Below is my full and complete packing list for the trip. For what's worth, I use Arkel GT-18bp panniers. This list is the "finely honed" result of my experience over my past 2 Africa trips. Having said that, your mileage will undoubtedly vary.  I pack as lightly as possible without getting too crazy about it.

MONEY BELT / WALLET

• passport
• plane tickets
• vaccination certificate (Yellow Fever is usually a requirement for entry)
• trip insurance card
• cash (Euros—easiest to exchange)
• credit card (for emergencies... has very limited use, though)
• photocopies of passport and vaccination certificate

CLOTHING

I use one shirt for riding and wash it out every day or two. The other I keep for after I shower and wear every night. I wash the cycling shorts and socks every night and alternate them. Keep in mind the more clothes you bring the longer you'll spend at night washing and drying them—the last thing you really want to be doing at the end of a long day.

• helmet with visor
  • helmet mirror (I love these things!)
• 2 cycling gloves (they get real, real dirty)
• cycling shoes
• underwear
• 2 t-shirts
• 2 cycling shorts
• overshorts
• convertible pants
• 2 socks
• windbreaker jacket (in lieu of raingear or a long-sleeve shirt)
• el cheapo flip flops (for showering and getting out of stinky shoes)

• sunglasses (truthfully, I don't use them much—I like to make eye contact with people)
  • sunglasses softwipe (also good for camera)
• digital camera
  • 2 spare batteries
  • spare SD Card (swap it half-way through the trip in case something happens)
• Petzl Zipka Plus headlamp (I love this model)
• sun screen
• microfibre towel
• small journal
• 2 pens
• gifts (bring a few nice things for occasions that call for it—not a ton of toss-away items)
• bar soap
• shampoo
• toothbrush
• toothpaste
• universal stopper (many sinks have lost theirs)
• "Camp Suds" (for laundry)
• small, stiff-bristled brush (for cleaning mud off shoes, panniers, etc.)

• Katadyn Vario Microfilter (this model is highly recommended by me)
• silk sleep sheet (super light and surprisingly warm)
• cycling first aid kit (well stocked—and hopefully you don't need it)
  
  • malaria medicine (i.e. Lariam, Malarone, etc.)
  • acetominophen
  • rehydration salts
  • wound management items (you can buy this additional kit at MEC—includes a syringe for washing out wounds, etc.)
  • blister items (e.g. moleskin)
  • bowel medication/antibiotics (as prescribed by doctor for emergencies)
  • skin rash cream (for rashes that may develop if you're forced to wear wet bike shorts for too long)
  • etc.
• 2L MSR Dromedary Bag (for your extra water—the water filter screws right onto them)
• 2 water bottles
• shower cap (for the saddle it if rains and to protect it when fixing flats)

TOOL KIT

The rule of thumb is not to bring any tools you wouldn't know how to use! I carry all this, plus the first aid kit, in the Arkel "Tail Rider"—this way if we have a day without needing the panniers all my essentials are in one, accessible spot. 

• Topeak Road Morph G Cycling Pump (this thing is amazing)
• 2 spare tubes
• patch kit (glue, patches, sandpaper—have a variety of sizes)
• 2 tire levers
• "Picknicker" folding knife (good for cutting up watermelons, pineapples, etc!)
• small gear brush
• allen key set (better than a minitool, which can't get into a lot of places)
• mini chain breaker
  • 2-3 spare chainlinks
• repair tape (e.g. electrical tape)
• small adjustable wrench (especially for rear wheel lock-nut)
• grease/cleaning rag
• all-purpose chain lube
• 2 Kevlar spokes
• sewing kit
• extra screws, nuts, etc.
• zip ties (these are great in many situations; make sure to have really long ones)
• filter maintenance kit
  • scrubbie (to clean ceramic prefilter)
  • extra o-rings
  • silicon lube   

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