creamer, hot sauce, spices.
Doctors and nurses bring your own medical instruments such as stethoscope, otoscope, etc.
MedReach, Inc.
Steve & SL Hudson
P O Box 9875
Mobile, AL 36691
shudsonmri@gmail.com
www.medreachinc.org