Do I really need to wash my own clothes?

Most mid-range to luxury safari camps offer daily laundry service, but it is often hand-washed and line-dried. Bring 3-4 sets of clothing and utilize this service rather than overpacking.

Are hiking boots necessary?

If you are strictly on vehicle game drives, sturdy trail runners or walking shoes are fine. Only bring heavy hiking boots if you have a scheduled gorilla or chimpanzee trek.

How to Pack for an African Safari

Focus on lightweight, neutral-colored layers made of natural, breathable fabrics that you can wash easily in a sink. Stick to a soft-sided duffel bag instead of a hard-shell suitcase to ensure it fits in small bush plane cargo holds.

Choose your palette. Wear khaki, beige, olive, or tan. Avoid dark blue and black, which attract tsetse flies, and bright colors, which distract the animals. Camouflage is technically illegal for civilians in some African countries, so avoid tactical patterns.
Adopt the layer system. Mornings in the bush are cold (around 50°F/10°C), while afternoons are hot (often 85°F/30°C). Pack a light fleece or windbreaker for early morning game drives and zip-off pants or loose linen trousers for the heat.
Prioritize fabric. Bring moisture-wicking synthetic or linen/cotton blends. Avoid heavy denim, which takes days to dry if you hand-wash it. You will likely be limited to 15kg (33lbs) total weight for bush flights.
Select the right bag. Use a soft-sided, unstructured duffel bag. Most safari bush planes have rigid metal cargo compartments that will not accept hard-sided wheeled suitcases.

Do I really need to wash my own clothes?: Most mid-range to luxury safari camps offer daily laundry service, but it is often hand-washed and line-dried. Bring 3-4 sets of clothing and utilize this service rather than overpacking.
Are hiking boots necessary?: If you are strictly on vehicle game drives, sturdy trail runners or walking shoes are fine. Only bring heavy hiking boots if you have a scheduled gorilla or chimpanzee trek.