READY FOR THE WILD
What to pack on safari
Travel lightly. Bring the essentials. Leave room for the extraordinary.
A soft bag, not a hard suitcase.
Bush aircraft often have limited luggage space and require soft-sided bags. Weight limits vary by operator and may include hand luggage and camera equipment. Your confirmed flight allowance takes priority; we’ll advise you before departure. Keep medication and essential documents in your hand luggage.
Light layers, quiet colours
- Breathable shirts and trousers in muted green, khaki or neutral tones
- Long sleeves and trousers for sun and insect protection
- A fleece or warm jacket for early drives and cool highland evenings
- A lightweight rain jacket, especially outside the dry season
- Comfortable closed shoes, sandals for camp and a wide-brimmed hat
- Swimwear for camps with pools and your Zanzibar stay
Your everyday essentials
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellent
- Personal medication in its original packaging, plus a copy of prescriptions
- A small daypack and reusable water bottle
- Toiletries and a compact personal first-aid kit
- A small torch or headlamp for camp paths
- A reusable bag for laundry; avoid bringing single-use plastic carrier bags
Documents & travel
- Passport and any required visa or entry documents
- Travel insurance details, including remote-area evacuation cover
- Copies of your itinerary and important documents, saved offline
- Payment cards and appropriate cash for personal expenses and gratuities
- Emergency contacts and any relevant health documentation
For the moments you’ll remember
- Camera, lenses and spare batteries
- Binoculars for wildlife and birdwatching
- Memory cards and a dust-resistant camera bag
- Phone, charging cables and a suitable travel adapter
- A power bank that meets your airline’s rules, carried as required by the airline
MAHALE
Forest-ready.
Bring sturdy walking shoes with good grip, long trousers, a rain layer and a small daypack. Forest trails can be steep and slippery. Follow your guide’s current chimpanzee-viewing and health instructions.
ZANZIBAR
Beach & beyond.
Pack swimwear, sandals and light clothes, plus modest clothing covering shoulders and knees for Stone Town, villages and cultural visits. Use sun protection on boat outings.
KILIMANJARO
A separate kit.
A climb needs specialist cold-weather layers, waterproofs, broken-in hiking boots and expedition equipment. This safari list is not a mountain checklist: request your route-specific kit list and confirm supplied or rental gear before travelling.