A safari in the Serengeti is unlike any other wildlife experience on earth. When you come to Tanzania to see some of Africa’s best animals you want to make sure you dress the part. After all, I doubt anyone wants to experience the wildebeest migration wearing a winter coat or sunburnt because they forgot the perfect safari hat.
That means you should grab everything you can from this Serengeti safari packing checklist. This will help with everything from clothes, to electronics, the perfect safari camera, and even safari boots. So, get ready to dig in and be on the lookout for the big five and more!
Serengeti Safari Packing List
The Safari Essentials
Safari Shorts
You’ll need a pair of shorts that will hold to your trip to the Serengeti and remain stylish. We love a pair of safari shorts that are comfortable, durable, weather-resistant, and blend in with the environment.
Safari Pants
A good pair of Safari pants should be bought with activity in mind. If you’ll be doing bush walks while on your safari, light pants will be much more practical than a pair of shorts. Bottoms should also have a little give, new outdoor gear has synthetic materials built into to provide strength and give. So, when you’re hopping in and out the back of a safari vehicle your pants don’t rip.
Safari Shirt
The perfect safari shirt will make all the difference in being comfortable throughout the day in the Serengeti. A synthetic shirt will give the most practicality, while cotton shirts tend to have a more timeless look. The cotton can also provide a nice base for warmth on a cold morning or cool evening.
Safari Boots
A good safari boot is the one thing that is a must when it comes to safari wear and bushwalks. Sure you can dress up in khaki, leather, leopard print, and dark green, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter all that much about what you wear on safari if you don’t have the safari shoe. However, protecting your feet in the bush is important.
If your safari has plans to do any bush walks in search of the “Big Five” picking up a good pair of boots before your trip is a necessity. A good pair of safari boots is not just comfort they are safe for being in the bush.
Electronics to Bring to the Serengeti
Safari Camera
Having a decent camera for your Serengeti safari is on the top of our recommendation list. While it’s not a necessity and we’re big believers in making sure to put the camera down and actually save some photos in your memory there is a thrill in grabbing that perfect safari photo.
Safari Binoculars
Many people ask if they actually need safari binoculars in Africa, and all I can say is YES. Seriously picture this – you spot the elusive cheetah over yonder in the Savannah. The guide points to a dot in the distance to say this cheetah is about to give birth and you can’t even see it because you have no safari binoculars? Talk about a disappointing – not to mention an anticlimactic animal sighting.
Adapter
Tanzania uses the British plug, or the Type G Adaptor. I recommend getting a few off Amazon and checking them off your Serengeti safari packing checklist before getting to Africa as they will be much more affordable and won’t leave you scurrying for a power adaptor at the airport.
Other Items to Consider for the Serengeti
Safari Jacket
A good safari jacket should be bought with activity in mind. If you’ll be doing bush walks while on your safari, a lightweight safari jacket will be much more practical than a heavy-duty one. However, if you are traveling at high elevation or during Africa’s winter months when nights get cool, consider a decently warm jacket. It’s also important to purchase a safari jacket with a few pockets so that you can stash your goodies.
Safari Dress
Wearing a dress in Africa is a must! Don’t be the girl who only goes on safari in khaki pants and a long sleeve top. Safari dresses are a thing and can really dress up your African safari. With the right safari style, dress one can be just as comfortable as shorts and a safari shirt.
Sunglasses
Make sure to protect your eyes from the sun when you’re traveling around Africa. There are a lot of options for sunglasses and everyone should own at least a pair. It’s best to make sure they do have UV protection for the health of your eyes.
Safari Hat
Despite loads of stylish safari gear, a good safari hat serves a purpose. Anyone who’s spent time in the African sun can attest to the power of the rays and a hat for safari is the first line of defense from sun damage. I became obsessed with the idea of the perfect safari cap and found my self-asking to try total strangers hats to find the perfect fit.
Safari Bag
You’ll want to make sure that your safari bag adheres to the size restrictions enforced on the small bush and charter flights. Many African lodges are remote so chances are you may need to hop on a bush flight to start your safari.
Most bush flights allow a maximum of 30 kg on the plane. If taking a chartered plane you will most likely be flying on a Cessna 206, Cessna 210, Cessna Caravans, or Twin Otters and these planes get full and cramped fast!
Plan Your Trip to Africa
- Travel Insurance: We don’t travel without travel insurance and neither should you. You never know what can happen while traveling so it’s best to be prepared. HeyMondo provides excellent short-term and long-term travel insurance plans.
- Travel Waterbottle: When we’re uncertain about the water supply we use our Grayl Purifier. It’s come in exceptionally handy around Africa.
- Camera Gear: Chances are you’ll want a camera for your trip to Africa. We love the Sony RX100V for a pocket-size camera and the Fujifilm XT-4 for a professional camera. Check out our favorite cameras for Africa.
- Safari Clothes: Lightweight, beige, and moisture-wicking clothing are great for traveling Africa. See our favorite safari clothing here.
- Safari Hat: A good hat is both stylish and functional.
- Safari Bag: A durable bag is ideal for traveling around Africa.
- Safari Pants: We recommend neutral-colored pants as they’re great at hiding dirt and can match most shirt colors.
- Safari Shirt: Shirts like these are lightweight and keep the bugs away!
- Boots: While you don’t need to wear sturdy shoes every day, at least one pair of safari boots will make your trip nicer!
- Travel Adapter: You’ll need a special travel adapter for traveling to Africa. Get one before you get there so you don’t pay a premium on the ground.
Hi, thank you for all the great information. What would you recommend packing all this in?
Best,
Chaffee
Definitely a soft sided bag while on safari! https://theworldpursuit.com/safari-bags/