Packing for an African Safari: Your Packing List for 7-10 Days
An African Safari is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure and packing for it can be overwhelming. From navigating rural roads to early morning game drives, temperatures can change dramatically, and you’ll need to be prepared for it all. To ensure you have a hassle-free trip, we have compiled a comprehensive packing list that will cover most 7–10-day safaris.
Dressing for Your Safari:
When it comes to dressing for your safari, it’s best to opt for loose-fitting, lightweight clothes. This will keep you cool and dry in the heat and will dry quickly if you get caught in a rain shower. It’s also essential to bring at least one warm jacket for the early morning game drives when it can be chilly. At night, you’ll want to wear long sleeves and trousers to protect yourself from mosquitoes, especially in malarial areas. Opt for neutral tones such as khaki over brighter shades for optimal camouflage in the bush. If you’re in tsetse fly country, avoid wearing blue, as it’s an attractant for disease-carrying insects.
Many safari camps and lodges support local community initiatives, and you can make a positive difference by bringing supplies such as school supplies, medication, or clothing. Check out Pack For a Purpose for lists of specific requests from lodges around Africa and suggestions on how to pack the items they need.
Final Tips:
Before you pack, research your options and consider splitting your luggage into two separate bags for different parts of your trip. A soft-sided duffel is often a better option than a rigid hardshell case, as it’s easier to fit into narrow overhead compartments or bush planes. We can advise more when we know the details of your itinerary.
Clothes and Accessories:
• 4 t-shirts
• 2 long-sleeve shirts
• 1 sweatshirt or fleece
• 1 lightweight raincoat
• 1 pair of comfortable shorts
• 2 pairs of cotton trousers/pants
• 3 pairs of socks
• 4 pairs of underwear
• Pajamas
• 1 pair of sunglasses with UV protection
• 1 sunhat
• 1 warm wool hat
• 1 swimsuit
• 1 pair of lightweight, durable walking shoes or hiking boots
• 1 pair of flip-flops or sandals for wearing around camp
• Money belt
• Ziploc bags for keeping dirty laundry separate from clean clothes
Toiletries and First Aid:
• Personal toiletries, including travel size shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, moisturizer, toothpaste and toothbrush
• Sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30+
• After-sun cream
• Antiseptic gel for washing hands when there’s no water around
• Sanitary products for ladies
• Mosquito repellant with DEET
• Malaria pills if needed
• Antihistamines for bug bites and allergic reactions
• Painkillers such as aspirin or Tylenol
• Cold and flu medicines
• Diarrhea medication such as loperamide
• Antiseptic cream
• Band-aids
• Prescription medicines
• A spare pair of glasses for those who wear contact lenses
Electronic Devices:
• Camera, a basic point-and-shoot or an SLR with detachable lenses and a tripod
• Spare memory cards
• Spare camera battery and a solar charger if camping
• Binoculars or borrow from your safari guide
• Spare AA and AAA batteries
• Electrical adapter
• Small flashlight for inside the tent or finding your way around camp at night
• iPad or tablet for storing e-books, photos, and travel apps