People often have a lot of questions regarding packing. It can be a challenge, especially when you’ve got weight restrictions and you’re trying to travel light. I’ve got packing lists that I send out but I thought that it might be helpful to share specifically what I pack for safari trip. I think a key to successful packing for safaris is to be like the guides and have a “uniform” that you wear out on the drives and walks.Itineraries to Southern and East Africa often utilize charters which restricts one’s weight limit from anywhere between 12 kg.s (26 lb.s) and 20 kg.s (44 lb.s), requiring efficient packing!Below is a list of what I packed for my recent trip to Africa. The weight restriction was 26 lb.s. All of the items below (including the luggage) came in to just about that amount.
I traveled in December (southern Africa’s summer), one of the hottest times of year and the beginning of the rainy season. If you’re traveling in winter, you’ll want to include warmer clothes including some long johns for those early morning safari drives! Much of my clothing is in khaki and natural colors- good for being in the bush and easy for mixing and matching.
I’m a committed “carry on only” traveler. All of this was carried on on the trans-Atlantic flights but I had to check luggage for the regional and charter flights due to the smaller planes.
Luggage:
Eagle Creek Switchback (22”)
Eagle Creek office backpack that slides onto the handles of the Switchback (I put this under the seat)
Items that I put in the backpack:
2 books
magazine articles (that have been collecting at home!)
articles on the places/cultures I’m visiting
itinerary
MP3 player
Noise canceling headphones
Inflatable neck pillow
Eye shade
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Ear plugs (wax type)
Small tube of lotion
Salon Pas patches for cramped muscles on long flights
Tissues
Pens
Spiral Notepad
Reading glasses
Sunglasses
nuts
Plane tickets
Passport
Credit cards/airline cards/medical insur. card/driver’s license
Cash
Items in suitcase
2 pairs lightweight shorts (Gramicci; 100% nylon; quick drying)
1 pair very lightweight walking shorts- good for city or safari (Exofficio; 100% nylon; quick drying)
2 pair lightweight pants (100% nylon; quick drying)
1 very comfortable t-shirt (100% cotton)
1 sleeveless very lightweight shirt (Gramicci; 70% nylon, 30% polyester; a bit like sheer sucker material)
2 lightweight t-shirts (Exofficio; 65% polyester; 35% rayon; great wicking; quick drying)
2 long sleeved Exofficio Air Strip Shirts (this is a classic for safari goers; I only needed one; I recommend getting it in a khaki/natural color)
2 long sleeved Exofficio Buzz Off t-shirt (58% cotton, 42% polyester)
1 lightweight cardigan (Exofficio Buzz Off; cotton/polyester)
1 lightweight long skirt (100% rayon)
3 pair underwear (Exofficio- quick drying, moisture wicking, antimicrobial finish)- these are great!
2 bras
pj’s
1 pair cotton sport socks
1 pair light wool hiking socks (plus the pair I wear on the plane)
1 sarong (misc. uses- i.e. for covering arms/legs from the sun; for wearing as a skirt when enter village/town- it’s customary to cover one’s knees in most areas of Africa)
1 lightweight wind resistant/rain jacket
1 bathing suit
1 pair cross training shoes (sneakers)
1 hat with flap that covers my neck (“Sahara style”)
1 lightweight travel bag (I used this to hold the items I wanted on our game drives; if you want to purchase souvenirs/gifts, you can use this as an extra bag when traveling home)
1 digital camera and charger plus small camera bag
charger for the MP3 player
1 adapter
small pair of binoculars
headlamp
zip-lock plastic bags
1 extra pair reading glasses
1 small lock
copy of my passport
extra passport photo
toiletries
(everything in small bottles/containers)
foldable travel brush
toothbrush
toothpaste
small bottle of shampoo/conditioner (most camps/lodges/hotels will supply shampoo)
sunscreen
insect repellent
antibacterial wipes
small aerosol bottle (to fill with water and spray when it’s really hot)
tea tree oil / ointment
prescription pills
deodorant
face lotion
chap stick
emory board
a few small pairs of earrings
What I wear on the plane (my “travel uniform”)
Light to medium weight long black skirt (sooo comfortable!)
Comfy t-shirt (cotton/spandex)
light fleece pullover (comfy and warm for the plane and great for early AM and evening game drives with a lightweight jacket over it)
Slip on black shoes (light weight but sturdy black Bass shoes that can be worn with a skirt or shorts)
Light wool socks
Note: I’m not totally sold on the “Buzz Off” brand. Would love to hear others’ input on this.
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