WHAT TO PACK FOR AN AFRICAN SAFARI

Passport, Visa, & Vaccinations

The FIRST question I had when planning my African Safari was…what do I pack?? My first priorities were okay 1. Do I need a visa? and 2. What immunizations are required to go to Africa? Well USA citizens don’t need a visa to travel to most of the African Countries, but I always recommend being extra sure so you don’t end up in any hard situations… like I have in the past, but a story for another post. ALSO make sure your passport doesn’t expire anytime soon!

Based on CDC/country guidelines, I needed to get the yellow fever vaccine. This was relatively easy as I just scheduled it to be done at Walgreens. It’s good to call ahead to make sure they have it in stock and they have someone who knows how to administer it. I had an interesting experience at the pharmacy because the pharmacist almost scared me out of getting it. I think it was a combo of factors due to the fact they just started stocking the vaccine again after covid, and there are some media stories about the vaccine if you are above 60 years old. I ended up deciding to get it, I personally felt completely fine after and didn’t have any side effects. Another thing to keep in mind is you need to get it with 10 days minimum before you travel. Obviously always best to consult the CDC and your doctor.

I’ve traveled to South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, and I have never been asked to show proof of receiving the yellow fever vaccine, however, I always carry it on me just in case.

Medications

Anti-malaria pills. There are a few different options, and I have brought on Safari Doxycycline and also Malarone. I would plan on having these packed just in case. Taking Anti-malaria meds also depends on the time of year and area you are going to. For example, I went to Gondwana Game Reserve which is a malaria-free zone, however, there are ticks out in the bush. I decided to take doxycycline during my time there because it covers a broader range of things. I took the meds for about 3 days and my skin was SUPER sensitive. I was on a hiking safari and was in the sun a lot, and it was causing more harm than good so I ended up stopping. The last time I went to Africa, I knew my risk for malaria could be higher because I was going to Victoria Falls, and mosquitoes love water. I brought malarone, but I didn’t end up taking it. The water at the falls is so low in August, and it was so hot and dry, plus we weren’t staying on the river, I felt like my risk was much lower than it was worth to take the medication. I also have been to Africa a few times so I felt confident in my decision, however, this is a very personal choice. For anyone that is traveling there for the first time, I would err on the side of caution.

I’m also very liberal when it comes to packing and traveling with medications and I joke that I am farmacia de Anne. So take all these recommendations with a grain of salt, to each their own, YOU DO YOU HUNNYYYY

Just in case medications:

-Zofran…because being nauseous is literally the worst feeling especially when traveling! Zofran is a must have!

-I personally recommend getting prescribed a couple anti-anxiety pills for the long-haul flight

-Antibiotics – good to have on hand so you don’t need to navigate healthcare and pharmacies in another country or remote area. I brought amoxicillin with me.

-Over the counter meds: Benadryl, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, anti-diarrhea, anti-acid, Non-drowsy Dramamine – great to take if you get car sick and helpful for those bumpy safari rides!

-Day & Night Cold Meds- Literally whenever I don’t pack these, I end up needing them, or someone I’m with does.

-First Aid Kit, Sunscreen, Bug Spray, Hydrocortisone Cream

Electronics

CAMERA! a good camera with zooming capabilities for safari. The iPhone quality is pretty good, but if animal pics are important to you during a safari, and you have the option to rent a good Canon camera I would def do this!! Makes a HUGE difference when the animals are far away.

Memory card

Portable chargers – I always pack 2 with me! The signal is bad all over Africa and my phone would constantly die since it kept searching for signal.

International plug with usb ports

Electronics you probably don’t need to pack:

Speaker. Using a speaker in the bush is kind of frowned upon…. Plus when you are on safari you finally get the opportunity to disconnect from noises, electronics, etc and to let your body be in tune with nature, so take advantage of it!

Drone. I have a drone, however, unless you get special permission to film, 99.9% of lodges/game reserves/parks don’t allow them.

Clothing

Light-colored clothes/neutrals for safari. Neutrals are great because you can mix and match and create so many different outfits out of a few colors because everything matches! Avoid wearing anything that makes you stand out, you want to blend in with the wildlife. Don’t wear the colors like black and blue, these colors attract tsetse flies, which have a painful bite

Comfortable clothes and LAYERS for safari. You are going to be sitting in a game vehicle for about 6 hours a day so you’ll want to be comfy!

SHOES – I always bring 1 pair of Birkenstocks, and 1 pair of walking shoes. Unless you’re going on bush walks or hikes where you’ll need a proper hiking shoe, I would focus on function and comfort over those stylish-looking safari boots. I wear Birkenstock sandals for 99% of the time I’m there.

Jacket or fleece – game drives are early in the morning and in the late afternoon/evening, and it gets cold fast.

Safari Hat with a strap that goes around your chin, the game vehicles are mostly open air cars, and you don’t want your hat to blow away

Bathing suit – most lodges have a pool

Dresses – I would bring a couple of nice outfits as it’s nice to change out of safari gear for dinner on the lodge.

Accessories: sunglasses, scarves, both that can be used for function and fashion is great. This is a micro detailed tip, and super hyper focused haha but if you have light eyes or have eyes that are sensitive to the sun (aka blue, grey, or green eyes, etc) I would find a couple different pairs of sunglasses, one that is for high intense sunlight, and one that has lenses not as shaded so you can be comfortable and see what’s going on around you with the animals. I buy all mine off of amazon, just a random fact that helps me. So not necessary.

Scarves – Great to wear as an accessory, but came in clutch when I needed to cover my chest and shoulders when the sun got too intense. They’ll probably come in even handier during the winter and drier months when the climate is more desert-like.

Other Money / Packing Tips

Stop by the ATM or bank before your trip and withdraw $100–$300 in small bills. Many off-the-beaten-path places accept USD, and having cash on hand makes it easier for small purchases, tours, and tips—without dealing with international debit transaction fees.

Cash is good for tipping or if they have load shedding (power outages) and you can’t pay for something with card.

**Don’t forget to tip your safari guide and lodge staff! ❤️ I personally always tip 20% or more.**

My mindset is simple: if I’m visiting from a country with a stronger currency, why wouldn’t I tip generously instead of taking advantage of the exchange rate? These guides, servers, and staff work incredibly hard to provide an unforgettable experience, and a small amount for us can go so much further for them.

Tipping well isn’t just about gratitude—it’s about recognizing the hard work that goes into making your safari magical. Even a small amount in USD goes much further than you might realize, and for those working tirelessly behind the scenes, it can make a real difference. If you can afford to go on safari, you can afford to tip generously. It’s one of the best ways to give back to the people who make your adventure so special.

If you are taking a smaller plane to get to your safari location, make sure you know the weight limits of the plane and the allowance. If you are driving to your safari location (don’t really recommend) make sure you contact the lodge and figure out the best plan because there are tons of road closures/pot holes, etc.

Most lodges offer laundry services for a very cheap rate so keep this in mind so you don’t overpack!

Hopefully, this guide helped a bit!! Feel free to DM me on insta if you have any other questions! <3

For my first safari, I ordered 90% of my packing essentials on Amazon 3 days before I left haha, what a lifesaver. Anything I ordered for my trip, I’ve made an Africa Packing List on my Amazon Storefront!

Link to my Amazon Storefront!