By Dan Wiencek • February 14, 2020

These are the must-have items you need to pack for a safari holiday, according to our seasoned safari experts, from gardening gloves (yes, really) to the right kind of pants – plus what not to pack.

A luxury safari is one of the trickiest holidays to pack for. Massively fluctuating temperatures and weather conditions; outdoorsy gear for bush walks and something comfortably elegant for supper; sunhats for daytime and blankets for sundowners around the campfire – and yet you also need to pack light, ideally in a squishy bag, for those light-aircraft wilderness flights.
We've been taking guests on safari for more than 60 years, and over that time we’ve fielded our fair share of questions about what to pack for the adventure. We understand that sinking feeling when you arrive in the middle of the wilderness and realize you’ve misinterpreted the dress code, underestimated the climate or missed a vital piece of gear off your list – and we know how to avoid it. These are our can’t-live-without essentials that we always pack for any safari, whether it’s your first or 15th trip into the wild – plus what you don’t need to take on an A&K safari.

What to pack on safari

Neutrals from head to toe

There’s a reason the safari suit endures, and it’s not just about timeless style. Tsetse flies, which can carry a serious disease and are found in many tropical areas of Africa, are attracted to patterned clothing along with black, blue and bright colors, which is why most safari-goers wear neutrals like khaki, taupe, ivory and tan. But avoid a camouflage print, which is illegal in some African countries (including Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe), as it is reserved for the military.

A sports bra

A work-out might be the last thing on your mind, but consider a sports bra a daily essential: the dirt roads can be bumpy, and the extra support can make all the difference.

Pants with pockets

Go for light, utilitarian trousers (or shorts) that allow for ease of movement, in cotton or linen, or sports leggings in technical, sweat-wicking fabrics. Either way, the more pockets the better.

Light cotton layers

Shirts should be light, breathable and easily layered: bring short-sleeved shirts as well as protective, long-sleeved shirts in cotton or linen, to protect skin from sun, insects and thorny vegetation. Temperatures fluctuate over the course of the day (in the reserves of South Africa, for example, temperatures in September can dip below 50°F/10°C at night and reach 86°F/30°C by day) so bring layers for your own comfort – often, you might leave camp at the break of dawn in a fleece and return in a T-shirt.

Soft-sided luggage

Bush planes don’t allow hard-shell luggage or bags with wheels and they have strict weight restrictions, so pack light. On A&K safaris we provide laundry service, so you can re-wear your favorite pieces.

Gardening gloves...

A brilliant insider tip from a seasoned safari-goer – pack a pair of gardening gloves if you’re gorilla-trekking in Rwanda or Uganda, to protect your hands from stinging nettles and thick undergrowth when you’re on the trails.

... and gaiters

The rainforests of Rwanda and Uganda that are home to most of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas are also home to unfathomable fire ants. Leg gaiters or long wool socks to tuck trousers into may sound uncomfortably hot, but that’s preferable to a colony of fire ants swarming up loose trouser legs – they have a vicious, venomous sting.

Ear plugs

The night symphony of Africa’s creatures, from chirruping cicadas and frogs to grunting hippos and whooping hyenas, is all part of the experience. But it can be incredibly loud. Light sleepers in tented suites will appreciate moldable silicon earplugs to block out the noise.

Sun protection

The UV index can soar in common safari destinations, so strong SPF is essential. Take a large bottle of sun cream and dispense it into a smaller, portable one if you’re limited on space day-to-day, and don’t forget lip balm with SPF.

Polarized sunglasses

Polarized shades enable better visibility in shadows, where big cats like to hang out.

A sunhat with a strap

A wide-brimmed hat that packs flat or rolls up is recommended – you may need one that secures under your chin during game drives in open-sided or open-top vehicles.

Closed-toe shoes

On gorilla safaris, you’ll spend long stints clambering through muddy, slippery terrain so waterproof hiking boots that are broken in are recommended. Otherwise, closed-toe shoes such as trainers or trail shoes with decent tread will do the trick. Bring footwear you don’t mind getting dusty, plus a pair of slip-ons for padding around your lodge... closed-toe preferable to open sandals.

