What to pack for a safari and beach holiday

Most bush aircraft transfers allow 15 kg of luggage per person, inclusive of hand luggage. Some operators set limits as low as 10kg; a few allow up to 20kg on larger aircraft. The critical rule is that all bags must be soft-sided – no rigid suitcases or framed backpacks. A soft duffel of 50–70 litres is the standard recommendation. Confirm your specific allowance with Africa Geographic before travel, as limits vary by operator, aircraft type, and destination

A soft-sided duffel bag is the only practical choice for a trip involving light aircraft transfers. Rigid suitcases cannot be stored in bush plane cargo holds. A single soft duffel of 50–70 litres, supplemented by a small daypack, is sufficient for most 10–14 day bush and beach itineraries – particularly if you use lodge laundry services, which are standard at most safari camps and island properties.

Neutral, muted tones are strongly recommended for game drives: khaki, olive, beige, tan, stone, and muted greens. Avoid bright colours (red, yellow, orange, white), which can draw the attention of wildlife and attract insects. Dark colours such as navy and black absorb heat and are not practical in warm conditions. Once you're at the beach, colour restrictions no longer apply – light cotton prints and swimwear are entirely appropriate.

You can find our safari packing guide here.

Yes, if your beach leg includes Bazaruto Archipelago, the Seychelles, Zanzibar, Mafia Island, or any other protected marine area. Chemical sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate are known to damage coral reefs and are banned or strongly discouraged at many Indian Ocean destinations. Bring a mineral-based reef-safe sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) for the beach portion. Standard SPF 50+ sunscreen is fine for game drives in the bush.

It is possible, particularly on shorter trips (7–10 days), if you plan carefully and use lodge laundry services. The main challenge is footwear – you need closed-toe shoes for the bush and sandals for the beach, which take up significant space. Packing travel-sized toiletries, using quick-dry fabrics, and keeping your camera kit minimal will help. On itineraries with light aircraft transfers, lighter luggage is essentially the default – the weight limit leaves little room for overpacking.

Several items carry full value across both environments: a wide-brim hat (sun protection on game drives and on the water), lightweight long-sleeve tops (warmth at dawn in the bush, sun protection on the beach), a sarong (beach cover, blanket, and towel), sandals that are suitable for both reef walking and camp dinners, SPF lip balm, and a portable power bank. Quick-dry fabrics and neutral-coloured base layers give the most flexibility across both settings.

Three to four tops, two pairs of trousers or shorts, two swimsuits, one warm layer, and one light jacket are sufficient for most 10-day trips. Safari lodges typically offer daily laundry, and island resorts usually do too. The limiting factor is not how many days you're away but how many transfers you'll make on light aircraft, which constrains your total bag weight rather than the number of items you bring.

For game drives, a camera with a telephoto lens (minimum 300mm, ideally 400mm or longer) is the most important piece of kit. A mirrorless camera body with a 100–400mm zoom is a good balance of quality and portability. For the beach leg, a waterproof compact camera or a waterproof housing for your phone is more practical than carrying a full kit to the water. A dry bag protects all gear on dhow excursions and boat transfers between islands.