What to Pack for an East Africa Safari: A Practical List

Pack light, in soft bags

The best advice is to pack less than you think you need. Most lodges offer laundry, and you’ll wear the same few pieces repeatedly. If your trip includes bush flights, luggage allowances are tight, often about 15 kg in a soft bag, including camera gear. Hard-shell suitcases don’t fit in small planes. Bring a duffel bag, and leave anything non-essential in storage in Nairobi, Arusha or Entebbe.

Clothing

• Neutral tops and trousers. Khaki, tan, olive and grey. Lightweight cotton or quick-dry fabric. Long sleeves and trousers protect from sun and insects.
• Layers. Mornings on game drives can be cold, especially in open vehicles, and evenings cool quickly. Bring a fleece or a warm jacket. At altitude, in Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro and the gorilla parks, it’s colder still.
• Rain jacket. Lightweight and packable. Useful year-round in Rwanda and western Uganda.
• Hat and sunglasses. The sun at the equator is fierce.
• Swimwear. Many lodges have pools, and beaches follow safaris.
• Modest clothes for cities and coastal towns, such as Stone Town, where covering shoulders and knees is respectful.

Colours to avoid. Bright colours can startle animals, and in some areas dark blue and black attract tsetse flies. Never wear camouflage. It’s illegal for civilians in several East African countries.

Footwear

Comfortable closed shoes or light hiking shoes for game drives. Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support and good tread for gorilla and chimp treks. Sandals for camp. If you’ll climb Kilimanjaro, break in your boots well in advance.

Trekking extras

For gorilla and chimp treks, add gardening gloves, gaiters for mud, a small daypack and a reusable water bottle. A walking stick is often provided or available for rent. Read our gorilla trekking guide.

Equipment

• Binoculars. Essential. 8x42 is a good all-round choice. Many vehicles have a shared pair, but your own is better.
• Camera. A zoom lens of at least 200 to 300 mm helps with wildlife. Bring spare batteries and memory cards.
• Dust protection. A lens cloth and a zip-lock bag.
• Power bank. Charging in vehicles and camps is sometimes limited.
• Head torch. Useful at night in camps.

Adapters and power

Kenya and Uganda use British-style three-pin sockets (Type G), Tanzania uses Type G and sometimes Type D, and Rwanda uses European two-pin sockets (Type C). Voltage is 230V. A universal adapter avoids problems. Many camps have solar power with limited charging times.

Health and documents

Bring your passport with at least six months’ validity, visas or eTAs, yellow fever certificate if needed, travel insurance details and any prescription medication in original packaging. Pack insect repellent with DEET or picaridin, sunscreen, hand sanitiser, and a small first-aid kit. Speak to a doctor about malaria prevention. See our health guide.

Money and connectivity

Bring small US dollar notes for tips, some local currency, and a card. An eSIM is a convenient way to have data on arrival. See our money and SIM guide.

What to leave at home

• Plastic bags. Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda ban single-use plastic bags, and customs may confiscate them.
• Camouflage clothing.
• Drones, unless you’ve arranged permission.
• Jewellery and expensive watches.
• Hard suitcases, if you’re taking bush flights.

A short list to print

Passport and visas. Insurance. Two pairs of neutral trousers. Three shirts. A fleece. A rain jacket. A hat. Sunglasses. Closed shoes. Sandals. Swimsuit. Binoculars. Camera. Adapter. Power bank. Medication. Repellent. Sunscreen. Small US dollar notes for tips.