The Ultimate Safari Packing Guide

There are many aspects to consider when packing for your safari; what colors to wear, what is culturally appropriate, comfort and perhaps most challenging, the weight restrictions. On most safari trips, you may take a small bush flight from one destination to another, it is important to know that these bush flights have strict restrictions when it comes to baggage; 15 kilograms (or about 33lbs per person, TOTAL!)

So we are here to help guide you through your packing process.

First, things to consider:

1. The Weather. Talk with your travel advisor or check the weather for the destinations you will be visiting, as it can vary greatly based on where you are safariing. The temperatures in East Africa (Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda)  in general fluctuate quite a bit throughout the course of a day, so LAYERING IS VERY IMPORTANT. 
   1. Morning and evenings can be very chilly while midday can be very hot! 
2. Visualize your trip. As you are beginning to shop or pack for your safari, have your itinerary next to you and visualize what you will be doing each day, and what clothes you will need for each activity. If you don’t know, ask! Most travel advisors, hotels or tour operators are more than happy to walk you through what a typical day looks like. 
   1. In general (for an East African Safari), mornings and late afternoons are when you will be out on your game drives.
   2. Afternoons are often spent relaxing at the lodge, eating lunch or getting a massage before heading back out again in the later afternoon. 
3. Color Scheme. Neutral colors are BEST for many reasons.
   1. First, they don’t show dirt and dust. Being that you are limited in weight, you will most likely have to rewear some things! Bring items that don’t show dust and don’t stain easily! 
   2. Tsetse flies. They’re the worst, but the reality of safari is that flies follow the animals! Tsetse flies typically are more attracted to the colors blue and black, if you wear neutrals, the flies won’t bother you as much. 
4. Laundry Service. Before you leave, check with each hotel to see if they offer laundry services. Most will (but at an additional cost). Some lodges do offer it free of charge, so make sure you know where that is and prioritize getting laundry done there! 
   1. Be aware that many accommodations in the bush use solar or generator power to power the entire lodge. Therefore they are limited to when they can do laundry. ASK how long it will take to get your laundry back (obviously if they say over 24 hrs and you are only there for 1 night, that’s probably not the best option!)

With all these things in mind, it’s time to pack! 

1. Carry It ON! With a long flight itinerary and multiple layovers, it is obviously not uncommon for checked luggage to get lost along the way. Because we do not want you to be stuck on safari with one pair of underwear, we highly recommend carrying EVERYTHING on the flight with you… 
2. It’s a long flight… The word ‘Safari’ is the swahili for ‘journey’, and it is important to remember that your safari actually begins when you board your flight at home. Flights from the US and Europe to Africa are very LONG (8 – 48 hrs!) , so it’s important to be prepared for your lengthy travel time there. 
   1. Easy Access. Customs, security and airports can be extremely stressful if you are not organized or prepared. When traveling overseas, there are LOTS of documents, forms, tests, etc that you need to have with you and that you may be asked for at anytime. Make sure you know where they are, plus, there is nothing more annoying than waiting for someone to dig through their bag to find their boarding pass…. 
      1. We recommend: KEEPING IT ON YOU! Whether you carry it in a fanny pack, cross body bag or purse, keep these items easily accessible, just in case!
         1. Boarding Pass
         2. Passport (and extra passport photos)
         3. Vaccination records
         4. Visa forms or visa grants
         5. Cash
         6. COVID testing info (hello 2020!)
      2. Other items to keep in your fanny pack
         1. Hand Sanitizer
         2. Lip Balm/ Chapstick (with SPF!)

Prepare yourself for the (LONG!) plane ride

Items to pack in your Backpack!

