Wondering what to pack for a safari? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered from head to toe— or should I say from hat to boots?

And, I’ve even snagged an exclusive discount code with my favorite travel clothing for safari’s— it’s just for my Trusted Travel Girl readers!

Forget your check-in luggage - did you know that you’re only allowed to bring 15kg’s worth of items on a bush safari?

If you’re an over-packer who is freaking out right about now, don’t worry. I’m covering everything I brought on my safari in Kenya and guiding you on what to pack for a safari.

Before I dive in, I know a lot of you may be traveling long-term and might have a lot of stuff. Or maybe you’re already thinking about laundry and how many times you can truly repeat an outfit on safari.

If this is you, check out this post on the two Kempinski properties that will make your safari experience in Kenya so much easier.

What to Pack on a Safari

Let’s face it ladies - our clothes take up 80% of our luggage space. And with a limited amount of items you can lug with you for a bush safari, you want to pack outfits that are lightweight, efficient, and stylish.

My first secret? Anatomie’s wrinkle-free, lightweight, and extremely comfortable clothing. I was first introduced to this brand when I was searching for the perfect lightweight clothes for my own safari, and I fell in love with their clothes!

Anatomie was nice enough to give a special code for all TTG readers to save 20%. Just use the code: TTG20 to save 20% on your entire purchase!

To give you an idea, 2 pairs of their pants weigh less than a banana. Sure, you can always pack a plain t-shirt and some jeans from home, but I highly recommend proper, technical clothing for a comfortable safari experience.

Having the right items that you can layer, and that are made for the elements will make your trip so much better. (Plus, being excited about getting dressed every day in my amazing safari outfits made the 5:30 wake up’s much easier).

What I love about it the most about the brand: All of their clothes are machine washable. They have a great stretch, they are wrinkle free (even if they look a little wrinkled coming out of your suitcase, give it 30 seconds on the body and the wrinkles fall right out), and they are cut and designed so well— they are very flattering. You won’t only feel good in them, but you’ll look great!

I had the chance to visit Anatomie HQ when I was in Miami. They had racks of clothes set up for me to try and needless to say, the more items I tried on, the more I fell in love with the brand (I’ll have one of everything, please)!

Save 20% on all your safari and travel outfits with my Exclusive Anatomie Discount Code: TTG20

Their pieces are compact and I could fit it all into one tiny backpack. On top of that, they took out the guesswork of finding outfits that match by making sure all their clothing pieces can be swapped out, replaced, and still work to create a cohesive look.

We picked a color theme (khaki - since light colors are preferred on a safari) and added in a few pieces for travel days.

What Clothes I Packed for My Safari Trip

Shawn and Kate at Anatomie had been on a few safaris of his own, so they were familiar with the cold mornings and hot days. They helped me hand pick each item for the perfect set of items to layer for safari.

By my second safari, I was buying up only Anatomie clothing only for myself and my mom. It’s also been fun to work some of my favorite safari focused outfits into my everyday outfits!

These items below are perfect for peeling layers off throughout the day and since it’s so lightweight, it’s perfect to squeeze into your backpack.

Every single item they picked out came in handy, so here’s a complete list

Clothes to Pack for a Safari:

The perfect pants to pack for a safari, the Kate Cargo

Kate Skinny Cargo pants: Made of lightweight material with lots of pockets (which will come in handy when you see animals and want to quickly reach for your phone to snap a picture).
I couldn’t imagine a safari packing guide without these pants. They were the perfect pants for a safari. The technical fibers managed to keep me warm enough on cold mornings, and cool during the heat of the day.
When choosing what pants to pack on a safari, I would recommend two pairs of these. I did one in tan and one in gray, and they easily mixed and matched with everything else I brought.

Aarthi Reversible vest: cozy, yet very useful. Layering is the key to dressing for a safari and this vest is versatile yet easy to pack.
Suzie Cashmere hoodie: Another stylish addition to your packing list. This hoodie is so comfortable and the relaxed fit was great for a long day of moving around. Mornings and nights can be freezing— you may even find yourself sleeping with a hot water bottle in your bed on safari! This is why I love the ultra cozy cashmere from Anatomie. It’s also my favorite for long haul flights. I pair the hoodie and cashmere pants for long travel days, to look effortlessly put-together, while feeling comfy and cozy. I also love that it doesn’t pill.

Looking for the perfect jacket to wear on safari? Look no further than the Kenya Safari Jacket by Anatomie.

Kenya Safari Jacket: Aside from its fitting name (Kenya Safari Jacket— heelllloo!), the cut of this jacket is chic and stylish while still remaining incredibly durable. This is a must-have piece when deciphering what to pack for a safari. I also love to wear this on long travel days with a pair of matching Anatomie pants for an easy look that always gets me a ton of compliments.
This may be my favorite piece of travel clothing ever. Every day on safari when I put this jacket on in the early mornings, I was so excited to get my day started. I felt like this jacket made me look and feel what I always imagined to look like on a safari. When I put on these clothes I simply feel dressed for adventure!

