safari experts, since 1991
Trust us to find you the rarest animals, the most spectacular wildlife events, the remotest landscapes and deeply meaningful cultural encounters!
Here’s our essential list of items to pack for a safari to Eastern or Southern Africa.
It’s one of our most frequently asked questions, and certainly one of the most Googled safari FAQs: “What should I pack for a safari?” Fortunately, the answer to this question is a relatively simple one – though it is nuanced and the answer might surprise you. Check out what we recommend for travelling in Africa.
Hot tip: Many safari destinations involve flights on small aircraft with strict baggage restrictions – often just 15-20kg in soft-sided bags. This limitation is a liberation from over-packing, forcing you to focus on the essentials that truly matter.
What to pack for your safari: essential items for your adventure
What should I wear on safari?
Safari packing is strategic minimalism, where every item earns its place through purpose. Many lodges offer laundry services, so comfortable, casual clothes in muted colours work best. Think desert beiges, acacia greens, and riverbed khakis – tones that help you blend into the background.
Think in layers: game drives begin in pre-dawn darkness and warm gradually as the sun climbs. Long-sleeved shirts are great for protecting against both wind chill in the open game-drive vehicle, and for keeping your skin safe from the sun and insect bites. Pack cotton t-shirts, long socks for bug protection, a light scarf or buff for dust and sun protection, plus a quality hat for the blazing heat. For cooler mornings and evenings, include jeans or safari trousers, and during winter months, pack jackets (not too bulky), sweaters, and gloves. A lightweight waterproof jacket is useful for sudden afternoon downpours. Don't forget swimwear and comfortable walking shoes – heels and dress shoes have no place in the bush.
Avoid: Bright colours (red, yellow, purple, white, pink, orange), synthetic fabrics that don't breathe, and anything uncomfortable during bumpy game drives.
Shirts with long sleeves (even in summer for protection from the sun and insects)
T-shirts and cotton blouses
Long socks as bug protection
Light scarf or buff to guard against dust and for sun protection
Hat, cap or beanie to protect against both the sun and wind chill
Shorts or a light skirt (short skirts aren’t practical)
Jeans or safari trousers for evenings and cooler days
Jackets, sweaters, a scarf and gloves are recommended for early morning and evening game drives during winter
Lightweight waterproof jacket
Swim- and beach-wear
Underwear – roads can be bumpy, so suitable women’s attire such as a sports bra is recommended
Formal attire if you are staying at a prestigious hotel/luxury train
Comfortable walking shoes and sandals (heels aren’t recommended)
Wellness & comfort
The African wilderness may test your body! Pack SPF 50+ sunscreen & after-sun care as daily armour. If you wear contact lenses, bring backup glasses – Africa's dust finds every gap. Though the lodges will provide amenities, it’s best to bring your own insect repellent, & to speak to your doctor about taking anti-malarial prophylaxis (if applicable). Include hydrating skincare for dry climates. Quality lip balm with SPF protection is essential, & electrolyte supplements help during active days.
Sunscreen (SPF 50+) & after-sun care
Eye glasses (for contact-lens wearers)
Safe insect repellent
Personal medical kit with anti-malarial prophylaxis
Hydrating skincare for dry climates
Quality lip balm with SPF
Nice to have: Electrolyte supplements for active days
Practical items
Exploring the bush can be taxing, and some of the best sightings and experiences take time (just ask our consultant who waited over 2 hours to witness the first of 6,000 wildebeest cross the Bologonja River). An insulated water bottle is an easy way to make sure you have a refreshing cold drink at any time, and any temperature.
Many of our more remote lodges don’t have outside lights (to prevent light pollution and to lessen their impact on the environment), so a quality headlamp proves indispensable for pre-dawn adventures.
We also recommend packing portable phone chargers and power banks, storing any critical documents in waterproof pouches, and preparing cash in small denominations with envelopes for meaningful tips.
Practical items to bring along:
Insulated water bottle (stainless steel or premium materials)
Quality headlamp
Portable phone charger and a power bank
Waterproof document pouch filled with copies of your passport, visas and other key documents
Cash in small denominations for meaningful tips (and envelopes for distribution)
Notebook and pencil
Relevant bird book or app – ask us for recommendations
Favourite entertainment to relax – sketch book, colouring-in books, Kindle, books or magazines
Lightweight backpack to carry essentials on walking safaris
Tote bag / waist bag
Sweat/gym towel
Tissues / hand wipes / sanitiser. Pack a spare toilet roll, just in case
Padlocks / cable ties to lock your luggage
Ziplock bags of various sizes
Ear plugs
Travel pillow
Country-specific plugs and adaptors
Photography & observation
Most photographers will have their go-to kit, but we know from years of photographing while on safari, and from feedback from our photographers in our annual Photographer of the Year competition, that a good zoom lens, and some help stabilising your camera with something like a bean bag, can make or break your images.
Professional or high-end mirrorless camera with versatile zoom lens (24-200mm minimum)
Quality binoculars (8x42 or 10x42)
Nice to have: Stabilising bean bag or lightweight tripod
Weather-sealed camera bag
Extra batteries and high-capacity memory cards
As Richard Mullin said: "The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa – for he has so much to look forward to."
Pack with intention, travel with purpose, and prepare to return fundamentally changed. In Africa, you don't just witness the greatest show on Earth – you become part of it.
Safari ideas
Check out our epic safaris to Africa here:
Safari planning
Tell us about your dream trip - our travel experts will craft a no-obligation itinerary just for you. We have crafted over 5,000 safaris since 1991. Your personal details are protected; we only use this information to contact you.
Why choose us to craft your safari?
Handcrafted experiential safaris since 1991.
Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
Trust & Safety
Guest payments go into a third-party TRUST ACCOUNT - protecting them in the unlikely event of a financial setback on our part. Also, we are members of SATSA who attest to our integrity, legal compliance and financial stability.
Make a difference
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level.
YOUR safari choice does make a difference - thank you!