Safari Packing List 2026 — The Complete Guide to What to Wear & Bring

Pack Smart, Safari Better

Packing for an African safari is different from any other holiday. You need clothes that work from 5°C dawn drives to 35°C midday heat, gear that handles dust and humidity, and a bag soft enough to fit in a light aircraft (hard suitcases are banned on bush flights). After hundreds of safari trips, here is our definitive packing list.

Clothing Essentials

Must-Pack Clothing

• 3 × neutral long-sleeve shirts (sun protection + evening warmth)
• 2 × T-shirts or short-sleeve shirts
• 2 × long trousers (zip-off legs are practical)
• 1 × shorts
• 1 × warm fleece or soft-shell jacket (early morning drives are COLD)
• 1 × lightweight waterproof/windproof jacket
• 1 × beanie and buff/scarf (essential for open vehicle mornings)
• Comfortable walking shoes (broken in, ankle support for bush walks)
• Sandals or flip-flops for camp
• 5 × underwear and socks (merino wool socks recommended)
• 1 × smart-casual outfit for evening dinners (many lodges have a dress code)
• Swimwear (many lodges have pools)

Camera & Optics

• Camera: DSLR or mirrorless with a 100–400mm telephoto zoom (the single most important safari lens)
• Wide angle: 16–35mm for landscapes and camp shots
• Binoculars: 8x42 or 10x42 — arguably more important than your camera
• Memory cards: Bring triple what you think you need. 256GB minimum for a week.
• Battery packs/chargers: 2 camera batteries minimum. A power bank (20,000mAh+) for phones
• Bean bag: A cheap, unfilled bean bag stabilises your camera on vehicle rails — better than a tripod

Health & Toiletries

• Prescription medications (carry in original packaging with a doctor's letter)
• Anti-malarial medication (if applicable — consult your doctor)
• High-SPF sunscreen (50+) and lip balm with SPF
• Insect repellent with DEET (30–50%)
• Rehydration sachets
• Basic first aid: plasters, antihistamines, anti-diarrhoea medication, painkillers
• Hand sanitiser
• Moisturiser (the bush air is very dry)

Other Essentials

• Soft duffel bag — mandatory for light aircraft flights (15kg limit typical)
• Day pack — small backpack for game drives (water, camera, binoculars)
• Headlamp/torch — camp paths are unlit at night. Red-light mode preserves night vision.
• Universal power adapter — South Africa uses Type M, Kenya/Tanzania use Type G (British)
• Dust covers — ziplock bags protect electronics from fine safari dust
• Travel documents — passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages), insurance policy, vaccination certificates

What NOT to Pack

• Hard-shell suitcases (banned on bush flights)
• Hair dryers and straighteners (most lodges provide them)
• Drone (banned in almost all national parks and reserves)
• Perfume or cologne (attracts insects and alerts wildlife to your presence)
• Jewellery and valuables you'd be upset to lose