african safari luggage restrictions

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What luggage for safari?

Luggage weights on safari

Luxury safaris normally include light aircraft flights to minimise travel times and maximise enjoyment. You’ll get a great bird’s eye view of the scenery below, but your luggage will have to meet strict weight limits.

Typically on safari your baggage weight limit will be:

• 20kg (44lbs) in Southern Africa
• 15kg (33lbs) in East Africa

These limits are a total and include hand baggage as well as your main bag. Be aware that different African countries, and internal airlines, may have different weight allowances. We’ve listed specific requirements for the main airlines in this blog as a general guide.

You shouldn’t need more than these limits since:

• Safari camps and lodges provide toiletries and towels
• Laundry can be done daily
• Dress on safari is casual throughout the day and into the evening

Bags have to fit into the luggage pod on a light aircraft. If you do need a higher luggage limit – generally something only really required by photographers with multiple camera bodies and long lenses – you can buy an extra seat on the light aircraft to make things more flexible.

Main bags for safari

The key restriction is that, on safari, bags must be strictly soft sided bags only, no wheels or frames (don’t worry about not having wheels as there are trolleys at airports and someone to carry your bag to your room or tent in the safari camp).

Bags have to fit into the luggage pod on a light aircraft flying between safari camps and lodges. When the flight is full, bags often require a shove to squeeze them in.

‘Weekender’ leather safari luggage by Sandstorm Kenya 57 x 19 x 39 cm (22.4 x 7.5 x 15.4 inches)

Size restrictions are seldom explicitly defined, since the weight restriction generally means you only need a ‘medium bag’, but aim at something no bigger than the following:

• 62cm (24 inches) long
• 30cm (12 inches) high
• 25cm (10 inches) wide

In terms of ‘capacity’ this size is likely to be around 70 litres.

Day pack for safari

For many people on safari, their hand luggage on the international flights becomes their day pack to take out on a safari vehicle or when walking. Obviously, if you are going to walk with it, a small rucksack is easier than a tote bag.

Walking safari at Stanley Camp

Ideally your day pack is big enough to carry your camera and accessories (if you don’t have a big DSLR and a separate camera bag), a water bottle, sun cream, tissues and a portable battery charger.

Packing help

We’ve produced an interactive safari packing list, which asks three questions before tailoring a personal list for you based on destination, time of year and safari activities you’re undertaking. Click the link to try it out: Interactive Safari Packing List

Any questions?

If you’ve got this far and not found an answer to a question you have that we should have included, please ask in the comments section below, or pop us an email. We’ll be sure to reply and may amend the article to include our answer.

We would be delighted to help you plan a holiday, or answer any questions if you’re at an earlier stage. Our team of experts have travelled widely throughout Africa. They can offer expert advice on every type of safari from family and beach holidays to riding and primate safaris.  If you would like to talk to someone who has been there and done it, please just  send us an email  or  give us a call .

17 responses to “What luggage for safari?”

I’m going on a 7 day safari and then to a beach hotel for 7 days. What happens to my luggage for beach holiday whilst on safari?

Thanks for the question. Unless you have particularly heavy or bulky watersports equipment it would be normal to take it with you.

Can you please suggest some makes and models of duffle bags that match 62x30x25 as I am struggling to find this size?

Hi Adursh, thanks for your message. One of the team will be back in touch soon to try and help you with this.

I am struggling with fitting camera equipment and clothing for 14 days safari in a bag that weighs less than or equal to 33 pounds. Seems that bags either do one or the other. Camera bags that leave zero room for any clothing or a travel bag that has zero padding or dividers for equipment. Does anybody have a recommendation for a good bag that fills camera and clothing needs and is no larger than 28″X18″X10″?

I’ve asked around the office and got a quick reply from a couple of friendly photographers. Noone uses a single bag to achieve safety for their camera kit (they aren’t ever checking it in) and the rest of their luggage. Unless they only have a single day’s worth of clothes, they use two bags/cases/packs.

Hope you find a solution. Have a great trip.

Hi I would also like to get some recommendations on makes and models of bags measuring 62x30x25 as nothing I’ve seen matches this size. Thank you

Eva – bear in mind that luggage is fine if it can be ‘squashed’ to the sizes mentioned. The luggage pods of many light aircraft are an awkward shape. As long as the pilot can make your bag fit, your fine. Either a small bag absolutely full, or a bigger bag that’s half full and can be squashed to fit.

Travelling to South Africa this Oct 2023 . What do we do with our large cases . Staying in the Commodore Hotel first for a few days then on to Franschhoek for a few days then Whale watching. Before flying to Karegi for safari for 4 days then back to Belmond Mount Hotel . The cases are the problem. As the flight to safari is small . So any suggestions on what we do with cases please.

Dear Leslie We would offer our clients two options: (i) Pack less. Hopefully this doesn’t sound too obvious, but most people pack too much when they holiday. South Africa isn’t generally formal for meals and you can get laundry done everywhere. In most cases there is little reason to have more luggage than can go to a safari camp with you. (ii) Arrange for the cases you don’t need on safari to go direct to the next hotel. There would be a cost for them to be transported but most hotels have a storage area where they can look after them until you arrive. If you choose the second option, I hope your tour operator can make the arrangements for you.

Thank you Richard. Much appreciated

No problem at all Eva.

Might I presume that a Cotopaxi Allpa 35L travel pack, 22 x 10 x 12 inches would fit into the described baggage pod?

It sounds like an Osprey Porter 46 at 22 x 14 x 10 inches might be a bit too wide.

Good morning Alan, I will ask one of the team to get back in touch and they can help advise. Thanks Katy

Can I take a medium suitcase with wheels

Can it be a medium suit case for 8 days

Hi Katrina, thanks for getting in touch. It depends on where you are travelling to and whether or not you are taking internal flights. We would be more than happy to advise if you e-mail us direct – [email protected] . Thansk Katy

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• 3 years ago by Claire Trickett

What to pack for an African safari

The ultimate guide on what to pack (and not to pack) for an unforgettable safari….

• Travel Specialist

You’ve dreamed about an African safari for as long as you can remember. You’ve watched (and re-watched) Out of Africa too many times to count. You’ve overcome the myths of travelling to this often-misunderstood continent, you’ve researched your destination down to the last detail, and you’ve finally booked your highly anticipated safari of a lifetime.

Now, it’s time to pack. For many first-time safari goers, this is the most daunting part of the adventure. What to pack for a luxury safari, what to wear on safari, what to leave at home—all valid questions and ones I get asked often. Preparing for your African safari should be an overwhelming “I-can’t-wait-to-get-on-that-plane” kind of exciting, so let’s take the unnecessary stress out of packing for it.

15 myths about travel to Africa

If this is your first time travelling to africa, let’s clear up some of the common misconceptions…, firstly, size matters.

Choosing the right luggage is crucial and can make or break your African safari. Be sure to thoroughly investigate the exact luggage restrictions for every flight you will be boarding. While the international flights have generous luggage allowance, it is important to note that there are strict weight and size limitations for the smaller aircraft that link out to the remote safari locations.

The exact weight allocation varies slightly across destinations, but typically between 15 and 20 kg (33 and 44 lb) are permitted per person, which often includes your camera equipment, handbags and additional carry-on items. And, yes, they do check, so pack as lightly as possible to ensure a hassle-free journey.

As important as the weight, is the type of bag itself. Hard-shell cases are not ideal and, for the most part, soft-sided bags are required on the smaller aircraft. Some of the more active adventures, such as the gorilla trek, will require a sturdy and waterproof backpack. For most safaris, a lightweight, soft-sided duffel bag is the norm. If you have a lot to pack, some people choose to forego the wheels—they add unnecessary weight when every kg counts.

&Beyond ’s range of exclusive Thule soft shell luggage is the perfect travel companion and is accepted by all &Beyond ’s preferred flight providers. Visit our Travel Shop to browse.

Photographers, and the like, with heavy equipment can pay for excess baggage, the cost of which varies across carriers. It is advisable to request this at the time of booking. For long-haul travellers with onward journeys that simply cannot stick within the restriction, speak to your travel specialist or safari operator to discuss options. Often, suitcases with items not needed for the safari leg of the journey can be left behind with the operator and returned post-safari. Again, this depends on the operator, so do your research (and bring extra luggage locks or cable ties).

Bringing the correct luggage and packing lightly are the golden rules for every safari. I speak from experience, having had to purchase an emergency soft-sided bag at the check-in desk of a very busy Nairobi airport, then (rather ashamedly) rifle through my belongings to unpack and repack in front of a long queue of onlookers. I also didn’t have an extra lock or cable ties, so had to just leave my belongings and hope for the best. It only has to happen once, and you’ll never make the same mistake again.

Safari essentials

Not sure what to wear on safari? Here are two important tips: (1) neutral colours and (2) layers, layers, layers. Contrary to popular belief, there’s no need to purchase ten sets of everything in khaki. And while you may want to channel Meryl Streep’s Out of Africa elegance, you might look a bit out of place. Remember, you’ll be spending long hours in an open (or semi-open) vehicle, under the harsh rays of the African sun, so aim for comfort above all else.

Colour is key

The general rule of thumb is to wear neutral, natural, earthy tones that blend in with the surrounding landscape (green, grey, brown, khaki, etc.). While this is not strictly enforced on safari vehicles, it is the preferred dress ethic, and certainly a requirement for nature walks. So, leave the hot pink, fluorescent yellow, and loud, colourful prints at home (or save them for wearing around the privacy of your suite and private plunge pool).

You may want to leave the whites at home too. Besides white standing out from the natural colour palette, it is also next-to-impossible to keep clean while on safari. And if you don’t get dusty, are you really on safari?!

Lighter colours are cooler, whereas dark ones absorb the heat. And if you’re packing for a safari in East Africa, another rule of thumb is to avoid navy or royal blue clothing. It is believed that tsetse flies are attracted to this hue, although my tsetse bites begged to differ. As a side note, many operators in East Africa will provide handy flyswatters on the safari vehicles to help shoo the flies.

Lastly, be careful with camo prints. Camouflage clothing is not recommended for travel in Africa and is in fact illegal for civilians in some African countries.

Another packing hack I swear by is the packing cube. I have them in varying shapes and sizes and they are game changers when it comes to organising and grouping everything in your suitcase and carry-on. They also really help to maximise your limited luggage space.

Obviously given the weight restrictions, it is crucial to pack as lightly as possible. As a serial over-packer myself, I have learned to pack light over the years, yet still manage to bring items that never get used. Less is absolutely more when packing for an African safari.

As a general rule, bring three or four outfits that you can mix and match and you’ll be fine (with a mix of long and short sleeves and long trousers and shorts). Aim for lightweight, breathable and quick-drying fabrics.

Another packing game changer is that most safari camps and lodges provide a complimentary (or minimal cost) laundry service, enabling guests to pack light. Simply place your clothing in the laundry bag provided and it will be lovingly laundered, ironed, folded and placed on your bed at evening turndown (or the next morning, if the weather is inclement). Best to just double check this with your travel specialist/safari operator beforehand.

