What to Pack for Safari: The Ultimate Packing List for Africa’s Wild Adventures
Packing for safari can feel like preparing for an expedition to another world: endless savannahs, star-filled nights, and days filled with wildlife encounters you’ll never forget. While your camera gear might get the most attention, the rest of your bag matters just as much. A few smart choices can mean the difference between “roughing it” and “traveling comfortably in the bush.” Here’s my guide to what to bring and what to leave behind.
Clothes that Blend In (and Keep You Comfortable)
You don’t need to dress like a member of Che’s lost battalion, but wearing neutral tones can make you less attractive to tsetse flies and is less distracting to wildlife. Some say that tsetse flies are attracted to black and blue, but I’ve found that I’m a fly magnet no matter what I wear. Muted colors do minimize dust, dirt, and can keep you looking fresh throughout your trip.
Layers are key. Depending on your location, mornings can be chilly, afternoons hot, and evenings cool again. Think thinbreathable shirts, a light fleece mid-layer, and a light jacket. The Serengeti, where I mostly photograph, varies in temperature from the high 50’s (F) to high 70’s.
Long sleeves and pants. They’re your best protection against sun, insects, and scratchy branches on bush walks.
Packable Rain Jacket. East Africa has short rains in November and a longer rainy season from March to May. As photographers, we seek out dramatic, cloud-filled skies, but getting caught in a downpour in an open-sided vehicle can make for a less-than-pleasant surprise
Footwear for All Occasions
You won’t need hardcore hiking boots unless you’re on a walking safari. For most trips:
Lightweight trail shoes or sneakers are perfect for comfort and dust.
Slippers or slides for around camp or the lodge. I’ll often rock a cheap pair of hotel slippers or slides while I’m in my room.
Sun and Dust Protection
Africa’s sun is beautiful, but it is also relentless.
A good hat. The equatorial sun can be punishing. Protect your face and neck with a hat, which doubles for a bit of extra warmth on chilly morning drives. Just make sure its secure on your head while your safari vehicle is moving!
Polarized sunglasses to cut glare when spotting wildlife.
High-SPF sunscreen - you’ll thank yourself.
Chapstick or SPF lip balm
Buff or light scarf - for dust on long drives (and it doubles as warmth in the mornings).
Health and Comfort Essentials
Malaria prophylaxis - Malaria is endemic in many parts of Africa. Check your destination country and make sure to bring an ample supply. Start taking your prophylaxis one week before arrival and continue for one week after departure.
Reusable water bottle - staying hydrated is non-negotiable. Some lodges provide these on arrival to guests.
Insect repellent (especially with DEET or picaridin).
Basic first-aid kit - with bandaids, antihistamines, and pain relievers.
Hand sanitizer and wet wipes - safari magic comes with dust, after all. Moisturizer can be nice as well.
Little Luxuries That Go a Long Way
Sometimes it’s the small things that make safari unforgettable.
Binoculars - you’ll appreciate them just as much as your camera.
Journal or notebook - to capture more than just photos.
Power bank/extra batteries - charging outlets aren’t always nearby; however, most lodges have solar or generator power throughout the day. Many safari vehicles also come with power inverters that allow you to charge smaller devices.
A good book or Kindle - perfect for the quiet hours between drives. While many lodges have some
A USB-powered fan - we use a small, lightweight fan that plugs into a power bank and then clips onto the headboard of a bed. It really saves the day for a good night sleep in the hot season in Africa’s dry season parks.
Swimsuit (if your lodge has a pool) - upscale lodges sometimes have a pool. While I’m not a pool guy, there’s something to be said for watching the resident wildlife while having an afternoon soak.
Bottle opener - I carry a tiny lightweight bottle opener with me on game drives. Safari vehicles often come stocked with drinks, most of which are in glass bottles, and it’s nice not to have to hassle your guide for the opener when you’re thirsty.
