Packing Tips for a Successful Safari
This past summer, my family and my sister’s family completed our second safari, and we wanted to share our best practices for packing and having a successful adventure. Having been on two safaris now—one in South Africa and one in Tanzania—we’ve learned that each destination has its own character and requires a slightly different approach. Here are our combined reflections and tips to help you plan your first safari.
South Africa vs. Tanzania: A Tale of Two Experiences
South Africa
A safari in South Africa often pairs well with urban and cultural exploration. Johannesburg offers a deep dive into the nation’s rich and complex history, particularly apartheid.
·After your safari, Cape Town is a must-visit city, with its world-class dining, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cultural mix.
On safari, you typically have both a guide and a tracker. The tracker is invaluable for reading animal tracks on dirt roads and spotting elusive wildlife, making each game drive a true team adventure.
We found leopards surprisingly plentiful in South Africa, spotting them almost daily.
We visited in Summer and found the weather to be perfect.
Tanzania
Tanzania provides more of a raw “bush experience.” In the Serengeti, for example, you might spend days in a tent surrounded by the vast savannah.
The Great Migration is an experience beyond words. Witnessing thousands of wildebeests and zebras moving in unison is akin to seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time—absolutely awe-inspiring.
In Tanzania, you’re likely to see more elephants, giraffes, and wildebeests.
Tsetse flies can be a nuisance, and they’re attracted to dark colors like black and blue—something to keep in mind when choosing your safari wardrobe.
Add on a trip to Zanzibar after your Safari is over.
Luggage Considerations
If your itinerary involves small flights between game reserves (often on Cessna Caravans), be mindful of strict luggage requirements. Soft-sided bags without rigid frames are typically required, and the weight limit is usually around 15 kg (33 lbs.).
Soft-Sided Duffels
o Pros: Lightweight and flexible; easier to store on small planes.
o Cons: Carrying them (plus a backpack) can be cumbersome through airports.
o Examples: Patagonia MLC, Osprey Transporter (45–50L).
Wheeled Duffels
o Pros: Easier to transport through airports.
o Cons: Slightly heavier and sometimes less flexible in the cargo hold.
o Examples: Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffel (40L), Osprey Sojourn Shuttle (45L).
Many safari lodges offer complimentary laundry service, which helps you keep the packing light and meet weight restrictions more easily.
Keeping Your Items Organized
Peak Design packing cubes are a lifesaver for staying organized on safari. I recommend:
Two Medium Peak Design Packing Cubes: For larger clothing items.
Peak Design Shoe Pouch: To keep your shoes separate from clothes.
Peak Design Small Wash Pouch: Ideal for toiletries.
Two XXS Peak Design Ultralight Packing Cubes: For small accessories and miscellaneous items.
The Ideal Backpack
The Peak Design Travel Backpack (30L) or Tom Bihn Bixi (32L) is an excellent companion for a safari trip. Both have a luggage pass-through strap for your carry-on, and the backpack handles tuck away for easier handling. I found it expandable and practical for carrying essentials while keeping my hands free.
In my backpack, I carried:
Peak Design Small Tech Pouch: For cables, chargers, and tech essentials.
Peak Design Smedium Camera Cube: To protect my camera while traveling. During game drives, I typically carried my camera by hand for easy access.
Peak Design Travel Tote: A packable tote is useful for carrying items to and from the lodge or vehicle.
Camera Gear
On this trip, I kept things simple with just one camera body and one lens: a Sony A7RIV with a Sony 70-200mm G Master II lens, plus a 2x converter. This setup gave me a focal length range of 140mm to 400mm, which worked well for capturing wildlife at various distances. I recommend using Shutter Priority mode set at 1/800 or faster to mitigate vehicle vibrations during game drives. I generally used 1/1000 to 1/2000 shutter speed, with Auto ISO and continuous autofocus tracking.
iPhones are surprisingly good cameras for a Safari if you have a model with a 5x lens. They are great for video.
Clothing Tips for Safari
When packing for a safari, it’s best to avoid cotton. It's heavy, retains moisture, and tends to get smelly. Instead, opt for merino wool, linen, or synthetic fabrics, which are breathable, lightweight, and odor-resistant. Here's what I packed:
Two Long Sleeve Shirts: Light, breathable options like the Poncho Original are great choices.
Two Lightweight Merino Wool T-Shirts: I get mine from Outlier
Two Lightweight T-Shirts: The Ramielist Cut One is perfect for warm weather.
One Pair of Linen Pants: Linen is ideal for hot climates. Consider Uniqlo Linen-Blend Relaxed Pants.
One Pair of Athleisure Pants: The Kuhl Suppressor Pants are comfortable for both travel and game drives.
One Pair of Shorts: Such as the Outlier New Way Fives.
One Ultralight Down Jacket: Mornings and evenings can get chilly, so pack a lightweight jacket like Uniqlo's Ultra Light Down Jacket.
Comfortable Shoes: The Oboz Bozeman Low Leather shoes are great for both walking and game drives. I also like the Oboz Katabatic Wind Low.
Another tip: treat your clothing with Permethrin Fabric Treatment before your trip to protect against mosquitoes and ticks. In Tanzania, tsetse flies are a common nuisance, and they are attracted to black and blue. You’ll see many traps in these colors throughout the plains, so it’s best to avoid wearing them.
Tips from Nevine
Now, let’s hand it over to my sister. She has curated a detailed gear guide that blends comfort, practicality, and a bit of style.
Headwear & Accessories
Hat with Strap
Keeps the sun off and stays put in windy conditions.
Footwear
Shoes That Can Keep Up
Tops, Bottoms & Outerwear
Tops
Bottoms
Extra Pieces
Bags & Gear
Waxed Canvas Tote Pack (27L)
Patagonia Tote Pack (out of stock)
Duffel Bag Options
Additional Gear
Pants & Joggers
Evening/Casual Dress
The Ultimate Packing List
Keep your clothing choices minimal and versatile:
4 t-shirts
4 pants
2 scarves
4 pairs of underwear
4 pairs of socks
2 sets of pajamas
1 swimsuit
1 cover-up/dress
1 additional dress
1 hat
1 pair of sunglasses
1 pair of sneakers
1 pair of flip-flops
Carry-On Must-Have
Patagonia Black Hole Matte Wheeled Duffel Bag (40L)
Final Thoughts
Packing for a safari involves balancing minimalism with preparedness. Soft bags, light layers, and versatile gear will help make your experience smoother. And remember, the magic of safari is not just in the sights but in being fully present in nature—every roar, every rustle, every breathtaking sunrise. Being comfortable and organized lets you focus on the adventure that awaits.
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