Most safari camps do laundry, luggage limits on light aircraft are strict, and you will live in about four outfits. Pack light and neutral.
Clothing
- Two or three T-shirts and two long-sleeved shirts in khaki, olive, brown or grey. Avoid blue and black, which attract tsetse flies, and bright white, which shows dust.
- Two pairs of lightweight trousers and one pair of shorts.
- A warm fleece and a windproof layer. Early morning game drives are genuinely cold, even near the equator.
- A wide-brimmed hat, a buff or scarf for dust, and a swimsuit.
- One smart-casual outfit if your trip includes a city or a nice restaurant.
Footwear
Comfortable closed walking shoes or light hiking boots, plus sandals for camp. If you are trekking for gorillas or climbing Kilimanjaro, bring proper broken-in boots and talk to us about a full kit list.
Health and toiletries
- Insect repellent with DEET, plus antimalarial tablets if prescribed.
- High-factor sun cream and lip balm with SPF.
- A small personal first-aid kit: rehydration salts, painkillers, antihistamine, plasters, and any regular medication in its original packaging.
- Hand sanitiser and wet wipes.
Kit that earns its place
- Binoculars, one pair per person if you can. This is the single upgrade that changes a safari.
- A camera with a zoom lens, spare batteries and more memory cards than you think you need.
- A head torch, a universal adaptor and a power bank. Camp electricity is often solar and limited.
- A soft-sided duffel bag rather than a hard suitcase, because bush flights require it.
- A refillable water bottle.
Documents
Passport, visa confirmations, travel insurance policy, a yellow fever certificate if relevant, and printed copies of your itinerary. Keep digital copies in your email as well.
Weight limits on internal flights are commonly 15 kilograms including hand luggage. We will confirm the exact figure for your trip.
