Ultimate African Safari Packing List and Outfit Ideas
An African Safari is an amazing bucket list vacation. If you fortunate enough to be planning a safari vacation, you are in for a treat! Once you plan an African Safari, you are likely wondering what should be on your safari packing list.
Unlike other vacations, packing for an Africa safari takes a bit more thought and consideration. There are packing restrictions, color limitations and comfort to consider.
In addition, there are many extras to pack such as a headlamp and binoculars that you may not need for a traditional vacation.
The first time I went on safari, I remember my family frantically shopping for a new wardrobe that fit into the neutral color scheme. We stocked up on bug proof clothing, adventure wear, and supplies, then crossed our fingers that we packed correctly.
I’ve since been on three African safari’s and have mastered the art of what to wear on a safari. This packing list will take out the guess work for you by outlining exactly what you need to bring on your safari vacation.
Keep reading for my ultimate safari packing list. In addition, check out this packing guide for what to wear on your long-haul flight to Africa.
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What to Wear on a Safari
As I mentioned, packing for an Africa safari is more complicated than packing for an average trip. Here are some important things to consider when planning your packing list for African safari.
Neutral colors – The color scheme for safari is neutrals, such as green, khaki, beige, brown, and light grey. This is for your protection from insects and optimal game viewing.
Casual safari clothing – Even a luxury safari packing list should consist of casual clothing. This seems counterintuitive when staying in a 5 star luxury resort, but safari is meant to be a rugged, adventurous experience.
Layering – The temperatures in sub-Saharan Africa can fluctuate widely throughout the day. Layering is your best friend to stay comfortable from below freezing to 80 degrees over the course of a day.
Pack light – Since you will be travelling in small plane and safari vehicles, there are weight and luggage restrictions for safari. Packing light is key!
Packing Restrictions for Safari
One of the main complications of a safari packing list is meeting all the packing restrictions set by the tour companies.
Weight Restrictions: Many tour companies will limit the weight of your luggage to 35 pounds to account for the small internal flights you will take.
Luggage Restrictions: Since tour companies transfer your bags between small planes and jeeps, pack soft-sided luggage such as backpacks or duffel bags for easily storage.
Patagonia Black Hole 55L Duffel Bag
✅ Removable backpack straps for easy carrying
✅ Highly water-resistant material
✅ Tough fabric for rough baggage handling
Building a Safari Capsule Wardrobe
To prepare for this limited amount of packing, utilize a capsule wardrobe to be able to mix and match a small amount of clothing items. A capsule wardrobe is a collection of clothing items that can be combined create different outfits. Typically, a capsule wardrobe includes staple pieces in the same color scheme so they can be combined make up a capsule wardrobe.
Additionally, many safari outfitters will include laundry in the price of the tour. At a few lodges, you will be able to get overnight laundry, allowing you to re-wear outfits easily.
Below are three helpful tips for packing for safari and two examples of safari capsule wardrobes.
Safari Packing Tip #1 – Stick to the Neutrals
An important guideline for a safari packing list is the colors to wear on safari. Tour operators strongly discourage certain colors for safety and comfort reasons. Some of these colors can be difficult to find and may need to be purchased specially for safari.
Colors TO Wear on Safari
The best colors to wear on safari are light blues, greens, browns, greys, and tans. Fortunately, these colors tend to match, making capsule wardrobes easy. The below collages are fantastic examples of how to create a capsule safari wardrobe.
One great option for a safari capsule wardrobe is a mixture of blues and browns. For clothing items, I love convertible pants like these that can be worn as both shorts and pants to save packing space. Also jumpsuits are super easy to throw on, are fashionable, and super comfortable.
Shop this blue/brown safari capsule wardrobe
An alternative color scheme for your safari outfits is greens and greys, shown above. You don’t have to be strict and only pack in one scheme, but it will make mixing and matching very simple.
Shop this green/grey safari capsule wardrobe
Colors NOT to Wear on Safari
Black/ Navy Blue– Dark colors such as black and navy attract bugs such as mosquitos and tsetse flies. Since these bugs are annoying and carry harmful diseases, it is best to stay away from these colors. This means to leave your jeans and black leggings at home.
Camouflage– Camo is a popular print right now and falls into the suggested green color category. However, many people in African countries associate camouflaged print with military and its even illegal in some places.
Red– Animals in Kenya and Tanzania associate red with the local Masai warriors. Animals avoid this color to avoid being hunted. To not scare off the wildlife, be sure to not pack any red or other bright colors.
White – White is ok in moderation, but easily get’s dirty and will be difficult to re-wear.
What to Wear on Safari Tip #2 – Materials Matter
As mentioned above, comfort is key when deciding what to wear on safari. Focus on materials that are moisture wicking, comfortable to sit in, and breathable.
