What to Pack for a Safari in South Africa

Packing for an African safari

Packing for a diverse and adventurous holiday like a safari can be overwhelming! This bucket list experience will surely be totally different from anything you’ve experienced before and it is best to consider what you’ll need to make your trip as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

We have compiled a comprehensive safari packing list of some safari essentials for your South African safari. Some of the items on the list may even surprise you as you begin to understand what the safari experience here entails.

From game drives to bush walks and all the pampering in between, here are some things to pack for safari.

Packing List For Safari:

Clothing

Depending on the time of year you travel to South Africa, there is a chance you may experience all weather types and will have to pack accordingly.

In Winter (June – August) you won’t get away with packing light as the temperatures can range from around 5 degrees Celsius in the morning and can sometimes go all the way up to 40 degrees Celsius in the afternoons. The early morning and late afternoon game drives can be particularly chilly so big jackets and even beanies and gloves will be needed.

Autumn (March – May) and Spring (September – November) will be much milder with Spring being a little wet, and Summer (December – February) can be very hot during the day with warm to cool evenings. Summer rains and afternoon storms are also quite common.

They also don’t call it sunny South Africa for no reason, and one should think about protecting themselves from the harsh African sun with headwear and sunblock.

If you’re not a fan of bugs and would like to escape the attack from mosquitos, then perhaps a light material long sleeve shirt and long trousers are a good option in the warmer months.

Your safari experience may also be a rugged one with a lot of time spent outdoors exposed to the elements. Your footwear must be hardy enough to deal with the sometimes-harsh terrain and comfortable enough to give yourself the option for a bushwalk which is a really special and immersive experience.

Thankfully almost all lodges should offer a laundry service to help you not have to try and fit your whole closet in your luggage.

Here's what we suggest to pack:

• Earth coloured clothes for cold and hot temps - Its best to dress like an onion as drives can get chilly

• A fleece jacket

• A windbreaker

• Tough walking shoes or boots (waterproof hiking boots would be ideal)

• Sun hat and sunglasses

• Beanies and gloves in Winter

• Swimwear for the warmer months

Health and Safety

Many people worry about both health and safety when visiting South Africa and rightly so. It’s better to be a bit nervous and prepare well than you winging it and risk unnecessary illness or a dangerous situation.

In terms of health, when on safari, your main consideration will be malaria. The good news is that it really isn’t very prolific in South Africa but precautions are still encouraged especially in the warmer months (September – May). The risk is also higher in the low altitude areas of Mpumalanga and Limpopo which includes the Kruger National Park. In Winter it is very rare and mosquitos themselves are not a common sight at all. Another reason why we love a winter safari!  

The environment a safari is set in is also, as you can imagine, a potentially dangerous one. Thorny trees and bushes, rough terrain, bumpy off-roading on game drives…and that’s not to mention the animals both large and small. Thankfully if you stick with your guide and learn from him/her you will soon feel and understand that it is a much safer environment than you might have expected at first. And you are in very safe and reliable hands with your guide and lodge staff. Again, it’s best to prepare and take precautions.

Safety concerns unfortunately deter some people from travelling to South Africa and although South Africa’s crime rates are undeniably high, we can assure you that the safari experience and lodge locations are one of the safest in the country, away from people and surrounded by wildlife and vast wilderness. If traveling in cities or other parts of the country it’s best practice to research and educated yourself on where the crime hotspots are and what you should and shouldn’t do to prevent any dangerous situations. A local or seasoned traveler will be able to give you invaluable information on this.

Here's what we suggest you pack:

• Mosquito repellent (although most lodges will provide)

• Antimalarial medication if needed

• First aid kit (although lodges will have)

• Sunblock

• Prescription medication

Wildlife Viewing

This is the main reason you’re here and if you want to make the most of the special sightings you’ll witness, then you may want to invest in a few devices to help capture your experience through a photo or video. Although some may simply enjoy being in the moment and not have the distraction of a camera or phone and perhaps it’s good to find the balance with this.

Its safe to say you’re going to see a huge number and variety of animals in this extremely diverse ecosystem and your guide will help to educate you and bring the whole experience together. Chat to him/her and let them know what you’re interested in and what you’d love to see, they may just be able to track it down for you. They will almost certainly be able to give you some wildlife photography tips too.

Remember you’ll be on an open safari vehicle so some protection from the elements may be needed for your equipment.

Here’s what we suggest you pack:

• Camera with back-up battery

• Camera beanbag or similar for stabilization

• Dust protection equipment for camera

• Camera bag

• Binoculars (although most lodges will provide)

• Mammal and bird books (your guide should have both)

• A good phone camera is invaluable

Personal Items

Of course, there will be many personal items that will differ from person to person, but there are a few you will not want to be without to make your life much easier when in South Africa.

When planning your safari, it is a good idea to ask the lodge or your agent many questions about the facilities and amenities at the lodge to see what you’ll need to bring yourself.

Pro tip – pack some clothes and toiletries in your hand luggage on the off chance your main luggage doesn’t arrive and you may have to wait a day or two for it to be delivered to the lodge you’re at. Thankfully curio shops at the lodges usually have safari-style clothing for sale.

Here’s what we suggest you pack:

• Passport

• Itinerary

• Travel insurance documents

• Water bottle

• Some cash for tips (foreign currency is accepted)

• Type C (2 round pins) or type M (3 large round pins) plug types/adaptors

• Mobile phone charger with correct adaptor (many lodges now have USB and USB-C sockets)

A trip to South Africa and a safari in particular can be full of surprises and an adventurous experience to put it lightly. If ever there was a holiday to plan for properly, this would be it. Put in the time to research about the country, the crime, the culture, the weather, the wildlife, and the lodge and location you’ll be travelling to. Do not be afraid to ask your lodge or agent as many questions as you need to in your preparations, they will be happy to help and share worthwhile information with you.

If you’d like honest and insightful information and recommendations then please don’t hesitate to contact us on info@nalaafrica.com.