What to pack for your safari

The best safari bags are smaller than people expect. You spend most of your days in a vehicle in comfortable clothes, many lodges offer a laundry service, and light-aircraft flights have their own baggage rules. Here are our packing notes, refined over many safaris.

Your bag: soft and light

If your safari includes a light-aircraft flight, for example to the Serengeti or Zanzibar, check the baggage allowance for your specific flight; soft-sided bags are usually required so they fit in the hold. If you are driving the whole way, you have a little more freedom, but a soft duffel is still the easiest bag to live out of.

Clothing: neutral colours and layers

Choose neutral, natural colours such as khaki, olive, beige and soft brown. They help you blend in, show less dust and are comfortable in the heat. Avoid very bright colours and white, which show every speck of dust. Dark blue and black are best avoided in tsetse fly areas, such as parts of Tarangire, as they can attract the flies.

Early game drives can be surprisingly cold, especially in an open-roofed vehicle, and the Ngorongoro Crater rim is chilly in the mornings and evenings. Layers are the answer.

• Three or four light T-shirts or shirts, including long-sleeved ones for sun and insects
• Two pairs of light trousers and one pair of shorts
• A warm fleece or sweater and a light down or insulated jacket
• A light waterproof jacket, especially in the green season
• Comfortable walking shoes or light boots, plus sandals for the lodge
• A wide-brimmed hat or cap and a buff or scarf for dust
• Swimwear, as many lodges have pools, and for Zanzibar
• Something smart-casual for dinner, if you like; there is no dress code

Sun and insect protection

• High-factor sunscreen and lip balm with SPF
• Good sunglasses
• Insect repellent containing DEET or an equivalent
• Any malaria prevention advised by your travel clinic

Binoculars, cameras and electronics

Binoculars make a huge difference on safari, whether for a leopard in a tree or a bird across the river. Our vehicles carry binoculars, but if you have your own pair, bring them, so that everyone has one at the key moment.

Tanzania uses type G plugs, the three-pin British style, at 230 volts. Our vehicles have charging points, but bring a power bank too.

• Camera with spare batteries and memory cards
• Phone and charger
• Power bank
• Universal or type G travel adapter
• A small torch or headlamp for walking around camp at night

Health and personal items

• Personal medication in your hand luggage, with a copy of your prescription
• A small first-aid kit: plasters, painkillers, antihistamines, rehydration sachets and anything for an upset stomach
• Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
• Spare glasses or contact lenses
• Copies of your passport, insurance and any vaccination certificates

What you can leave at home

You do not need full camouflage clothing; neutral colours are enough. Leave the hard-shell suitcase behind if you are flying light aircraft, and do not pack too many changes of clothes, as most lodges can wash them. Single-use plastic bags are banned in Tanzania, so avoid packing them.

Adding Kilimanjaro?

Climbing Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru needs more specialist gear. Your mountain crew will send a full list, but the essentials are:

• Broken-in waterproof hiking boots
• A warm sleeping bag rated for well below freezing
• Thermal base layers, a fleece mid-layer and an insulated down jacket
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Warm hat, sun hat, gloves and liner gloves
• Trekking poles and a headlamp with spare batteries
• A daypack for the things you need while walking

Some items, such as sleeping bags and poles, can be hired in Arusha. Before your journey we send you a complete packing guide for your itinerary. If you are travelling with children, take a look at our kids' safari packing list too.