Your Safari Packing List: Must-Packs for Your Wildlife Adventure

Safaris combine aspects of adventure travel, bucket-list trips, and sun-‘n’-sand vacations. As a result, they can be tricky to pack for.

In addition, there are many different types of safaris – everything from Galapagos-tortoise safaris to polar-bear safaris – meaning that producing a generic safari packing list isn’t an easy task.

But we’re up for a challenge. Here are general categories of special things you should pack when going on safari, in addition to the normal items you’d pack when heading to that sort of climate.

You can download our Safari Trip Packing Checklist by clicking the button below. The accessible interactive PDF can be digitally checked off using any device or easily printed for your use.

Your choice of footwear is crucial no matter the type of land-based safari. Your shoes/boots should have a Vibram or equivalent sole in good shape. Worn or cracked soles should be replaced, or you should pack a different pair of boots. Watch how the tongue fits on any pair of waterproof shoes. If it drifts to the side and exposes your socks, the shoes aren’t really waterproof.

Wear boots that go above the ankle to lessen the risk of insect or snake bites, If you find calf-length boots uncomfortable to walk in over long distances, choose a boot that covers up to your ankle.

Insulated boots are a must for cold-weather safaris such as polar-bear-sighting expeditions. If you’re traversing long stretches in the cold over snow, pac boots are likely going to be your footwear of choice, but beware: Some pac boots lack sufficient arch support.

Warm, dry socks are a godsend after a day of trekking. Choose socks made from merino wool or something similar to maximize comfort and durability, whether you’re wearing them inside boots or après-safari.

Even if you’re traveling to a hot region, pack long pants in addition to shorts.

The logic is simple: Long pants protect your legs from brambles, bites, and stings. They also protect your legs from sunburn.

Pack pants made of lightweight, durable fabrics with pockets that don’t open easily.

It’s totally fine to pack shorts – and you should pack shorts of the same material, with the same type of protected pockets – but don’t forget the pants.

Photographer’s vests are getting harder to find, but they’re the perfect garment for an African safari because they can hold everything, including water bottles and snacks, in addition to photographic equipment.

Even if your only camera is an iPhone, you’ll find a photographer’s vest to be indispensable.

If you’re heading to a warm-weather destination, a pair of leather-palmed work gloves is a prudent packable. If you’re headed somewhere cold, pack heated gloves, lobster-claw gloves, or best of all, mittens.

Cold hands are not only an inconvenience; they’re a danger. Be safe.

Erstwhile African explorers favored a topee, but you’ll do just fine with a lightweight, crushable hat with an adjustable chin string that can be stuffed into a pocket when you don’t need it.

A hat like that will keep you cool, shade your eyes, and keep the sun off the back of your neck.

Don’t skimp; get a nicely ventilated model with a wide, well-stitched brim.

Many warm-weather safari destinations are rife with insect life to whom you are fresh meat. Thwart their feeding attempts with insect repellent that can turn away the local creatures.

Not sure what repellent to pack for your destination? Online forums are a great information source.

Sunscreen seems like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to overlook when you’re concentrating on the Great Migration. Pack it, wear it, reapply it frequently.

You can pack all sorts of emollients to soothe chapped and dry hands, or you can just pack petroleum jelly and call it good.

In addition to soothing chapped hands, petroleum jelly can also be used on cuts, scrapes, and burns – all things safarians are prone to.

Petroleum jelly is a key component of a safari first-aid kit that should also contain antiseptics, bandages, pain relievers, and an anti-diarrheal.

Well, yeah, of course you’re going to pack photo gear. But you need to think hard about the gear you’re packing and how you’re going to carry it.

Do you need a wide-angle lens? Maybe, but likely not. Is a telephoto with zoom essential? Yes – but do you really need your telephoto lens that’s the size of a food processor? Not necessarily – especially if it needs its own monopod for steadying.

Before you go, talk to your safari provider about how close you’ll actually be getting to animals, and then base your lens choices on their feedback. Online photography forums are also a good information source.

Also, think about how you’re going to transport all your gear. For quick changes you can stow unused lenses in the bellows pockets of a photo vest, but you’ll likely need a photo backpack to carry everything.

Don’t skimp here, either.

No matter what condition you’re in, a walking stick or trekking pole can help you traverse rough terrain with uncertain footing.

Choose a lightweight, collapsable pole that can adjust to your height, has a wrist strap and a comfortable grip, and has a durable pointed end that can work equally well on snow, sand or dirt.

Well, yeah, of course you’re going to pack photo gear. But you need to think hard about the gear you’re packing and how you’re going to carry it.

Do you need a wide-angle lens? Maybe, but likely not. Is a telephoto with zoom essential? Yes – but do you really need your telephoto lens that’s the size of a food processor? Not necessarily – especially if it needs its own monopod for steadying.

Before you go, talk to your safari provider about how close you’ll actually be getting to animals, and then base your lens choices on their feedback. Online photography forums are also a good information source.

Also, think about how you’re going to transport all your gear. For quick changes you can stow unused lenses in the bellows pockets of a photo vest, but you’ll likely need a photo backpack to carry everything.

Don’t skimp here, either.

REI has more details.

It’s one thing to write “socks” or “photographic equipment” on a packing list. It’s another thing to consider what and how much and how you’re going to pack and carry everything.

 As you prepare for your safari adventure, help protect it with travel insurance and assistance services from Generali Global Assistance.

Our plans are lightweight and packable and ideal for safari adventures.

See for yourself. Get a quote today.

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