Female photographer packing list -Namibia

Written By Toni Kouts

Namibia: A Journey of Dust, Dreams, and Giving

It was a dream come true—packing for Namibia with my beautiful friend Sarah, whom I met during an expedition to Antarctica. Our bond, forged in the ice and snow, now carried us into the sun-scorched landscapes of southern Africa. We swapped snow boots for desert boots. We chatted for hours before the trip, reminiscing on our Antarctica adventure and connecting through our love of photography, swapping packing tips and imagining the adventures ahead.

This is my packing list of what i took and what I gave away. I couldn’t not give- for me I travel and do what I do -from my heart and soul and photography adventures are no different.

I took three bags: my trusty camera bag, a duffle wheelie, and my handbag. This time, I packed more than I needed—but I didn’t regret it. It was my first time in Africa, and since we were self-driving, I wanted to be prepared. Some items, like my esky cooler bag and Garmin Rhino satellite phone, went unused. We hired a fridge for our Suzuki Jimny, and Google Maps worked well enough with an MTC SIM card.

Pro tip: Global roaming and eSIMs bought overseas don’t work in Namibia. We had to drive back to the airport to get an MTC SIM card, which worked when we had Wi-Fi.

Money Matters

I couldn’t get Namibian dollars in Australia, so I brought South African Rand instead—both are accepted.

VISA Requirements

Check with relevant authorities on your visa requirements for Namibia in advance and in preparation for your trip.

Packing with Purpose

For the first time, I was happy to over pack. I even wished I’d brought an extra bag filled with clothes to give away. Namibia opened my heart in unexpected ways, it sometimes broke it too and i decided to gift my clothes, toiletries and shoes to those in need.

Since my twenties, I’ve carried toy koala bears on every trip, handing them out to children and strangers to spark smiles. In Namibia, the joy they brought was unforgettable. I have a beautiful story i will tell in the upcoming blogs of the trip of a young boy so excited to have his first toy.

What I Packed (and What I Gave Away)

Here’s a snapshot of my packing list, with notes on what I donated:

Camera Bag

  • Nikon Z7 & Z7ii,

  • P900 moon camera (rarely used)

  • Lenses: 24–200mm, 100–400mm, 20mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.8

  • DJI Action Pro 5 (barely used)

  • Spare batteries, SD cards, cleaning cloths

  • Laptop & chargers

  • Tripod, lens caps, card readers

Duffle Bag

  • Cargo pants x3 (wore all)

  • Shorts x5 (gave 4 away)

  • T-shirts x4 (gave 2 away)

  • Singlets x7 (gave 4 away)

  • Safari shirts x2 (gave 1 away)

  • Converse sneakers & sandals (gave both away)

  • Fleece jackets x2 (gave 1 away)

  • Dresses, jeans, bikini, desert boots, winter jacket

  • Toy koala bears (gifted to children)

  • Esky cooler bag & Garmin Rhino (unused)

Handbag

  • Passport, purse, journal

  • Phone, charger, power bank

  • Lip gloss, glasses, pen

  • Two lenses (moved here due to overweight camera bag)

🦟 Health Essentials

Africa’s beauty comes with its own challenges. I packed:

  • Malaria tablets (taken before, during, and 2 months after the trip)

  • Mosquito repellent with DEET

  • Hydralyte powder

  • Sunscreen

Tip: Visit your doctor before traveling for vaccinations like Hepatitis and Tetanus.


Dress Smart

Namibia’s heat and biting insects make light-colored clothing essential. Think tans and khakis—but avoid camouflage prints, which can cause issues at borders.


My Thoughts

Namibia was more than a destination—it was a journey of connection, generosity, and awe. From the vast deserts to the warm smiles of children clutching toy koalas, every moment felt like a gift.

Travel isn’t just about what you take—it’s about what you leave behind. And sometimes, the smallest things—a shirt, a smile, a stuffed koala—can make the biggest difference.

For me traveling is not a right-leave all sense of entitlement behind and travel like we did before social media. To open your heart, to grow, to explore and yes take photos but really take a place in and feel it. Respect the place, location and people you are visiting and their cultures and beliefs- as it is an honor and privilege to be there.




Thank you for reading and all the love and support. I will be taking you on our Namibia adventure over the next few blogs stay tuned…. it was incredible.

Will see you out there shooting,

Toni xx




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