For cultural reasons, the laundry service in some destinations respectfully excludes ladies’ undergarments; however, laundry soap is available in most suites for guest convenience.

Lastly, if you’re prone to a bit of retail therapy, do leave a bit of extra space for any safari mementoes you might like to take home (unfortunately the same luggage restrictions apply to return flights).

Pack for all seasons

There is a misconception that it is always hot in Africa. While the summer days can indeed be scorchers, the mornings and evenings—regardless of season—can be chilly, especially in an open safari vehicle pre-sunrise. And high-altitude destinations such as Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater have unpredictable weather and surprisingly brisk temperatures. Do your research to ensure you come prepared.

Think four seasons in one day—and this is where the layers come in. Bring a selection of long-sleeve, short-sleeve and sleeveless tops, as well a few light scarves (for warmth or sun protection) and one of those handy lightweight puffer jackets or a fleece for winter (and a hoodie/light jacket for summer). As someone who feels the cold, in the heart of winter, I wear a winter jacket, lightweight puffer and fleece on the morning drives, which gets a lot of heckling, but rather be warm).

Most safari operators will provide blankets on the vehicles (year-round) and hot water bottles on every seat for those winter mornings. If you feel the cold, I highly recommend bringing a beanie and a pair of thin gloves for winter safaris. During the summer months, a light rain jacket is handy; however, many lodges will supply ponchos on the safari vehicle and umbrellas in the suites. &Beyond vehicles even have a two-headed honeymoon poncho for the romantics.

A word to the ladies: summery dresses and skirts are fine for around the lodge and the pool, but believe me when I say there is no delicate way to scramble on/off a safari vehicle, with fellow guests, and your ranger, standing below. Also handy to note is that game drives can get very bumpy, so some women prefer to wear sports bras.

Toss in a few more essentials, like a cap or a sun hat (one that can get battered and wrinkled in transit), sunglasses, swimming costume, flip flops or sandals, and closed shoes with good tread for nature walks (ones that can get dirty and don’t forget socks in the case of ticks). If you don’t plan to get off the safari vehicle for a walk, flip flops are also fine for game drive (depending on how cold the mornings are).

Hiking boots aren’t necessary unless you’re doing a lengthy walking safari or gorilla trek (in which case, waterproof is recommended and make sure they’re broken in first). Bandanas and light scarves are also great for shielding the sun and dust.

A lot of guests enquire about dinnertime dress codes. While some guests will opt for nice shirt and slacks for dinner, others will opt for jeans. There really is no formal night-time dress code, so long as you are comfortable. As for the ladies, I personally wouldn’t recommend a dress or skirt in the evening—as romantic as the dinner settings are, the mosquitoes will find you, so I wouldn’t suggest bare legs in the evenings.

There is ample time after the evening drive to return to your suite, shower off the day’s dust and freshen up. A security guard will escort you from the vehicle back to your suite and will ask what time you’d like to be escorted back for dinner.

Personal amenities

Once again, it really helps to do some research. Ask your travel specialist or safari operator for their suggested packing list (scroll down for &Beyond ’s checklists) and ask ahead about certain items. For example, at &Beyond lodges, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, scrub and lotion are provided in convenient glass-pump bottles. This premium and organic product range is supplied by a leading spa and skincare company and inspired by Africa’s ancient natural healing botanicals.

A word to the ladies with long hair, I often travel with a small bottle of heavy conditioner, just in case. The African sun, wind and dust can do a number on your hair.

Don’t forget to pack strong SPF sunscreen, after-sun and lip balm. Some lodges will provide sunscreen in the suites and most rangers will have it readily available on the safari vehicle. These items can also usually be purchased at the lodge, but it’s a good idea to bring your own and to use them often.

If you are on specific medication, keep it in a safe place as it isn’t easily replaceable in remote bush locations. Hand sanitiser is readily available, and many lodges will also provide insect repellent. If you are travelling to a malaria area, then be sure to ask your physician about malaria prophylactics (some people swear by them; others opt not to take them), and non-drowsy motion sickness tablets/bracelets are also handy if you get queasy on small planes. Bring some allergy meds if you suffer from pollen, dust, etc. and some antihistamine in the case of bug bites.

This is a no-brainer for the photographers, but in addition to your standard camera equipment and lenses (in a waterproof/dustproof bag), an extra memory card and spare, fully-charged camera battery often come in handy. Inevitably, it will be when a lion pride is on the hunt that your battery will die (again, I speak from experience). A light scarf or kikoi is helpful for shielding cameras from the sun and dust, and lightweight tripods are great for night/astro photography.

Binoculars are crucial, but again, do your research. Guests visiting &Beyond lodges enjoy the complimentary use of a pair of SWAROVSKI OPTIK binoculars for the duration of their safari. It is one pair per room, so if you’re a couple of birders or bino hogs that don’t like to share, then do bring a second pair. The SWAROVSKI OPTIK universal VPA (variable phone adaptor) isn’t provided, but it’s a great tool to bring along.

Torches are another useful item worth asking about beforehand. Most lodges will provide them in the suites. Security guards carry torches to escort guests to and from their rooms at night, so no need to have your own. If your night vision isn’t great, an added cell phone torch or the torch from your suite are handy.

Most lodges have universal plug points and USB ports in the suites, but it’s advisable to bring the right plugs/adaptors just in case. A USB splitter with multiple ports is convenient for charging multiple devices and a small battery pack is also handy for keeping devices charged during game drives (some vehicles do have plug points, but this is not the norm).

Bring a well-stocked kindle or a good book, along with some headphones and playlists for the flights, road transfers, afternoons by the pool and those sporadic, but unavoidable ‘Africa-time’ delays. Many lodges have Bluetooth speakers in the suites, but in my humble opinion, when you’re in the bush, the sounds of Mother Nature are far more enchanting.

There is no need to bring a bird book unless you’re an avid birder. Most guides will have their own bird, mammal and tree books on the vehicle and will pass these around to guests at sightings. At &Beyond lodges, guests also receive a convenient Guide’s Journal with beautiful illustrations of the flora and fauna—great for jotting down a list of the wildlife witnessed on your safari.

Don’t forget

It would be remiss not to mention the obvious travel essentials: passport (check the entry requirements, expiration date, number of blank pages, etc.); required Covid documentation and face masks, sanitiser, etc.; travel vaccinations (where necessary); plane tickets; visas (where necessary); credit cards; travel itinerary; and travel insurance. Bring an extra copy of your passport and important travel documents just in case.

As always, don’t pack any valuables in your checked luggage and keep the essentials (such as medication, ID and travel documents) in your carry-on in the event of lost or delayed luggage.

Carry some USD in small denominations for tipping porters, transfer drivers, etc. When it comes to tipping your guide, tracker, butler, housekeeping, etc., this can be added to your bill upon checkout, or you can bring cash. Ask your travel specialist or safari operator for their tipping guidelines.

Leave behind

Now that your packing list is sorted, just make sure you bring an unbridled sense of adventure, a sense of humour and a dash of patience. There’s nothing quite like going on safari. As the saying goes, “Everything in Africa bites, but the safari bug is the worst of all.” Once bitten, you’ll want to return, again and again. There’s simply no such thing as too many safaris.

A few items to leave at home:

• Diet (‘lodge podge’ is a real thing; the food is irresistibly diet-breaking)
• Snacks (no need to bring game drive nibbles; you’ll be well fed)
• Stress, deadlines, laptop (unless you absolutely must connect to work)
• Camouflage clothing (illegal in some African countries)
• Plastic bags (banned in some African countries)
• Hairdryer (most lodges provide; ask them prior to departure)
• Drones (some destinations will confiscate, and others won’t allow them for wildlife security monitoring reasons, as well as the privacy of fellow guests; best to leave them at home unless you have permission and the necessary paperwork resolved prior to travel)

Get packing

But first, music….

Here’s an African playlist to get you in a safari state of mind while you pack for your adventure of a lifetime.

Apple Music

Youtube music.

Once your (soft-sided duffel) bags are packed, take a moment to brush up on your safari lingo.

And one more thing—if you’re one of those Out of Africa aficionados mentioned earlier, I’ll let you in on a secret. In the northern reaches of Kenya, at the beautiful Segera Retreat , you can see (and take a once in a lifetime flight in) the actual G-AAMY 1930’s biplane flown in the film by Robert Redford. Definitely one for the memory bank.

As they say in Swahili, ‘safari njema’ … have a good journey.

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Complete Guide to Packing for an African Safari

Trunks are packed but not yet zipped. 🙂 We’ve laid out our safari clothes, removed all but the essential and STILL have too much to fit into a small duffel. The issue is that we’re heading to safari camps as well as the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town in South Africa. The nights will be cool and the days hot. We need comforts items for overseas flights and may need ponchos for Victoria Falls. How do we narrow our packing for an African safari adventure? What are the must bring items for an African safari? And what will we choose for our luggage for safari?

This post includes affiliate links. Traveling Tulls gets paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking on one of these. We have not received any products for review. We suggest items we have enjoyed and hope you will too.  DISCLOSURE

Table of Contents

Luggage for Safari – suggestions and restrictions

An African safari involves a lot of hopping around – whether you’re camping on your own, traveling in a group, or bouncing between game camps in a small bush plane. The travel will be dusty, bouncy, and luggage room limited. You will be advised to pack in a soft sided bag with no wheels. You will likely be given a weight restriction which will include your personal items, photo equipment, and gear. On our 2014 trip this was 20 kg or about 40 pounds. Update: In 2019 combined weight for light aircraft is 15 kg or 33 lbs.

If you’re traveling on your own, you will likely have space in your jeep for your gear. If you’re traveling on a luxury safari, you will likely have help with luggage. But don’t count on either. Be sure you are able to carry your own gear. For this reason, we recommend as your luggage for safari a duffel bag with comfortable backpack straps, giving you several carry options.

For more tips read How to Stay Organized on a Long Trip .

Download our Safari Packing List 

Suggested luggage for safari:

• Eagle Creek Load Hauler (49L expands to 59L), Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler (60 L) or similar – reasonably priced bags with organizational features and a No Matter What guarantee. Both have hide away backpack straps for convenient carry.
• Tom Bihn Aeronaut or Techonaut- elegant bags with lots of organizational features. Both of these bags have a maximum capacity of 45L.
• Osprey Transporter (40 or 65L)
• Patagonia Black Hole Duffel a sturdy, water-repellent bag, but well named as a black hole. Pack in colorful cubes to make access easier.

Depending on your overseas flight status, you may be able to fit all of your African safari gear and clothes for safari in your carry-on bags but be prepared for a last minute gate check.

For our flight to South Africa, we weighed and measured all our gear carefully. Everything fit the restrictions for our overseas flight. But when we arrived at the gate for our short hop to Atlanta, we were told they’d changed planes and our bags wouldn’t fit in the overhead. I only panicked a little bit as I dug through my duffel at the gate, pulling out essentials I’d expected to have close by. The next 20 hours or so were awful as I imagined I’d never see my bag again. (bag arrived in Johannesburg with my flight no worse for wear) Don’t be me. Be prepared! 

