Eastern African Safari Packing Guide

Feeling overwhelmed about packing for a two-week safari trip in Eastern Africa, I reached out to multiple guides and travel advisors, and spent countless hours scouring the web to come up with the list below. Thankfully, I already owned most items and didn’t have to go shopping! This write up is for a safari in Eastern Africa (Tanzania and Kenya) during our summer months (June – September) but their winter months. This list was edited post-trip.

Camera Equipment (based on how serious you are about photography):

• Option A: Smart phone. This is the easiest route, and some have great cameras!

• Option B: DSLR with two lenses

1. 100-400 mm zoom lens (anything larger and you might be regretting the weight and price)
2. A wide-angle lens for photographing landscapes. I am taking a 16-35 mm for this.

• Option C: Mirrorless camera. These tend to be more compact and are starting to surpass DSLR’s in popularity. Cons: They don’t have as many lens options and their battery life is shorter than a DSLR.

Please note, not everyone in your group needs a nice camera. As long as 1-2 members of your party bring a decent camera, you are all set! Just don’t forget to bring enough batteries and memory cards!

Luggage:

Luggage requirements vary from 30 to 60 total pounds based on your outfitter and what size planes you will be on. South Africa safaris appear to have lower weight limits. Outside of your carry-on backpack, a soft-sided bag is a must. One hard side is permitted. Our outfitter has no restriction on the number of bags, but confirmed the size must not exceed 81 cm (32 inches) long and 36 cm (14 inches) wide. My bag of choice was the North Face’s Base Camp Duffel in medium. In hindsight, it would not have been an issue if my bag was an inch or two longer or higher. We used Scenic Air Safari; other airlines might have more rigid luggage requirements.

Paperwork:

• Passport with six months validity left and 2 blank pages for every country you visit
• Visa printed in color for each prospective country you are visiting. Minors will need a separate visa if visiting Tanzania even if you include them on your visa (they are happy to take your money at the airport if you need to correct this)
• Vaccination records (especially yellow fever and typhoid)
• Copy of your travel insurance

Clothes for a Winter African Safari (June – September):

• Warm fleece (most safaris will have blankets in their vehicles if you get chilly on a ride)
• Windbreaker
• Buff or bandana for neck (my favorite)
• Light scarf
• Closed-toe walking shoes
• Trail shoes that work for both walking safaris and mountain biking
• Packable sun hat and baseball cap
• Polarized sunglasses
• Camp shoes (sandals or flip flops)
• Bathing suit and wet bag if your safari camp has a pool or for those ending their trip on the coast
• Swimwear/cover-up
• 2-3 tanks or short-sleeved shirts
• Optional safari boots if doing a walking safari or horseback riding
• 3 pairs of pants (Lululemon tights work as hiking pants and as yoga pants!)
• 1 pair of shorts
• 3 long-sleeved tops (preferably button-down type)
• Vest (fleece or puffy type)
• Pjs
• Maxi dress or long skirt for dinner
• 4 pairs of socks
• Underwear (more is better here, see notes below)
• 3 supportive bralettes (I prefer Patagonia’s W’s Barely  Bra)
• 1 sports bra (for both yoga and bouncy car rides)
• Yoga pants (also functionable as hiking pants)

Keep in Mind:

• Layers are your friend!
• Laundry can be done daily with the exception of women’s underwear (it’s a cultural thing)
• Stick to neutral colored clothing.
• Pack at least one pair of binoculars for your group.
• You will need a global travel adapter.
• I highly advise packing a fanny pack or a small daypack for safari outings.

Medication:

• Cortisone cream
• Band-Aids
• Imodium
• Malaria tablets (Malarone)
• Swimmer’s Ear if planning any water-based excursions
• Advil
• Eye drops
• Antibiotic ointment

Toiletries:

Less is more here. Most camps provide everything from shampoo, conditioner, and hair dryers to lotion, sunscreen and bug spray.

• Makeup essentials and facial sunscreen (only if your prefer a specific brand)
• Face moisturizer
• Leave-in hair conditioner if you have long hair or hair that tangles easily. It’s a dry climate.
• Dry shampoo
• Travel brush and round brush
• Tweezers (you never know what you might rub up against!)
• Q-tips (great for cleaning dust out of camera and your ears!)
• Lip balm

What to Leave at Home:

• Plastic bags. Disposable plastic bags are not allowed in Kenya or Tanzania.
• Camouflage: Camouflage is not allowed in any safari camps. It is illegal attire for civilians, and this law can be strictly enforced to eliminate any confusion as to who the military members are. 
• Jewelry:  Leave your fine jewelry at home!

Extra:

• Keep your medications,hand sanitizer, sunglasses, chargers, camera equipment, and a change of clothes in your carry on.
• Copy all important documents and keep them in a separate bag from the originals.
• Worried about mosquitos? Just apply a spray containing permethrin to your clothing a week or so before travel. NOTE: not for delicate fabrics, test a small corner if you’re unsure.
• Don’t forget about cash for gratuities if gratuities are not included in your trip package. Recommended gratuities ranged from $20-$30/ person per couple per day for guides and house staff.
• A deflated new soccer ball will be a welcomed gift if you are visiting a local school or tribe. If I could do it again, I would have packed at least two.

In summary, pack three days’ worth of clothes and take advantage of available laundry services and provided toiletries. Laundry services are provided free of charge with several outfitters. I was warned not to pack any favorite clothing item because you might be sick of it by the time the trip is over… An African safari is a once-in-a-lifetime trip; don’t let packing take away from the adventure, and as always, be sure to leave room for souvenirs!