For a river lodge near Livingstone, pack light, neutral clothes for hot days, a warm layer for cold mornings on the boat, something waterproof for the Falls, and cash in small US dollar notes. Most guests overpack. The list below is what you will actually use at a lodge like Zambezi Dusk.
Clothes by season
June to August (cool and dry)
- Light long trousers and long-sleeved shirts for the day.
- A fleece or light down jacket, plus a hat and gloves for early boat trips. Nights can drop to around 10°C, and it feels colder on the water.
- One warmer layer for evenings on the deck.
September to November (hot and dry)
- Loose, light cotton or linen. Temperatures often pass 35°C by October.
- A wide-brimmed hat.
- One light layer for the evening boat; it still cools after sunset.
December to April (the rains)
- Quick-dry clothes.
- A light waterproof jacket.
- Sandals that cope with mud.
All year
- Swimwear, for the pool and for Devil's Pool in season.
- Something smarter but comfortable for dinner. Nobody dresses up much, but you will want a change after a day out.
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip, closed, for the Falls paths and a rhino walk.
Colours
On a boat safari, colour matters less than in a vehicle. On a walking safari, it matters a lot. Pack khaki, olive, brown, grey or other muted colours. Avoid white, which shows dirt and stands out in the bush, and dark blue and black, which are said to attract tsetse flies in some areas.
For the boat
- A hat with a strap. The wind on the water takes hats.
- Polarised sunglasses; the glare off the water is strong.
- Sunscreen, high factor.
- Binoculars, one pair each if you can. Shared binoculars cause more arguments than anything else on safari.
- A warm layer, even in summer.
Two boat safaris a day leave from the lodge, so this is the kit you will use most. See Zambezi boat safaris.
For the Falls
- A light waterproof, or hire one at the entrance from about March to June.
- A waterproof pouch or dry bag for your phone and camera.
- Shoes with grip that you don't mind getting wet.
In high water, around April and May, the spray will soak you through in minutes on the Zambian side. See Victoria Falls tours for what to expect by season.
Health
Livingstone is in a malaria area. At Zambezi Dusk every room has a mosquito net and repellent, but you should still:
- see a travel clinic about antimalarials at least six weeks before you go;
- bring long sleeves and trousers for dusk and after dark;
- bring your preferred repellent if you have sensitive skin.
Also pack:
- any prescription medicines, in original packaging, with a copy of the prescription;
- rehydration sachets, plasters, painkillers and antihistamine cream;
- after-sun.
This is general guidance. Check with a travel clinic and your government's travel advice for the latest.
Money and documents
- A passport with at least six months left and some blank pages.
- Printed copies of your booking and travel insurance.
- US dollars in small notes, which are widely accepted, for tips, market stalls and border fees. Kwacha can be withdrawn in Livingstone.
- A card for larger payments, but don't rely on it outside town.
Bookings at Zambezi Dusk are prepaid in full, so you won't need to settle the room on departure. Check with the lodge which partner activities are covered and which you will pay for locally.
Electronics
- Zambia uses type C, D and G plugs; bring an adaptor that covers them.
- A power bank. Power cuts happen in Zambia, as in much of the region.
- Spare camera batteries and memory cards.
- A head torch, useful for walking between rooms after dark.
Luggage
If you are flying on light aircraft as part of a wider safari, soft bags are often required, with weight limits usually around 15 to 20 kg including hand luggage. Check with your airline. For scheduled flights into Livingstone, normal luggage is fine, and the lodge collects you from the airport.
What you can leave at home
- Hairdryers, unless you really need one. Ask the lodge.
- More than one smart outfit.
- Heavy hiking boots. Light walking shoes are enough.
- Too many clothes. Ask the lodge about laundry when you book.
A sample capsule list for five nights
- 3 pairs of light trousers or shorts
- 4 light shirts, at least 2 with long sleeves
- 1 fleece or light down jacket
- 1 light waterproof
- 1 outfit for dinner
- Swimwear
- Walking shoes with grip, and sandals
- Hat, sunglasses, binoculars
That fits easily in a soft bag and leaves room for anything from the market.
The things people forget
- A warm layer for the boat, in summer as well as winter.
- Binoculars.
- Small notes in US dollars.
- An adaptor that fits a Zambian socket.
- A dry bag for the Falls.
For families, there is more on what children need in safari with children in Livingstone. For getting to the lodge with all of this, see getting here.