What to Pack (and Not Pack) When Relocating Abroad From Africa

Tokunbo Central’s answer: experienced travellers recommend packing for the first few months and buying the rest locally.

• Must pack: original documents and certified copies, medicines with prescriptions, a few native outfits for events, your favourite spices (sealed), phone and laptop with adapters.
• Worth packing: a couple of good pairs of shoes, underwear, hair products you trust, small cooking items you love like a grinding stone or special pot (if space allows).
• Buy abroad instead: winter coats (made for the local climate), bedding, kitchen basics and toiletries.
• Check before packing food: see our customs thread. Meat and fresh produce are often banned.
• Do not overpack: excess baggage is expensive. Ship extra items later by cargo if you must.
• Keep essentials in your hand luggage: documents, medicines, a change of clothes and chargers.

Your turn: what did you pack that turned out to be useless, and what do you wish you had brought?