What to Pack for Safari

In your (guaranteed to fit) carry-on bag, paperwork must haves for an african safari.

• we recommend you photograph and email copies of your drivers license, and credit cards as well.
• Yellow Fever inoculation certificate – check with your country’s health department to see if this inoculation is required. Some countries will require it for entry, i.e., South Africa.
• Visas (if necessary) – you may be able to get your visa online before the flight. But if not, we recommend bringing two passport sized photos with you to facilitate the process.
• Tickets & travel vouchers
• Travel Insurance information – highly recommend getting travel insurance for such an exotic and EXPENSIVE trip.

Gear and Gadgets – (see  Travel Gear: African Safari for more information)

• extra SD cards
• lens wipe or brush (we use a Nikon lens pen )
• Binoculars [optional though highly recommended] – our favorites binoculars for travel here
• iPad or small laptop to review and backup images [optional]
• *Plugs, adapters and chargers for all above
• *Flashlight or headlamp
• Money belt or similar security stash

Health and First Aid

• Malarone – malaria pills – check with your doctor to see what will work for you
• Compression socks for DVT prevention on long flights
• *Bush bathroom helpers – toilet paper, wipes, (Amazon offers a packaged set including toilet seat covers call the Restroom Kit ) and the ladies might want to bring a urination device – Venus to Mars , or a  Go-Girl – for easier ‘going’ mid game drive. (Don’t laugh ladies, safari toilet facilities won’t be your favorite travel memory!)
• Prescription medicine – leave in labeled bottles if possible. Or take a copy of your prescription with you.
• Misc. OTC medications – include any basic medications you might reach for at home. There are no convenient pharmacies in the bush. We carry Advil, Pepcid-AC for heartburn, antihistamines for allergies, Imodium for diarrhea, Bonine for motion sickness, etc.
• *Bug spray (most camps will supply insect repellent but bring some just in case)

Flight Comfort items – see our Essential for Surviving a Long Flight in Coach

Just in Case Carry-On Clothing

We always include a packing cube with a swimsuit, a tee shirt, underwear, and one change of clothing. For this trip, we’d probably bring a bit more, including one safari outfit. It’s also a good idea to split your packing between your bags. Packing at least one outfit in a traveling companion’s bag will be appreciated if you lose your luggage.

Additionally, I recommend a sweater, or poncho, for over air-conditioned planes. I love my Diane Kroe carry-on cozy for this as it also will step in as a cover-up if luggage is lost. See more of my easy to pack favorites here.

* starred items can be checked if you’re short of room.

What to Pack in Your Duffel Bag – can be checked if necessary

Your duffel bag will likely be your ‘bureau’ on this trip, so we recommend you organize your clothing with packing cubes for safari travel. We use compression cubes from Eagle Creek for underwear, swimsuits, and puffy jackets, but prefer a boxier packing cube for safari clothes. When we arrive at our destination, we remove the cubes but leave the clothing in place. It’s easy to find our things that way, and easy to repack for the next game camp. Choosing packing cubes that are different colors will also help with your organization.

Note: most safari camps have options for laundry services. If you don’t expect this on your trip, bring along Woolite packets and a Scrubba wash bag to make washing clothes easier.

Is it necessary to buy safari outfits?

No. You may well have everything you need in your closet! Long, quick-dry pants, and roll-up long sleeve shirts in neutral colors will be fine for you trip. The neutral colors are especially important if you plan on a walking safari or are traveling to East Africa where tsetse flies are attracted to bright blues and black.

Admittedly we bought a few safari style clothing pieces – Columbia pants and Exofficio shirts, and have used them on trips within the U.S. (And investing in the gear was a good reason to plan another safari!)

In Dave’s duffel bag- safari clothing for men:

What’s In His Bag?

• 1 pair khakis and 1 sweater for dinners out in Cape Town
• 1 pair of shorts and 1 bathing suit
• 2 polo shirts and 3 tees in earth tones – merino wool recommended
• 2 button down shirts
• 2 safari style long sleeve shirts treated with permethrin insect repellant**
• Windbreaker (Magellan) and Scottevest tech fleece with removable arms
• Photo vest with insect shield (Exofficio)
• 2 pairs of convertible pants ( Columbia recommended – treat with permethrin**)

In Amy’s luggage- safari clothes for women:

Your itinerary will determine your packing list.

• If you are staying primarily in safari camps, you can limit your packing to safari casual.
• If you’ve chosen luxury safari camps, you CAN stay in safari clothing, but may wish to include a few nicer outfits for the evenings in camp. This is where a nice poncho or colorful skirt will come in handy.
• If you’ll be in Cape Town or another cosmopolitan city, you will want some dressier options.
• If you’ve booked a beach retreat during your vacation, check out the dress code for that area. Zanzibar, off the coast of Tanzania, is an Islamic area, so modest dress is recommended.
• And, of course, if you’ve planned a stopover on your way to Africa, choose clothing that will work for that location.

Simplify #3, 4, and 5 by using packing cubes dedicated to the city or beach stop. This will save you a lot of digging through clothes when you’re in the game camps.

What’s In Her Bag?

• Windbreaker with removable sleeves ( Scottevest jacket has the versatility of a photographer’s vest without the touristy look!)
• Fleece or a puff jacket in a compression cube for cool morning game drives
• 4 tees, merino wool recommended! These take up little room and are odor resistant!
• 2 scarves – one for safari to keep the dust off, one for keeping warm on the plane and dressing up
• Lightweight cardigan (I love my wrap cardigan, the DKNY cozy)
• 2 lightweight, convertible pants, treated with permethrin** ( Columbia and Mountain Hardwear )
• 2 long sleeve safari shirts, treated with permethrin.** (I’ve included an Exofficio BugsAway tunic which will be great for game drives AND dressy enough for city evenings.)
• Casual tops – 2019 update – I’ve replaced these tees with merino wool tops which take up half the space and are odor resistant!
• Silky dress-up tops
• Safari hat (wide brim for sun protection)
• 1 dress, 1 skirt, 1 travel pants

Necessary Extras

Foldable duffel – on your return flight, pack your clothing in a foldable duffel or pack and check it through to your final destination. Use your carry-on space for souvenirs. Do not underestimate how many beautiful souvenirs you will want to bring home, not just for the memories, but because your patronage is so important to the people you will meet on safari.

Journal – I keep an electronic journal but carry a small Field Notes notebook , or similar, to jot down things as we travel. You will want to record the animals you see, and friends made along the way.

Pen – you’ll need this to fill out paperwork on board the plane! Keep it handy in your personal item or in your safari vest.

**NOTE: It is not necessary to buy specially treated clothing for insect protection. We use Sawyer’s permethrin to treat our clothing. Saturate the clothing (outdoors) and allow to dry thoroughly – at least two hours. This insect repellent should last for 6 washings.

We’re off to Africa again! And we’re traveling carry-on only! Visit Packing for our Second Safari – In a Carry-On to see what we’re taking this time.

What would you include in your safari packing list that we’ve left out? Suggestions very welcome before we head out in a few months!

This article contains referral links. Read our DISCLOSURE .

Amy Tull and Team

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Amy, a writer on responsible bucket list travel, is your reliable source for insightful travel advice. With a career background in libraries, and a degree in biology and mathematics, Amy's approach to travel is rooted in meticulous research and planning, and her commitment to eco-conscious adventures.

Amy’s dedication to sustainable travel practices, including efficient packing techniques, ensures that every adventure leaves a positive impact on both the environment and the traveler's well-being. Trust Amy to guide you towards meaningful and eco-friendly travel, making the most of your retirement years.

A lifelong New England resident, Amy is also the source for insider tips on travel in the Northeastern U.S.

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8 thoughts on “ Complete Guide to Packing for an African Safari ”

Awesome post thanks for the tips!

This is a great find as I might be heading off on a safari in the early part of 2020. I did an overland one back in 2006, but man times have changed!

Change that ‘might be’ to ‘will’! And share whatever you plan.

Great tips! I never would have guessed tsetse flies would be attracted to black!

I know!!! I’m so used to packing black that it’s a bit of a challenge!

Well as you know packing has been very much on my mind this week – we leave in ten days! Loved your suggestions here. We also will be in several African nations on our journey (Kenya, Zambia, Botswana, Mauritius, Uganda and Rwanda). Are you going to any of those this time?

We are going to Kenya, but went to Zambia and Botswana last time. Excited to read your whole itinerary!

Thanks for sharing such an interesting article about safari. want to see more.

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• Jul 6, 2023

The Complete African Safari Vacation Packing List & Guide

You’ve dreamed of going on safari for the longest time and now it’s all in motion: you’re finally heading to the savannahs of the Serengeti, the sprawling crater floor of Ngorongoro, and the verdant jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Your sights are set and your flights are booked—now, what in the world do you pack for your African safari adventure? What are the list of essentials for your African safari? Well, we hear this question quite a bit, so it prompted us to create this thorough article on the subject matter.

Getting your safari packing list in order can feel like a daunting task, especially if this is your first safari. How to prepare for a trip to places like nowhere else on the planet?

Not to worry—the trip planners at Penwell Safaris can help you pick out everything you need to succeed in the wild landscapes of East Africa. From recommendations to restrictions, we’ll help you sort out what to put on your safari packing list, what to pack it all into, and what to leave behind.

Safari Travel Luggage & Baggage Requirements

We expect that it’s a big ol’ jet airliner that’ll carry you to East Africa. But once you’re here, you’ll be hopping from spot to spot in more compact quarters: journeying by jeep and lifting off in light aircraft. And as neither of those adventurous modes of transport are known for their luggage capacity, there are some considerations to keep in mind.

The first consideration is weight. Light prop planes can only lift so much between passengers and cargo, and strict regulations on luggage keep the whole kit and caboodle safely in the sky. There are some slight variations from country to country and plane to plane, but the general rule across East Africa is this: two bags per passenger (one stowed, one carry-on), and no more than 33lbs total luggage between the two.

The second part is the luggage itself—nothing with a rigid frame, hard shell, or wheels. In East Africa, you want things you can cram into tight compartments and toss into stuffed trunks. Plus, you want the grab-and-go ease of bags that you can lug about with minimal fuss and as few hands as possible—light hiking backpacks and rugged duffel bags are where it’s at. Restrictions on dimensions vary, but most medium to small bags will fit the bill. Aim for a form factor of 24 inches by 18 inches by 13 inches or smaller and you’ll be good to go.

The great news is that these two requirements combine well—if you’re leaving your standard roller suitcase at home, you’re freeing up about 10 pounds of weight. And it gets better: thanks to East Africa’s climate, you’re not going to need a great variety in your wardrobe. With a few sensible outdoors standards on your safari packing list, you’re all set to go out on the game drives.

For some additional information around airlines and their luggage size rules, here’s a list of the most common airlines traveling from the U.S. to East Africa and their respective baggage allowance travel guidelines:

• KLM / Royal Dutch Airlines

• British Airways

• Kenya Air

• Ethiopian Airlines

• Qatar Airways

East African Weather Climate and What to Expect on Safari

Your luggage choices are all sorted out—but what goes in those appropriately selected packs and sacks? For that, we need to have a little climate chat.

