Nigeria is hot and humid pretty much all year round. I love warm tropical weather, but the heat can sometimes be sweltering. With all the traffic and the people in Lagos, extra heat radiates from every corner of the megacity.
The best way to handle the heat is to wear lightweight clothing and stay as cool as possible. In this post, I am sharing the complete packing list for Lagos, Nigeria, to help give you an idea about what essentials you need to bring and what you can leave at home.
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This is the fourth post in the Nigeria travel series. Here’s the complete 10-part series:
Nigeria Travel Series
Bucket List: 7 Reasons Why You Should Visit Nigeria At Least Once
Travel Guide: The Ultimate Lagos, Nigeria Travel Guide: For First-Time Visitors
Food: 9 Popular Foods To Eat In Nigeria
Packing Guide: The Complete Packing List for Your Trip to Nigeria
Travel Tips: 13 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting Lagos, Nigeria
Inspiration: 15 Photos That Will Make You Want To Visit Nigeria
Tourist Visa: 5 Tips for U.S. Citizens Applying for a Nigerian Tourist Visa
Lagos: 11 Best Things To do in Lagos
My Story: Homegoing: Reuniting with My Biological Family
Travel Itinerary: How to spend 5-day in Lagos, Nigeria
Your packing list for Lagos, Nigeria
Luggage
Given the humidity, you will sweat more than you’re used to. So I recommend packing in a big enough suitcase to fit your belongings for your stay.
Bring a weekend bag to easily get around if you plan to travel within Lagos or outside the city. I used my Herschel Little America Backpack when traveling around. It was so much easier than lugging around a boxy suitcase. Plus, when flying domestically, airlines have weight and bag limits.
Essential Travel Documents
- Valid passport – Check to make sure you have more than 6 months before your passport expires.
- Tourist visa
- Yellow fever documentation
- Health insurance card
- Driver’s license
- Copies of your passport. I usually leave a few copies with friends and family at home.
- Copies of lodging or excursion reservations
- U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Nigeria – Good to keep handy if needed.
What to wear
I usually pack casual clothes that I don’t mind getting dirty or have less significance.
Insider Tip: In Muslim areas, including the coast, t-shirts, and shorts are frowned upon, so bring something to cover your shoulders and wear long pants.
Pack for the weather
I would pack a light raincoat if you visit during March-August’s rainy season.
If you’re traveling during the dry season, the city experiences cooler temperatures known as Harmattan (December and January), where the winds blow from the Sahara desert. During this time, the temperature tends to drop, especially at night, so make sure to bring a lightweight jacket. I was in Lagos during December and felt perfectly fine. In fact, it was a relief from the scorching sun during the day.
Clothes & shoes
- 5 lightweight or cotton tops that cover your shoulders
- 4 pairs of shorts – I packed cotton and jean shorts.
- 1-2 pairs of lightweight pants
- 4 dresses & skirts- I recommend bringing dresses and skirts at knee-length and versatile with the option of wearing them day or night.
- Clubbing outfit(s)- If you plan on partying it up in Lagos, which you totally should!
- 2-3 bathing suits in case you decide to head to the beach
- 1 beach cover-up
- Pajamas
- A pashmina or scarf will come in handy if you need to cover your shoulders or head.
- Comfortable sneakers
- You don’t mind getting a little dirty with a few pairs of incredibly comfortable sandals.
Insider Tip: It’s illegal to wear army/combat fatigue clothing or print in Nigeria.
Accessories
- Costume jewelry: I wouldn’t bring anything valuable
- Sunglasses
- Hat: Listen, the sun in Lagos is no joke, don’t forget to bring a hat to protect yourself.
- Umbrella: especially if you’re visiting during the rainy season.
Toiletries
Bring everything that you will need while you’re away. You might not be able to find what you ordinarily would get in the U.S., seeing how Nigeria is still a developing country and all. Here’s a list of items that you might want to consider packing:
- Travel-sized bottles for shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc
- Face wash
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
- Shower gel or a bar of soap
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Hairbrush/comb
- Hair ties
- Sunscreen
- Body and face lotion – I opt for lightweight creams with SPF sun protection.
- Shea butter – It’s an excellent alternative to sunscreen!
- Makeup remover wipes
- Facial tissues
- Chapstick/lip balm
- Makeup
- Satin bonnet or pillowcase – I like to bring both in case my bonnet slips off during the night.
- Bug spray – I’ve started using this plant-based bug repellent. It smells great and isn’t greasy like other bug sprays.
- Feminine products – bring more than you need, don’t even skim on this one!
- Baby wipes
- Toilet paper – Take some with you, especially when going out. Some public bathrooms may not have anything.
- Cotton swabs (Q-Tips)
- First aid kit – Safety first!
- Personal medication
- Tylenol
- Anti-Malaria prescription from your doctor
- Traveler’s diarrhea relief capsules
- Inhalers – in case you have asthma
Health & Safety Supplies
- Antihistamine
- Motion sickness medicine
- Cough drops
- Decongestant
- Mild laxative
- Sleep aids
- Saline nose spray
- Disposable gloves
- Digital thermometer
- Scissors and safety pins
- Anti-bacterial hand wipes
- Aloe gel – works excellent for sunburn
- Insect bite treatment
- Anti-itch gel or cream
- Eye drops
Miscellaneous
- 1 bandana – Useful for wiping your face!
- Earplugs – They work great for the plane!
- Zip-lock bags
- Scissors and safety pins
- Laundry bag or plastic bags (for your laundry)
- Snacks
- Packing cubes – ideal for keeping items in your suitcase organized.
- A small flashlight – Nepa does take light, meaning you will experience a blackout or two during your stay.
- Top bed sheet – if you end up sleeping somewhere and the bed sheets aren’t up to your standards.
- Toilet seat covers – the public bathrooms aren’t the cleanest and often don’t have toilet covers, so I usually bring a few packs.
- Small hand fan – In Lagos, mini fans are another thing that comes in clutch, especially with the humidity.
- Laundry detergent (travel size)
- Eyeglasses
- Contact lenses- bring extra contacts and solutions, especially as a backup to your eyeglasses.
- Permethrin – insect repellent for clothing.
- Bed net – protect yourself against insect bites while sleeping.
Electronics & Entertainment
I said before, but NEPA takes light often, so you should make sure to charge your devices whenever you can.
Here’s what you will need:
- Universal charger/adaptor – The plugs in Nigeria are D, and G. Plug D has three round pins in a triangular pattern. This one is my go-to adaptor.
- Portable charger with cords– I never leave home without my portable charger!
- Speakers – I don’t leave home without my JBL 4 speakers. These speakers are small enough to travel with and loud enough to keep the party going!
- Camera and memory card
- Kindle
- Book(s) – I prefer having physical copies of the book.
What you should not bring
Air on the side of caution and leave anything valuable or irreplaceable at home. You don’t want your trip ruined because you misplaced something important to you.
Conclusion – Lady Chin’s Two Cents
Viola, there you have it! My hope is that this packing guide helps prepare you for an extraordinary adventure in the motherland! Initially, packing for Nigeria was a chore, but I’ve learned what must come and what can stay home.
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