Packing list for Lesotho

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People preparing to come to Lesotho are, of course, interested in finding out what items and clothing they should bring. The problem in preparing such a list is that even the best suggestions are subject to variations and changes, depending on your personal interests and style. There is no perfect list! In the past, many Volunteers have regretted bringing half of what they packed. Almost everything you could want or need is available in-country, so do not load up on a lot of basic items.

Volunteers must prepare themselves for extremes in climate (up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit in summer and below freezing in winter). You may have to discard a lot of preconceived ideas of Africa, including visions of hot, steamy jungles. Sweaters and coats are a must because there is no central heating, and buildings get very cold when nighttime temperatures drop below freezing. Some buildings have fireplaces or heaters, but they typically heat only a small area. All clothes should be washable and comfortable. You will most likely do your laundry by hand in cold water, so bring clothes that can take that kind of treatment. There is a lot of wind, dust, and dirt, and clothes need to be washed frequently.

[edit] General Clothing

• Comfortable shoes (sandals, tennis shoes), durable walking shoes (with good tread), and good-quality waterproof/Gore-Tex hiking boots
• Sweatshirts and sweaters
• One pair of shorts for vacations and lounging in the house
• Warm jacket or coat and light jacket
• Items for cold weather, including long underwear, tights (for women), hat, gloves, scarf, fleece tops
• Lots of underwear (harsh detergent and scrubbing are rough on underwear)
• Rain gear, including boots
• Swimwear and light gym wear

[edit] For Men

• At least one dressy outfit (dress shirt, tie, and slacks)
• Dress shoes
• Button-down shirts and T-shirts
• Several pairs of khaki trousers and one or two pairs of jeans
• Dark-colored socks (white ones are difficult to keep clean)
• Hair clippers for men

[edit] For Women

• At least one dressy outfit (a nice dress)
• Dress shoes
• Dresses and skirts for work (knee length and longer)
• Blouses (wash-and-wear) and casual tops such as tank tops
• Two slips
• Two or three pairs of pants (to wear on holidays and in some work situations) Personal Hygiene and Toiletry Items
• A three-month supply of birth control pills, if applicable

[edit] For Both Genders

• A three-month supply of any prescription medicine you take
• Any favorite brands of toiletry or cosmetic items (but most items are available locally)
• Two towels and washcloths (essential during training)

[edit] Kitchen

• Herbal teas and spices
• Ground coffee (French presses are available locally)
• A good hand-operated can opener
• Vegetable peeler and garlic press
• Two sturdy water bottles (e.g., Sigg or Nalgene)

[edit] Miscellaneous

• Sleeping bag for a cold climate, preferably one that packs into a small stuff sack (some Volunteers prefer down bags because of their warmth; others advise against down, as it can be hard to keep clean and dry)
• Lightweight foam sleeping pad
• Two backpacks—a day pack and a large, internal-frame camping pack
• Two sets of nonwhite sheets and pillowcases, possibly flannel (the Peace Corps does not provide sheets and towels, and local sheets are expensive)
• Battery-operated radio (FM/AM and shortwave) and/or a tape player
• Music tapes, books, children’s songs, and lots of blank cassettes
• Batteries (available in-country, but expensive and not as long lasting as those in the United States) and/or power-pack units
• Solar battery recharger (for those without electricity)
• Solar or battery-operated calculator
• Two additional passport pictures
• Sewing kit
• Sunglasses and a hat for the sun
• Swiss Army knife (very expensive in Lesotho)
• Pictures of your home, family, and friends
• Credit card (American Express, Visa, or MasterCard)
• Duct tape
• Camera and supply of film—it is expensive here, but prints (color only) can be processed locally
• Personal passport
• A travel book called Lonely Planet: Africa on a Shoestring (by Kevin Anglin, Becca Blond and Jean-Bernard Carillet, Lonely Planet Publications, 2004)
• Flashlight (small Maglite is a good choice)
• Markers, crayons, colored pencils, ink pens, mechanical pencils