The Earth’s equator runs right through East Africa, which causes a unique seasonality. While you’ll hear November through March referred to as “summer” and May through August as “winter,” you’re also certain to hear time spans named with the more straightforward descriptors of “wet” and “dry” seasons.

Seasonality of East Africa Weather

In Kenya and Tanzania, June through October make up a reliably dry season of abundant sunshine and very little rain. Summery November to March means a mix of rain and sun, and March through May is a time of soaking rains and swampy humidity. You’ll encounter much the same in Uganda and Rwanda, with the exception that the expected rainy seasons start about a month earlier, and surprise rain showers can pop up just about any time of year—especially in the rainforests.

East Africa also boasts relatively stable temperatures thanks to its equatorial locale. It’s not unheard of for parts of northern Uganda to tiptoe over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the hottest parts of July, nor for daytime temps along the Ngorongoro Crater rim to bottom out in the low 60s—but for the most part, year-round and across the whole area, daytime temperatures tend to bandy about the 70s and 80s. Nights and mornings are often about 20 degrees cooler. (As you’ll likely be out and about during those times, that’s something to take into account.)

Clothing to Pack for an African Safari

All of this adds up to needing about three or four outfits that can mix and match to cover a variety of fairly comfortable outdoor conditions. Let’s take a look at the particular must-haves that you’ll need for a safari in the summer months:

T-shirts & tank tops

Khakis and trousers (jeans in dry, winter months only)

A few pairs of shorts (if you’re a fancy-pants with fancy pants that are shorts AND trousers, this is your time to shine)

Comfy walking shoes for game walks, decent hiking shoes for hardier hikes

Flip-flops for your room and the pool—keeps the dirt outside and the changing simple

Bathing suit

A securely fastened sun hat or a baseball cap

Hoodie, fleece, pullover, and/or windbreaker for brisk evenings and mornings

One or two long-sleeve layers

A waterproof outer layer or two, like a sturdy poncho or a more technical shell layer

Underwear and socks! (ladies: you’ll want a sports bra)

A bandana for sun-screening and cooling or a light scarf for layering

Dust bags for cameras and binoculars

Those t-shirts, khakis, and shorts are the basics that will keep you happy, and the core around which you can customize your clothing for the specific whens and wheres of your safari. Summer months (November to March) and wet seasons (the same, but through May) require more attention to waterproofing and quick-drying clothing for inland areas. Sunnier and drier winters (June through October) mean leaner outfits overall but more layering to protect from sun and dust.

Should You Pack Nice/Dress Clothes for Safari?

If you want to dress to impress, knock yourself out and slip a stylish button-down into your ensemble. Mostly, you’re going to want to look properly prepared, which means following a few basic guidelines on top of the specifics.

Muted earth tones are your friends out in the bush. Bright and bold colors can sometimes draw reactions from the wildlife, whether it’s a spooked savannah zebra or a biting tse-tse fly attracted to your brilliant blue shirt.

Layering is key, and comfort is king. It’s totally normal to have a morning chilly enough for a fleece, an afternoon hot enough for tanks and shorts, and an afternoon rain shower. You want to be able to shed and don layers with ease to keep yourself comfortable while you’re away from camp.

Waterproof and quick-drying clothing are great at all times, and absolutely essential for wet seasons. The old hiking mantra of “cotton is rotten” is important to remember for underlayers like socks—wool is far superior to cotton for wicking moisture, whether it’s coming from you or the sky.

Recommended Safari Toiletries and First Aid Products

Sunscreen. Recommended SPFs for safari range on personal preference, but you’ll want at least SPF 20 to be safe.

Insect repellant. Up to 30% DEET for skin application. Consider permethrin-based products for clothing if you’re traveling in jungles or during humid, late-wet-season months.

A “travelers’ best friends” assortment of basic medications: antihistamines (e.g. Benadryl), anti-diarrheals (e.g. Imodium), anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen), anti-emetics (e.g. Pepto Bismol)

Band-aids, blister cushions, gauze

Cortisone cream and antibiotic ointment

Toothbrush and toothpaste, floss

Brush or comb

Nail clippers, file, and tweezers

Antacids, cough drops, earache drops

Saline solution for contacts (though we recommend wearing glasses where possible due to dust)

Finally, be sure to check with your physician for up-to-date and regionally specific medications like anti-malarial tablets and antibiotic measures like Z-Paks.

Gifts to Bring for African Locals

Over the years, our travel planners at Penwell have been asked so often about the possibility of bringing gifts to donate to children and hosts that we’ve dedicated a full blog post to the topic. For reference, here’s a short list of the best gifts to bring on safari:

Dental hygiene and first-aid products

Pencils, pens, crayons, and chalk

Notepads and notebooks

Toys like soccer balls, footballs, and board games

Household goods like clothes and linens

What NOT to Pack for an African Safari

For a variety of reasons, there are a few items that many travelers might tote along that just don’t jive well with the environments in East Africa. To stay on the safe side, leave these items at home.

Electric items with large power requirements like hairdryers. Most camps aren’t equipped to power such devices.

Camouflage clothing or military-style outfits or accessories. They can cause trouble in some situations and big trouble in some countries.

Plastic bags and single-use bottles. Frowned upon in most of East Africa, plastic bags are outright banned in Kenya and Rwanda for environmental reasons.

US currency printed before 2006. These older bills are simply not accepted in many places, customs included.

Get Packing for an African Safari Adventure!

Ready to start stuffing duffels and donning backpacks for your safari adventure? We can’t wait to get you out there for one life-changing experience after another. Be sure to check in with your Penwell trip planners for any specifics about your exciting destinations, and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have. Let’s write your safari story together.

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What to Pack for Safari – A Detailed Safari Packing List

Last updated: July 16, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 4 Comments

So you’re going on safari. Awesome! We love safaris, and Jess and I have been lucky enough to take many safaris together. But now you might be wondering what to actually pack for safari.

Well, we’re here to help. We’ve taken safaris on a number of occasions in a variety of countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. From those trips, we’ve learned what items are essential for your safari packing list, and what you probably won’t need.

We’ll also share some tips on what to consider when packing and a detailed safari packing checklist for your reference.

Table of Contents:

What to Consider when Packing for Safari

Before you start putting your safari packing list together, you are going to need to know the answers to a few questions. These questions will help inform you as to what you need to pack.

There are many different types of safari across a range of destinations and accommodation types, so there is no “one size fits all” safari packing list.

Here are some questions that we think will help you figure out more clearly what you need to bring.

Where are you going?

The first question of course is where you are going on safari. Whilst many people will instantly think of the African continent when thinking of a safari trip, you can take a safari in destinations around the world.

Once you know where you are going, then you can start to research the answers to some of the other questions that are important to your safari trip planning.

What will the weather be like during your safari?

When it comes to packing clothes and travel gear, having an idea of the weather is definitely going to make a big difference. Whilst we often think of safaris as taking place in hot and dry places, this is certainly not always the case.

If you are visiting Africa, this is obviously a huge continent, with very variable weather. If you are visiting the more southern countries like South Africa, these have a weather pattern similar to Europe or the USA, with cool winters and hot summers. Although of course being in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed.

If you are visiting countries closer to the equator, like Kenya or Tanzania, then their proximity to the equator means that they tend to be quite warm year-round, and their seasons are instead divided into dry seasons and wet seasons.

The wet season, as the name suggests, is when you are more likely to get a lot more rain, whilst the dry season will be, well, drier. Of course, rain is theoretically possible at any time, but it is much less common in the dry season.

In some areas, it can get pretty cold, especially at higher elevations or when next to water. For example, if you are visiting Tanzania to hike Kilimanjaro , then even if it is hot in the plains, it is likely to be very cold near the summit.

So be sure to check into that, especially if you are visiting during the winter season of that country. You may be surprised to know you might need to bring a coat, gloves, hats, etc.

So take a look at the average temperatures, humidity, and rainfall in the places you plan to go at the time of the year you plan to visit. Also note that some countries may have very different climates across regions so be sure to take that into account as well.

One good website for checking average temperatures, precipitation, and humidity for the destinations on your trip is the “Climate (averages)” section of timeanddate.com . It allows for you to check the historical averages by month as well as the current weather.

How long is your safari?

The duration of your safari will definitely make an impact on how much you pack.

If you are traveling for a few days, then you will likely need fewer items of clothing compared to a safari lasting for a few weeks or even months. For longer safaris, you’ll want to consider how to handle laundry, which we cover in a different section.

What types of transport will you be using?

It’s important to have an understanding of the transport you will be using when you are on safari, as this will often make a big difference in terms of what you can bring with you, and also the sort of luggage you can bring.

For example, if you are going on safari in an African country, many airlines flying to and from these destinations will have very generous luggage allowances, so it can be tempting to pack a lot in a big suitcase just in case.

However, once you are actually in the country, your local transport might not have quite so much room. If you are taking a group safari especially, with multiple people, there will be limited space available for each person.

Another big restricting factor is if you are taking any domestic flights on smaller aircraft. These are often used in-country to get to and from safari parks, and can skip long drives.

Smaller aircraft tend to be particularly restrictive when it comes to luggage allowances, both in terms of weight and also volume. The small holds mean they can only carry so much, and larger hard sided luggage for example might not even fit through the hatch. So many don’t allow you to bring any kind of hard-sided luggage.

If you are doing a multi-day hike, such as up Mt. Kilimanjaro or Mt. Kenya, your trekking guide and company will generally set size and weight restrictions on what can be carried.

Generally, you are allowed one duffel bag (carried by a porter) and then one personal backpack that you have on you at all times. Most companies (or hotels if staying at the same one before and after) will have somewhere you can store additional luggage before your hike if needed but you will need to check and make arrangements.

You will definitely want to talk to your safari organizer prior to packing. They should be able to give you clear instructions regarding luggage limits and restrictions. If you are flying on smaller aircraft, you will generally find that soft luggage is going to be preferable.

What activities will you be doing on your safari trip?

Every safari is different, and it’s important that you pack according to what you will be doing.

For example, a safari where you are going to spend the majority of your time in a vehicle looking at wildlife in game reserves will probably pack a bit differently than someone going on a safari which includes gorilla trekking , long hikes, climbing a mountain, fishing, cycling, camping, or spending a lot of time birdwatching on foot in swampy areas.

So it is good to have an idea of those activities. How much time will be spent in vehicles, walking, hiking, boating, biking, etc.? Will you be spending any time in cities doing activities like visiting museums, shopping, visiting restaurants, etc. Will you be going to a beach or spending a bit of time in swimming pools?

You should have a full itinerary for your safari so you should know what to bring, and a good tour operator should also give some suggestions as to essential items to bring.

What sort of accommodation will you be staying in during your safari?

Safari accommodation varies wildly, from very simple budget camping options through to high end 5-star luxury lodges.

Whilst the majority of accommodation options that we have stayed at on safari have a fairly relaxed dress code, even at the luxury end, it is worth checking to see what the dress code is, if any. Sometimes evening attire might require a button up shirt for men for example or close toed shoes.

