What I Packed to Study Abroad in Gaborone, Botswana

So you decided on Gaborone, Botswana, as your study abroad destination. Now what? 

This is how I felt during the pre-departure period. I had no clue when to start packing, what items to bring, how many toiletries to buy, and what types of products are sold in Africa. If you’re feeling the same way, take a deep breath! I’m here to share my personal packing list (as an avid light-packer) and some tips and tricks that you might help you get started. 

Please keep in mind that this is for a 4-month study abroad trip in a homestay family, so my items might be slightly different from yours. Reference the provided CIEE packing list in your MyCIEE portal for more specific information. 

Okay, starting with my luggage. I brought one large checked suitcase, one carry-on rolling duffle bag, and one carry-on backpack. I opted for a rolling duffle instead of a suitcase, because I thought it would be more convenient to bring during spring break and weekend trips throughout the semester. While it’s on the smaller side, I recommend the Vera Bradely Adair Rolling Duffel Bag. Keep your eye out for sales! 

How you want to arrange your bags is up to you. I decided to put clothes and essentials in my carry-on bags. The rest, including food and liquid items, went into the checked bag. Check out my list below. 

Toiletries - 

Medicine - It’s important to bring any prescriptions you might need. However, choose small packages when selecting basic medicines. They have plenty of options available at local malls and pharmacies if you need to restock. The brands might be slightly different, but they will use the same ingredients. Everything from flu medicine and cough drops to laxatives are available. 

Clothes - The University of Botswana and Gaborone tend to dress more liberally. So yes, it’s okay to wear shorts and tank tops! Be reasonable (nothing too cropped and revealing, especially when you are in public), but also pack for the heat. Most days from January to May are in the 90s with a UV above 11. Temperatures may start getting cooler in the evenings and when it rains (60-70s), so bring a few warmer options as well. Go for anything lightweight (linen and cotton), because these will be cooler in the hot temps and help you save space while packing. 

Backpack - I suggest bringing a large enough backpack to fit school supplies while also being used for travel. Pickpocketing and petty theft are also prevalent in Botswana, which is why I purchased the PacSafe AntiTheft bag. This gives me some peace of mind when traveling. It also fits plenty of items, which are described below. 

Crossbody bag - I also brought a smaller cross-body to carry around town. I like this sling bag because it fits a handful of items. It also rests at my front side, so it’s easy to protect my belongings. Here are a few items that I keep in my bag: 

Miscellaneous items - I packed my checked bag with a few extra items. Some of these are in the CIEE packing list, and others I choose to bring myself. 

Since arriving in Gaborone, there are only a few more items I wish I would have brought. While most of these are sold in the area, this additional list might save you an unwanted trip to the convenience store.

I know it’s overwhelming (and surreal) to start packing for your study abroad trip. I hate packing for small trips, so you can imagine my joy when I had to pack bags for study abroad. Whether you start 4 weeks in advance or 2, just know that the chaos will slowly get pieced together—just make sure you give yourself a few weeks to purchase additional items. My final advice to you is this: don’t obsess over perfection. Pack what you can, and anything other basic items are likely available here. 

Good luck with packing, you got this!

Aspen Howard (aspenhow@iastate.edu)