How to Pack for an African Safari

My husband and me, layered up for a morning Game Drive

I’m used to packing for all sorts of trips and usually go with just a carry-on. But preparing for our safari in Tanzania was unlike any packing I’ve done.

For one, we were traveling on regional airlines once we arrived in Tanzania, so we had to follow their luggage rules: soft-sided bags only, with size and weight limits. No rollerboards. And then there are specific colors meant to be worn while out amongst the animals in the bush. I also checked with our outfitter ahead of time, and laundry services wouldn’t be available during our safari, so I’d have to plan for that and make everything I packed for two weeks as efficient as possible.

Now, those two weeks weren’t just a safari. That included two nights of red-eye flights—one on the way over and one on the way back from the U.S. We spent two nights in Arusha, followed by five nights and six days of safari, and then wrapped our trip up with four nights and five days of beach time in Zanzibar.

Here’s how I made it work.

The Baggage

Let’s start with the luggage itself. I used a soft Samsonite bag that met the size requirements of the regional airlines. The bag can be carried like a duffel and also has straps that can turn it into a large backpack. My bag proved to be a better option than the one my husband used, which we discovered was only water-resistant, not fully waterproof, after the airline left it on a rainy tarmac during our connection in Amsterdam. Everything in his luggage arrived in Arusha wet and had to be laundered at our hotel before we left for our safari.

When selecting a bag, keep in mind that roads during the safari will be dusty, so a bag that keeps out all of the elements is essential.

Everything with you, from luggage to a carry-on, technically counts together in terms of weight on the regional planes, so you’ve got to keep things light. I loaded it all into my luggage using packing cubes. I’m used to my hard-sided luggage and its compartments, so this made it easier for me to keep things organized.

For my carry-on, I went with a lightweight Eddie Bauer backpack, along with a small crossbody bag from LeSportsac that I like for travel and the ease of having my passport or other essential items handy. I weighed all of this with a travel scale before we left home.

Clothing

Earth tones are key on a safari. They’re meant to help you blend into the background, but that doesn’t mean that everything needs to be khaki. There’s an array of colors that can be worn from browns to greens. Thinking of this palette helped me tremendously as I packed, ensuring I didn’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe for the trip. Black and blue clothing should also be avoided, as those colors can attract tsetse flies.

While Zanzibar and Arusha didn’t require those same colors, everything I packed fit those tones. My intention was for my wardrobe to be as versatile as possible, allowing me to mix and match and layer as needed. A lot of the items I packed could serve multiple purposes, too, like the pareo wrap I brought for the beach, which was also helpful as a scarf on the plane and as a wrap to dress up outfits for dinner.

The other key factor was planning for the strong sunshine, so UPF-rated clothing was a must. And it can get chilly in the mornings and evenings while being hot in the afternoon, so layering was also important.

My Clothing List:

• Two pairs of pants (the khaki pair from LL Bean was my one splurge for the trip, introducing UPF-rated hiking pants, which I plan to use at home)

• Five t-shirts and two spaghetti strap tanks for layering

• One long-sleeved thermal shirt

• Two button-down long-sleeve shirts

• A sweatshirt

• UPF khaki dress – it was great for the hot days on the safari and as a cover-up at the pool and beach

• Two bathing suits

• For dressing up in the evenings (mostly in Zanzibar and Arusha, but some camps do this as well), a jumpsuit, a long tank dress, a dressy pair of shorts, and a silk top

• Casual shorts

• A packable jacket. The Patagonia one I brought also folds into itself, making it easy to carry and even use as a travel pillow.

• Beanie for the cold mornings

• Two hats for the sun

• A UPF-rated neck gaiter – this was also helpful along the dusty roads, as I could pull it up over my face

• Pajamas

• Socks and underwear for two weeks

• Sports bra – ladies, I highly recommend this for the game drives

Shoes

I opted for waterproof hiking boots as my main footwear for the safari. Sneakers would absolutely work, too, particularly in the dry season, but I went for something with a little more stability. My Sorel Explorer lace-up leather boots worked great. I also packed a pair of Tevas, which were comfortable after the long game drives and, of course, at the beach.

Toiletries & Medications

Although they’re incredible, staying in camps is a different experience. Leave your blow dryer and straightener at home. Even if you do have access to power outlets, many camps can’t handle those as they operate on solar power. I brought a microfiber towel to help my hair dry, plus the Bumble and Bumble Don’t Blow It cream, which helps my thick, fine hair air-dry a little faster.

When it comes to medications, bring your usual stuff plus anything that you might need. There’s nowhere to buy stuff out in the bush! Don’t forget stomach medication, and it’s a good idea to check with your doctor or a travel clinic about any medications or vaccinations that may be recommended or required.

My Must-Haves (Apart from the Usual):

• Sunscreen

• Mosquito repellent

• After-bite balm (just in case)

• Face cleansing wipes – to be safer with the water on my face, I used Cetaphil’s cleansing wipes instead of my usual face wash

• Tissues – these came in handy at many of the bathrooms I visited in Tanzania

• Hand sanitizer – there won’t be spots to wash your hands on the safari, so don’t leave without this

• Travel-size first aid kit

Other Miscellaneous Items

You can take great photos and videos on your phone, but this is one of those trips where having a camera is a great idea, too. If possible, also bring a lens to capture really detailed photos of the animals you’ll encounter.

Wifi was spotty at our camps, so I disconnected and used that time to reflect, journal, and read. It certainly only added to the magic of the experience.

What I Brought:

• Camera and lens

• Universal travel adapter

• Kindle

• iPad

• Journal

• Snacks for the plane