What to Pack for an African Safari

Packing for Safari can be tough, not just what to wear but also what to bring- what am I forgetting to even think about? After confirming trip details, now comes the real research: temperature, weather, clothing, camera gear, bugs & baggage limitations!

Baggage limits will vary by airline and flight types so be sure to check for specifics once you have booked; even if you are not a chronic over-packer it is easy and expensive to bust the limitations. Domestic airlines: Generally :23KG checked, 7KG hand luggage Small charter flights: 15KG soft luggage total

Additionally, the safari car will need to store all of your bags and depending on if there are other people/ camping gear this can get pretty tight. Pro tip: I left my larger suitcase ( As I was continuing onto Zanzibar after) at the hotel I stayed at in Arusha before my safari and on the day of our return.

Binoculars: Even if you are right next to the action, there will inevitably be a time when you want to see something a little too far. Be sure to bring your own binoculars or inquire with your safari company if they have loaners available as I mentioned on my list of questions to ask before booking!

Camera gear: let's just say it… you won’t get many great safari pictures on your iPhone, and actually, many reserves even ban phone photography because the geotags are misused by poachers.

Personally, I shoot with a Cannon 6D and my go-to lens was a 100-400mm telephoto which is considered the gold standard for safaris, it was a workhorse for getting closer shots. The second lens I used was a 16-36mm wide-angle lens that was perfect for landscape shots.

If you don’t already own camera gear, don’t fret, there are plenty of reputable rental companies if photos are something you care about, just make sure to practice with the new gear to test it out!

Bugs: You’re taking malaria pills for a reason, bugs in the bush are no joke! Be sure to bring mosquito repellant and reapply regularly. There are also little repellant patches and things you can stick on your clothing that will repel bugs for several hours- we had these placed outside our mosquito nets at night.

Truthfully I had no problems with mosquitos during the safari but was absolutely devoured the next week in Zanzibar, maybe it was the increase in the rain? Or maybe because I was significantly more relaxed with my daily diet of mosquito repellant baths.

What to wear, and what NOT to wear! Dressing appropriately can often make of break an experience; you’re either not thinking about clothing at all or completely distracted by awkward sweating, adjusting, itching, burning & biting. Dramatic much? Maybe… here are my top Dos & Don’ts for safari clothes.

DO

Dress in layers: The weather can drastically change throughout the day, you will likely set off at sunrise with cooler temperatures but face some extreme heat and humidity in the afternoon. I especially loved vests for this trip as they provide a little bit of warmth, versatility and pockets!

Light neutral colors and breathable fabrics: When spending an entire day sitting in a humid safari car, things can get a little… swampy; help yourself out by dressing for comfort. Wear colors that can be found in nature and as long as you aren’t doing a walking trek then wearing white is fine too. Wear a sunhat: Not only does it complete the perfect safari look but hats can be extremely useful in saving you from too much sun! The last thing you would want is to deal with a painful scalp burn on vacation! Pack a scarf: If you go during the hot dry summer months be prepared for lots of dust! A light scarf can be multipurpose for many reasons but will come in handy if you have to shield you face from a dust storm. Bring a swimsuit: Most resorts will have a pool and it’s the best way to cool down after a hot game drive. Comfortable hiking boots or tennis shoes: Unless you are doing a walking tour it is not necessary to wear boots because…you’ll be in a car! It’s best to save space as much as possible and not bring more shoes than necessary. However, if you go during the rainy season be mindful of what will happen if your shoes get wet!

Don’t:

Wear dark blue or black: These colors attract tsetse flys, which have a painful bite. They even create fly traps out of blue and black fabric! Wear bright neon colors or animal prints: A lot less important in a driving safari but the idea is to blend in, not stand out! Animal prints are said to be confusing to the animals…I don’t know if I believe it but I would love to be the first human adopted into a lion pride. Skip the SPF: An everyday staple, don’t forget to protect your skin on safari,- even if you have a base tan the sun down here is HOT and you don’t want to turn into a blistering lobster on day 1.

Shop my favorites

Starting off the list is the Kate Skinny Cargo Pant by Anatomie because I have never experienced pants quite like them and I can’t imagine going back to life without them. While these pants are not cheap, and I went back and forth on buying them for over a month, I do think they are 100% worth the investment.

• They are the only pants with a LIFETIME WARRANTY

• They are extremely lightweight; great for carrying post-safari on luggage

• Super stretchy and breathable, they are on par with yoga pants

While not generally a fan of cargo pants I do continuously find myself wearing these pants in my post-safari life whenever I want something simple and comfortable to wear. 10/10 Would recommend it!

I picked up this Green Puff Vest on Amazon in hopes of mixing it up a bit. I loved the olive green color, the added pockets, and the fact that its tailored shape didn’t add a ridiculous amount of puffiness.

This Lululemon Long Sleeve has been a staple in my closet for years now… skydiving, running, yoga & early morning safari- it does it all. I recommend layering a long sleeve over a tank top to beat the morning chill.

I channeled my inner Steve Irwin with these Colombia Lightweight Cargo Shorts! At first, they were more of an ironic, over-the-top safari outfit buy, but in reality, they were super practical and very comfortable!

This white Colombia Long Sleeve button-up was purchased because I was terrified of what the unknown heat and humidity levels would do to me. I do genuinely think active sports brands like this have maximized the science in keeping you cool and protected from the sun- It worked perfectly and kept me cool all day.

Any white button-up could do the job but just make sure it is light and breathable…we don’t want any of that super tight cotton, can hardly lift your arms above your head nonsense!

I don’t know why but I LOVE this Cargo Utility Vest from Amazon. It's a very sturdy material with lots of pockets! I’m still trying to figure out how to wear it in my normal life but it made me feel like a bush boss!

Because I went to Tanzania during the rainy season I wanted to be prepared for the inevitable; I kept this Green Lightweight Raincoat folded up in case of emergency and finally needed it on the last day. Unfortunately, there are no pictures because when it rains- IT POURS! We were hiking back from Materuni waterfall when a torrential storm hit and we were stuck trying to get down this tiny mountainside road for the next 3 hours! I give the jacket 7/10 for function and 9/10 for cuteness!