Start with the bag itself
Pack light and pack soft. Internal bush flights enforce strict weight limits — typically around 15kg in soft-sided duffels — and even on road safaris a duffel fits the vehicle far better than a hard shell. One duffel plus a daypack for camera gear and layers is the working formula.
Clothing: think layers, not outfits
Dawn game drives can be genuinely cold — an open vehicle at 6am on the high Mara plateau calls for a fleece and windproof jacket — while midday is warm and dry. Neutral colours (khaki, olive, stone) stay cooler, hide dust and avoid attracting tsetse flies; save white for the beach and leave dark blue and black in the bag.
The core list: three or four light shirts (long sleeves double as sun protection), two pairs of trousers, one warm fleece, one windproof layer, a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses, comfortable closed shoes, and something presentable-but-relaxed for dinner. Laundry service at camps means you truly do not need more.
The gear that earns its place
Binoculars are the most underrated item on safari — one pair per person, 8x42 is the sweet spot. Photographers should bring double the memory cards they expect to need, a spare battery, and a beanbag rather than a tripod; the vehicle window ledge is your steadiest platform.
Also worth their weight: high-SPF sunscreen, insect repellent, lip balm, a headlamp for camp evenings, any personal medication in hand luggage, and a universal adapter (Kenya uses UK-style three-pin plugs).
What you can leave at home
Our vehicles already carry drinking water, ponchos, charging points, first-aid kits and camera bean bags. Camps provide toiletries, hairdryers and laundry. And there is no dress code in the bush — nobody has ever regretted bringing less to a safari.
Questions travelers ask
Is there a luggage limit on safari?
Internal bush flights typically allow around 15kg per person in soft-sided bags. Road-only safaris are more flexible, but a soft duffel is still the practical choice.
What colours should I wear on safari?
Neutral earth tones — khaki, olive, beige. Avoid dark blue and black, which attract tsetse flies, and bright white, which stands out to wildlife.
