Africa Safari Packing List: Everything You Need

Packing for an Africa safari is different from any other trip. Get it wrong and you'll sweat through every game drive or find yourself fighting mosquitoes at dusk. Get it right and you'll be comfortable from Nairobi to the Okavango.

25 June 2025

The Golden Rule: Pack Light and Pack Neutral

Most safari camps operate with strict baggage limits — typically 15kg (33lbs) in a soft-sided bag for small charter flights between bush camps. Hard-sided suitcases are almost always banned. And in the bush, animals have evolved to detect anything that stands out from the ochre, olive, and khaki of the savanna. Bright colours and white are a bad idea on open-vehicle game drives.

Keep your colour palette to: khaki, olive, tan, grey, and muted green. Leave the orange and neon yellow at home.

Clothing

Mornings on open vehicles can be surprisingly cold even in summer. Evenings around camp cool quickly. Layer up:

3–4 lightweight safari shirts (long sleeve protects from sun and bugs)
2 pairs of lightweight convertible trousers (zip-off legs are useful)
1 pair of shorts for camp and afternoons
Fleece or light softshell jacket for cold morning drives
Waterproof layer / poncho (essential in green season)
Lightweight thermal base layer (for winter safaris in Southern Africa)
Wide-brim hat (non-negotiable — sun is intense)
Buff / neck gaiter (dust on game drives)
Swimsuit (most camps have plunge pools)
1 smart-casual outfit for dinner at lodge (no formal wear needed)
Comfortable walking shoes / trainers
Lightweight hiking boots if you plan walks or gorilla trekking
Flip-flops for camp
Ankle socks (tuck trousers in to avoid ticks)

Health & Protection

This is the most important category — mistakes here have real consequences:

Malaria prophylaxis (consult your doctor — Malarone, Doxycycline, or Lariam)
DEET insect repellent 30–50% (non-negotiable at dusk)
Permethrin spray for clothing (extra protection, especially for gorilla trekking)
High-SPF sunscreen (SPF50+ — equatorial sun is severe)
Sunscreen lip balm
Eye drops (dust from dirt roads dries eyes out)
Prescription medications with extra supply + doctor's note
First aid kit: plasters, antiseptic wipes, blister treatment, antihistamine
Hand sanitiser (some camps have limited water)
Anti-diarrhoea medication (Imodium)
Oral rehydration sachets

Camera & Electronics

Photography is central to the safari experience. You don't need a professional setup, but a few things make a real difference:

Camera with telephoto lens (200–500mm for wildlife — animals are often far away)
Extra batteries and a charger (many bush camps have limited charging time)
Dust-proof camera bag or rain cover (essential on dusty game drives)
Memory cards with plenty of capacity
Universal travel adapter
Portable power bank (for charging phone during long drives)
Binoculars (8x42 is the safari standard — don't skip these)
Phone with offline maps downloaded (Google Maps offline or Maps.me)
Headlamp / torch (camp paths are unlit at night)

Bag Choice

For camps accessible only by light aircraft, use a soft-sided duffel bag that can be compressed and strapped under seats. Many travellers use a 40–60L duffel as a main bag and a small daypack for camera gear on game drives.

A good daypack also serves as carry-on for the international flight, allowing you to access essentials (medication, camera, valuables) while checked bags travel separately.

What NOT to Bring

Leave these at home:

Hard-sided suitcase (banned on most charter flights)
Bright colours or white clothing
Camouflage clothing (illegal in several African countries)
Excessive jewellery (theft risk, also impractical)
Hair dryer (camps provide them if needed; luggage weight better spent elsewhere)
Heavy books (download kindle editions instead)