“What to pack for safari” ranks amongst the top questions that our agents receive when their clients are preparing for this trip of a lifetime.
So, we’ve compiled our very best, expert-tested safari packing guide plus some tips and tricks for your next safari! Because, we know you love luxury, but when you’re in the bush, there are just some things that can’t be “luxified!”
If you are flying between camps, the typical baggage specs are soft (all-sides) luggage/duffel bags with no rigid sides with a maximum luggage weight of 20kg or 44lbs (in the hold), and lastly, a maximum luggage size of 40cm (16 inches) wide x 30cm (12 inches) high x 60cm (24 inches) long. We recommend flexible bags made of pliable material such as cotton or canvas. The best thing to bring for this is a soft side medium-sized duffel bag and a small carry-on for any extras. You can find our team’s go-to bags here: here, here, and here.
Safaris are generally casual affairs, even at the high-end camps, so leave the sparkles at home and make sure that you will be comfortable (not to mention, warm!) by packing layers. In the words of safari expert Claire Eastwood, “It’s not a fashion show, but safari is as chic as right now, so don’t be thinking Jungle Jim!”
You’re there for the experience, so don’t lose sight of that. Dress comfortably…
It will be chilly in the early morning when you start your game drive, so you’ll need to layer up. Don’t forget to bring a fleece! At night, there will usually be a campfire to keep you warm, but you’ll want to wear long sleeves and trousers to cover yourself up and avoid those pesky mosquitoes. Also, keep in mind, you get a lot dustier than you may expect because of the roads. Speaking of dust, Julie Palo Hayes shares, “Avoid white if possible…there’s a reason that green is popular for safari!”
You’re there for the experience, so don’t lose sight of that. Dress comfortably so you’re not fidgeting with tight-fitting clothing while you’re in a vehicle for hours at a time! Plus, don’t forget that most luxury lodges will offer amenities like ponchos for cold nights. Singitas are incredible and make the biggest difference! Katie Frederick adds, “Mix and match different neutral colors in comfortable fabrics like cotton and linen. Keep mostly covered to protect from bugs and the sun. Just don’t wear dark blue or black because they attract tsetse flies, which bite! Baseball hats are good to protect from the sun, and they stay on when the safari vehicle is moving fast!”
Must-haves on safari are quick-dry pants comfortable enough for climbing in and out of the vehicles; a bathing suit for lazy lodge afternoons; cute cotton bandanas, which not only elevate neutral safari staples when tied around your neck or hair, but have endless uses from protecting your nose and mouth from dust, to cooling you down when dipped in cold water. We also love a field jacket like the classic from J.Crew. Waxed cotton ones protect from wind and rain, while lightweight linen ones provide sun protection. Big pockets mean you won’t have to lug a bag on game drives, but can still access essentials like camera batteries, polarized sunglasses, lip balm, eye drops, and a good no-mess, brush-on mineral sunblock like Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45. The African sun is no joke!
Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda have all banned plastic bags so make sure none of your toiletries are packed in Ziplock bags!
Katie Lee adds, “Maximize what you can bring by using packing cubes (these ones from Paravel are amazing!) but don’t go too crazy; you need to follow the weight restrictions carefully, if not, you might be paying for an extra seat on the flight! It’s important to remember that luxury safari camps will offer laundry on site so you can wash your clothes. Plan 2 -3 safari outfits you can re-wear or mix and match.”
Lauren Kimball Grubbs shares, “Chambray button-up shirts and Soludos canvas slippers were on repeat on my trip to Kenya and Tanzania. They even have a color called ‘Safari so it’s seriously meant to be!” These slip-on will make for the perfect look during the evenings at the camp, but let’s not forget about boots. Kristina Miller adds, “For walking safaris, I’m obsessed with good sturdy hiking boots. My Merrell pair has been great to me over the years!”
Phyllis Polaner adds, “I just love Anatomie for safari wear as everything is super lightweight, hand-washable, multilayered. And as a bonus, they even include packing cubes! This page on their site has some great options, but they also have a Concierge/Travel Stylist to assist your travelers with all their needs.”
Taking photos on auto-mode will still yield images that you will be proud of for years to come.
It goes without saying that you’re going to want to document your incredible adventure. Amy Wyatt shares her advice on photography, “Consider brushing up on some simple photography techniques that will take your photos to the next level. I love my Olympus PEN, which is compact like a point-and-shoot camera, but comes with many of the features of a larger DSLR. I have invested in two lenses — a 40-150mm zoom and a 60mm macro lens for up-close detail, along with the standard 14-42mm lens.” David Bragg adds, “I know we’re all used to using our phones for photos these days but getting up close pics with a true camera is so much better.”
If buying and lugging equipment from home stresses you out, there’s always to rent and have it shipped directly to camp. Just don’t forget to bring a memory card for your camera plus a backup, because you’ll take more video and photos than you ever thought possible. And no matter what, bring a battery pack, so you can be sure to charge on the go.
Tom Bartholomew shares, ‘The safari downtime in the midday heat gives a perfect opportunity to catch up on your reading list. I always recommend bringing a book inspired by the safari location. Reading The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony surrounded by the sights and sounds of the bush made the pages come alive. It truly gave me a much deeper appreciation of the game viewing.”
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