What to Wear—The Rwanda Edition

11/14/2015

A fun list of advice that we just sent to our Rwanda travelers. There's some good advice for traveling in Rwanda—and some for anywhere! Big thanks to stylist Meg Gallager and writer/travelista Steph Zito for contributing. Get the abbreviated shop list on Pinterest.

You asked! We answer! Easy breezy packing!

Hey, Traveler!

Dear Friends,

I know lots of you have questions on the just-right combination of clothing to bring. Two great women (Meg Gallagher, a personal stylist, and Steph Zito a travelista extraordinaire) came together to help me offer you super useful tips on what to bring and ways to look and feel great when you travel. Read on for all the details plus links to examples of items you can nab for yourself.

PACK THIS: RWANDA

How do you look good, dress appropriately for an unknown culture, and fit everything you need for two weeks into a single suitcase--without compromising your style?

Packing for a big international trip, like Half Sky Journeys Women and Leadership adventure to Rwanda can be a challenge. How do you decide what goes in the bag and what stays home? 

We brought stylist Meg Gallager [meggallagher.com] and travel aficionado Stephanie Zito [wanderingforgood.com] together to curate a Rwanda packing list just for you.

Top Tips

Forget everything you know about packing for your annual beach getaway. You’ll want to follow these tips to be ready for Rwanda.

1. Pack Light

You need way less that you think. Seriously. Pack light and then take out a few things. You don’t need a fancy new outfit everyday, and you’ll want empty space in your bag for holiday shopping!

(Think handmade jewelry, woven baskets, colorful African fabrics, Rwandan coffee, and wood carvings. Even if you aren’t normally a big shopper you’ll want to buy gifts from Rwanda’s women’s cooperatives—and you’ll be visiting right in time for holiday shopping! Check out this Rwandan handicrafts collection if you need some inspiration to pack light.)

2. Pack Smart

You are packing for style, weather and culture. Rwanda is the land of 1,000 hills and the climate is unpredictable. You can expect sun, humidity and rain with hot days (in the 80’s), and cool nights (in the low 60’s). 

The trick to smart packing is Layers, Layers, Layers, and strategically coordinating your separates so you can mix and match a few pieces into multiple outfits. Think lightweight, non-wrinkling clothes that can hold up to sun sweat and rain (make sure they aren’t see through). Natural fabrics like linens and quick drying cotton blends are smart choices. While long sleeve and pants seem counterintuitive for hot weather, covering up is appropriate and can be cooling as it protects your skin from the sun by day and mosquitoes by night.

2. Pack for Transit

If you’re used to traveling light, you should be able to get everything you need for 2 weeks into a carry-on. If you do check your luggage, that's ok— you’ll want to be sure you have your go-bag for the plane packed out with the right supplies for multiple long haul flights, layovers, and jetlag. (You’ll also want to check international baggage allowances for all the different airlines you’ll be flying on your journey—for both checked and carryon bag weight limits).

Keep everything valuable in your carryon as well as printed copies of your itineraries, your passport and your yellow fever card. 

For the plane pack a few extra layers, a scarf, and some socks to stay warm. Make sure you’ve got an eyeshade, earplugs, prescriptions and over-the-counter medications you take regularly (you’ll be traveling a full day or more), and some snacks (nuts and KIND bars do the trick). Pack your toothbrush, extra contacts, minis of any toiletries you need to freshen up between flights (< 3 oz.), and a change of clothes. 

For long layovers pack a bathing suit (some international airports have swimming pools!) or exercise clothes—a trip to the hotel gym or pool is a magical way to rejuvenate between flights. Packing a change of clothes for one day in Rwanda is also good insurance in case your bag takes longer to get to Kigali than you do.

WHAT TO WEAR

You’ll want to dress practical and professional for your time in Rwanda. Forget everything you’ve read about dressing for Africa—leave your travel vest, safari hat, zip off pants at home (unless you’re actually adding a gorilla trek or a safari on to your trip).

Kigali is a pretty modern town and people get dressed up to do business. We’ll be meeting with organizations and government officials, and you’ll want to dress the part while being sensible for rural conditions, and prepared for the weather.

We’ve included links to some styles we like to give you ideas, but check your closet first. You don’t need to go out and buy a fancy new expensive wardrobe (save your money for those Rwandan souvenirs).

Short sleeve, long sleeve or ¾ length shirts. Stylish t-shirts, tunics, and linen blouses work well. Sleeveless and cap sleeve shirts are okay for layering, but no strapless or thin strap tanks and camis. Four to five tops in different colors enable you to mix, match, and layer to create multiple outfits from a few basic separates. [We love brands like Athleta for easy to wear silhouettes and anti-wrinkle fabrics]

WHAT TO WEAR

Skirts and pants in neutral colors (think darks and earth tones) are the perfect base for your layered tops. Very light colors will get dirty quickly on rural adventures. Think long skirts, linen trousers, cute wrinkle free pants.

Dresses. If you prefer dresses to separate combos, a simple neutral maxi dress makes a great base paired with a scarf or jacket to cover your shoulders (knee length or longer, please).

Business Attire. You’ll need one complete professional outfit for meetings with high-level hosts. Think something you’d wear at a business meeting in your home country—but travel friendly. Rwandans take pride in their appearance and most people in business and government are smartly attired. Wearing appropriate clothing shows respect. (idea: knee length pencil skirt with sleeveless funnel neck, paired with a blazer)

Tip: A wrinkle free blazer can quickly upgrade an outfit to professionally appropriate.

