A good safari bag is light, soft and full of layers. You do not need special "safari clothes", but you do need to be comfortable at dawn, in the midday sun and on a muddy forest trail. Use this list as a starting point and adjust it for your route and the season.
Clothing
- Neutral colours such as khaki, olive, brown and beige. Avoid bright colours, and avoid black and dark blue in areas with tsetse flies.
- Two or three lightweight long-sleeved shirts and two or three T-shirts
- Long, lightweight trousers (best for sun, insects and forest walks) and a pair of shorts
- A warm fleece or light jacket for early mornings and evenings
- A waterproof rain jacket or poncho
- A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
- Comfortable underwear and socks, including a few pairs of thicker socks for trekking
- Swimwear for lodge pools and the coast
Footwear
- Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots or shoes with good grip (essential for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking)
- Comfortable closed shoes or trainers for game drives
- Sandals for the lodge
For gorilla and chimpanzee trekking
- Long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt to protect against nettles and insects
- Gardening or work gloves for gripping vegetation
- A small day pack and a refillable water bottle
- A walking stick (often available from porters or the lodge)
- Waterproof clothing, even in the dry season
- Camera settings or a lens that works well in low light; flash photography is not allowed with gorillas
Gear
- Binoculars (8x42 is a good all-round choice)
- Camera with spare batteries and memory cards, and a zoom lens if you can bring one
- A power bank and the right plug adapter (Uganda uses UK-style three-pin plugs)
- A head torch or small torch
- A dry bag or zip-lock bags for dust and rain
Health and personal items
- Sunscreen, lip balm and after-sun
- Insect repellent
- A small first-aid kit and any personal medicines, in their original packaging
- Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
- Any vaccinations or malaria prevention advised by your doctor or travel clinic. Please ask your doctor well before you travel.
Documents and money
- Passport with enough validity and blank pages, and your visa or e-visa details
- Your vaccination certificate where required
- Travel insurance details and emergency contacts
- US dollars in clean, recent notes for tips and some purchases, and a card for cities and lodges
- A printed copy of your itinerary and your gorilla permit confirmation
The bag itself
Soft duffel bags pack easily into safari vehicles and are the only option on some small aircraft, which often have a luggage limit of around 15 kg. Ask us about the limits on your flights. Leave bulky items and anything you do not need in your hotel luggage room in Entebbe or Nairobi.
What to leave at home
- Camouflage clothing, which is not permitted in several countries
- Plastic bags: Uganda and several other East African countries restrict them
- Expensive jewellery and anything you would hate to lose
- Too many pairs of shoes
Tipping
Bring small notes for tips for guides, porters, rangers and lodge staff. We can give you a guideline for your trip.
Common questions
What colours should I wear?
Neutral colours are best. Avoid bright colours and, in tsetse areas, black and dark blue.
Can I wash clothes on safari?
Most lodges offer laundry for a small fee, so you can pack lighter.
Do I need binoculars?
You do not need them, but a good pair adds a great deal, especially for birds and distant animals.
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