On the other end of the scale, if you are staying in a tent then you might need to consider things like shower shoes or nightwear that is suitable for midnight bathroom breaks at shared toilet blocks.

General Tips when Packing for Safari

Before we go through the packing list, we wanted to share some tips to help you pick what to bring with you on safari.

Clothing Color for Safari

Perhaps one of the more important things to consider when packing for safari is the color of the clothes you bring with you.

Generally, brown and green colors, or variants thereof, are regarded as the best. They generally blend into the surroundings, and have the bonus that they don’t show dirt quite as well, which is a benefit on dusty drives.

Bright primary colors are discouraged as they make you stand out more.

Blue, dark purple, and black colors should also be avoided. These colors are known to attract Tsetse flies, which have a very nasty bite and which can carry disease.

How Easy is it to Wash?

When putting your clothing list together, especially on a trip longer than a week or so, you will want to think about how easy each item of clothing is to wash. You might also want to consider how long it might take to dry.

A safari can be both a dusty and sweaty environment, meaning that unless you want to carry a lot of clothes, you will have to plan to do some laundry as you go on a longer trip. Most lodges will likely offer laundry, or you can do your own hand laundry easily enough.

With this in mind, high-end clothing which requires dry-cleaning or a careful delicate cycle might be best left at home if you don’t want it ruined. We’d suggest sticking to clothes that wash easily in hot or cold water, and which air-dry quickly (the majority of locations we’ve visited do not have electric driers).

Versatility

When it comes to choosing clothing and putting outfits together, we’d suggest giving priority to clothing that can be worn in multiple situations or in multiple outfits, to avoid having to bring too much clothing.

So a top that works as well on a safari as at an evening meal would definitely be a better choice if possible, compared to bringing multiple options for different occasions.

Safari Packing List

We’ll now go through a guide to what we think are essentials for safari, which is based on multiple safaris we have taken, some of which have been over quite prolonged multi-week trips.

Of course, there is no definitive list, and you should adjust this list based on what you feel you need to take with you. But this should give you a good starting point.

Shirts for Safari

Wherever you are going on safari, and whatever the weather, you will need a number of shirts or tops. We usually travel with a number of layers, because even in hot countries our experience is that it can be cooler at night.

So for us, we normally pack a bunch of t-shirts, some long sleeve button-up safari style shirts, and a couple of fleece outer layers.

For t-shirts, we prefer these made of wicking material, which is cool and fast drying. So something like this for Laurence and these for Jess . We also travel with a few cotton t-shirts as well, but note that these tend to hold sweat and not dry as fast.

Next, we also like to travel with button-up shirts that are specifically designed for safari, and for that we like the Craghoppers brand of clothing. We mostly wear long-sleeved ones as these protect against both the sun and insect bites.

Craghoppers make a whole range of clothes which are excellent for all sorts of outdoor activities, but we think they are particularly suited to safari. If you spend time on safari, you’ll likely recognize that this is probably the most common brand worn by more experienced travelers, especially those from Europe.

Their clothes are fast drying, very lightweight, durable, usually have multiple handy pockets, and many of them have built-in insect repellent as well!

For shirts, we both like the Craghoppers NosiLife shirts, available for men here and for women here . We’ve worn them on safari all across East Africa and they have proven to be very capable items of clothing.

Unfortunately, Craghoppers have stopped selling their products directly in the US, although you can usually find them on Amazon . If you are in the US, we’d highly recommend checking out Patagonia’s options as an alternative .

Of course, there are many more options out there, and you can see a range of moisture-wicking fast-drying button up shirts on Amazon here .

Finally, when it comes to general top layers, we usually also pack at least one warmer top which can go over everything else. This can be handy for those cooler early morning safaris or evenings in the camp, when temperatures can drop, especially if you are at higher elevations.

Generally, we prefer a top with a full zip down the front as it allows us to control our temperatures a bit more by zipping or unzipping the front, but this is a personal choice.

For tops, we love clothes from Patagonia . Their sustainable ethos and approach to rewearability is something we really appreciate, plus their clothing happens to be fantastic quality. It is definitely a little on the more expensive side, but it should last you a long time!

Jess in particular really likes her Patagonia full-zip better sweater , and there’s a men’s version as well . We’ve also had good experiences with the North Face range of fleeces, which is my current fleece, and you can see a full range of those here .

If you are on a budget, we have had good luck getting secondhand high quality fleeces and pullovers secondhand from thrift stores or online secondhand clothing websites.

Trousers / Pants / Dresses for Safari

Generally we both prefer to wear long pants for safari, even on hotter days. We like lightweight hiking style pants that offer good sun protection, as well as some protection from biting insects and branches. Jeans generally are a bit too heavy and hot in our experience.

When it comes to specific brands, we again like Craghoppers for their range of pants. Their NosiLife technology helps keep biting insects away and they have a range of hiking pants with this technology built in. Their products are also very lightweight and fast drying.

When it comes to specific products that we have used, Laurence likes more baggy cargo style trousers , whilst Jess prefers slightly more fitted pants .

Again, there are multiple brands offering high quality pants, including these options from Patagonia , and this extensive selection on Amazon .

Jess also likes to travel with some easy wear lightweight dresses which are good for wearing in the evening for dinner and non-safari days.

Shoes for Safari

Choosing the right footwear for safari will of course depend on the kind of activities you are going to be doing.

If you will be doing any hiking, including game walks, chimpanzee trekking or gorilla trekking , then we highly recommend a good pair of waterproof hiking boots.

We both have a pair of Scarpa hiking boots , Laurence has these ones and Jess has these .

Of course, there are lot of other great brands . We’ve had various pairs, Jess in particular liked her Merrell hiking boots and she hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro in those.

If your trip doesn’t involve a lot of hiking, then you can probably skip proper hiking boots. They are quite heavy and take up a fair bit of space, so will save you some luggage space if not required.

We just recommend you bring one good pair of comfortable closed-toed shoes. A pair of lightweight flip flops or sandals is also likely a good idea if you plan to spend time relaxing at the pool, resort, or going to the beach.

For more tips on shoes for travel, see our guide to the best travel shoes for men , and the best travel shoes for women .

Hats for Safari

Many safari destinations tend to be quite hot and sunny, and you’re going to be spending a lot of time outdoors. So a good hat is going to be essential for your trip. You just want to make sure that the hat you choose has a wide enough brim to shade your entire face. Some may also want one with a neck flap.

We personally love our Tilley hats . They are well constructed, easy to pack, lightweight, machine washable, and come with a very solid guarantee. For safari, we’d recommend the LTM6 Airflo hat , which is what Laurence uses, or for even more cooling, the LTM8 Airflo hat .

We have also had other hats of course. In addition to a Tilley Airflo hat, Jess also has a hat with a foldable neck flap like this one , which keeps the sun off her neck as well as her head. My parents both took hats with sunflaps with them on safari to be able to protect their necks. So that is also a great option.

Swimwear for Safari

Whilst you are unlikely to be going for a swim whilst out on safari, what with the risk of crocodiles and hippos, that doesn’t mean you should leave your swimwear at home.

Many safari lodges and camps have absolutely wonderful pool areas, and if you have downtime between game drives on a hot day, then a dip in the pool can be a wonderful way to relax and cool down. Many safaris might also include some relaxation time on a beach or island.

We always pack swimwear when we go on safari for just this reason, and we’ve had some lovely swimming experiences as a result.

You can search for swimwear for men on Amazon here , and for women here .

Socks and Underwear for Safari

This one will be a brief entry. Obviously, you’re going to need undergarments and socks for safari!

Our main tips are to be sure to pack enough to last either your trip (if a week or less) or the longest stretch of your trip you plan to go without doing laundry. Ideally pick lightweight and quick-drying underwear and socks that can be easily washed on the go. We tended to handwash these types of items every 4-5 days so we never ran out of them.

If you are looking for a brand, ExOfficio (nylon) or Smartwool (merino wool) are a couple of brands you might check out for travel-friendly quick-drying undergarments.

If hiking or planning to do a lot of walking, be sure to bring good quality hiking socks along. You want good socks that will provide a bit of cushion, wick away moisture, and help prevent blisters. A few brands we like are Smartwool , Darn Tough , and Farm to Feet .

Also, for women, it is a good idea to bring along a supportive sports bra or two. Jess says these are a must-have for bumpy roads and climbing.

Raingear for Safari

Whatever time of year you are planning on going on safari, and whatever activities you will be doing, we still recommend packing some sort of raingear just in case.

This might be a lightweight breathable rain jacket that you can wear over your clothes, or a pack away rain poncho . Just make sure whatever you bring has a hood.

We always travel with rain protection of some kind, just in case.

Camera Gear for Safari

I’ve already written a very comprehensive guide to the best camera for safari , as well as the best bean bag for safari , so I would definitely recommend reading those if you want to get some great images on your trip.

In summary though, if you want to get great images of wildlife, you will need a couple of things. First, a camera with a good zoom lens. Second, a bean bag to stabilize your gear.

When it comes to specific camera suggestions, many folks find that a bridge camera like the Sony RX10 IV  is a good option. At the higher end of the budget and size spectrum, you’ll want a high end dedicated mirrorless camera with at least a 400mm zoom lens.

A camera can be a huge investment, so we also suggest renting as an option to consider. A company like  Lens Rentals will allow you to rent a lens and a camera body at a much lower cost than buying it outright.

They also give you the option to purchase the gear rather than return it, so if you love the experience then you can invest having tested the gear out.

If you decide to rent through Lens Rentals , you can save 15% on any rental by using our discount code, LAURENCE15. Just enter it at checkout.

We also highly recommend a photography bean bag if you will mainly be shooting from inside vehicle. We use these extensively on safari trips, and they are really an invaluable item.

We have a guide to some of the best safari photography bean bags here , but recommend checking out either the  Kinesis SafariSack 4.2  or  LensCoat LensSack Pro Jr as a starting point. We also have more options and tips in our guide to general photography bean bags .

Finally, don’t forget a good camera bag to keep your gear safe, lots of spare batteries , memory cards , your chargers, and ideally a waterproof camera cover to protect your gear in case it rains.

Binoculars for Safari

We can highly recommend taking a good pair of binoculars with you when on safari. Not every bird or animal is going to conveniently place itself within easy viewing range, and a pair of binoculars will let you get a much better view of the wildlife.

You don’t need to spend a massive amount to get a reasonable pair of binoculars, but we’d suggest setting a minimum budget of around $80 USD. Below this price point build and image quality will likely suffer.

We’d suggest looking for a pair with around an 8x to 10x magnification.

