Safari Tour Packing List

#1: Wearing “Hollywood style” and/or camouflage safari tour outfits. Normal, comfortable fitting, neutral coloured clothes are what you need to be taking with for your safari tour packing list.

Light, strong, breathable garments are ideal, especially the ones that have moisture wicking properties, either synthetics or cotton.

#2: Bright coloured clothing should be avoided and white clothes will show up dust and dirt. Khaki, brown and olive colours top the list.

Red and white makes you very conspicuous to the wildlife especially on a walking safari. If you are going to be spending most of your time in the safari vehicle then the colors really don’t make that much of a difference.

#3: Don’t take blue or black clothes especially to Eastern Africa. This is due to the tsetse fly (or tzetze) which is attracted to dark colours and can give you a nasty bite as they feed on blood just like mosquitoes.

Safari destinations where the flies are commonly encountered are Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia. You will rarely find them in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.

#4: Not packing something warm. Although the days in Africa can be blisteringly hot the temperatures will sometimes drop sharply at nights and in the early mornings.

This is especially important if you are going to be travelling in an open sided safari vehicle. Pack a jersey, pullover or safari jacket.

#5: Don’t go without a safari hat. Safari hats are essential to ward of the African sun and protect you from sunburn. Even a short exposure time is long enough to get burnt during the heat of the day.

#6: Packing in your heavy walking boots is unnecessary, unless you are doing a walking safari. Simple lightweight safari shoes/trainers (non white) or sandals/sports sandals are more sensible.

#7: Packing too much safari attire. You will not need more than 2 or 3 comfortable short sleeved safari shirts and the same amount of long sleeved tops. There are laundry facilities available at most game reserves and parks in Africa, unless you are going to be really roughing it, either done by the lodge itself or self serve.

Also pack 2 or 3 (each) comfortable shorts and long trousers. Long trousers and a long sleeved shirt can be worn at night to stay warm and protect from mosquito bites.

#8: Going too formal. Most safari destinations have a very relaxed dress code for dinner so there is no need to pack formal dress. Check with your travel agent to make sure but in most cases it just won’t be necessary.

#9: Don’t forget to bring your safari sunglasses. The African light can be harsh and you’re going to be spending a lot of time staring into the veld looking for, and at wildlife, so a pair of polarizing shades will stand you in good stead and give your eyes a bit of a rest.