# What to Pack for an African Safari: The Complete Packing List

*What actually matters, what you will never use, and what the lodge or camp will give you.*

*Published: 2026-10-26*

> **Quick answer:** Pack less than you think. A soft bag with neutral-coloured layers (khaki, olive, tan, never white or camouflage), a warm fleece for cold early drives, a light waterproof in the rainy season, comfortable closed shoes, a hat, high-SPF suncream, insect repellent and a pair of binoculars will cover almost every safari. Most lodges include laundry, so five or six days of clothing is plenty even for a longer trip.

After many years of meeting guests off the plane, we can usually spot the overpackers. The big hard suitcase with wheels, the third pair of shoes, the white linen shirt that will never be white again. Safari packing is mostly about what to leave behind.

Here is what we tell our own clients, based on what actually gets used.

## The Short Version

| Pack | Leave at home |
| --- | --- |
| Soft duffel bag, ideally 15 kg or less | Hard suitcase with wheels |
| 3 to 4 neutral-coloured shirts, including long-sleeved | White, bright or camouflage clothing |
| 2 pairs of trousers, 1 pair of shorts | Formal clothes; nobody dresses for dinner |
| Fleece or light down jacket, warm hat | Heavy coat (layers work better) |
| Light waterproof jacket in the rainy season | Umbrella |
| Closed walking shoes and camp sandals | Heavy boots, unless walking or trekking |
| Binoculars, one pair per person | A second camera body you will not use |
| Hat, sunglasses, SPF 50 suncream | Large toiletry bags (lodges supply most basics) |
| Insect repellent, basic first aid kit | Anything noisy: rattling bags, beeping gadgets |
| Copies of passport, insurance and visas | Drones (banned or permit-only in most parks) |

## Clothing: Colours and Layers

Stick to muted earth tones: khaki, olive, tan, stone, soft brown. They blend in, hide dust and do not attract insects. White gets filthy within a day, and bright colours stand out to animals, particularly on walks. In areas with tsetse flies, such as parts of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, avoid dark blue and black, which attract them.

Do not bring camouflage. It is illegal for civilians to wear it in several African countries, including Zimbabwe and Zambia, and it is not worth the trouble anywhere else.

Layers are the secret to comfort. Mornings in the bush can be properly cold, even in summer, and an open vehicle at 6am in the southern African winter can feel close to freezing. By midday you may be in a T-shirt. A good system is:

- A breathable T-shirt or long-sleeved shirt as a base.
- A fleece or light down jacket you can stuff in a bag.
- A warm beanie and light gloves for winter drives in June to August.
- A light waterproof shell if you are travelling in the green season.

Long-sleeved shirts are worth more than you might expect. They protect against sun, mosquitoes in the evening and tsetse flies in the areas where they occur.

Most lodges include a laundry service, usually same-day in good weather. Five or six days of clothing will see you through two weeks.

## Footwear

You will spend most of your time sitting in a vehicle, so you do not need serious hiking boots. A pair of comfortable closed shoes or trail shoes covers game drives and short walks. Add sandals or flip-flops for camp.

The exceptions are walking safaris over several days, such as in [South Luangwa](/destinations/south-luangwa-national-park/), and gorilla or chimpanzee trekking in [Bwindi](/destinations/bwindi-impenetrable-national-park/) or [Volcanoes National Park](/destinations/volcanoes-national-park/). There, waterproof boots with good grip and ankle support make a real difference on steep, muddy slopes. Our [gorilla trekking](/safari-experiences/gorilla-trekking/) page has a dedicated kit list.

## Binoculars: Do Not Skip These

A game drive without binoculars is a real loss. The leopard in the tree, the birds in the reeds, the lions on the far side of the river: binoculars turn a distant shape into a sighting.

**8x42 is the sweet spot.** It gathers plenty of light for dawn and dusk, gives a wide field of view and is easy to hold steady in a vehicle. 10x42 brings things closer but magnifies shake. If weight matters, a compact 8x25 or 10x25 pair is far better than nothing. Ideally, bring a pair each.

![An elephant family moving through the grasslands of the Okavango Delta. Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0](/images/journal/okavango-elephants.webp)

## Cameras

Do not overthink it. A modern phone produces excellent results in good light, especially of landscapes and close sightings, and your guide will often get you closer than you expect.

