South Africa Safari Packing List

What to Pack for a Safari in South Africa

Despite various lists available online on what to pack for a South African safari, many travelers still overlook important details. We have compiled the ultimate South African safari packing list for travelers.

The weather conditions on safari can be cool at one time of day and mild later. In South Africa, the summer months are November to April, with the hottest time being between October and February. Summers are generally warm to extremely hot but may still be cool in the early mornings.

Winter stretches from around May to August, when the early mornings and evenings may be very cold. If you are planning your safari during the winter, we recommend packing a thick jacket, scarf, and a warm hat. Also, wear socks and closed shoes. A pair of warm gloves will also be useful.

Essential items for your South Africa safari trip

These are the most important things to take on safari with you. You do not want to forget to pack these items.

Clothing for your safari trip

When tourists come to South Africa, they often stand out due to their stereotypical appearance as safari tourists. Opt for light fabrics, preferably cotton, and neutral hues. These materials function best in the warm South African weather.

Avoid packing white shirts, as they tend to show dirt easily and may attract attention of animals. Select subdued hues such as light blue, pastel green, khaki, beige, etc. Other colors to avoid are red, which attracts animals, and blue and black if you're heading to areas where Tsetse flies are prevalent, as they resemble the colours of the animals they typically feed on.

When preparing for your safari, don't overpack and bring only what you need. Active wear, outdoor clothing, and gear will serve you well on safari in South Africa. It should be comfortable, breathable, and long-lasting.

If you are staying at a private lodge, you may bring one dressier set of clothes, but otherwise, we recommend casual wear.

Include the following on your clothing list

Important items to add

The sun's power, especially in the late afternoon, is something that many first-time tourists to South Africa misjudge. Remember to use lip balm and sunscreen even while you're donning a hat. Make sure you pick a sunscreen that offers a high level of protection, ranging from 30 to 50 SPF.

An eco-friendly body spray or lotion for repelling insects is a must. You still need extra protection even if you take malaria medicine.

Having a torch or head torch will come in handy both inside the camp and when out on night drives in the safari vehicle. Best of all, the head lamp frees up your hands for other tasks.

On your day trips, a daypack will come in quite handy, so don't forget it. Put your cash in a moon bag to keep it safe and close to you.

Add a small medical kit containing your prescription or chronic medicine, allergy creams, and other supplies for the duration of your vacation. A basic medical aid package is often provided in most lodges and rest sites.

Recommended items to pack for your safari in South Africa

You'll kick yourself if you forget to take these handy things on the African safari packing list.

One item that is an absolute must when you travel today is to purchase a global eSIM before getting onto your plane. KnowRoaming’s South Africa eSIM plans keep you and your devices connected. Wi-fi connections are widely available, providing access to the internet everywhere.This allows you to find places, connect with family and friends, and learn more about the area you are planning to visit. As soon as you arrive in South Africa, you simply switch your mobile phone to eSIM and connect to the local network.

The bottom line when packing for your South African safari trip is to not overdo it. If your African safari includes domestic flights between destinations in small fixed-wing planes, then your luggage allowance is usually restricted to a weight limit of 20kg.

Remember not to pack your valuables into your main luggage. Rather store them in the baggage compartment of the plane.