Eye mask and ear plugs - most camps are hundreds of miles from the nearest light pollution; however, there might be a security light outside your tent or window. An eye mask is great to make sure you get a good night sleep before an early morning game drive. The bush also seems like a quiet place, but you never know when you’ll have lions mating (definitely not quiet!) in camp at night. One night, I listened to a family of elephants and lions fighting over a patch of territory just outside of camp. It was magical for the first 30 minutes, but by hour four…
Necessities
Backup credit card - things happen, and a backup is great for peace of mind. Credit card terminals in Tanzania and elsewhere in East Africa can also be a bit touchy, and sometimes reject a card service for unexplainable reasons.
Money for tips - your guides and camp staff work incredibly hard to give you the experience of a lifetime. Make sure to show your appreciation generously. They work around the clock and tips often make up a significant part of their full-time income.
A USB-powered fan - we use a small, lightweight fan that plugs into a power bank and then clips onto the headboard of a bed. It really saves the day for a good night sleep in the hot season in Africa’s dry season parks like Tanzania’s Selous and Ruaha.
Power chargers and adapters - don’t forget your charging cables. I use a wall socket charger block with multiple usb ports to save on space and weight. Tanzania (and other African countries) usually operate on 230V electricity and most European 220v appliances can be used without a converter. DO check your destination country’s plug type. Tanzania operates on Type G sockets, with a vertical prong above two horizontal ones.
Passport and Yellow Fever Card - keep your passport safe. You’ll need to show it when checking in at the national park gate and all hotels, lodges. Some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination (your “yellow card”). Tanzania and others require it if you’re coming from or transiting through a country where yellow fever is endemic, like Kenya.
Camera gear - I’ll cover this in a separate post, as lens choice and gear needs can really vary based on location.
What Not to Pack
Bulky luggage - soft duffels are best; hard suitcases don’t fit well in safari vehicles or small planes. Many safari flights in East Africa have strict weight allowances, often 15-20kg total.
Too many shoes - one sturdy pair and one slip on are generally enough.
Too many clothes - most lodges offer laundry service with a one-day turnaround. That means you can conserve valuable space and weight in your bag by packing versatile clothes that you can wear or layer for multiple purposes. Lodges, in Tanzania at least, don’t wash undergarments so do bring spares. Many will provide powdered detergent in your room so you can wash them in the sink and air dry.
Camouflage clothing - illegal in some African countries (including Tanzania), as it’s reserved for military use.
Hair dryer and curling iron - humidity and dust will undo your styling. Most upscale lodges come with a hairdryer.
Large makeup bag - heat, dust, and early mornings, make makeup impractical
Drones - illegal in many African countries, they’re likely to be confiscated on arrival. You will be slapped with a hefty fine (or worse) if you’re caught using one in a national park
Towels - even basic accommodations will have towels. If you’re bush camping or really must, go for a lightweight, super-absorbant travel towel.
Snacks - luxury camps feed you constantly, and are very accommodating to dietary restrictions. If you’re staying at a basic camp, you might bring along some extra snacks for the game drive or in your room. Just make sure to keep any food locked away to keep them out of the prying hands of resident baboons.
Excessive amounts of USD - ATMs are plentiful in most cities where your international flights land, though you will want to make sure that you have enough to tip your guide, camp staff, and others throughout your visit.
Emergency tools - totally unnecessary unless you’re camping in the bush or self-driving your own vehicle.
Notes on Basic Safari Accommodations
You’ll be surprised at just how far upscale lodges go to make sure that you’re taken care of in every way. More basic lodges might not have all the same goodies, and here’s a few things to consider if staying at more spartan bush camps:
Power bank - basic camps, like those that follow the wildebeest migration, might not have power outside a few hours per day, or outside the dining tent. A power bank can make sure that your gear stays charged whenever you need it.
Eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner - While luxury lodges almost always have shampoo and conditioner, you might not be able to count on it at others.
Headlamp - especially useful for camps that don’t have power after dark. Pro tip, you can shine a headlamp through a full water bottle to make a janky table-top lantern.
Toilet paper - most safari operators have vehicles that are well-stocked, including sanitary bags, but this can come in handy in an emergency
Final Thought
When in doubt, pack light. Safari is about being present - listening to the roar of lions in the distance, feeling the cool dawn air on your face, and watching the sun set behind acacia trees. The less you worry about your bag, the more you’ll enjoy the experience. And remember: pack curiosity. It’s the one thing guaranteed to make every safari unforgettable.