Statement piece: If your suitcase feels full of boring separates, pack one statement piece that shows off your personality and makes your neutrals pop. A big scarf with fun colors, a fun printed wrap or sweater, a chunky piece of costume jewelry. 

Light sweater. Kigali can get chilly in the evening, but you don’t want to lug around a big jacket. A light sweater you can pair over your layers will keep you warm and add texture and dimension to your basic pieces. 

Loungewear and pajamas. You won’t have a lot of time to laze around the hotel, (You’ve got things to see in Rwanda, lady!), but you’ll want casual layers to keep you warm in the evenings, and to keep the mosquitoes away. Pairing yoga pants with a long sleeve lightweight tunic that covers you backside is appropriate. Long sleeve, long leg pajamas also do the trick to keep you warm or cool (and keep the mosquitoes away).

Tip: Long sleeves and long pants sound hot, but can actually keep you cooler in the sun, and protect you from pesky mosquitoes at night.

SHOES

Comfortable and sturdy walking shoes are critical. You’ll be walking on dirt roads, uneven ground, and maybe even in the mud if it rains. 

Note: Running /Hiking footwear is okay if you’re going on a safari or trek, or planning to exercise on the trip, but athletic shoes, sporty sandals and flip flops are not appropriate for professional meetings and site visits. (Try Keen, Teva, or Merrell to find walking shoes that are both functional and fashionable). 

Dress Shoes: Bring one nicer pair of shoes to wear with your professional outfit. These can be fashionable sandals, pumps, or nice looking comfortable flats (like Tieks) 

Basic flip flops or shower shoes are a good extra to wear around the hotel, shower or pool. (Tip: Bring cheap ones you can leave behind)

Tip: Shoes take up SPACE! Minimize the number of pairs of shoes you pack by coordinating your primary walking shoes with the color scheme of your layering separates. (I.e. if you bring grey shoes, only pack separates that work with grey)

Accessories:

Fun scarf for layering, modesty, and keeping you warm on the plane or cool Kigali nights. 

Cross body bag or a fashionable hip purse to keep your valuables close and in front of you when you’re in a crowded market.

Passport Wallet to tuck away your passport, money and yellow card safely 

Change Purse to keep your spending money apart from your documents

Hat and Sunglasses for protection against the sun. A packable, crushable hat will keep its shape (like this one from TravelSmith) and keep the sun out of your face. 

Light Rain Jacket: You’ll be traveling on the cusp of rainy season and you’ll want to be prepared with something lightweight, breathable and waterproof that packs small so you can carry it just in case. The NorthFace Venture meets all these specs and as a bonus comes in whatever color you love. 

Adaptors and Converters: Electricity in Rwanda is 230/240 volts at 50Hz and electrical outlets use plugs with two round prongs. This voltage is double the U.S. which means you’ll need a converter to plug in any appliances like a hair dyer or flat iron if don’t want yours from home to explode or melt! Most electronics and battery chargers for phones, cameras and computers are 110-240v compatible so you’ll just need the adaptor in order to fit the plug in the socket (you can double check voltage by looking at the tiny writing on the battery charger or power cord). Hotels won’t have extra of these, so you’ll probably want to bring at least one or two of these. 

(Note: You will probably need different adaptors while in transit—check travel-adaptor.com to find which adaptors you’ll need for each country where you have a long layover or overnight en route. A universal adaptor should do the trick.) .

Tip: Don’t keep all your documents and document copies in the same bag. Load a digital copy of your passport, yellow card and critical information (itinerary, credit card numbers) to a password-protected place online for easy access (email, Evernote or Dropbox work well)

Toiletries:

Medications including prescriptions, malaria pills, and over-the -counter meds or supplements (things that might come in handy include: melatonin for jetlag, Imodium, and ibuprofen)

Sunscreen and serious bug spray

Feminine products

Anything you use everyday and can’t live without. (Can you really not live without it for 2 weeks?)

DON'T PACKTHIS

What Not to Pack

Plastic: Plastic Bags are banned in Rwanda and you don’t want your luggage searched or anything confiscated because you’ve got them in your luggage. If you normally use Plastic Bags or Ziplocs to sort your belongings when packing, opt for reusable packing cubes.

Short, tight and revealing: Rwanda isn’t the place to show your sexy side. Remember, you are there to see, and not to be seen. Short, tight and revealing clothes are not culturally appropriate. Even if they aren’t inappropriate where you live, they are too casual for most scenarios here. Leave your strapless, camis, shorts and mini-skirts at home, please. The way we dress shows respect to our hosts.

Flashy Jewelry: Rwanda is relatively safe, but it isn’t a place to bring your diamonds and your over-the-top gear. Fun costume jewelry is fine, or bring your basics and plan to accessorize with some new handmade Rwandan jewelry.

Anything You Don’t Want to Lose or Ruin. You can live without anything for two weeks. Don’t want to waste your time in Rwanda worrying about something getting lost, broken or stolen. 

Most importantly, don’t forget to pack your sense of adventure. If you’ve got this, everything will turn out okay no matter what is in your suitcase!

Happy Travels!