Packing for an African safari is vastly different than packing for just about any other trip, and it’s often a challenge for first time safari goers. Not only do most safari goers have weight restrictions on bush flights (a typical weight restriction is 15 kilograms or 33 pounds total per person, including camera equipment and carry-ons), but you also have the challenge of knowing which types of clothes to wear on a Road trip safari.
The Road trip essentials to consider
Passport (check the visa requirements)
There is nothing like an “African visa” that guarantees you free entry to each African country because you have it. Each country has different visa requirements that you should meet before going there. Check with the nearest embassies of the countries you plan to travel to and find out all the requirements.
Choose your destinations and make an itinerary
You can check out the best African parks to visit and best national parks. If your itinerary includes countries like Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda, read these posts to discover more about the countries to be visited. My advice is to first note down all the regions in Africa; East, West South, North, and Central. Lower it down by deciding on which regions you want to visit. And go a step further by selecting which those specific countries you want to visit from each Region.
Do research on those countries you want to visit
Find out if the countries you choose to travel are politically stable, some people think that since they are traveling to Africa, it will be hot by default which is not the case, even though most countries are relatively hot all year round, some places can be really cold depending on the time of your visit, so don’t forget to check the weather of each country to pack clothes appropriate for that time of the year.
Try not to see everything in Africa
Some first time visitors in Africa get overwhelmed by the beauty and end up wanting to see everything, unless you have the entire year prepared to tour Africa, it will be absolutely impossible to see everything. Organise and see only places that are on your bucket list.
Pack everything you need for your African safari
- Back pack (includes a day pack)
- Passport holder
- Travel electronic organiser
- Camera
- Extra memory cards and batteries
- Binoculars
- Universal travel adapter
- Power bank
- Solar portable charger
- First aid kit
- Mosquito repellent
- Sunscreen
- Toiletries (tooth brush and toothpaste, facial wipes, shaver, tissue, comb, body cream, deodorant
What to wear on your African safari
Safari clothes for men
- Pack some jeans and t-shirts. The number depends on the days your trip will be.
- Since it gets really hot in some places, you might want to pack some shorts and light clothes.
- Don’t forget your safari shoes. These might be your normal sports shoes or jungle shoes. They all work perfectly
- Hat- Who wouldn’t want to rock an African safari with a hat?
- Jackets- For when it gets cold in the night.
- Lightweight clothes like vests
- Flip flops
Safari outfits for women
There are no selected clothes to wear on an African safari but I suggest you wear something you can be completely comfortable in as long as it’s decent.
- Safari dresses
- Jeans
- Tops or t-shirts
- Safari shoes sneakers or boots
- Swimming costumes to hit the beach.
- Sunglasses the sun can be really intense and you don’t want to punish your eyes.
- Hat- protects your head from the scorching by adding a hat to your packing list for Africa.
- open shoes
- sweatpants
Don’t pack the following
- Don’t carry all your valuables to Africa
- Don’t carry too much luggage
- Don’t carry a lot of cash on you
- Ladies, don’t pack high heels