Some recommended options include:

• Vanguard Vesta 8×25 . a great entry level option if don’t want to spend a fortune. They are very light and offer both waterproofing and fogproofing. These are a great value option, plus you can save 20% on the price by using our exclusive discount code FindingTheUniverse at checkout on the Vanguard store.
• Celestron Nature DX 8×42 . This is a well-regarded and popular budget option. Fog and waterproof with a tough construction.
• Vanguard VEO HD2 8×42 binoculars – an excellent, well priced and still reasonably compact pair of binoculars featuring extra low dispersion glass carbon-composite construction, waterproofing and fogproofing. We use a pair like this.
• Nikon 8×42 Monarch M5 – lightweight, durable, waterproof and fogproof. Nikon make quite a few binoculars, and these are a popular mid-range option.
• Swarokvski 8.5×42 – we had a pair of Swarovski binoculars loaned to us for several months, and they are magnificent, with wonderful bright and sharp images. This pair offers excellent performance, but are definitely at the premium end of the price spectrum!

As you can see, there’s no shortage of choice across a range of price points. If you are interested in bird watching on safari, or getting into birding, see our beginners’ guide to birdwatching for some tips.

Electronics for Safari

You don’t really need a lot of electronics for safari, however there are a few things you might find useful.

First, a USB battery pack . These will let you charge your phone on the go, as well as any other device that uses USB.

Whilst the majority of accommodation options we’ve stayed at on safari have had had power, even the most remote, this isn’t always guaranteed. So a USB battery pack is a great fallback option.

The second thing we recommend, if your camera has removable batteries, is to see if you can get a USB powered battery charger for it.

This is because sometimes, more remote lodges don’t have regular plug sockets. However, they do often have USB outputs. While some cameras support direct charging by USB, this is by no means the standard.

We personally travel with a USB charger which is compatible with our DSLR and mirrorless Canon cameras, which both use the same type of battery. You will need to search for a USB battery charger that is compatible with the batteries your camera uses.

You can see some examples for a range of brands on Amazon here .

Insect Repellent for Safari

One slightly less exciting aspect of safari is the potential for biting insects. Mosquitoes are the obvious one, but there are a range of other insects that can bite you.

Ideally, you want to avoid being bitten if you can help it. Many insects carry various diseases, including malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, and so on. Whilst you can take medication or vaccines to help prevent some of these diseases like malaria (definitely recommend considering taking antimalarials), prevention is also a really important step.

With this in mind, a good insect repellent like this is a must for safari. Most experts recommend products with DEET in, which are generally regarded as the most effective against most biting insects, including mosquitoes. However, there are also some DEET free options out there for those who want to avoid it, just note they may not be as effective.

Also for those planning to do much trekking, hiking, or walking, depending on your destination, you will also want to think more about crawling insects like safari ants, leeches, stinging caterpillars, ticks, etc.  Generally insect repellent along with long sleeves, long pants, and pulling hiking socks up over your pants are fine to avoid these for most people.

Those going to wetter areas and jungles might also want to consider leech socks or gaiters for those going into wetter areas like jungles where leeches are common.

We own these leech socks and they work great, but they are probably overkill for most people on safari trips. But if you have gaiters for hiking anyway to keep out dirt and stones, these can generally also work to help guard against leeches and ticks.

Toiletries / Medicines for Safari

You will want to bring a range of toiletries and medicines with you, some of which should be fairly obvious, and some which may be less obvious.

Falling into the latter camp, we always travel with and recommend rehydration salts . Dehydration is no joke, and drinking plenty of water is really important. However, as you sweat you can lose salt, and rehydration salts can help replace what you lose.

It’s also important to remember that you may be in some pretty remote places and it is good to be prepared to be able to tend to minor health issues such as cuts, scrapes, blisters, bug bites, headache, common stomach complaints, etc.

Here’s a quick list of things to think about packing in your toiletry / medicine kit for safari:

• High SPF (30+) sun cream or sunscreen
• Lip-balm with SPF
• Rehydration salts
• Basic meds like pain relievers, anti-diarrheal tablets , and antacids
• Mini first aid kit with bandages, blister covers, antiseptic wipes, etc.
• Toothpaste / toothbrush
• Sanitary items (in our experience tampons are not always available in country, depending on where you are going)
• Anti-malarial / other required medication
• Razor / spare blades
• Ear plugs / eye mask
• Hand sanitizer
• Moisturizer / lotion

Of course, your list may vary somewhat but we think the above should be a good starting point.

Laundry on Safari

Depending on how long your safari trip is, it’s possible that you might need to do a little laundry as you travel. We’ve done a couple of five-week safari trips, and we had to do laundry a few times on both of those trips.

Whilst many lodges and hotels will do your laundry for you if you stay more than 1 night, you can also normally just handwash a few items yourself, which is what we often end up doing. In hot countries it can often dry in an afternoon.

The main things you will need are going to be some form of travel wash, a sink stopper, and a portable clothesline to hang your clothes.

For laundry wash in a travel sized bottle or tube we like the Dr. Beckmanns travel wash , Sink Suds , or the Sea to Summit Wash , all of which we have used to do laundry whilst traveling all around the world. Or just put your favorite liquid laundry detergent in a reusable plastic or silicone bottle and pack it along.

For a clothesline, there are lots of portable clotheslines on Amazon . We particularly like this one as it packs away small and you don’t need to pack pegs. For a sink stopper, Jess has been using this one for over 10 years.

For more tips on laundry, see our complete guide to laundry when you travel .

Luggage for Safari

When it comes to choosing what to pack all your belongings into for your safari trip, a lot will come down to the type of trip you are taking, especially around the transport.

If you’re going to be using small planes for example, this will have a big impact, and you will like find a sturdy duffle travel bag like this might be the best option.

You might be wondering if wheeled luggage makes sense for safari. In our experience, the majority of accommodation options don’t really suit wheeled luggage as the ground is simply too rough. So whilst it will be nice at the airport, beyond that you’re likely going to have to carry the bag (or rely on the enthusiastic hotel staff).

However, if you already have wheeled luggage and won’t be taking small planes, then by all means don’t feel you need to purchase new bags. We’ve taken a number of safaris with hard sided wheeled luggage and it worked out great.

As well as larger luggage, we highly recommend bringing a small backpack or shoulder bag that you can use on a day-to-day basis. This can be used to carry things like your water bottle, battery charger, guide books, suncream and insect repellent, for example.

We use a small Osprey day pack as well as a larger Vanguard camera bag for our camera gear on a day-to-day basis.

If you’re looking for a new bag anyway, we have no hesitation recommending Eagle Creek or  Osprey specifically for safari.

For hard sided luggage with wheels, we use and can recommend Level8 or Delsey , both of which we have used on trips around the world including safaris (without domestic flights).

For camera gear, we use Vanguard for our camera bags, they offer a great mix of high quality and great value. Laurence has been a Vanguard ambassador since 2014 and is always happy to recommend their gear.

Books for Safari

When you go on safari you are going to be seeing a lot of new animals and birds.

Your guide will normally be very knowledgeable to help you identify what you are seeing, but it is also nice to be able to develop your own recognition skills.

We’d also often see birds or animals around our hotel when we were not with our guide and want to know what they were.

For this reason, we recommend bringing along a guidebook or two to the likely animals and birds you might see. Whilst your guide will probably have a giant and super comprehensive book, we suggest that a smaller book that covers the most common animals and birds will be more practical for packing.

We particularly like the Pocket Guide books, which we have used on various trips. For example, there’s the Pocket Guide to the Birds of East Africa , the Pocket Guide to the Mammals of East Africa , and the Pocket Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa .

We have found that having a small reference guide can definitely make the safari experience a lot more fun and hands on, and well worth the small investment.

Reusable Water Bottle / Water Filter

You will definitely need to drink a lot of water on safari. Unfortunately, most safari destinations do not have safe drinking water, meaning you need to either drink bottled water, or figure out a way to purify it yourself.

We prefer the latter option as it means we can cut down on plastic waste. Depending on your safari operator, they may also purchase a large refillable water bottle that you can refill your own bottle from. Some hotels also filter their own water on site.

In either case, we highly recommend travelling with at least one refillable water bottle per person on your trip. Just make sure to get one with a lid that seals and doesn’t drip and one that will fit into a standard cup holder or can be placed in the back of a vehicle seat pouch.

For water bottles, we use and love the Klean Kanteen range , and they have a range of bottles to choose from. Jess uses the classic , whilst Laurence likes the wide mouth version .

If you decide to go down the route of filtering your own water, we recommend reading our guide to safe drinking water when travelling , as well as the best water filters for travel , which contain lots of useful advice and information to help you pick the right product for your trip.

If you have questions or want advice based on our experience, just ask in the comments section of this post or in either of those water related articles.

Entertainment Items

Whilst a safari is very entertaining in of itself, there will be periods of downtime, such as long drives between game reserves, flights, or afternoon and evening periods between game drives.

For these periods, you may want to bring some entertainment. We always like to travel with a pack of playing cards for example, as well as some books to read.

Many hotels and safari lodges will have a small book swap service, so you can often swap books as you go. A Kindle or similar eBook reader can also be a good investment if you read a lot.

Another thing we love to do when we travel is to keep a travel journal. On safari this can serve as a reminder of what we have seen and done each day, and it makes for a lovely keepsake.

See our guide to the best travel journals for some of our favourites.

Safari Packing Checklist

Here’s a full safari packing checklist to help you remember what to bring on your trip for reference.

We’ve also created a handy shoppable safari packing list on Amazon which you can check out here for easy reference.

• T-shirts / tops
• Button down shirts
• Sweater / fleeces for layering
• Trousers / Pants / Shorts
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Hiking boots (if needed)
• Sandals (if needed)
• Nicer outfit for evening wear if required
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Raincoat or poncho
• Coat (if needed)
• Hat / gloves (if needed)
• Reusable water bottle / water filter
• Skincare items (cleansers/soap/creams etc.)
• Chapstick with SPF
• Sun cream / Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
• Insect repellent
• Basic Medications and first aid items (incl. anti-malarials and prescriptions)
• Hygiene Products
• Hair care items (shampoo/comb/hair ties, etc.)
• Razor / tweezers / nail clippers
• Eye mask / ear plugs
• Other __________________
• Camera and lenses
• Photography bean bag
• Memory cards
• Spare batteries / chargers
• Camera accessories
• Headphones / ear buds
• Portable power pack
• Travel adaptor
• Cables / chargers
• hiking day bag, duffel bag (if needed for porter), gaiters or leech socks / hiking poles / hiking clothing, reusable water bottle or hydration pack (like Camelbak), head lamp or flashlight, any camping gear like sleeping bag etc. (if not provided), Other
• Checked bag
• Carry-on bag
• Visa / proof of onward travel etc (if required)
• Vaccination records
• Jewelry / watch
• Laundry supplies
• Travel journal
• Mini sewing kit
• Reading materials
• Cards / games / puzzle books
• Other ___________________

Further Reading

That’s it for our guide to what to pack on safari! We hope you found it useful. We do have some more content that we also think you might find handy when planning your safari.

• Our guide to getting better photos on safari , as well as choosing the best camera for safari
• We also have a guide to the best photography bean bags for safari
• If you are keen on seeing primates, we have a guide to gorilla trekking as well as a guide to chimpanzee trekking
• We have a guide to  getting online when travelling , to help you stay connected on the go
• You’re going to need to power all your devices when you travel – see our guide to the  best travel adapters so you can choose the right one for your trip

And that’s it! As always, we are happy to try to answer any questions you may have about planning your own safari. Just pop them in the comments below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Or if you have been on safari and want to share your own experiences or advice about packing for a safari, feel free to share it below!