The temperature on safari will have a wide range, depending on the time of day and location. On my trip, we experienced near freezing temperatures in the morning and in mountain locations. We also experienced warm, summer weather during the day at lower elevations.
To best dress for the heat, focus on clothes that are breathable for the heat, but easily layered to stay warm. Materials such as performance fabric, linen, and high quality cotton are great options.
Africa Safari Outfit Tip #3 – Wear Versatile Clothing
Since packing space is limited, it’s important to find clothes that can be dressed up, dressed down, and paired with a variety of other clothing items. This will allow you to wear different outfits with a few staple pieces.
To demonstrate this idea, here are a few examples:
Kuhl Womens Freeflex Dash Pant – These pants are a great staple piece for safari. The material is comfortable, durable, and hides dirt easily. The pants have a built in cinch at the hem that allows them to be worn as a straight-leg or jogger style. This versatility allows you to have two pants in one.
Kuhl Konstance Tank – This tank top is another example of a versatile piece of clothing for safari. It can be paired with different bottoms or layered with a jacket to create a completely different look. The cut is also super flattering and the material is soft and breathable.
The Best Shoes to Wear on Safari
Hiking Boot
If you are doing any hiking on your trip, a hiking boot is a must. These are super comfortable for all-day wear and come in safari-friendly colors.
Hiking Shoe
If you are not hiking, save space and bring a hiking shoe instead of a boot. These have plenty of support for walking around camp and the bush.
Sturdy Sandal
In addition to a sneaker, a pair of adventure sandals is great for around camp or on game drives. I even wear these on short hikes because they’re so comfy.
Safari Packing List: Clothes and Shoes
- 1 Pair of Walking shoes: Even though you will spend most of the day in vehicles, it is important to have sturdy shoes for any walking that you may do. The African bush has uneven ground and dirt, so sturdy shoes like these are important.
- 1 Pair of Sandals: In addition to your hiking/walking shoes, pack a pair of sturdy sandals to wear around camp or in the safari vehicle.
- Convertible Jacket: Depending on the area, temperature can range from freezing to 80+ degrees during your safari trip. Be sure to include a convertible jacket, like this 3-in-1 option on your safari packing list.
- Tops: For a 7-10 day safari, I recommend packing three short sleeve shirts, one long sleeve shirt, and two button up shirts for layering
- Pants: Bring one pair of pants for every three days of safari and 1-2 pairs of shorts for the entire trip.
- Swimsuit: This item is easily overlooked, but you will appreciate the swimwear to spend time in resort pools.
- Safari hat: A good safari hat will protect from sun and bugs.
Safari Packing List: Other Important Items
- Headlamp: Many lodges and camps will have outdoor pathways connecting common areas to rooms. At night, the paths can be hard to see, so a headlamp can be helpful for hands-free lighting.
- Binoculars: Binoculars are critical for seeing faraway animals.
- Camera: Safari is prime for getting amazing photographs. If you have a good camera or are thinking of buying one, make sure it makes it on your safari packing list.
- Phone zoom attachment: iPhone attachments can help enhance phone photos.
- Insect repellent: As mentioned above, it is important to keep bugs off you. Pack bug spray with deet or bug-off wipes for daily use.
- Sunscreen: Wear sunscreen daily for protection from the near-equator sunshine.
- Cash: It’s super important to bring all the cash you will need for your trip. ATMs are very hard to come by in the bush, and often local currencies are not preferred. Bring enough new, crisp, US dollars for tips and purchasing souvenirs.
Summary of What to Wear on a Safari
The most important aspect of an African safari packing list is focusing on essentials that will provide comfort, safety, and function. Be sure to utilize layers in complimentary colors to make your items go far. Do not forget the other essential items like bug spray and a headlight.
Want more outfit ideas? Check out my guide to what to wear in Uganda that explains what to wear on safari for all activities and occasions such as a game drive, hiking, or lounging at the lodge.
For more information on safari travel, read my post on what to expect on a luxury South Africa Safari.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and be sure to share this post on Pinterest for others to find.
FAQ
– Camoflauge or military-style clothing
– White clothing
– Black / Navy blue clothing
– Red clothing
– Expensive jewlery
– Formal clothing
– High heels
Dinner attire on safari is very casual, even at luxury resorts. You can often wear what you wore on safari that day, such as long pants, hiking shoes, and a button down top. If you prefer to change your outfit, something simple like a green jumpsuit or linen set is very appropriate.
Most safaris require you to pack in soft-sided luggage such as a duffel bag. I recommend a duffel bag that is waterproof and a scratch-resistant material. In addition, there are weight limits for safari, so ensure your bag is the appropriate size to not be overweight.
The best colors to wear on safari are neutrals such as green, beige, brown, grey, and light blue.
I do not recommend wearing jeans on a safari. First, they are often dark blue which is a big no-no for tsetse flies. In addition, jeans are not breathable or flexible for active days.
