Essential Packing Tips for Your African Safari Adventure
- jeff38977
- May 5
- 6 min read
What to bring (and what to leave behind) for a seamless, stylish, and stress-free safari adventure.
You’ve booked the trip.
Your dream safari is on the horizon—remote landscapes, lion sightings, golden hour game drives, evenings by the fire under a million stars. But now the question looms: what do I pack?
The short answer: not much.
The long answer? Thoughtfully.
Packing for safari isn’t about filling a giant suitcase—it’s about selecting the right gear and clothing for the environment, the season, the logistics, and the experience. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Mind the Luggage Limits
Most fly-in safaris—especially in East and Southern Africa—require travel on light aircraft with strict weight and size limits. These small bush planes have minimal storage, so pack accordingly.
Typically, this means:
15–20 kg (33–44 lbs) per person, including hand luggage a small daypack or camera bag
Soft-sided duffel bags only (no hard-shell suitcases or framed luggage)
Wheels are allowed if the bag does not have a rigid frame. The goal is flexibility—your bag may need to be squashed or reshaped to fit into the plane’s hold.
We love the Patagonia Black Hole 100L or 70L Duffel for most trips. It’s durable, weather-resistant, and lightweight—perfect for safari travel, plus it has stow-away backpack straps which make it easy to carry through airports. If you absolutely need wheels, a great option is the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler 110L Wheeled Duffel, which offers structure without the hard frame.
These light aircraft flights often land on dirt airstrips in the middle of the bush, so every kilo matters. But don’t worry—you really don’t need much. Safari life is casual, laundry is available at most camps (and typically included within your stay at upscale camps and lodges), and traveling light makes the whole experience smoother and more enjoyable.
2. Dress for the Environment, Not the Runway
While social media influencers may beg to differ, safaris aren’t fashion shows. That said, there’s an art to looking good while staying cool, comfortable, and dust-resistant.
Clothing Tips:
Neutral colors: Stick to earth tones like olive, khaki, taupe, and grey. Avoid bright colors (they stand out in the bush) and dark navy or black (they attract tsetse flies).
Lightweight and breathable: Opt for natural fabrics like cotton or moisture-wicking synthetics.
Layers are key: Mornings can be chilly and afternoons hot.
Avoid camouflage patterns: In some countries (like Zimbabwe), it’s reserved for military use.
Style Tip: Want to add a splash of personality to your safari wardrobe? Opt for beaded belts, stylish boots or a fun wide-brim hat - bonus points if you source it from local African makers. You can find the perfect accessory in Nairobi, Kigali, Cape Town or any of the main safari entry points.
Packing List Essentials:
2–3 long-sleeve shirts (for sun and insect protection)
2–3 short-sleeve shirts or t-shirts
2 pairs of lightweight trousers (convertible zip-offs work great)
1 pair of shorts
Fleece or light down jacket for mornings and evenings
Light waterproof or windbreaker jacket
Comfortable walking shoes or trail runners
Flip-flops or sandals for around camp
Sun hat with a brim (preferably with a chin strap)
Swimsuit (some camps have pools!)
A versatile scarf or buff (dust blocker, sun shield, style enhancer)
3. Don't Forget the Essentials
Some items aren’t obvious but make a big difference once you’re in the bush.
Must-Haves:
Binoculars (compact and high quality—don’t rely on the guide to share. Most camps and lodges have binoculars available for guest use but it is worth investing in a pair that work well for you)
Headlamp or small flashlight (for walking around camp at night)
Sunscreen & lip balm (SPF 30+)
Insect repellent (look for one with DEET or Picaridin - we like the OFF Deep Woods wipes)
Prescription medications & basic first-aid kit
Reusable water bottle
Small power bank (some remote camps have limited charging facilities)
Dry bag or Ziplock bags for organizing and protecting gear
Camera gear, including ample memory cards and rechargeable batteries
Optional but Smart:
Compact camera or smartphone with good zoom (for the casual photographer who just wants to document and share their trip)
Notebook or safari journal
Plug adapter (check the country’s standard voltage and plug type)
4. Leave These at Home
Packing light also means leaving behind what you won’t need:
Hair dryers and straighteners (most camps can’t accommodate them)
High heels, dress shoes, or formal wear (bring one smart casual option for dining out in cities pre and post safari)
Loud, brightly colored clothing
Drones (illegal in most parks and protected areas)
Hard-sided luggage
Excess electronics—you’ll be surprised how little you use them
5. What About Laundry?
Nearly all safari camps offer complimentary daily laundry service (or charge a small fee), but note that many (especially in Southern Africa) don’t wash underwear due to cultural reasons. Bring a small bottle of eco friendly wash powder (or use what is provided in your tent or suite - nearly all camps have a little jar of laundry powder in the bathroom) and wash these by hand—it’s quick and easy.
6. Pack With Purpose
The best safaris are immersive, grounding, and connected to nature. You won’t need a new outfit every day or a suitcase full of gear. Instead, think about comfort, practicality, and the joy of being present in wild places.
A soft duffel bag packed with smart basics will serve you far better than a hard-sided case filled with “just in case” extras.
7. Maximize Your Experience: Bring the Right Optics
You don’t need to be a professional photographer to benefit from a good pair of binoculars or a solid camera. The truth is, some of the most unforgettable safari moments happen at a distance—a cheetah crouched in golden grass, a leopard lounging in a sausage tree, or elephants gathering on the far side of a riverbank. With the right gear, you’ll see—and capture—those moments far more clearly.
Binoculars: Don’t Safari Without Them
Many camps provide one pair per vehicle (or tent/suite), but having your own ensures you’re not constantly passing them around when things get exciting (and they will).
We recommend:
Nikon Monarch M5 8x42 Binoculars – Compact, waterproof, and designed for wildlife viewing with excellent low-light clarity. The 8x magnification is ideal for hand-held use in a moving vehicle, and the 42mm objective lens pulls in plenty of light for dawn and dusk sightings.
Camera Gear: Bring What You’ll Actually Use
You don’t need a bag full of lenses, but you will want reach. The ideal safari lens is something like a 70–400mm zoom, which lets you frame a giraffe on the horizon or zoom in on the wrinkles of a lion’s face.
For those using DSLR or mirrorless cameras:
For enthusiasts or semi-pros looking to really capture the action, the Canon EOS R7 is one of the best mid-range wildlife camera bodies out there—fast, compact, excellent autofocus, and built-in image stabilization. Pair it with a 100–400mm lens, and you’re set for anything from birds in flight to dramatic predator moments.
Today, many camps cater to photography enthusiasts, offering a fleet of lenses, computers and photo editing software for guest use. Additionally, some guides double as professional wildlife photographers. If shooting wildlife with an expert guide and an assortment of on-loan camera gear is of interest to you, let us know so we can pair you with the perfect camp or lodge.
Note: Be sure to pack extra memory cards, an air blower (to remove dust from your lens), a spare battery or two, and a lightweight beanbag or camera support for use in the vehicle.
Final Word
At Outlier Journeys, we design safaris that flow seamlessly—from the first bush flight to your last sunset in the wild. That includes helping you pack right, so you can focus on what matters: watching that leopard slink through the grass, feeling the earth underfoot on a walking safari, sharing stories by the campfire.
Need a personalized safari packing checklist based on your destination, time of year, and travel style? We’re happy to help.
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