Family safari packing list
Safari packing has rules most trips don't: soft bags with strict weight limits, colors that don't startle wildlife, and mornings that start cold even in Africa.
Kristina's notes
- Stick to khaki, olive, and tan, and skip dark blue and black in tsetse areas.
- Small bush planes usually require soft duffels with tight weight limits.
- Give every family member their own binoculars so nobody misses the leopard.
The complete family safari packing list
Safari packing has one hard rule: small planes between camps often limit luggage to a soft duffel and a low weight, frequently around 15 kg (33 lb) including carry-on, so confirm with your camps. Beyond that, think neutral colors, layers for cold dawn drives, and good binoculars. Here is our master list, then choose your destination below.
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Luggage first
- A soft-sided duffel with no wheels or frame, if your itinerary includes bush flights
- A small daypack for game drives
- Packing cubes to keep each child's things separate in a tent
Game drive clothing
- Neutral colors: khaki, olive, tan and soft brown
- Avoid dark blue and black in tsetse fly areas, and bright white in the bush
- Layers: a fleece and a light puffy for early mornings, a T-shirt by midday
- Long sleeves and long pants for evenings and insects
- A wide-brim hat and a buff for dust
Gear that makes the trip
- Binoculars, ideally one pair for each child
- A camera with a zoom lens and spare batteries
- A headlamp or small flashlight for camp at night
- A universal adapter; many camps charge devices on solar power
- A reusable water bottle
Health
- Insect repellent and long layers at dusk
- Any antimalarials or vaccines your doctor recommends for the region
- Sunscreen, lip balm and after-sun
- Children's pain reliever, rehydration salts and a small first aid kit
Evenings at camp
- One relaxed outfit for dinner by the fire
- Comfortable closed shoes or sandals with backs
- A warm layer; nights can be cold even in summer
Family basics
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss
- Shampoo, conditioner and body wash, or use the hotel's
- Leakproof travel-size bottles
- Deodorant, hairbrush and hair ties
- Glasses, contacts and solution
- Prescriptions in their original packaging
- Bandages, a thermometer and hand sanitizer
- Phones and chargers
- Driver's licenses or IDs and health insurance cards
- Credit cards and a little cash
- Flight, hotel and car confirmations saved offline
- A warm layer or light jacket for each person
- Mesh laundry bag for dirty clothes
- Before you go: hold the mail, set the thermostat, charge everything
Three mistakes we see families make
- Bringing a hard-sided suitcase that won't fit on a bush plane
- Packing only summer clothes for a destination with near-freezing dawn drives
- Sharing one pair of binoculars among the whole family
Choose your destination
Africa & SafariCape Town & Winelands
Table Mountain, penguin beaches, and family-friendly wine farms.
Africa & SafariEgypt & the Nile
Pyramids, temples, and a slow cruise down the Nile.
Africa & SafariKenya Safari
Big cats, balloon rides, and the Great Migration in the Masai Mara.
Africa & SafariMarrakech & Morocco
Riads, souks, Atlas mountain villages, and Sahara camps.
Africa & SafariNamibia
Red dunes, Etosha waterholes, and the darkest night skies.
Africa & SafariOkavango Delta
Mokoro rides, floodplain wildlife, and quiet, remote camps.
Africa & SafariRwanda Gorilla Trekking
Mountain gorillas in the misty Virunga volcanoes.
Africa & SafariSabi Sands & Kruger
Leopards up close in South Africa's private reserves.
Africa & SafariSouth Africa: Garden Route
Coastal forests, whale-filled bays, and malaria-free road trips.
Africa & SafariSouth Africa
Cape Town, the Garden Route, and a Kruger-area safari.
Africa & SafariTanzania Safari
Serengeti herds and the wildlife-filled Ngorongoro Crater.
Africa & SafariUganda: Gorillas & Chimps
Gorilla treks, chimp forests, and tree-climbing lions.
Africa & SafariVictoria Falls & Zambia
Thundering falls, Zambezi sunsets, and river safaris.
Safari packing, answered
What should kids wear on safari?
Neutral, breathable layers in khaki, olive and tan, with long sleeves for evenings and a warm fleece for early mornings. Add a sun hat and comfortable closed shoes.
What colors should you not wear on safari?
Skip bright white, which shows dust and stands out in the bush, and dark blue and black in areas with tsetse flies, which are attracted to them.
How much luggage can you bring on safari?
On itineraries with small bush planes, many operators limit you to a soft bag at a set weight, often around 15 kg (33 lb) including hand luggage. Confirm the limit with each camp or airline before you pack.
Do kids need binoculars on safari?
It makes a big difference. Giving each child their own pair keeps them engaged on long drives instead of waiting for a turn.
How do I get a list for my exact safari?
Choose your destination below, then set your month and your kids' ages for typical weather and what to expect.
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Kristina's edits for this trip
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I'm Kristina, and planning family trips is what I do.
As a luxury travel advisor with KM Luxe Travel, I plan the hotels, the flow of the days, and the little details, often with perks like breakfast and upgrades when available.