recommended packing list

Students can bring one carry on and two packed bags up to 23kgs (about 50 lbs.)

Please have students use a backpack for their personal items as we will be traveling on a lot of dirt roads which make suitcases a bit troublesome, also the dorms are set up for backpacks. Students who are traveling to Kahama will go on a safari - the tour companies do not allow suitcases.  The second luggage will be used for donation items we will bring to Africa for the kiddos in the village and for our outreach projects.  Stay tuned for suggested donation items. In the meantime, here is what I recommend students bring. 

A packing tip:  I like to use packing cubes to keep my case organized.  They are very handy and can be found at stores like Marshalls and Ross

Clothes:

•  3 pairs of shorts
•  5 shirts 
• At least one volunteer t-shirt which will be issued on the trip. I would recommend purchasing more than one as we wear them almost every day.
• Pair of  long pants (when we volunteer at the schools, we will wear long pants or long skirts out of respect for the culture). The nights are also cool this time of year. 
•  1-2 sweatshirts 
•  Rain jacket (optional)
•  Tennis shoes, socks
•  Beach shoes/flip flops (will wear these most of the time)
•  2 Swimsuits
•  Sunglasses 
•  Hat 
• Pajamas

Personal Items:

• Journal and pens - all students need a personal journal
• Travel Towel  
• Manicure set
• Toiletries (hard to get in Africa so bring what you need)
•  Mosquito repellent is an absolute must -  a high deet content is recommended 
• Cash for keepsakes or other things you may want to buy
• Cash for food at airport on trip over
• Medications/epi pen/ etc…
• Small first aid kit - bandaids and blister care kits for the feet are highly recommended
• Sunscreen
• Chapstick 
• Medication for allergies, headaches, cramps or whatever is normal for you
• If you wear glasses, bring a small kit to fix your glasses, they are hard to find in Tanzania
• If you wear contacts, remember solution and a second pair of contacts
• Work gloves for Kahama

Travel Items:

• Headphones (recommended for the long flights)
• Money belt/protective wallet
• Passport Wallet
• Padlocks for luggage and backpack
• Luggage padlocks - I would recommend to have one padlock to use while traveling through the airports and when in the big cities and one padlock for the locker in the room.
• Packing cubes
• Travel pillow for the long flights and layovers and bus ride
• Thin blanket - although students can get these on the international flight
• Playing cards/small light games
• 2 small packs of tissue - many public bathrooms do not have toilet paper

For the Safari:

• The desert gets cold, so pack a jacket and long pants to wear at night.
• Flashlight 
• Mosquito repellent
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Hat 

Fun things students brought last year:

• Inflatable floaties for the pool
• Bluetooth speaker
• Snorkeling gear
• Waterproof camera
• Candy
• Electrolite packets 

NOTE: Plastic bags are banned in Tanzania.