If you are more serious, a camera with a 100-400mm zoom (or the equivalent on a smaller sensor) covers most wildlife situations. Bring spare batteries and memory cards; most lodges have charging points, but tented camps on solar power may only charge at certain times. A small beanbag helps steady a long lens on the vehicle’s side. Our [photographic safari](/safari-experiences/photographic-safari/) page goes into more detail.

## Toiletries and First Aid

Lodges usually supply shampoo, conditioner and body wash, so you can travel light. Do bring:

- **High-SPF suncream** and lip balm. The sun is strong at altitude in East Africa and on open vehicles everywhere.
- **Insect repellent.** For malaria areas, a repellent with around 50% DEET is the standard recommendation.
- **Hand sanitiser and wet wipes.**
- **A basic first aid kit:** plasters, painkillers, antihistamine tablets and cream for bites, rehydration sachets, anti-diarrhoea tablets and any prescription medicines in their original packaging.

## Health and Insurance

**Malaria.** Kruger is a low-risk area; the Okavango Delta and most safari areas in Tanzania and Kenya are malaria areas. Some South African reserves, such as Madikwe, are malaria-free. See a travel clinic six to eight weeks before departure for advice on prophylaxis for your route.

**Animal bites.** Rabies is present in parts of Africa. Not every traveller needs the vaccine, and your clinic will advise, but know what to do if you are bitten or scratched: wash the wound thoroughly for 15 minutes, and get to medical care quickly for post-exposure treatment. Your lodge will know the nearest clinic or hospital.

**Insurance.** Make sure your travel insurance covers emergency medical evacuation by air. Many safari areas are hours from a hospital.

## What Not to Bring

- **Camouflage clothing.** Illegal in several countries.
- **Hard or wheeled suitcases** if you are flying between camps; they will not fit in a light aircraft.
- **Anything that rattles or beeps.** Noise on a game drive or walk spoils sightings for everyone.
- **Drones.** Banned or tightly restricted in most national parks.
- **Too many clothes.** You will wear the same two favourite shirts.

## Before You Go

Read our guides to [Kenya](/destinations/kenya/), [Tanzania](/destinations/tanzania/) and [South Africa](/destinations/south-africa/), and our [month-by-month safari guide](/blogs/best-time-african-safari-month-by-month/), to see what the weather will be doing when you travel. When you book with us, we send a packing note for your specific camps, flights and season.

> **package mara-classic:** Four nights in the Masai Mara, an easy first safari for putting this packing list to use, from US$3,200 per person.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What colours should I wear on safari?

Neutral earth tones such as khaki, olive, tan, stone and brown. They are less noticeable to animals and hide dust. Avoid white, which shows dirt and stands out, and bright colours. Dark blue and black are best avoided in tsetse fly areas, as they attract the flies. Never pack camouflage: it is illegal for civilians in several African countries.

### How much luggage can I take on a safari flight?

Light aircraft that fly between safari camps usually allow around 15 to 20 kilograms per person, including hand luggage, and require soft bags without wheels or rigid frames so they fit in small holds. The exact limit depends on the airline and route; we confirm it when we book. Lodges and airlines can often store extra luggage for you in Johannesburg, Nairobi or Arusha.

### Do I need hiking boots for a safari?

Usually not. Most of your time is spent in a vehicle. Comfortable closed walking shoes or trail shoes are enough for short bush walks, with sandals or flip-flops for camp. Proper boots are only worth bringing for multi-day walking safaris or gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, where ankle support and grip on muddy slopes really help.

### What binoculars are best for safari?

A pair of 8x42 binoculars is the best all-round choice: bright in poor morning and evening light, a wide field of view and easy to hold steady. 10x42 gives more magnification but more shake. Compact 8x25 or 10x25 pairs are fine if weight matters. Bring one pair per person if you can; sharing a single pair during a sighting is frustrating.

### Do I need malaria tablets for a safari?

It depends where you are going. Kruger is a low-risk malaria area, while the Okavango Delta and most of the safari areas of Tanzania and Kenya are malaria areas. Some reserves, such as Madikwe and the Waterberg in South Africa, are malaria-free. Speak to a travel clinic or doctor six to eight weeks before you travel; they will advise on tablets for your route and health.

### What will the lodge provide?

Most safari lodges and camps provide shampoo, conditioner, body wash, insect repellent, bottled or filtered water and a laundry service, and many lend binoculars, ponchos and blankets on game drives. Hairdryers are often unavailable in tented camps on solar power. Ask us about your specific camps, as provision varies.