Your Safari Suitcase

As a general guide, the below is mainly for camping, tented and overland safaris, where luggage restrictions are strictest. If you're travelling on a lodge-based or fly-in safari, there are still a few things worth considering — we'll email you a tailored packing note specific to your itinerary once you enquire.

What to Pack for Your African Safari

Luggage

Space in the safari vehicle is limited, and we request that you pay particular attention to the following guidelines.

Your luggage is restricted to:

• 1 bag not exceeding 12kg and 65 x 46cm. We recommend packing your personal effects in an inexpensive barrel or sausage bag, available from discount stores, hypermarkets and sports shops.
• 1 sleeping bag and small pillow if you are on a camping safari (a warmer sleeping bag or blanket is recommended for winter).
• 1 small handbag (airline type) or day-pack containing money, travel documents and camera equipment. This will be allowed inside the vehicle, placed by the passenger's feet.
• 1 waist pouch or money belt.
• 1 small fold-up bag to be used on itineraries that include short excursions. Essential for optional excursions.

We recommend using old or inexpensive luggage. Solid-type suitcases are unsuitable for our type of safaris. A small to medium rucksack may be used, provided it has no rigid frame.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ON MOST CAMPING SAFARIS, ANY EXCESS LUGGAGE OVER 12KG WILL NOT BE LOADED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. EXCESS LUGGAGE WILL BE STORED, AND ANY COSTS INCURRED WILL BE THE PASSENGER'S RESPONSIBILITY.

Important: To avoid lost luggage in transit

Please take your sleeping bag, medication and toiletries with you on board the plane. For passengers with connecting flights, please allow sufficient connecting time between flights (usually two hours). We suggest checking your luggage through to each transfer point airport en route, especially if travelling via Johannesburg, so you can identify and collect your luggage and re-check it to your final destination.

Clothing and Personal Effects

Most people make the mistake of packing too much clothing. Bring comfortable, casual and semi-casual "wash and wear" clothes. Bright colours and white are not suitable for game viewing. Please avoid clothing resembling military uniform, such as camouflage patterns.

The list below is purely a guideline and will depend on the length of your safari and the season you're travelling in. Additional warm clothing may be required during June, July and August:

• 1-2 pairs of smart/casual trousers
• 3-4 pairs of shorts
• 7 shirts/T-shirts (any combination)
• 1 light cotton dress or sarong for the ladies
• 1 jersey for the evenings (April to August)
• 1 tracksuit (April to August)
• 1 windbreaker/rain jacket (December to March)
• 1 warm jacket (May to September: winter nights can be very cold)
• 1 pair of walking/running shoes
• 1 pair of sandals/thongs, or rafting/canoeing shoes
• Underwear and socks
• 1 swimming costume
• 1 sun hat
• 1 towel

Canoeing Safaris

A pair of rafting or canoeing shoes is essential. A long-sleeved shirt will provide protection from the sun. We also recommend a pair of gloves and a sarong.

Important

• Please dress appropriately when crossing borders (no bare feet, bare chests, bikini tops, sunglasses or hats), when visiting markets, villages and towns, and while travelling in the vehicle.
• In Mozambique and Malawi, ladies should wear a T-shirt/shirt and a sarong or skirt when going to or leaving the beach. Topless or nude sunbathing or swimming is not permitted.
• In Zanzibar, as a mark of respect for local customs and the Islamic faith, ladies are asked to dress discreetly by covering their knees and shoulders while visiting towns and local villages. Strappy dresses and skimpy swimwear are not appropriate in these settings.

