What to pack forSouth Sudan
in December
95° / 72°F
5 days of rain this month. Sunset around 5:40pm.Typical December, from ten years of weather
5 days
of rain this month
5:40pm
sunset
Type C/D
plugs
0 of 62 packed
Before you go
None of these fit in a bag. Sort them first and the packing gets easy.
Apply for your Tourist visa
South Sudan requires a Tourist visa before arrival. It is an online application and cannot be sorted at the border.
Passport valid past your dates
South Sudan wants 6 months left on a passport past December. Check the expiry date now.
Travel insurance
Most home health plans stop at the border. A quote takes two minutes.
Copies of your documents
Photograph your passport, cards, and insurance. Email them to yourself. Ten seconds now saves a very bad afternoon.
Antimalarial prescription
Talk to a travel clinic before you go. Not a product, a reminder.
Some cash in local currency
Cards fail more often than you'd think. Carry SSP for markets and taxis.
Vaccinations / travel clinic
CDC lists Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Yellow fever for South Sudan. Talk to a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks out.
International driving permit
Rental desks here ask for an International Driving Permit alongside your license. AAA issues them same day.
The essentials
Tick the box when it is in the bag
Sun and heat
Sunscreen SPF 50
Don't have one? Check these out.
Badger SPF 50 Adventure Sport Mineral Sunscreen - 2.4 oz. Tin$18.95 at REIShop at REI
Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion$17.50 at REIShop at REI
Blue Lizard Sport Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion$14 at REIShop at REI
Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Stick$14.50 at REIShop at REIREI members usually get 10% back on full-price gear. Membership is $30, once. How it works
Polarized sunglasses
Don't have one? Check these out.
Smith Cheetah Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$93 was $155 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Zeal Isabelle Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$67.03 was $149 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Costa Caleta Net 580G Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$174 was $248 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Zeal Bennet Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$59.60 was $149 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comWide-brim sun hat
Don't have one? Check these out.
Pistil Women's Tegan Wide Brim Hat$39.73 was $68 at REIShop at REI
Brixton Mitch Packable Sun Hat Tan, L/XL$48.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
DAKINE No Zone Sun Hat Black, L/XL$24 was $40 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Forclaz MT500 UPF 50+ Hiking Hat$20 was $29.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaInsulated water bottle
Cold water at 3pm is worth the weight.
Don't have one? Check these out.
BruMate Rise Insulated Water Bottle$40.95 at REIShop at REI
Quechua MH900 Double-Wall Insulated 500 ml Water Bottle$15 was $24.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
CamelBak Peak Fitness Chill Insulated Water Bottle$9.73 was $15 at REIShop at REI
CamelBak Fit Cap Insulated Stainless-Steel Water Bottle$20.73 was $30 at REIShop at REIElectrolyte packets
Don't have one? Check these out.
Maurten Drink Mix 320 Caf 100 Unflavored, Caffeinated, 14 Single Serve Packets$56 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Drink Mix 160$45 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Fastchews Chewable Electrolyte Tablets - Box of 12 Packets$42 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
FastChews with Caffeine - 10 Count Packets$42 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comBugs and health
DEET or picaridin repellent
Don't have one? Check these out.
Ben's Eco Spray Insect Repellent - 30 Percent DEET$9.50 at REIShop at REI
Ben's 30 Deet Tick & Insect Repellent$1.92 was $2.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Adventure Medical Ben's 30 Deet Tick & Insect Repellent Pump$1.92 was $2.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Ben's Spray Pump Insect Repellent - 30 Percent DEET$5.95 at REIShop at REITravel first aid kit
Permethrin-treated clothing spray
Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Anti-diarrheal + probiotics
Don't have one? Check these out.
Oral rehydration salts
Don't have one? Check these out.
