What should I pack for a safari, including clothing, essentials, and luggage? Do I need insect repellent?
When planning your East African safari, it’s crucial to pack appropriately. Mornings and evenings can be chilly, so bring warm clothing like a windcheater or a warm jacket, especially in July and August. For game viewing, opt for grey, brown, khaki, or green clothing and avoid dark blues and blacks, which attract Tsetse flies. Camouflage clothing is forbidden in some countries.
Essentials include trainers or walking shoes, comfortable shoes, a cap or hat, a fleece jacket, a waterproof light rain jacket, safari trousers, shorts, sport socks, shirts, T-shirts, nightwear, and a casual evening outfit. For a gorilla or chimpanzee trek, you will need trekking boots.
Other safari essentials to pack are prescription drugs, motion sickness pills, insect repellent, sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, prescription glasses, a flashlight with extra batteries, a converter plug set, an alarm clock, a money pouch, binoculars, a small day backpack, favourite snacks, books, a journal, a pen, travel wash, and earplugs. Soft, lockable bags are preferable due to limited luggage space on small aircraft.
Insect repellent is recommended, although mosquitoes are generally not a major problem. Lodges provide mosquito nets, and tented camps often have insect-proof tents. A limit of 15 kg per person applies on the bush flights, so this is something to keep in mind if bush flights are a part of the itinerary.
Following these guidelines will ensure you have all the safari essentials for an unforgettable adventure.