Irma V-Neck Super Jersey: The basic staples are always a must on a safari. This slim-fit, long-sleeved shirt even comes with pockets at the hips.
Merika Water Resistant Windbreaker: This silky water-resistant windbreaker even comes with a detachable hood. Not only is it versatile, but you’d also be surprised at how easy it is to pack.
Kim Mesh Sleeve Top: I love this shirt for flying long distances (for example, all the way to Africa for a safari). It’s perfect paired with the Luisa Stripe Skinny Pant, and these two items have pretty much become my flying uniform since discovering them. Super comfy and stay wrinkle free and are lightweight.
Luisa Stripe Skinny Pant: Another relaxed yet stylish choice for long-haul flights. Bonus points since the strip on the side elongates your legs (making it perfect for photos).
Mallory Belted Dress: The Mallory dress is such a cute, but still functional alternative to a pair of shorts. It's quickly become a fast favorite of mine both on and off safari! With its classic safari design elements and the added features of our signature stretch fabric from France, this dress is perfect for various occasions, from travel to upscale resorts, and of course it’s the perfect safari outfit! Its sleek and minimalist look makes it stand out, and the two-way zip front and removable belt allow for personalized adjustments. Embrace the charm and versatility of the Mallory dress as it becomes your go-to choice for chic and comfortable attire.
Kaylyn Short: This has quickly become my favorite pair of travel shorts. I own them in two colors (tan and black). They are long enough to be appropriate in most situations, but short enough and tailored well and cinched with the belt, to also be really flattering. They are made with the same material as the Kate Cargo pants that I love so much, and they are probably the only shorts I would ever wear on a safari— the quick dry wrinkle free material is key for safari’s.

Kaylyn Short & Mariana Button Down. Both from Anatomie.

Mariana Button Down: The perfect safari shirt. Matches perfectly with Kate Cargo Pants, Kaylyn Shorts and Kenya Jacket from Anatomie.

I also brought the Ingrid Plaid & Lycra Blazer with Hoodie and wore it on my flight with Qatar Airways QSuites. It was so comfortable, it felt like I was wearing sweats in business class.

Safari Outfit and Camera Gear Kenya Maasai Mara

So if you’re looking for stylish, lightweight, and effective outfits to where on a safari, I couldn’t recommend Anatomie’s clothing more. They’re specifically designed for travelers who want to look good and put together while feeling comfortable, just without the fuss.

Safari Outfit and Camera Gear Kenya — Kate Cargo Pants from Anatomie… you can see how they don’t have a single wrinkle, while my linen button up is not as travel friendly. You can be sure that I left this shirt home on my second safari trip and doubled up on bringing more of Anatomie’s wrinkle free outfits the second time around.

Boots

I would not recommend packing sneakers. Instead, pack boots like my Timberlands. They were really comfortable (although I do suggest wearing them in the house with thick socks for a few days like I did, before your trip), and they were practical.

Hats

The sun beats down pretty strongly (as you can imagine). I brought a simple Nike dri-fit baseball cap and another hat from Anthropologie on my first safari.

For that safari look, I love Akubra. They are top of the line hats made in Australia, and are well known for outdoor adventures of all kind. They are a bit pricey, but once you buy one, you’ll have it forever if you take care of it. Expert Akubra tip: you will want to store your hat upside-down to keep its shape.

I also really like this hat because it’s light weight and will keep you cool.

Accessories

Anatomie tank and shorts, Timberland boots, and Akubra hat. Dressing in layers is key, so I would bring my backpack every day to take clothes on and off

Some other essentials I packed included a tank top, a brown leather belt (similar to this belt), a white linen button-down shirt, and durable socks (I brought Bombas, they are my favorite).

But to be honest, Anatomie made all my safari outfit dreams come true. Not to mention, their clothing garnered lots of compliments along the way.

Vaccination Card

It’s mandatory to have your vaccination for yellow fever in many parts of Africa. In fact, it’s only recommended in Kenya, but they still check your vaccination card at random and can give you a really difficult time if you don’t have it. Kenya needs to work on their consistency issues because I not only was personally checked for my yellow fever vaccination, but I’ve had many readers write me and say the same.

It’s important to make sure you bring that yellow World Health Organization form with your vaccination record, I keep mine with my passport.

The Best Luggage for Safari

Generally, I use my Spectra hard sided expandable suitcases from Victorinox. However, as mentioned above, theres a serious weight limit on the bush planes. This is why I opted for two light-weight bags from another one of my favorite brands, Lo & Sons.

