What to pack for South Sudan?

Taken from the Architectural Digest

*This is a living document and will be continually edited and updated, as needed.

Luggage Choose a bag that can withstand abuse as your luggage is more likely to be thrown around.

Medications and First Aid Items

• Antimalarial medication (doxycyline, lariam or malarone)
• Prescription medications
• Preferred non-prescription medication (cold, flu, allergies, travel sickness and indigestion) My favorites are paracetamol, neozep, ceterizine, and lagundi syrup for cough.

Essential documents:

• Airline tickets
• Passport
• Passport photos which are going to be used for visa application etc.
• a couple of colored photocopies of passport and visa because you will be bringing this in the field instead of your actual passport
• Approximately 10 colored passport photos for alien registration, work permit etc.
• Yellow Fever Vaccination Card

Clothing:

• Comfortable closed-toe shoes or ankle boots for walking in the field
• Durable clothes that can be hand washed because the detergents in-country are strong
• Rubber boots for rainy days (can be bought in the market)
• Lightweight non-revealing clothes 
• Long trousers for cool nights and to protect from mosquitoes at night
• Long sleeved shirt for protection from the sun and from mosquitoes at night
• Smart and professional clothes for meetings
• Cotton socks
• Slippers
• Hat or cap
• Lightweight raincoat 
• Umbrella
• Sturdy sandals
• Clothes for cooler climate when traveling

Other suggested items to bring:

• US Dollars in 100 USD dated after 2009 and without tears, creases, or writing. (Bank cards can't be used in Juba and any bill lower than 100USD has a lower exchange rate.)
• Female Sanitary items
• Baby/Antibacterial/Facial wipes
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Sunscreen lotion
• Insect repellent containing DEET
• Sturdy water bottle (My favorite is Nalgene.)
• Sunglasses with a hard cover case
• Spare pair of eyeglasses, contact lenses, and solution
• Personal pocket knife ( stored in your checked-in luggage)
• British three-pin adaptor
• toiletries

If you are staying in South Sudan for a couple of months, you might consider bringing the following items:

• non-perishable, non-melting treats 
• condiments to change the flavor of your food
• spices
• hard drive with movies, songs, workout videos
• books 
• hammock for field bases
• insulated water bottles
• unlocked phone
• lightweight decorations for your room
• flat iron because of the presence of tumbu or putzi fly (They lay eggs on clothing and if clothes are not ironed, the larvae can penetrate your skin and cause painful boils.)

Drop me a message if you are in South Sudan and maybe we can meet up and have a cuppa!