What To Pack For Your Safari – A Safari Packing List

You’re going on safari, and you’re not sure what to pack. What is essential and what is a waste of space? Here’s a handy guide to what to take on safari in East Africa.

When you’re on safari, wear lightweight, durable clothing in neutral and earthy colours.

Choosing your safari items if you have a 15 kg weight limit on a small plane can be a daunting task, not only for fear of leaving an essential item behind but also for not knowing what will be useless once you’re in the bush.

So, what should you take with you on your East African adventure?

What Clothing to Pack for an East African Safari

The clothing you’ll need will depend on the time of year you go on safari. Here’s the type of weather you can expect at different times of the year:

June through September: The days are dry and hot, with cooler evenings.

October and December through March: Conditions can range from hot and dry to cool and overcast.

November: The short rains happen at this time, so you can expect a mix of hot, dry conditions and sudden rain showers.

April and May: The season of the long rains, when you can expect showers almost daily.

It’s a good rule of thumb to bring clothing you can layer as the temperature warms up or cools down. The fabrics you choose should be lightweight, durable and comfortable.

We recommend these basics:

Safari overshirts or tunics (mid-sleeve or long-sleeve)

Moisture-wicking tank tops or t-shirts

Lightweight, water-resistant safari pants

Leggings or linen pants

Fleece jacket

Light pullover jersey

Lightweight rain jacket or poncho

Breathable, moisture-wicking underwear

Swimsuit

Sleepwear

A casual outfit (slacks and shirt or a dress) for dinnertime

A buff wrap to protect your face from dust.

Safari clothing should be practical, comfortable and easy to layer.

Top tip – clothing colours make a difference: You’ve probably seen hundreds of photos of people on safari dressed in khakis and muted earthy colours. This isn’t just a fashion statement – these colours are the most suitable to wear in the bush, for a few good reasons.

They don’t attract insects, like brighter colours tend to do

They don’t absorb as much heat as dark colours, so they keep you cooler

They don’t show dirt and dust as easily as other colours.

Good to know: Avoid wearing camouflage-patterned clothing, as some African countries reserve this for military personnel only.

Footwear:

Pack lightweight synthetic hiking shoes instead of heavy hiking boots, and make sure you have several pairs of moisture-wicking socks.

Bring a pair of sandals or flip-flops too, for times when you’re relaxing around camp.

Laundry: All Asilia camps provide a daily laundry service, which means you can re-wear your clothes, making it easier to stick to luggage limits.

Please note:

All laundry in camp is done by hand and dried outdoors, therefore turnaround time depends on the weather.

Out of respect for local culture and customs, we do not wash underwear. Washing powder is provided in all our guest rooms should guests wish to wash their own.

Safari Sun Protection: The Essentials

Protecting yourself from the African sun is essential all year round, even in the cooler and wetter months. Make sure you pack:

A wide-brimmed safari hat

SPF 50 sunscreen

Soothing after-sun lotion

Sunglasses with polarised lenses.

What Toiletries to Pack for an East African Safari

Our camps provide shampoo, conditioner, soaps and insect repellent, so you don’t need to worry about bringing these with you unless you prefer to use a specific brand. Other items you should bring include:

Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss

Deodorant

Moisturising lotion

Lip balm

Antibacterial hand gel (great for toilet stops in the wild)

Hairbrush or comb

Contact lens fluid (if needed)

Wet wipes

Feminine hygiene products (if needed).

Decant your toiletries into small, travel-friendly bottles with screw tops, to save yourself plenty of weight and space when packing. Save extra space where you can by packing travel-sized toothpaste, a compact hairbrush, etc.