SaltStick Fastchews Chewable Electrolyte Tablets Coconut Pineapple$19.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Tailwind Nutrition Recovery Drink Mix - 1 Serving Salted Caramel$3.25 at REIShop at REI
SaltStick Fastchews Chewable Electrolyte Tablets Seedless Watermelon$19.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Unsweetened Hydration Sport Drink Mix$33 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comWater and food
Filter water bottle
Tap water isn't safe here. A filter bottle beats buying plastic twice a day.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickGrayl GeoPress Water Filter and Purifier Bottle$99.95 at REIShop at REI
HydraPak Breakaway+ Water Filter Bottle$50 at REIShop at REI
LifeStraw Go Series Insulated Stainless-Steel Water Filter Bottle$59.95 at REIShop at REI
LifeStraw Go Series BPA-Free Water Filter Bottle$44.95 at REIShop at REIPower and phone
Plug adapter, Type C or D
South Sudan uses Type C or D sockets. An adapter with USB-C ports charges several things from one outlet.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickGlobal Travel AdapterSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Matador Global Travel Adapter Forget-Me-Not$38.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Global Travel Adapter USB 30W$40 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle Creek
Global Travel Adapter Micro$25 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle CreekPower bank 10k–20k mAh
Don't have one? Check these out.
Goal Zero Venture 75 Power Bank$120 at REIShop at REI
BioLite Charge 80 PD Power Bank$99.95 at REIShop at REI
Anker Power Bank (30W, Fusion, Built-In USB-C Cable)$40 at REIShop at REI
Anker MagGo Power Bank (10,000 mAh, Slim)$80 at REIShop at REIBuy it used: REI Re/Supply sells gear like this for less. See used gear
Multi-port USB-C charger (GaN)
One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Dual Slim Charger$64.95 at Peak DesignShop at Peak Design
Peak Design 65W Dual Slim Charger$64.95 at REIShop at REI
Charger Evo Lock-On Grips$27.19 was $33.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Lizard Skins Charger Evo Lock-On Grips Electric$24.58 was $33.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comVPN
Hotel and cafe wifi is shared with everyone else in the building. A VPN keeps your banking and email to yourself.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Money and documents
RFID travel wallet / money belt
Don't have one? Check these out.
AirTag / tracker for bags
Don't have one? Check these out.
What to wear
Sun hoodie (UPF long sleeve)
UV hits 9.3 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Topo Designs Sun Hoodie - Women's$74.25 was $99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Sombra Sun Hoodie - Women's$52.50 was $75 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Sombra Sun Hoodie - Men's$35 was $70 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
The North Face Adventure Sun Hoodie - Women's$48.75 was $65 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comSandals (sport)
Don't have one? Check these out.
KEEN Women's Bali Strap TG Sandals$69.73 was $110 at REIShop at REI
Teva Women's Outflow Closed-Toe Water Sandals$74.73 was $100 at REIShop at REI
Reef Water Vista Higher Sandal - Women's$80 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Reef Water Willow Marina Sandal - Women's$31.47 was $44.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comLinen or lightweight shirts
Anything heavier than linen is a mistake at 95°F.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Outdoor Research Astroman Long-Sleeve Sun Shirt - Men's$60.47 was $110 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Solta Long-Sleeve Sun Shirt - Women's$59.50 was $85 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Cambio Button Up Shirt - Men's$30 was $75 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Simond Women's Alpinism Seamless Wool Long-Sleeve Shirt$40 was $59.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaMoisture-wicking t-shirts
Don't have one? Check these out.
SIMOND Women's Travel 500 Merino Wool T-Shirt$49.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Quick Dry Short-Sleeve T-Shirt - Unisex$34.30 was $49 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Fino Tech Tee - Men's$27.50 was $55 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Simond Women's Merino Resist Long-Sleeve T-Shirt$45 was $69.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaBags
Carry-on backpack (35–45L)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickMatador 45L Global Travel PackSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Matador GloberiderSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Pacsafe Go Carry-On 44L Backpack Jet$180 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Osprey Packs Archeon 30L Backpack$132 was $265 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comDaypack (15–25L)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Carry-on suitcase (hard shell)
Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.
Laundry bag / travel detergent
Don't have one? Check these out.
Packing cubes
Don't have one? Check these out.
Working on the road
Noise-cancelling headphones
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sony WH-1000XM4C Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones Black (M4 2nd Gen)$300 at SonyShop at Sony
Skullcandy Icon ANC Headphones$74.93 was $99.95 at REIShop at REI
Skullcandy Sesh ANC Active Headphones$70.93 was $95 at REIShop at REI
JBL Live 780NC Wireless Noise-Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones$250 at REIShop at REINice to have
You could skip every one of these
Sun and heat
Lip balm with SPF
Don't have one? Check these out.
