Packing for a safari trips people up in both directions — they bring far too much, in the wrong colours, in the wrong bag. It's genuinely simple once you know the rules. This is the list we send every traveller before they fly, refined over a decade of trips.
Start with the bag, because it dictates everything
If your itinerary includes any light-aircraft flights between camps — common in the Serengeti, the Mara conservancies and remote reserves — you'll face a strict luggage limit, usually 15kg (about 33lb) total, in a soft-sided bag. Hard suitcases don't fit the small holds. A soft duffel is non-negotiable here. Even on a road-only safari, a soft bag is easier to load into a 4×4. Pack light; laundry is available at most camps and lodges, so you're washing, not carrying, a fortnight of clothes.
The colour rule
Wear neutral, earthy tones — khaki, olive, beige, soft brown. They keep you cooler and less conspicuous to wildlife. Two colours to avoid: dark blue and black, which attract tsetse flies, and bright white, which shows every speck of dust and stands out. Leave camouflage prints at home too; in several countries they're associated with the military and best avoided.
Clothing — for a typical week
- 3–4 lightweight, breathable shirts (long sleeves protect from sun and insects)
- 2 pairs of safari trousers, plus 1 pair of shorts
- 1 warm fleece or insulated layer — early game drives are genuinely cold, even near the equator
- A light waterproof jacket (essential in green season, useful any time)
- A wide-brimmed hat and a buff or scarf for dust
- Comfortable closed walking shoes, plus sandals for camp
- Swimwear — many lodges have pools, and your trip may end at the coast
The layering truth
Safari days swing from near-freezing dawn drives to 30°C afternoons. The secret isn't more clothes — it's layers you can peel off. A fleece you remove by 9am does more than a heavy coat ever will.
Gear that actually earns its place
- Binoculars — one pair per person, 8×42 is ideal. This is the single upgrade that transforms a safari.
- Camera with a zoom lens, spare batteries and double the memory cards you think you need
- A power bank — camp electricity can be solar and intermittent
- Universal travel adapter (Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda use the UK-style three-pin plug)
- Headlamp or small torch for getting around camp at night
- Refillable water bottle
Health and toiletries
- High-SPF sunscreen, lip balm and strong insect repellent (DEET-based)
- Any personal medication in your carry-on, in original packaging
- A small first-aid kit: antihistamine, rehydration salts, plasters, painkillers
- Speak to your doctor about malaria prophylaxis and check whether a yellow fever certificate is required for your routing — we'll flag this for your specific trip
"Nobody has ever come back wishing they'd packed more. Plenty wish they'd brought better binoculars."
The documents that matter
Carry your passport (valid at least six months beyond travel, with blank pages), printed and digital copies of your e-visa, travel insurance details, and your trip itinerary. Bring some US dollars in small, recent notes for tips and incidentals alongside a card; M-Pesa covers most things in Kenya. We send every traveller a tailored documents checklist once the trip is confirmed.
What to leave at home
Drones (heavily restricted and often illegal in national parks without permits), excessive jewellery, a hard suitcase, and the instinct to over-pack. A safari rewards travelling light more than almost any trip you'll take.
