The Packing List
Going on your first Andy Biggs Safaris adventure and are not quite sure what to pack? This list is a guideline for a ten day safari, based on suggestions that work for us. The weight limit on bush flights in Kenya and Tanzania is 33lbs and is 44lbs for southern African countries. We can arrange for additional weight allowance, however at an additional cost.
This packing list will help you meet these requirements. Your lodge or camp will provide laundry services and will also include detergent in the rooms for handwashing undergarments. We recommend packing neutral colored clothing (tan, khaki, brown) that are also lightweight and breathable. Avoid packing heavy cotton and wool clothing if possible. Clean safari clothing is perfectly acceptable for evening wear. Happy packing!
clothing
1 fleece jacket or light sweater
1 light puffy jacket or vest that packs well (for locations when you have colder evenings)
2-3 long sleeved shirts
3-4 short sleeved t-shirts
2-3 pairs of comfortable, outdoor trousers or pants
2 pairs of shorts
5 pairs of underwear (we recommend quick-dry)
2-3 bras or tanks (for women)
5 pairs of socks
1-2 pairs of pajamas / clothes to sleep in
1 bathing suit
1 pair of closed-toe light hiking or athletic shoes
1 pair of sandals or flip-flops
1 wide-brimmed hat or sun hat
1 lightweight rain jacket for windy or rainy days
1 scarf for warmth or infinity scarf
Optional shawl or shoulder wrap (ladies)
Optional pair of gym clothes (Many destinations come with a gym, or workout equipment in the room. When clean, gym clothes can also double as sleepwear.)
For Gorilla Trekkers: We recommend that you ensure that at least one pair of trousers/pants, in addition to your boots or athletic shoes, are water proof or water resistant (spraying shoes with ScotchGuard also works). And because you will be trekking through stinging nettles:
One pair of gaiters (to wrap around the top part of your boots/shoes)
One pair of thin gloves or thin gardening gloves
toiletries
Your lodge or camp will provide shampoo, conditioner, soap, bathing wash, lotion, and cotton products. All items below should be travel-sized, personal, and under 3 oz. Skip the huge commercial bottles or packing, because you just don’t need that kind of quantity for the length of your trip. Transfer your products into smaller containers with screw tops that will be enough to last for the duration of your trip.
Please follow all in-flight regulations. These items are suggestions, and based upon personal preferences. Do what works for you.
toothbrush/toothpaste
sunscreen
lip balm
insect repellant
wet-wipes/hand-sanitizer
deoderant
personal razors, tweezers, or grooming kit
prescription medications
prescription glasses or contact lenses
Over-the-counter medicines: remedies for headaches, diarrhea, heartburn, allergies, eye drops, ect.
feminine products, skin care, and make-up
1 travel-sized bottle of hand wash liquid or a couple of small packets (just in case)
Other Necessities
These are items that will greatly enhance your travel experience. So much so, that we do not leave home without them. Each room in your lodge, camp, or hotel comes with an in-room safe for cash and valuables. We recommend leaving valuable jewelry at home.
1 meduim sized backpack or daypack (this can double as your in-flight carry-on)
1 body purse or over-the shoulder/neck purse or small tote (to hold loose cash, passports/ID cards/credit cards. Fits easily into backpack and small safes).
camera equipment: include batteries, charger, travel bag
charging station: international adapter for power and USB cables
sunglasses
pair of binoculars (we are an authorized Swarovski Optik dealer, if you are interested in the highest end optics)
EarPods or headphones
passport, country visas, yellow vaccination card (if required) credit cards, or other photo ID
extra cash on hand in different quantities for tipping
A meduim sized plastic or manilla document folder: this is used to hold important documents and cash in an easy-to-reach place while in transit. We keep this folder inside the backpack at all times, wherever we go, while in transit. Once inside our room, it goes into the safety deposit box.)
a bandana or neckerchief for dusty game drives
for the Flight
To make your overnight flights more comfortable, we have created the following list. These items can be carried in your backpack, along with your camera equipment and other necessities. Please follow in-flight recommendations regarding toiletries. Keep with you all cash and travel documents for entry.
small, personal sized shampoo/conditioner/body wash/lotion as needed for overnight flights, lay-overs
lip balm/wipes/hand-santizer
travel pillow
journal and pen
reading material or Kindle
granola or energy bars
a comfortable outfit for overnight flights (Comfortable clean safari clothes can double for this, but some clients like to bring something specific, like super warm socks or leggings/loungewear.)
important travel documents
passports and photo ID cards
credit cards
Country-specific visas
vaccination cards (as needed)
travel insurance cards/medical insurance cards/evacuation insurance cards. We have partnered with Arch RoamRight.
medical testing documentation (as needed, such as Covid-19 test results)
Packing Suggestions
Stick to neutral based colors: beiges, olives, tans, greys, light pastels. We do not recommend black, navy, bright colors, or whites. Black and navy attract tetse flies, blocks of bright jewel-toned clothing can startle wildlife, and whites get dirty.
For bush flights between national parks and countries, each person is allowed one soft large-sized piece of luggage that weighs up to 33 lbs (15kg), or thereabouts. This weight includes carry-on luggage or souvenirs, which you can keep with you while on the flight. If your personal luggage does creep over the weight limit, general airline fines and fees may apply.
For checked baggage, our favorite is a soft-sided 22” duffle, or close to that. Attached wheels and hard siding are nice for transport, but can also add unwanted bulk and weight. Soft-sided luggage is needed, as pilots need to ‘squish’ luggage in the hold if the plane is a busy flight.
To save space and weight, try to “double-up” and re-use clothes for different purposes, when able. For example, clean gym clothes can double as sleepwear, and comfortable safari clothes can be worn on an overnight flight. Clean, nice safari clothing is perfectly acceptable for the evening meal.
Undergarments are typically hand-washed, so we recommend quickdry vs cotton. Washing detergent is provided, but it’s good to bring a few small packets of detergent just in case.
In general, mornings and evenings are cool to chilly, midday and mid-afternoons are warm to hot. Some travelers like to change into shorts and/or sandals for lunch back at camp, and return to safari gear for late afternoon game drives.
A good rule-of-thumb is to layer up or layer down, and keep a backpack with you. This way you can take off warm layers as the day heats up, or put on layers as the day cools down.
For game drives you will take your personal backpack or tote and bring anything you might need for a long day out: layers of clothing, rain gear, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, lip balm, camera equipment, binoculars, journal. Snacks and water bottles are provided.
Leslie’s suggestion for the ladies: “I always bring a thin shawl or over-the-shoulder wrap. This is in addition to my puffy jacket. Sometimes it’s just nice to throw over a t-shirt for a cool evening. I also love my infinity scarf. It makes a great thin exterior cover for my hair on a windy drive, or covers arms and neck for sun/heat, or bugs. I can also loop it up and wear it for neck warmth.”
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