A safari is a big dream of yours. You’ve planned it all out and booked the exciting trip you’ve always wanted. Dreaming of a fancy Serengeti safari package? Just pack clothes that are comfy for adventures in nature. Definitely, it’s not as simple as a beach holiday where you can easily pick up anything you left behind. When you’re out in the wild, having the right stuff with you is key. No need to worry. If you plan a little packing it will be easy. Then you can just enjoy seeing the animals and not stress about your stuff. For an unforgettable African safari, these are the key things you’ll want to pack for your luxury safari packing list.
For an unforgettable African safari, these are the key things you’ll want to pack
Protecting Yourself from Insects
Going into the African wild, especially when on a Serengeti safari package, means you need to keep bugs away, so picking a good bug spray is important. Choosing a bug spray or lotion that’s good for nature also keeps you healthy and doesn’t harm the environment. You can also use natural things like citronella to help keep bugs away. But if you want to keep mosquitoes and other biters away, a bug spray with DEET usually works best. Because DEET is so good at repelling these annoying and potentially harmful bugs, you can have more peace of mind and focus on the wonderful wildlife.
Beat the Heat: Your Sun Protection Plan
The African sun is really strong, so it’s super important to protect your skin and eyes to have a good and healthy safari. You need a good, natural sunscreen with SPF 30 or more to protect your skin from the sun’s strong rays.
To go with your sunscreen, a wide hat is a great idea to shade your face, ears and neck, look for one with a UPF rating for extra protection. A hat with a strap that goes under your chin is a good idea, it can get quite breezy on those open safari rides.
And don’t forget good sunglasses. They’re not just for looking cool, they help protect your eyes from the bright sun, dust and even bugs that might fly around when you’re exploring. Protecting yourself from the sun means you can relax and enjoy the incredible sights and animals without worrying about getting too much sun.
Stay Safe in the Dark: Head Torch
When the sun sets in Africa, the bush gets very shadowy, so you definitely need your light to move around your camp safely. If you need to go between your tent and where you eat or just walk around at night, a dependable light will keep you from accidentally meeting and seeing wildlife. Head torches are super handy because they attach to your head, so you don’t have to hold them, and you can use both hands. This means you can carry things, open your tent, or just walk without tripping easily in the dark around the safari camp, making things safer and easier.
Your Day Adventure Pack
You’ll probably leave your main luggage at the camp, but a comfortable backpack is a must for when you go out during the day. It’s like a small moving bag to carry things like your water, snacks, extra clothes, camera, binoculars and any little things you buy. If you’ll be visiting any towns or cities during your safari, it’s smart to have a money belt, fanny pack or a crossbody bag that’s designed to stop thieves. These smaller, safer bags let you keep your money and important papers right next to you, so pickpockets can’t easily get to them, which makes you feel safer when you’re in crowded places.
Your Personal Hygiene Essentials
Out in the bush, away from normal bathrooms, you usually have to find a private, bushy spot to go to the toilet. In these situations where you’re using the bush as a toilet, it’s super important to have your hygiene kit to stay clean and comfortable. It’s good to pack things like hand-cleaning gel, wet wipes, tissues and women’s items you might need in this kit. If you want a more convenient and earth-friendly way to go to the toilet when you’re out in the bush, you could bring a small, portable outdoor toilet. Being prepared with your hygiene supplies ensures your comfort and helps maintain the pristine environment of the bush.
Comfortable Safari Clothing
The most important thing to think about when choosing safari clothing is how comfortable they are. The best safari clothes are comfy things you can layer, in natural colors like light brown, dark brown, green, and off-white. These natural colors help you not stand out from the animals, and they also make it easy to wear layers of clothing that match. For warm weather, a light T-shirt or long-sleeved shirt is good and then you can easily add a fleece or light jacket when it gets cooler on those open safari drives in the early morning or evening. This way of dressing in layers means you’ll be ready for the changing temperatures all day long, so you can just focus on seeing the amazing animals.
On Your Feet: Safari Shoes
You’ll be walking on all sorts of ground on safari, so strong and comfortable closed shoes are super important. These shoes will give you the support and protection you need for walking on rocky paths and dusty ground when you’re looking for animals or just walking around the camp. These shoes will give you the support and protection you need for walking on rocky paths and dusty ground when you’re looking for animals or just walking around the camp. Good, strong walking shoes or light hiking boots are a good idea. After wearing your safari boots all day, your feet will probably be happy to have a break. It’s a good idea to pack some comfy slip-on shoes or sandals so your feet can relax, and you can feel more casual at the campsite. It’s a good idea to leave your more fashionable shoes, such as expensive sneakers, platforms, or high heels, behind because they won’t be right for the safari. Choosing shoes that are practical and comfy will make your experience much better.
Seeing the Significance of Color
When you’re deciding on the colors for your safari clothes, try to go for natural, neutral shades like brown, beige, gray, khaki and green. These colors aren’t always a must for safari vehicle rides, but they’re usually preferred and often a rule for guided walks because they help you disappear into nature and not bother the wildlife. So, it’s best to leave your bright, colorful clothes at home and maybe wear them when you’re just relaxing at your hotel or tent. It’s also best to avoid white clothing, it doesn’t blend in with the natural surroundings and it gets very dirty very easily in the dusty safari. Light colors can help you stay cool, but it’s also a good idea to avoid royal blue or navy because tsetse flies might like those colors.
Finally, it’s really important to be careful about packing camouflage clothes because regular people can’t legally wear them in some African countries. Going for plain colors is not only the polite and practical choice for safari but it also helps you have a deeper and more respectful connection with the wildlife.
Getting Your Bags Ready for Safari
Choose luggage that is easy to manage and not too heavy for your safari trip, especially if you will be flying in small planes to remote safari destinations. Soft suitcases or sturdy duffel bags, sometimes made of water-resistant material, are preferable since they fit better in the narrow cargo holds of light aircraft. It’s generally best not to bring hard suitcases and some flights might not even allow them on board. If you’re planning to do more active things like tracking gorillas, you’ll need a strong, waterproof backpack. It’s also best to leave your wheeled suitcases at home because the extra weight and size can be restrictive when every pound is important for the airplane’s weight rules. For your daily adventures, like we talked about a comfortable backpack or a bag that you wear across your body is ideal. You’ll need a bag that’s big enough for all the things you’ll need during the day.
Here are some essential safari gear and safari travel accessories you’ll want in your day pack:
- Cellphone: Useful throughout the day and night
- Lip balm: can be needed anytime
- Medications (prescriptions): Needed consistently throughout your trip
- Passport: Needed right away for travel
- Sunglasses: Essential during the day
- Sunscreen: Important for daytime activities
- Tissues: Can be needed anytime
- Cameras and binoculars: Key for capturing and enjoying wildlife. For the best safari camera, consider one with a good zoom lens. Similarly, high-quality safari binoculars will enhance your wildlife viewing experience.
If you’re bringing extra camera lenses or binoculars, make sure your day pack has enough room. Preparing your luxury safari packing list carefully is key and can make a big difference to your trip. Make sure you check the luggage rules for all your flights carefully. If you don’t pay attention to these rules, you could have problems at the airport, like having to leave things behind or pay extra money. So, checking the luggage rules for all your flights will make the beginning of your awesome safari much easier.
So, get happy and start getting ready for your amazing Serengeti safari package now. With a little planning, you’ll be ready to make awesome memories in the heart of Africa’s nature. Get ready for the best trip ever, and don’t forget to double-check this luxury safari packing list before you go!