Bugs and health
Sunburn-safe insect bite relief
Don't have one? Check these out.
heat it classic Lightning Smartphone-Powered Insect Bite Relief$29.95 at REIShop at REI
heat it classic USB-C Smartphone-Powered Insect Bite Relief$29.95 at REIShop at REI
Badger Outdoor Itch Relief Stick$9.95 at REIShop at REI
heat it pro USB-C Smartphone-Powered Insect Bite Relief$49.95 at REIShop at REI
Power and phone
Short cables (USB-C)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Money and documents
Passport holder
Don't have one? Check these out.
Luggage locks (TSA)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Matador BetaLockSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Knack TSA-Approved Lock$16 at Knack BagsShop at Knack Bags
Pacsafe ProSafe 1000 TSA Combination Luggage Lock$17.95 at REIShop at REI
Travel Safe 4-Dial TSA Cable Lock$15 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle CreekWhat to wear
Shorts
Don't have one? Check these out.
Helly Hansen Men's HH Quick-Dry 11" Cargo Shorts$59.73 was $80 at REIShop at REI
Forclaz Men's MT500 Hiking Shorts$30 was $44.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Quechua Women's MH100 Hiking Shorts$20 was $24.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Simond Women's Travel 900 Hiking Shorts$30 was $54.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaBags
Toiletry bag (hanging)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sleep
Travel pillow
The basics
You own most of these. We are just making sure they make it in.
What to wear
Everyday pants
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickWild Rye Emmett Overalls$123 at Wild RyeShop at Wild Rye
Forclaz Men's Travel 100 Cargo Pants$45 was $59.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
GOREWEAR Everyday Track Pant - Women's$72 was $120 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Quechua Men's NH100 Hiking Pants$20 was $29.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaThe basics
Sewing kit / safety pins
Nail clippers
Don't have one? Check these out.
Earbuds
Don't have one? Check these out.
Soundcore by Anker Liberty 5 Active Noise-Canceling Wireless Earbuds$130 at REIShop at REI
Shokz OpenDots ONE Open-Ear True Wireless Earbuds$170 at REIShop at REI
JBL Vibe Beam 2 Bluetooth In-Ear True Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds$64.95 at REIShop at REI
JBL Tune Flex 2 Bluetooth In-Ear True Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds$110 at REIShop at REISmall lock
Don't have one? Check these out.
Kryptoflex Cable Lock$29.95 at Thousand HelmetsShop at Thousand Helmets
TSA Cable Lock$17.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Pacsafe Prosafe 800 Combination Cable Padlock$18.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comProsafe 800 Combination Cable Padlock$18.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comCopy of passport
Pen (customs forms)
Reusable shopping bag
Don't have one? Check these out.
Chrome Grocery Tote Messenger Bag Matte$125 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Grocery Tote Messenger Bag$125 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Boat And Tote Large Open-Top Tote Bag$49.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Packable Tote Bag$49 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle CreekSleepwear
Don't have one? Check these out.
Pendleton Pajama Set - Women's$74.63 was $99.50 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Scotch Plaid Flannel Pajamas - Men's$89.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Classic Lounge Shirt - Women's$22.73 was $64.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Sundays Lounge Shirt - Men's$27.98 was $69.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comSocks
Don't have one? Check these out.
Underwear
Don't have one? Check these out.
Everyday Merino Bikini Underwear - Women's$34 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Everyday Merino Thong Underwear - Women's$34 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
REI Co-op Women's Merino Bikini Underwear$27.95 at REIShop at REI
REI Co-op Women's Merino Hipster Underwear$29.95 at REIShop at REIChargers (phone)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Medications + prescriptions
Travel-size toothpaste + brush
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickMatador Toothbrush Caps 2-PackSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Matador Refillable Toothpaste TubesSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Huppy Peppermint Toothpaste Tablets in Tin$12.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Dr. Bronner's Travel Toothpaste - 1 oz. Peppermint$2.95 at REIShop at REIToiletries kit
Don't have one? Check these out.
Pelican DK5 ModPak Toiletry Bag$49.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Osprey Packs Toiletry Kit Daylite Hanging Night Shift$29.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Toiletry Kit Daylite Hanging$29.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Pack-It Hanging Toiletry Bag$40 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle CreekTake this list with you
Open it again when you are standing over the suitcase.