Safari Packing List and What to Wear

Packing for an East Africa safari is simpler than most people expect. The golden rule is to pack light. Most lodges offer a same-day or overnight laundry service. You do not need an outfit for every day of the trip. What you need is the right items in the right quantity.

The key distinction is between what you need for game drives and what you need for gorilla trekking. Both require specific considerations that standard travel packing misses entirely.

Game Drives

Neutral earth tones are essential. Khaki, olive, beige, tan, brown and grey are all appropriate. Avoid white (shows dust instantly), bright colours (can disturb wildlife and are visible from a distance), and black or dark navy (attracts tsetse flies in some areas).

• —Long-sleeved shirts: 3 to 4 lightweight, breathable long-sleeved shirts. These protect against sun, insects and cool mornings.
• —Long trousers: 2 to 3 pairs of lightweight trousers. Zip-off convertible trousers are practical.
• —Shorts: 1 to 2 pairs for warmer afternoons and lodge downtime.
• —Fleece or light jacket: Morning game drives in open vehicles can be cold, particularly at higher altitudes. A mid-weight fleece is essential even in Uganda and Kenya.
• —Rain jacket: Lightweight and packable. Non-negotiable for gorilla trekking and useful in afternoon showers during the wet season.
• —Underwear and socks: 5 to 7 pairs of each. Merino wool socks are excellent for comfort and odour control.
• —Swimwear: Most lodges have pools. At least one set for Zanzibar if included.
• —Smart-casual evening wear: Dinner at most lodges is relaxed. Clean trousers and a neat shirt or dress is entirely appropriate. No need for formal attire.

Gorilla Trekking: Specific Requirements

Gorilla trekking has specific clothing requirements that differ from standard safari attire.

• —Long-sleeved shirt: Essential. Long sleeves protect against nettles, thorns and insects in the forest.
• —Long trousers: Tucked into socks or gaiters at the ankle. This prevents safari ants (which can deliver a surprisingly painful bite) from climbing inside your clothes.
• —Hiking boots with ankle support: This is not optional. Bwindi and Volcanoes National Park have steep, uneven terrain that is frequently muddy. Good ankle support reduces fatigue and injury risk significantly. Break them in before you travel.
• —Gaiters: Highly recommended. They keep mud, debris and insects out of your boots.
• —Lightweight gloves: You may need to grab vegetation for support on steep sections. Gloves protect against thorns and nettles.
• —Hat or buff: For the forest canopy and sun during open sections of the trek.

• —Hiking boots: The single most important footwear item. Waterproof, ankle-supporting, broken-in. Do not wear these for the first time on trek day.
• —Comfortable walking shoes: For lodge grounds and low-key walking activities.
• —Sandals or flip-flops: For evenings at lodges and Zanzibar beaches.

• —Binoculars: Indispensable for game drives. A 8x42 or 10x42 pair gives excellent balance of magnification and field of view. Do not skip this.
• —Daypack or small rucksack: For carrying water, camera equipment and snacks on gorilla treks and game drives. Should hold 20 to 25 litres and have a rain cover.
• —Water bottle: A 1-litre reusable bottle. Most lodges provide filtered water for refilling. Staying hydrated on treks is essential.
• —Headlamp or torch: Many lodges have no street lighting. A small headlamp is useful for walking between tent and main area at night.
• —Power bank: For charging cameras and phones in the vehicle. Vehicles often have 12v sockets but a power bank provides more flexibility.
• —Universal adapter: Uganda and Rwanda use UK-style three-pin plugs. Kenya uses the same. Tanzania uses UK plugs plus some European and US types. A universal adapter covers everything.
• —Dry bags or zip-lock bags: For protecting camera equipment, passports and electronics during rain or river crossings.

A safari is one of the most photogenic experiences on earth. Even a smartphone produces extraordinary images in good light with close subjects. If you are bringing a dedicated camera:

• —A telephoto lens of 100-400mm or 200-500mm is the most useful for wildlife in vehicles. A longer lens allows full-frame shots of distant animals without disturbing them.
• —A wide angle lens is excellent for landscape and gorilla shots, the gorillas often come very close.
• —Multiple memory cards and batteries. No safari experience should end because of full memory cards or flat batteries.
• —A bean bag for stabilising your camera on the vehicle window is more versatile than a tripod in most safari situations.

• —Malaria prophylactics: Prescribed by your doctor. Start before departure as directed.
• —DEET insect repellent (50%+): Essential for evenings and all outdoor activities. Apply generously.
• —High-SPF sunscreen: The equatorial sun is intense even at altitude.
• —Lip balm with SPF.
• —Hand sanitiser: Especially important around gorillas, where you must maintain a minimum 7-metre distance and avoid direct contact.
• —Any prescription medications: Bring more than you need. Specific medications can be very difficult to source in rural East Africa.
• —Basic first aid kit: Blister plasters, antiseptic wipes, pain relief, antihistamines and rehydration sachets cover the most common needs.
• —Wet wipes and tissues: Game drive vehicles do not always have access to facilities between lodges.

Most safari vehicles and small domestic aircraft have strict luggage limits. Many domestic flights in East Africa restrict checked baggage to 15kg total and require soft-sided bags only, no hard-shell suitcases.

We recommend a soft-sided duffel bag (60 to 80 litres) as your main luggage item, plus a carry-on daypack. This combination handles all flights, lodge transfers and gorilla trek days without issues.