10 Must-Pack Items for Your East African Safari

Embarking on a safari in East Africa is an adventure of a lifetime. The stunning landscapes, incredible wildlife, and rich cultural experiences are unmatched. However, knowing what to pack can make or break your safari experience. After spending a week doing safaris at different locations in Tanzania, I have learned a thing or two about the essentials you shouldn't leave home without and some items that probably are not top of mind. Here’s a handy guide to ensure you're well-prepared for your East African safari adventure.

#1. Lightweight, Breathable Clothing: What clothing you will pack depends on the time of the year of your safari and your itinerary. You will experience different weather conditions in East Africa and should pack your clothes according to this. Generally, lightweight and breathable clothes are best as the days are usually dry and hot. Also, it is best to opt for neutral-colored clothing. Some have asked me how important this is. Neutral colors of khaki, olive and green and always suggested because some animals react strongly to bright colors and safety is paramount when on a safari. Additionally, tsetse flies are large biting flies, and they are attracted to reds and blues. Last, when you wear neutral colors, it is a little easier to hide dust and dirt if you are riding a safari jeep through a dusty area.

#2. Hat and Sunglasses: You have to protect yourself from the strong African sun. While you’re in a safari jeep, it probably will not seem necessary to wear a hat or sunglasses but the sun beams down when the jeep’s top is up (which is a typical way to view wildlife). Take it from someone that had sunburn on her cheeks: wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses any time that you are outside.

#3. Mosquito Spray: Mosquito spray is a non-negotiable. When you visit the bush, there will be insects and mosquitos buzzing around. The risk of malaria in the region is real, and a good mosquito repellent will keep the bugs away. I wore mosquito spray religiously every day and did not have a mosquito bite while doing safari drives in numerous parks in Tanzania. When I got to Zanzibar, I stopped using the spray thinking, “oh I’m at the beach”. I got my first mosquito bites during the last part of the trip in Zanzibar! Learn from my mistakes, please.

#4. Cleaning or Baby Wipes: These were a lifesaver! When on safari drives, you may be out for hours or the majority of the day. There will be times you need to make a bathroom stop where no bathroom is available. It is helpful to have wipes on hand with you to clean up after an unplanned stop. Additionally, depending on the location, some safari drives can be very dusty. And as you’re driving, the dust is non-stop on you, your camera and all of your things. Having wipes on hand was helpful to keep your face clean and free of debris and to clean your camera and keep dust particles from ruining your camera parts.

#5. Binoculars: One thing to keep in mind is that every animal on your safari will not be in a great vantage point for you. Binoculars are essential for spotting wildlife from a distance. They will also be great for exploring small animals with a clearer vision. A good pair of binoculars will make all the difference on a safari.

#6. Camera and Spare Batteries: Traveling amidst the wildlife is so exciting that you just want to capture the breathtaking moments. So, you need a good camera. Though many travelers use their smartphones, nothing can match the quality of a good camera. Worth emphasizing is to bring extra memory cards too. If you’re like me, sometimes you end up taking five pictures of the same thing to get one good picture. And if that’s your mode of operation, having an extra memory card on hand will give you that extra sense of security while you’re on your safari. After all, you will not want to miss a moment!

#7. Portable Charger: Packing a portable charger is not always top of mind but it is a smart idea if you are heading on a safari. If you are out all day taking pictures between your cell phone and your camera, at some point one of your devices will start to run out of energy. For the small amount of room a portable charger will occupy, it is definitely worth having this in your possession to make sure you do not miss out on memories of a lifetime.

#8. Daypack: A small daypack will be necessary for your safari. Each day when you go out for a safari, you will mostly be out for the full day. So, it’s important to keep your daily essentials nearby. A daypack will be perfect for things like sunscreen, sunglasses, snacks, bug spray, camera lenses and water. 

#9. Camera Lens Cleaning Kit: If you are bringing your camera with multiple lenses, I highly recommend bringing a lens cleaning kit as well. You’ll be outside in the elements (wind, dust, possibly rain) while seeing some of the most spectacular wildlife ever. As careful as you may be, it is so easy for dust or some other element to come into contact with your lens or some of your camera gear. You’ll be thankful to have this kit on-hand if you find yourself in this situation.

#10. Duffel Style Luggage: For safaris in East Africa, duffel-style luggage is recommended over hard-sided bags. There are two main reasons for this. If you are traveling between national parks and safari lodges, your luggage will travel with you in your safari jeep. It’s a lot easier to pack more duffel style bags in the cargo area than hard-sided luggage. This will be important if you have more than 3-4 people in your safari vehicle. Also, depending on the locations that you will be visiting, you may need to take a small prop plane between locations. These planes have some pretty stringent luggage requirements and soft-sided bags usually travel with less issue on these planes.

Hey, I'm Ronda McKnight 👋🏽

I'm the founder of The Wright Getaway. I love all things travel and helping other people experience the world.

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