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There are 4 comments on this post

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25th March 2024 at 12:26 pm

Hello there, I am wondering about packing jackets or coats for an upcoming safari trip to South Africa? It will be myself, a friend, and my teenage daughter. We have never been and will be visiting during the country’s winter season (July). We’ll be in both north and south parts of the country and we’ve been told to prepare for cool weather and rain, as well as warm sunny weather, but not too much else. Going on a 10 day planned safari tour and need to keep our packing to a minimum as I think there are size/weight requirements for parts of the journey. Wondering how you would decide about what to bring for warmth and rain given the time of year?

Also, if the 3 of us share a photo beanbag, which one might you suggest for someone who has little space?

Appreciative of any advice you can share with me and thanks for such a great article on packing for a safari – it has been a great help for us as we come up with what we need to buy for our trip to South Africa!

Laurence Norah says

25th March 2024 at 6:41 pm

Sounds like you have a wonderful trip coming up!

Having visited South Africa in July I can confirm that it definitely gets pretty cold, especially at higher elevations. In July in Johannesburg it’s not unusual to have temperatures close to freezing for example. So you are definitely going to want warm clothes for your trip.

I would recommend packing a number of layers so you can take them on and off as the day warms and cools, and you can also then mix and match to suit. If you are particularly sensitive to the cold you might consider thermal baselayers, but the challenge with those is that as it gets warmer you will likely find they are too hot and removing a base layer in the middle of a safari is going to be more challenging.

So a good warm coat as your outer layer is probably going to be your best bet, and then a long sleeve mid-layer fleece followed by a baselayer. You might also appreciate a warm hat and gloves. A lot of safari time takes place early in the morning and in the evening, when temperatures are going to be lower. I would personally bring a lightweight rain jacket or poncho and a warmer jacket. Then if it’s warmer in the day and raining I can still wear the rain jacket, rather than having a heavy waterproof jacket that might be too warm.

A good down (or down style) jacket will be fairly lightweight and still warm, so that might be the best option. Fleece is also a light material.

For a photo bean bag I’d probably recommend the smaller Kinesis Safari Sack 1.4 which is pretty small. If you get buckwheat that is very light, or you can buy something like kidney beans when you arrive in country. If you have larger camera gear then the Kinesis 4.2 is also a great pick, I own of these and it works great. It’s also worth noting that most bean bags are very light and small when empty, they only start to take up weight and space when they’re full.

I hope this helps, have an amazing time on safari and let me know if you have any more questions!

Glenn M. says

9th September 2023 at 6:32 pm

Just wanted to stop by and say that this is such a wonderful post for anyone packing for a safari for the first time (or second time!). We have been lucky to do a couple of African safaris in our life and it was fun to read over this and remember them even if our safari days have probably come to an end. Definitely second the recommendations for Craghoppers (if you know, you know!) and for bringing soft sided luggage, hard wearing clothes, comfortable high-top hiking shoes/boots, lots of sun cream & insect repellent, a hat, earbuds, and some physical things to do (books, cards, journals, etc.) in the evenings and on long driving days.

Also woudl add for those who wear glasses like myself, those eye glass things that attach to your glasses with a cord and keep your glasses from coming off. Can also be useful for sunglasses as my wife and son wore them as well. They saved my glasses a couple of times and they are very cheap to buy. Maybe somethign to add to your otherwise great safari packing list here?

Also my wife always brought a few little souvenirs or useful items from home for our main driver and guide on the trips to give them as a small token of our appreication.

10th September 2023 at 2:57 pm

Thanks so much! Your tip on a sunglasses holder is a good one, Jess does actually normally travel with one and also finds it invaluable. I will definitely add that to our post. I also like your idea of bringing things from home as gifts for your guide, that’s a lovely idea.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts! I’m actually hiking in Wales in my Craghoppers at the moment. Such great pants 🙂

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The Ultimate African Safari Packing List: What to Wear on Safari, Best Safari Luggage, and More!

Posted on Published: November 4, 2019  - Last updated: July 6, 2024

Categories Africa , Blog , Packing Tips , Resources , Tanzania , Travel Planning

Alright, so you’ve decided to go on an African safari adventure and you’ve booked the trip of your dreams. As you plan for your trip, you’ll realize that packing for a safari isn’t as easy as other holidays. There are many limitations and restrictions that you don’t necessarily have on other vacations, especially if you’re traveling with checked luggage. Fear not, we’ve returned from a luxury safari in Tanzania and I’m going to show you exactly how to pack for a safari. This is my ultimate safari packing list, even if you’re traveling with heavy camera gear like we did (and you’re going to want to bring those long lenses to capture wildlife photos!).

Table of Contents

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Packing List for African Safari Video

Prefer to learn by a video rather than text? Check out our safari packing list video! There are details all about the best safari luggage, what to pack for an African safari, what to wear on an African safari, and so much more.

Safari Luggage Limit: How Much to Pack

If you’re flying into East Africa to an international airport on a huge jet, you likely won’t have to worry about the weight of your luggage. Though it will vary between airlines, we were allowed two pieces of checked luggage (up to 50 lbs), one carry on bag, and one personal item on Ethiopian Airlines . However, if you plan to take any light aircraft flights, you’ll need to be very cautious over the weight of your luggage and the type of bag to bring for the journey. This is where a carefully planned safari packing list comes into play, including the luggage itself.

After one night in Arusha, Justin and I visited two national parks in Tanzania for our safari: Tarangire National Park and Serengeti National Park (the northern section). To travel between Arusha, Tarangire, and Serengeti, we took small, 10-passenger planes on private airstrips. On a small aircraft in East Africa, the luggage limit is 15kg total per person, including hand luggage. We flew with Coastal Aviation with stops between national parks and remote sites in Tanzania with these restrictions. Here’s a fabulous master list of all safari luggage restrictions for various airlines in Africa.

Furthermore, you must bring a soft sided bag that can be manipulated into the small luggage holds in the bottom of the plane. Your safari duffel bag must not have any wheels as it must be completely flexible. Some pilots can be very strict on these limits, weighing all luggage and carry on items as you enter the plane (especially if it’s a full flight!). Make sure you follow the rules for a smooth travel experience.

How to Pack for a Safari: The Best Safari Luggage

Let’s start by choosing the best safari travel bags for your adventures in Africa. I did some extensive research as I searched for the best safari luggage. I’ve only ever traveled with wheeled luggage that typically has a hard case, so I didn’t own a safari duffel bag. I chose the best safari luggage that I could find on the market: the Red Oxx Safari Beanos PR5 bag.

First, these safari travel bags are perfect for your trip to Africa. They meet all of the restrictions to fit inside the small plane compartments as you fly between destinations within Tanzania, Kenya, or other countries. In fact, you can use this safari duffel bag no matter where you’re traveling as its the size of a carry on bag for domestic and international travel (it measures 24″L x 10″W x 10″H ). You’ll get lots of use out of this duffel carry on bag, and it’s the first item to consider on your safari packing list.

The Red Oxx Safari Duffel Bag

The Red Oxx Safari Beanos luggage is surprisingly spacious. There’s a generous top loading main compartment where you can place all of your clothes, packing cubes , and larger items. Then, there are numerous other zippered pockets on the sides of the bag for smaller items that you’d like to separate from everything else. Here’s a great tip: put your dirty laundry inside one of the smaller zipped spaces to keep it separated from your clean clothing.

Featuring its claw no slip shoulder strip and heavy duty 360 degree swivels, this durable bag is easy to throw over your shoulder and carry around with you. I was able to carry this bag across airport terminals with ease. It’s rugged and reliable, meant to withstand the abuse that a checked bag can receive. When we returned from our trip, both of our Red Oxx safari bags barely had a scratch on them, despite traveling in the luggage holds of numerous small airplanes and four international flights. It also comes with a lifetime warranty.

Red Oxx bags are made and manufactured in Montana, USA. They’re weather resistant, which is perfect for those rainstorms that can pop up in East Africa with little warning. They come in a variety of colors for every taste: we chose violet (purple) and khaki (tan). It’s the perfect bag to store everything on your safari packing list. We’ll definitely bring our Red Oxx safari luggage on all of our future adventures in Africa…and beyond!

What to Wear on Safari: Clothing Packing List

Now that you’ve chosen your safari duffel bags, it’s time to select the clothing that you’ll bring on your trip. While you don’t need to drape yourself in khaki from head to toe, there are some clothing choices that are better than others. First, neutral colors are the best choice. Light colors are great for staying cool, but it is quite dusty so I’d avoid wearing white. Earth tones and khaki are the best choices for blending in with your environment and looking clean.

Avoid wearing blue and black, if possible. Tsetse flies are attracted to dark colors, especially blue and black. Even without wearing those colors, I was still bitten quite a few times by these nasty flies. They can bite through clothing and they don’t seem to be deterred too much by bug spray. Their bites are extremely itchy and annoying, and tsetse flies even transmit a disease called African sleeping sickness . Try to avoid getting bitten by taking as many precautions as you can.

You’ll be spending most of your time on safari in an open air jeep seeking and observing animals. This means that you’ll be sitting for most of the time, partially in the shade. Wearing comfortable clothing is key. Most of the game drives take place early in the morning and late in the afternoon. You might even find that you’ll feel a little cold at times in the jeep when you’re driving around from the breeze. Bringing layers is the best solution for the changing temperatures throughout the day.

What to Pack for a Safari: Clothes and Accessories

Here’s a great safari packing list with the clothing items you’ll need on safari. If you’re traveling on a luxury safari, you won’t need to bring more than three outfits. There is laundry service at the tented camps, and generally it’s included with your stay. We brought enough pairs of socks and underwear for our whole trip, but our laundry services covered all of our clothing items (including undergarments). Some accommodations will only wash your tops and bottoms, and you’ll need to wash socks and underwear in the sink with some laundry soap.

I should also mention that there isn’t any need to bring any fancy clothing. The dress is totally casual at safari lodges, even at dinner. Unless it’s specifically noted at certain luxury safari lodges, you won’t need to bring any fancier dresses or suit jackets. Here’s a safari packing list for both men and women:

Tops & Bottoms:

• Womens Sahara Shirt from REI // Mens Silver Ridge Long Sleeved Shirt from Columbia
• Womens Cozy Up Tank Top from REI // Mens Sahara Solid Shirt from REI
• Womens Petra Cargo Top from prAna // Mens Hardesty Sleeveless T-Shirt from prAna
• Womens Meme Pants from prAna // Mens Silencr Convertible Pants from Kuhl
• Womens Convertible Pants from prAna // Mens Stretch Zion Pants from prAna
• Womens Cargo Capri Pants from Lee // Mens Classic Sahara Convertible Pants from REI
• Womens Regular Fit Shorts from Lee // Mens Sahara Cargo Shorts from REI
• Womens Lightweight Better Sweater from Patagonia // Mens Better Sweater from Patagonia

Accessories & Shoes:

There’s no need to bring any fancy hiking boots or footwear. Your regular sneakers will totally do. You won’t be getting out of the vehicle on safari, and you’ll be doing a whole lot of sitting. With that said, if you’re doing any hiking or walking safaris during your trip, it’s a good idea to bring some durable, waterproof hiking shoes.