Binoculars

All A&K Sanctuary safari camps have one pair of Nikon or Bushnell binoculars per room. But if you have your own, we recommend bringing ones you use frequently and you’re familiar with; when you catch a rare sighting, you might not want to share.

Microfiber cloth

Game drives can be dusty: keep a small microfiber cloth on hand to keep sunglasses, camera lenses and binoculars clean.

Bug spray

The last thing you want is a flurry of mosquito bites distracting you from witnessing some of the world’s most magnificent wildlife; bring insect repellent with a high concentration of DEET.

A flashlight

A pocket-sized LED flashlight is always handy, and essential for guided night walks or game drives – the more powerful the better.

A small bag

“I always pack a mini rucksack to stash my small essentials like camera, lip balm, sunscreen and sunglasses on game drives,” says Jen Morris, Global Tailormade Product Manager. “It helps not to have a big bag when you’re getting in and out of the vehicle on a game drive.” Hands-free belt bags and hip packs are great too.

Swimwear

From Baines’ Lodge in Botswana to Sussi & Chuma Lodge in Zambia, many of A&K’s lodges and camps have swimming pools so lovely you’ll regret not packing appropriate gear. After a day’s game drive on the dry, dusty savannah, a cool dip is irresistible.

A light cotton scarf

“A kikoi or cotton scarf is great on safari,” says Ellie Hughes, A&K Private Client Manager. “It's common all over Africa, and it keeps the dust off on game drives, offers sun protection by day and warmth by night, plus wafts away the flies. It can also be used as a picnic blanket, towel, sarong, makeshift carry pack.” Alternatively, “a cotton neck gaiter or headband can be dipped in ice-cold water and then used to keep you cool on really hot days,” Bridget Cohen, Senior Travel Consultant, advises. “It also keeps dust out of your mouth and stops hair blowing about in front of your eyes.”

A waterproof layer

Depending on the destination and the time of year, a light windbreaker or waterproof jacket adds an extra layer of protection – when it rains in Africa, it pours.

Zoom lens

For keen photographers, if ever there was an occasion to bring in the big guns, it's on safari. A phone camera can only capture so much; if you want wildlife shots to write home about, consider at least a 200mm zoom lens.

Tote bags

Single-use plastic bags are banned in Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa and Kenya and Rwanda. It’s fine to use the plastic bags provided by airlines to pack toiletries, as long as you take them away with you. A lightweight reusable tote is a great option for visits to markets, plus they double up as easy-access camera bags that protect your gear from dust but reduce the need for zipping and unzipping a case.

Plug adaptors

Plug sockets vary throughout Africa: in Tanzania and Kenya, you’re most likely to come across the British three rectangular pin variety (type G). In Rwanda, you’ll find those with two round pins (type C) and three round pins (type J). All A&K’s camps come with power, and your travel advisor can provide specifics.

Cash

Tipping is customary on safaris. Your extraordinary experience is almost entirely down to the inimitable expertise, character and passion of your guides and drivers, and service in lodges is such that you’ll want to tip along the way, from the staff member who remembers how you take your coffee at dawn or the private butler who prepares your safari shower after a long, hot day. The amount is at your discretion, and it is never obligatory; but generally accepted rates are $15 a day per guest for the guide and $15 a day per guest for the camp staff – and always much appreciated in cash.

What not to pack for safari

Too much

Less is more on safari. You’ll have limitations on luggage space and weight, plus plenty of must-haves to fit in. Strike a balance by leaving the non-essentials at home.

Blankets and hot-water bottles

All A&K Sanctuary safari lodges and camps provide blankets and hot-water bottles for guests.

Heels

No. Never.

Formalwear

Meals are informal and there’s no such thing as a dress code for dinner in the mess tent, so save your Sunday best for another day.

Scent

Perfume and scented lotions can attract bugs and insects, and waste valuable space and weight in your luggage.

Drone cameras

Banned in certain countries including Kenya, Madagascar and Morocco; permits are needed to operate them in Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania, and there are strict guidelines in place in Botswana, Zambia and Namibia. Check local rules before you travel.

A&K Sanctuary camps have all the essentials – toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, bathroom products – in case you forget (or simply want to save on space). For more information, your A&K travel advisor will share specifics depending on where you’re going and what you’re doing.