I packed the Catalina Deluxe Tote and the

The Courtney jacket from Anatomie. I love that it has a hidden hood that zips into to the collar.

Packing the Essentials for a Safari

Moving right on from clothing, here are some essentials you do not want to forget at home:

Updated prescription lenses or contacts: this is very important. You don’t want to miss out on spotting wildlife that are far away, and trust me… it has happened to people before.

All necessary toiletries: Don’t forget to pack the essentials like a toothbrush and toothpaste, your skincare, bug spray, SPF, and whatever else you might need.
Camera gear: When it comes to packing your camera gear, you want to make sure you have everything ready to go. Definitely pack a 100mm-400mm lens to capture wildlife that’s far away. And don’t forget a camera bean bag to support your heavy lens. I rented my lens from Samy’s Camera in Los Angeles.
If I were going to bring a prime lens, I would say 300mm would be an ideal choice, but having the zoom was nice for when the animals were up close.
Other travel essentials: On top of your prescribed medication, feel free to pack any over-the-counter medication such as anti-nausea tablets (if you get car sick), Pepto-Bismol for traveler’s tummy, and a basic first-aid kit that includes aspirin, band-aids, and Neosporin.

Bush dinner at Olare Mara, in Maasai Mara Kenya

To reiterate again, packing limits on small flights are restricted to 15kgs (33lbs). Where you’re going to want to save a lot of space (and weight) is through your clothing. Unfortunately, you won’t find lighter alternatives to your camera gear.

If you want to pack without the frustration and worry when it comes to meeting the baggage requirements, I couldn’t recommend Anatomie highly enough.

What Not to Pack for a Safari

Depending on your lodge or accommodation of choice, there are certain items you do not need to bring. For example, some lodges hand out reusable water bottles for you to fill up as often as you need. Others also offer you raincoats, umbrellas, and rain boots for whenever it pours. So be sure to check with your lodge or accommodation to confirm what it is you can leave back at home.

With that being said, there’s a concise list of items that you can leave behind:

Portable hairdryer: Most lodges will provide you with a hairdryer. Since your baggage space is limited, I recommend leaving your hair tools behind.
Perfume: You’ve got no one to impress in the bush. Besides, there may or may not be theories about animals not liking unnatural, concentrated scents.
A hard-sided suitcase: Bush flights are tiny little planes and baggage space is limited. Soft-sided suitcases mean there’s more room for others to store their luggage on board.
Drones: Drone laws differ from country to country, so depending on where you’re heading on safari, you want to make sure that you are cleared and not breaking any laws. But even if your safari destination permits you to fly a drone, the noise can be quite bothersome to wild animals and other guests.
Laundry detergent: I get it - you may or may not want to wash a few of your clothing items while out on safari. However, most lodges have laundry service included in your stay.
Disposable plastic bags: Some countries like Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda have a strict no-plastic law. Kenya, in particular, is one of the strictest countries when it comes to single-use plastic bags. Not only is it illegal, but getting caught with it could result in jail time and hefty fines. Best to avoid using it all together when packing and be sure to use clear, reusable bags for your toiletries and liquids.
Flash or lighting for photography: Although this goes without saying, it’s worth a reminder. And please do not use the flash on your phone or camera.
Camouflage print: You don’t have to blend it THAT well with your environment. Besides, camouflage print is actually illegal in Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Uganda. Even if it’s not strictly prohibited, it is in your best interest to avoid them as it can cause issues while traveling and crossing borders.

What to Pack for Safari During Different Seasons

There’s a common misconception about safaris and warm/hot temperatures. Well that’s kind of true as it is quite hot in the summer and spring months. However, winters in the Okavango Delta and parts of Zambia can be quite cold. To give you an idea, temperatures in those areas can drop to about 59 degrees Fahrenheit. So here’s a brief overview of what to pack during each season:

What to Pack for a Safari in Winter (May to August)

The key in the winter is to pack lots of layers. Since game drives start early in the morning before the sun warms up the land, you can expect cool temperatures. Here’s what you definitely would need to pack for a winter safari:

A heavier jacket - these will keep you warm in the morning. You could pick one out from Anatomie’s line as they compress easily to fit into your bags.
Comfortable socks - I would even recommend a slightly thicker pair of socks if you tend to be sensitive to cooler weather.

My mom and I in matching outfits on safari. Timberland boots. Hats are Akubra and American Hat company. Outfits are Anatomie.

What to Pack for a Safari in the Summer (December to March)

Since the shoulder seasons of Spring and Autumn won’t be terribly different, let’s shift gears and focus on what to pack for a safari in the wet summer months:

A waterproof jacket - It can get quite wet in the summer so packing a waterproof jacket is a great idea. Some lodges provide you with raincoats but it’s always best to depend on the coat of your choice.