• La Sportiva Trango Womens Hiking Boots (Vegan / Waterproof)
• La Sportiva Blade Mens Hiking Boots (Vegan / Waterproof )
• Pair of flip flops or sandals while relaxing by the pool

You won’t need too many accessories on your safari packing list, just a few important ones:

• Womens Khari One Piece Swimsuit from prAna // Mens Quatro Board Shorts from O’Neill
• Vented Safari Outback Hat OR Tilley Wanderer Hat
• Womens Polarized Sunglasses // Mens Polarized Sunglasses
• DSLR Camera and a telephoto camera lens
• High quality binoculars (sometimes your guides will have extra pairs)
• Smartphone (there’s Wi-Fi at your accommodation or get portable Wi-Fi throughout your stay with a Teppy device )
• Underwear, bras, socks, sleepwear

Toiletries & Personal Items:

Our safari lodge had all of the basics covered: towels, shampoo, body wash, moisturizer, and insect repellent. You can feel free to bring your own, but I’d suggest using theirs to save yourself the luggage space. Here’s what you definitely need to add to your safari packing list:

• Mosquito repellent (our lodge had bug spray for our use)
• Contact lens solution (if needed) and glasses
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Safety kit with Tums or Pepto-Bismol
• Hand sanitizer
• Any personal medications

Everything Else for a Safari Packing List:

• Cash in US dollars to use for tipping or souvenirs (no dates before 2006 are accepted in Tanzania)
• Passport (valid for at least 6 months before departure)
• Purchase your Visa ahead of time online ( here’s where we applied for ours in Tanzania)
• See a travel clinic for appropriate vaccinations and bring proof of certain vaccinations, if needed (ie. Yellow Fever vaccination)
• Malaria pills (see travel clinic for more details)
• Get travel insurance ahead of time and bring proof of travel insurance

What You Shouldn’t Bring on Safari

Plastic bags are illegal in Tanzania , so please don’t pack any in your bags. If you do, you will have to dispose of them at the airport. We were very impressed with the lack of plastic use in the country. Every drink came in a glass bottle. All of the toiletries at our lodges were also in glass bottles. When I purchased coffee beans at the airport, the shop owner used a small cloth bag instead of a plastic one. If you use a plastic bag in Tanzania, there are hefty fines.

Don’t worry about bringing multiple pairs of shoes. In addition to your running shoes or hiking shoes that you can wear on the plane, bring an extra pair of flip flops or sandals to wear by the pool. Otherwise, there will be slippers in your safari lodge, along with a bath robe. Don’t bring too many clothing items. Take advantage of the laundry services. Generally, your laundry will be returned in the evening or within 24 hours at the latest.

Finally, don’t bring too many pairs of shorts or skirts in place of pants. I only wore pants or Capri pants throughout my stay in Tanzania – it was actually a little too cold for shorts! I still recommend bringing shorts in case the weather is warmer when you visit, but limit it to one pair. And don’t bring anything too fancy. What you wear during the day is also fine at night (with a sweater on top, of course!).

Printable Packing List for African Safari

I hope you’ve found this safari packing list to be incredibly useful. Looking for a printable version? Check out this African Safari Packing List to download (just right click and save to your computer!).

Thank you so much to Red Oxx for gifting us two Safari Beanos PR5 bags to test. We’re in love with this safari luggage and highly recommend it.

Have you ever traveled to Africa on a safari? Am I missing anything from this safari packing list?

Lauren is the full-time travel blogger and content creator behind Justin Plus Lauren. She started Justin Plus Lauren in 2013 and has travelled to 50+ countries around the world. Lauren is an expert on vegan travel as one of the very first vegan travel bloggers. She also focuses on outdoor adventure travel, eco and sustainable travel, and creating amazing travel itineraries for cities and small towns.

True uganda saferis

Monday 26th of June 2023

Perfect article... thanks for sharing it with us.

Friday 24th of February 2023

Thanks for such a comprehensive and helpful list, and you've obviously done your research. Our travel agent (for luxury Kenya safari in two weeks) told us that 33lb/15kg (max) soft sided luggage in the small planes, but they can have wheels. We don't want the extra weight of even wheels, but I mention this in case there are people who might have shoulder issues or prefer wheels.

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Baggage Guidance & Restrictions On Flying Safaris In Africa

Baggage Guidance & Restrictions On Flying Safaris In Africa

Published By AfricanMecca Safaris  | Blog Categories :  Safari Planning .

At AfricanMecca Safaris, we are committed to ensuring that our guests enjoy every aspect of their vacation in Africa . And, this includes traveling to remote locations faster by way of the scheduled-charter air service. The airline’s prime focus is on the safety of its passengers to ensure that travel arrangements are efficient and dependable. We have a few recommendations for you in keeping with the safari airline’s baggage policies and regulations.

The safari aircraft that will ferry you to the remote parks of Africa are small, lightweight planes with limited storage space for baggage. Accordingly, we advise that you choose the right luggage for your trips. Most city travel luggage is not suitable for safari planes, so you need to pack using soft-sided duffel bags. Please ensure that the bags have no spines, frames, or a rigid structure. Also, bring bags that have very small wheels, or preferably, none at all.

When a passenger fails to adhere to the safari airline’s strict baggage policy, the airline will ask the passenger to find the appropriate bag and repack. The safari airline has the right to leave the baggage at the airline’s airport office or worse case on the tarmac in far-off parks. Making alternate arrangements for the baggage to follow you by a separate charter plane is another option but will cost you a significant added expense. In case you have extra luggage that you do not need to carry to the safari camps, AfricanMecca Safaris can help you make the necessary storage arrangements with prior notice.

You can plan your luggage according to the weight allowance as follows:

Small and lightweight aircraft in East Africa for Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda

• Weight: 15 kg or 33 lbs
• Dimensions: Maximum height: 25 cm or 10 inches, width: 35 cm or 13 inches, and length: 55 cm or 22 inches.

Small and lightweight aircraft in Southern Africa for Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

• Weight: from 15 to 20 kg or 23 to 44 lbs depending on the destination. Please check with us.
• Maximum height: 30cm or 12 inches, width: 25cm or 10 inches, and length: 62cm or 24 inches.

For more information, you can check with the consultants at AfricanMecca Safaris. Here are some additional tips to help pack:

• If you are carrying heavy photographic equipment, you might want to book an extra freight seat on the plane. As a result, you will have baggage allowance of up to 70kgs or 154 lbs for two seats. Do inform your safari consultant organizing your trip well in advance.
• We recommend medium-sized LL Bean Adventure Duffel Bags. A more economical option is the Olympia 21″ Polyester Duffel Bag.
• Choose duffel bags in whimsical colors so that it’s easier to identify your bags from a stack of other passenger bags that are typically black.
• The total weight allowance includes the carry-on bags. You will be holding your carry-on bags in the lap for the duration of the flight as the aircraft do not have under-seat storage or overhead lockers for stowing bags.
• Given that soft-backed duffel bags are light, you can actually carry adequate clothing and other supplies.
• You will only need casual clothing for your safari tour, and since most safari camps offer laundry services, you won’t need too many clothes. Cultural norms do not permit that the staff wash underclothes. But, you can get gentle soap so you can wash them yourself.
• You need not carry basic toiletries. Most of the necessary supplies you need such as shower gel, shampoo, and moisturizers are provided by the safari camps and lodges.

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Greetings to you and our most fervent thanks for a wonderful trip of Kenya, Zanzibar, South Africa & Victoria Falls. Everything went very well. This was truly a perfect vacation. Thank you so much for all your arrangements.

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We had a great time on your safaris. Thank you very much for all that you did for us. We were in Africa overall for 5 weeks and spent time in South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Tanzania. We just totally loved it.

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I cannot say enough about the quality of AfricanMecca. Their teams in Kenya and Tanzania were top notch. Raza, again thanks to you and your entire organization! We will be repeat customers.

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I booked my safari holiday through AfricanMecca. They were the most helpful company I have ever dealt with and I work within the travel industry. I had the most amazing time. The holiday went as clockwork with no hitches anywhere.

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This is to let you know my guests, The Bryant's, had a wonderful time on the trip Samburu, Masai Mara/Kenya, Chobe/Botswana & Victoria Falls/Zambia. Everything was perfect! Thank you..

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SAFARI LUGGAGE PACKING ADVICE: What luggage should I take on safari?

We answer your safari luggage questions on what to pack your safari clothing and gear into for your safari. You will learn why 'soft' and 'squashable' are the keys to ensuring that your luggage is safari-suitable.

The majority of safari lodges are located in remote areas, with access only by light aircraft and not by airliners. This, in part, dictates the luggage to pack for your safari.

Top 7 tips for selecting the best safari luggage.

Follow our safari luggage advice to find out what luggage - large and small - you will need for your safari.

1. For your main large duffel or holdall, choose safari luggage which is soft and squashable and which has no frame : This is especially true for safari travel to Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, and Kenya. The reason for this is rather a practical one. The majority of safari lodges and camps within these countries are accessible only by light aircraft - such as the Cessna 210 shown on this page. As a result, in order for your pilot to fit your luggage into the small, cramped hold, your luggage must not have hard sides, nor rigid frames or structure, and should rather be soft-sided so that the pilot is able to fit (squash) your bag into the plane. The same is true for some overland and expedition-style safaris where there will be limited space for luggage in the safari 4x4.

2. Check on safari luggage limitations : Please check with the safari company you have booked with about luggage limitations for your safari, as the requirements may vary from safari to safari. Where luggage weight limitations are specified, please note that - as the maximum take-off weight in any aircraft has to be strictly adhered to by pilots to maximise your safety on each flight - you may find that your pilot will not be able to take any luggage over the maximum allowed weight per passenger. In this instance, you may have to pay for your luggage to be flown separately.

3. The ideal size for main safari luggage : We recommend that your main safari luggage holdall or duffel should measure 70 x 30 x 30cm in size when full.

4. Carry-on safari luggage : Also take one one smaller carry-on type safari bag to use when you travel - and to take your binoculars and accessories on game drives and walks.

5. Walking safaris : For safaris with a daily walking element, we recommend that you take the large safari holdall as above plus a small safari satchel or safari backpack .This may be the same bag as your carry-on safari bag also.

6. Luggage accessories : Your holdall and daypack are important - but don't forget the ever-important supporting role of smaller luggage items too. Complement your canvas and leather safari duffel bag with a classic, safari-styled toiletry bag in a range of practical designs. As you travel, our African-made canvas and leather Safari Travel Wallet keeps your passport and documents close at hand in style. It's also handy to get a travel lock in advance of your departure and to pack a luggage scale to ensure your bags are within weight limits.

7. Let a travel trolley carry the load : As you are not meant to take safari luggage with a frame, using a travel trolley which is collapsible is a good idea. Simply remove from your safari luggage when you do not need to wheel your safari luggage.

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