What to Pack for your Safaris

It’s true: ‘less is more’. The less you pack, the more convenient it will be to move around and the happier you’ll be.

We have put together a list of the Top 11 Essential Items to Pack for your Safari. These recommendations come from decades of safari experience, from the experts who guide them and the clients who ride them.

Health & Safety(Vaccination Card)

Make sure to check what vaccinations are mandatory and recommended for your destination a few months before the trip.

The yellow fever vaccination is mandatory to travel certain parts of Africa, such as Tanzania. You will be asked to show your yellow fever health card upon arrival at the airport. Other suggested vaccinations for East Africa include meningitis, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, and cholera.

First Aid Kit

Keep in mind that you are in the African bush and the nearest town or village might be hours away. Even if you’re near a town, they might not have the kind of medication you need. If you don’t already have one, you can get a world travel kit online that’s all packed and ready to go.

Be sure to pack a first aid kit with basic medications like paracetamol, an antihistamine for reactions to insect bites, diarrhea medication for food poisoning, and cough drops. For kids, we also always make sure to have Neosporin, band-aid, and a small thermometer.

Insect repellent

This is essential especially if you’re traveling in high-risk malaria areas. It’s always better to prevent bites, even if you’re taking anti-malaria pills.

Electronics

• Camera

• Lenses

• Portable power bank (to charge devices in lodges without electricity)

• International plug converter

• Chargers and charging cables

• iPad, Kindle or books for long car rides

• Headphones

Binoculars

There’s really no need to pack anything special for an African safari with kids — except for one thing: binoculars. These lifesavers will keep your kids interested and engaged during the rides. Regardless of how old your kids are, a pair of binoculars allows them to be engaged and join in the fun of spotting wildlife.

Clothing & Backpacks

we wouldn’t recommend traveling Africa with trolley bags or hard suitcases, traveled with a carry-on backpack.

Packing Cubes

It is very important and handy packing cubes are for any type of trip. They’re one of the reasons why we manage to pack so efficiently. They also help us keep our gear organized (separate clean and dirty clothing) and make full use of the limited space we have in our carry-on backpacks.

Breathable, Earth-Toned Clothing

Yes. There’s a reason why everyone wears earth tone clothing on safari. They help you to blend into the natural environment. It’s also good to look for clothing made of breathable, lightweight material, as it can get pretty hot even during winter in Tanzania.

Long (Zip-Off) Pants

Regardless of which time of the year you’re traveling, you’ll need to pack long pants as they’ll protect your skin from mosquito bites and sun exposure. I recommend bringing zip-off pants.

Waterproof Jacket

Again, no matter when you’re traveling, you’ll need a light waterproof jacket for chilly mornings/evenings or rain.

Cash

 Make sure you get enough cash in the city before you head into the bush. While some lodges accept credit cards, you’ll likely need some cash when visiting villages. You’ll also need cash to tip your guides and porters.