• Entertainment
  • Most planes have in flight entertainment these days, but we recommend bringing some of your own as well.
    • E- Reader
    • Ipad or laptop (pre download lots of shows and movies!)
    • Noise Canceling headphones (these are a game changer on long haul flights)
    • Journal/ Notebook 
• Wellness
  • Toiletries (I ALWAYS recommend people put toiletries in their handbag or backpack, because check bags may get lost on long itineraries.) Plus, you might want to brush your teeth at some point if you are sitting on a plane for 24 + hours!
    • Toothbrush and travel sized toothpaste
    • Eye glasses (if you wear them) & Extra Contacts!
    • Hairbrush or Comb
    • Advil or Ibuprofen
    • Prescription and over the counter medication
  • Extra Face Masks – breathing the same air in the same face mask for 24+ hours non stop can be disgusting. I recommend bringing extra, clean face masks so you can switch them out during your flights. 
  • Essential Oils. Another hack to help with the stale air and gross masks.
    Pack a small bottle of essential oils with you to rub on your neck or spray your mask for an easy refresher!
• Get some rest
  • Most long haul flights will hand out eye masks and ear plugs, but it does not hurt to bring your own.
  • Neck Pillow – a must if you really want to be able to fall asleep.

The last thing you want to pack is your ‘main suitcase’. As previously mentioned, this can be the most difficult part of packing because you are very limited here.

The bush flights limit passengers to 33lbs per person TOTAL! Also, your luggage needs to be soft sided. Duffle bags are recommended, but soft sided bags with wheels are OKAY as well.

Here’s what we recommend:

CLOTHES

Bring layers and warm enough jackets! Although it can get hot in the day, it can also get very cold at night!

• Undergarments for everyday (Socks, underwear, bras)
• Sun Hat or Visor (something that can pack flat and fit easily in your bag
• Short Sleeved Shirts and Long Sleeved Shirts
• Light Jacket (remember – it gets COLD!) or RainCoat
• Sweater or sweatshirts to layer over your shirts
• Long Pants (zip off pants are very useful) – I would plan to bring about 3 pairs and plan on wearing them / getting laundry done
• Shorts (women probably don’t need that many pairs.) Men might want to bring an athletic pair
• Pajamas! 
• Bathing Suit (1 just in case!) 

SHOES

You may end up having a wide variety of activities planned for your Safari, including Game Drives, Nature Walks, Beach Relaxation and more. To ensure you have appropriate footwear for all occasions, we recommend, at the minimum, you pack the following:

• Sturdy and Comfortable Closed toed walking shoes
• Flip Flops or Slip-On Sandals

MISCELLANEOUS/ ELECTRONICS

• Empty water bottle 
• Snacks! (most long haul flights will serve meals, but if you’re a picky eater, have dietary restrictions OR are traveling with young kids, we highly recommend bringing snacks in your bag!)
  • Trail Mix
  • Beef Jerky
  • Fruit Snacks/ Fruit Leathers
  • Oatmeal Cups (ask the flight attendant for hot water to make a yummy snack!)
  • Candy (that does not melt!!)
  • Camera and Lenses
  • SD Memory Cards (Bring Extra!)
  • Video Camera or GoPro
  • Tripod
  • Camera Chargers (or Spare Batteries)
  • Cell Phone and Charger
  • Electricity Converter/ Adapter

Forget about it. When we go on a big trip, we want to bring everything with us, but for the sake of space and weight, here are a few things we recommend leaving behind!

• Drones. Although we would all love to capture amazing shots of the animals with our drones, they can be disturbing to the animals and other guests, PLUS Drones are NOT allowed in most National parks, or East Africa Countries. They may be confiscated at customs if one is found in your bag.
• Hair dryers. most lodges have hair dryers there that you can use. Save the space in your bag for clothes!
• Shampoo, Conditioner and Bodywash. just like the hair dryer, almost all lodges and hotels provide shampoo, conditioner and body wash for you to use. Once again
  I would recommend saving the space in your bag for clothes and other items!
• Heavy boots. Although closed toed shoes are important, unless you are climbing Kilimanjaro, there is not a huge need for hiking boots. They take up a lot of space in your bag and are very heavy, so leave them behind.

Always remember when packing, Less is more!

Safe Travels, or as we say in East Africa Safari Njema!