Also remember the following:

• 1-litre water bottle (essential)
• 1 torch and batteries (essential)
• 1 roll of toilet paper
• Bath soap, toothbrush and toothpaste
• Shampoo and hair conditioner
• Deodorant
• Comb/hairbrush, nail brush
• Razor and blades (a battery-operated shaver is preferable)
• Suntan lotion/sun block
• Lip balm
• Hand cream and moisturising cream
• Insect repellent
• Tissues or disposable moist wipes
• Washing powder, a universal sink plug
• A length of cord for a washing line, plus pegs
• Plastic bags (for packing wet or dirty clothing)
• Sunglasses
• Spectacles, if worn — some people find contact lenses difficult in dusty conditions
• A pen for immigration formalities
• 1 notebook
• A multi-purpose knife (e.g. a Swiss army knife)
• NB: a small sports/kit bag for excursions, as mentioned under "Luggage"

You are also welcome to bring along a bottle of your favourite drink or liquor.

Sleeping Bags/Pillows

Mattresses are provided on all safaris. Clients on camping safaris should bring their own sleeping bag and small pillow if required — these can be packed inside your main luggage. A warm sleeping bag is essential during the winter months (May to September), when nights can be genuinely cold.

If you'd rather not bring your own, sleeping bags can usually be hired for the duration of your trip. Please ask us for current hire rates at the time of booking, as these vary by itinerary and operator.

Personal Medical Kits

We suggest bringing along the following:

• Plasters
• Aspirin/paracetamol
• Anti-diarrhoea pills and laxatives (consult your pharmacist for advice)
• Throat lozenges
• Antiseptic cream
• Insect bite cream
• Eye drops
• Anti-malaria tablets (see our Malaria section)
• Any other medicines and toiletries you regularly use
• An energy bar or drink for canoeing safaris
• Rehydration powder/sachets
• Personal toiletries

Maps & Field Guides

We recommend the following:

• Michelin Map No. 955 — Africa Central & South, Madagascar
• Roberts Birds of Southern Africa — G. L. Maclean
• Newman's Birds of Southern Africa — Kenneth Newman
• Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa — Chris & Tilde Stuart
• Southern African Mammals — Robin Frandsen

(Please note field guides are periodically revised — we'd suggest checking for the latest available edition of each.)

Photography

For detailed photography advice, please see our full guide to Photography On Safari, covering cameras, lenses and equipment.

A few points specific to packing for a camping or overland trip: bring more memory cards and spare batteries than you think you'll need, as charging opportunities can be limited on remote itineraries.

Please never photograph border posts, military installations or police stations, as this can lead to serious trouble and even arrest. In most parts of Africa it's considered respectful to ask permission before photographing local people — the Maasai in Tanzania, for example — and in many cases a small payment or donation is expected in return.

Please remember that some communities may hold personal or spiritual objections to being photographed. We ask that you respect this fully — always seek permission first, and be gracious if that permission is declined.

Video Cameras

Most travellers now shoot video on a smartphone or a compact action camera, and battery life on a long game drive can go quickly — particularly if you're shooting in high resolution. Bring a portable power bank so you can top up on the move. Mains power in the countries we visit is generally 220-240 volts, so a suitable plug adapter is essential. On some vehicles it may also be possible to charge devices via a 12-volt socket, at the discretion of your guide.

Binoculars

When visiting wildlife areas, it's essential to have your own pair of binoculars in order to get the very best out of your safari.

Water

Water is a precious commodity in Africa. Please use it sparingly, and avoid wasting it — for example, when brushing your teeth, washing your hair unnecessarily, or taking lengthy showers.

Food & Drinks

Please bear in mind that fresh fruit and vegetables are not always available in certain areas. In summer (September to April), fresh produce will only keep for two to three days. Tea and coffee are readily available while in camp. Mineral water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are not included but may be purchased en route from local shops and supermarkets — feel free to bring along a bottle of your favourite drink or liquor.

A continental breakfast of cereals, bread, jams, tea, coffee and powdered milk is served each morning. Lunch is usually a cold picnic, with a hot brunch of eggs and bacon sometimes prepared when in camp. Dinner is a hot meal, often cooked over a campfire, and is served as the main meal of the day. When travelling between destinations, we serve a light picnic lunch.