Traveling in West Africa? Here are ten travel essentials for your comfort and safety, and as you travel across West Africa, we recommend that you should have them all. And what’s more, most of these are made by West Africans too!
#1. Travel Bag:
Let’s start with one of our first travel essentials – a travel bag by Minku, a Nigerian brand. If you are looking for a simple, functional, and fashionable bag, then a Minku travel bag is perfect. The concept is a portable bag that makes your travel feel like everyday life.
#2. Packing Cubes:
Living out of a suitcase or backpack can easily get your things messy. Packing cubes are a wonderful invention; they make it easy to stay organized, store things in categories, and also make unpacking a breeze. The look of pride when your suitcase is opened by customs and the items are all well arranged in the cubes makes them worth it. Check out African woman packing cubes on Amazon
#3. Travel Wallets:
Travel wallets are a simple way to upgrade your travel style, you get to keep all your cards, currencies, and travel documents in one place. No more having to look for where your yellow fever card or COVID-19 certificate is. A travel wallet from Zashadu has a great leather one in Nigeria, and Esty, an online store. This wallet can come in handy when you need to keep your passport and money safe, and this can also be done in style. The important thing is, your things are safe!
#4. Travel Pillows:
Next, you need to catch a flight, or even if you are traveling by road, travel pillows are important to make longer journeys a bit more comfortable. Get yours from Esty and you are ready to face the journey.
#5. Kikoi Fabric:
We love multi-use items and the Kikoi fabric ticks every box. It can be used as a towel, beach wrap, head wrap, seat cover, and shawl. Technically not a West African fabric but it is so versatile that every traveler should have one. Order yours from Kikoyi Shop from Kenya, also Mungo or Africanfabric.co.uk.
#6. Scented Candles:
Scents are powerful, and travel candles mean that you can have your favorite scent with you wherever you go. No matter the quality of the accommodation or the journey, a candle is a good way to feel at home and relax.
#7. Tea Bag:
Tea is also essential to take along as you travel. Let’s face it, you cannot find good tea anywhere, so moving around with the tea of your choice seems like a great idea. You can purchase good tea from AOKI Ghana, and Sari herbal tea
#8. Face Towels:
Re-washable face towels from Amazon help you stay refreshed and clean. Face towels are eco-friendly as you don’t have to dispose of them, but you can just wash and use them for as long as you want them.
#9. Hand Sanitizers:
A hand sanitizer should be the most important travel essential besides your passport, especially during these times of COVID-19. You can find a really good one with lotions from any pharmacy around you, as long as it is an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% ethanol. You can get a Kasapreko in hand sanitizer in Ghana.
#10 Insect Repellent:
Malaria can ruin your adventure while traveling, and mosquitoes will waste no time ensuring this happens. When preparing for an adventure in your favorite destination in West Africa, keep a mosquito repellant in mind. Citronella oil is one great travel essential to keep mosquitoes at bay. It is made with shea oil and that makes citronella oil great for not just repelling mosquitoes but your skin too.
And we know we said 10, but with mobile phone batteries draining, get a travel alarm clock as a backup alarm clock. We like the Casio version from Amazon
For travel essentials not available in West Africa, these are opportunities to get them made as well. If you think we have missed a brand or if your brand offers any of these and is not listed here, please let us know so we can add to an updated version.