Good packing doesn't mean packing more. Most safari camps and lodges offer laundry every day, so a small, well-chosen bag goes a long way. Here's what we tell our own guests.
Bags: soft, light, small
Light aircraft in East Africa usually limit luggage to about 15 kg per person, including hand luggage, and only accept soft bags that can be squeezed into the hold. A good soft duffel is the right choice everywhere — in India and Sri Lanka too, where safari vehicles have limited space.
Kenya and Tanzania have banned plastic carrier bags, so pack toiletries and shoes in fabric or reusable pouches instead.
Colours: blend in
Wear neutral colours — khaki, olive, sand and stone. Bright white is distracting for animals and shows every bit of dust. In East and Southern Africa, avoid dark blue and black, which attract tsetse flies. Several African countries also ban military-style camouflage clothing for civilians, so leave it at home.
“The best safari wardrobe is the one the animals never notice.”
Layers: mornings are cold
Even in hot countries, early morning drives in open vehicles are cold. In Ranthambhore and Bandhavgarh, December and January mornings can drop to single digits Celsius before sunrise. Bring a fleece, a light down jacket, a scarf or buff, and gloves. You'll peel layers off by mid-morning.
Ladakh is a different story: nights in places like Hanle and Changthang are below freezing for much of the year. Pack proper thermal base layers, a warm down jacket, a beanie and warm socks.
Optics and cameras
Every traveller should have their own binoculars — 8x42 or 10x42 are ideal. For photography, a zoom lens in the 100–400 mm range covers most wildlife situations. Bring spare batteries and memory cards, a soft cloth and a dust-proof bag, and a small bean bag to rest your lens on the vehicle.
The small things
- A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen and lip balm.
- A head torch with a red-light mode — essential for stargazing in Hanle.
- Insect repellent, and speak to your doctor about malaria tablets and vaccines.
- Some countries, such as Tanzania, may ask for a yellow fever certificate depending on your route.
- A refillable water bottle — most good camps provide filtered water.
- Comfortable closed shoes for walking safaris and visits to forts and monasteries.
Our team sends every guest a packing list tailored to their exact route and season before they travel — so nothing is left to guesswork.
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