What to pack forZambia
in June
79° / 50°F
0 days of rain this month. Sunset around 5:45pm.Typical June, from ten years of weather
0 days
of rain this month
5:45pm
sunset
Type C/G
plugs
0 of 60 packed
Before you go
None of these fit in a bag. Sort them first and the packing gets easy.
Passport valid past your dates
Zambia wants 6 months left on a passport past June. Check the expiry date now.
Travel insurance
Most home health plans stop at the border. A quote takes two minutes.
eSIM
An eSIM works the moment the phone is switched on in Zambia, with no SIM counter to find.
Copies of your documents
Photograph your passport, cards, and insurance. Email them to yourself. Ten seconds now saves a very bad afternoon.
Trail app
Download your trails before you lose signal.
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 ZMW for markets and taxis.
Vaccinations / travel clinic
CDC lists Hepatitis A, Typhoid for Zambia. Talk to a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks out.
Good to know
- They drive on the left. Give yourself the first hour on quiet roads.
The essentials
Tick the box when it is in the bag
Water 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.
REI members usually get 10% back on full-price gear. Membership is $30, once. How it works
Bugs and health
Travel first aid kit
DEET or picaridin repellent
Don't have one? Check these out.
Adventure Medical Ben's 30 Deet Tick & Insect Repellent Pump$1.92 was $2.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Ben's 30 Deet Tick & Insect Repellent$1.92 was $2.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comAnti-diarrheal + probiotics
Don't have one? Check these out.
Oral rehydration salts
Don't have one? Check these out.
SaltStick Fastchews Chewable Electrolyte Tablets Mixed Berry$19.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
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.comPermethrin-treated clothing spray
Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.
Don't have one? Check these out.
What to wear
Moisture-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
Simond Women's MT500 Merino Wool T-Shirt$35 was $54.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Kiprun Men's Run 500 Dry Running T-shirt$20 was $24.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Quick Dry Short-Sleeve T-Shirt - Unisex$34.30 was $49 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comSun hoodie (UPF long sleeve)
UV hits 7.7 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 - Men's$35 was $70 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Sombra Sun Hoodie - Women's$37.50 was $75 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.
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.comMoney and documents
AirTag / tracker for bags
Don't have one? Check these out.
RFID travel wallet / money belt
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sun and heat
Polarized sunglasses
Don't have one? Check these out.
Costa Caleta Net 580G Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$174 was $248 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Smith Era ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$113 was $189 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Ray-Ban Wayfarer Oval Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$171 was $244 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Knockaround Junipers Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$17.50 was $35 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comSunscreen SPF 50
Don't have one? Check these out.
Wide-brim sun hat
Don't have one? Check these out.
Power and phone
Plug adapter, Type C or G
Zambia uses Type C or G 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 Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comPower bank 10k–20k mAh
Don't have one? Check these out.
Buy it used: REI Re/Supply sells gear like this for less. See used gear
Headlamp
Dark by 5:45pm. Every campsite chore after that is a two-hands job.
Don't have one? Check these out.
VPN
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.
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
Lizard Skins Charger Evo Lock-On Grips Electric$24.58 was $33.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Charger Evo Lock-On Grips$27.19 was $33.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comBags
Carry-on suitcase (hard shell)
Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.
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
Go Carry-On 44L Backpack$180 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Osprey Packs Archeon 30L Backpack$132 was $265 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comLaundry bag / travel detergent
Don't have one? Check these out.
Packing cubes
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickMatador Packing Cube SetSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Matador Gear Cube Set Juniper$54.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
3 Piece Compression Packing Cubes$50 at SamsoniteShop at Samsonite
Compression Packing Cube$29.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comWorking 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 SonyNice to have
You could skip every one of these
Bugs and health
Sunburn-safe insect bite relief
Don't have one? Check these out.
What to wear
Shorts
Don't have one? Check these out.
Quechua Women's MH100 Hiking Shorts$20 was $24.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Forclaz Men's Travel 100 Cargo Shorts$35 was $44.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaMoney and documents
Luggage locks (TSA)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Passport holder
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sun and heat
Lip balm with SPF
Don't have one? Check these out.
Power and phone
Short cables (USB-C)
Don't have one? Check these out.
USB-C to C Cable, Paracord wrapped, 3 ft PD enabled$27.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
USB-C CableSee price at Peak DesignShop at Peak Design
SuperFlex USB-C Cable, Dual Right Angle - 4in$25 at MomentShop at MomentBags
Toiletry bag (hanging)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sleep
Travel pillow
Don't have one? Check these out.
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
Quechua Men's NH100 Hiking Pants$20 was $29.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
GOREWEAR Everyday Track Pant - Women's$72 was $120 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Forclaz Men's Travel 100 Cargo Pants$45 was $59.99 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.
Small lock
Don't have one? Check these out.
Copy of passport
Pen (customs forms)
Socks
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickSockwell Men's Ranger Merino Socks$25.95 at SockwellShop at Sockwell
Sockwell Women's Undercover Socks$17.95 at SockwellShop at Sockwell
Kiprun Run 500 Thin No-Show Socks 2-Pack$9.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Womens Featherweight Fancy 3-Pack$98.85 at SockwellShop at SockwellUnderwear
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.comChargers (phone)
Don't have one? Check these out.
LuminAID Trio Lantern + Phone Charger$79.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Trio Lantern + Phone Charger$79.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Dual Slim Charger$64.95 at Peak DesignShop at Peak Design
Charger Evo Single Compound Grips$10.12 was $10.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comMedications + 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.comToiletries kit
Don't have one? Check these out.
Pelican DK5 ModPak Toiletry Bag$49.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Toiletry Kit Daylite Hanging$29.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Osprey Packs Toiletry Kit Daylite Hanging Night Shift$29.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Pack-It Hanging Toiletry Bag$40 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle CreekReusable shopping bag
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sleepwear
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.comTake this list with you
Open it again when you are standing over the suitcase.








































