Safari Packing List: What to Bring for Zambia, Botswana and Victoria Falls
Packing for a safari is different from any other trip: small soft bags, the right colors, and a few essentials you canāt buy in the bush. Hereās what to bring, from a guide who packs for safaris every season.
The essentials at a glance
If you only remember eight things, make it these.
1. A soft, round duffel bagNo hard-shell suitcases
2. Neutral-colored layersIncluding something warm for early mornings
3. Malaria tabletsPrescribed by your doctor and bought before you travel
4. Insect repellentFor evenings and mornings
5. Camera, batteries and memory cardsPack plenty: charging can be limited
6. A reusable water bottleCamps refill them
7. Passport, visas and insuranceWith medical evacuation cover
8. Clean US dollar notesIn small denominations
The full safari checklist
Organized by category, so you can tick things off as you pack.
Luggage
Soft bags squeeze into small aircraft lockers and vehicles; hard cases donāt.
- A soft, round duffel bag, never a hard-shell suitcase
- Around 15ā20 kg in total if you fly in light aircraft (check your airline)
- A small daypack for game drives
- A dry bag for boat and canoe trips
Clothing
- Neutral colors: khaki, olive, beige or brown
- Light long sleeves and trousers, for sun and mosquitoes
- A warm fleece or jacket, plus a beanie and gloves for cold mornings
- A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
- Comfortable closed shoes, plus sandals for camp
- Swimwear, for pools and Devilās Pool
Health
- Malaria prophylaxis, prescribed by your doctor and bought before you travel
- Insect repellent (DEET or picaridin)
- High-factor sunscreen and lip balm
- Your personal medication, with a spare supply, in your hand luggage
- A small first-aid kit: plasters, painkillers, antihistamines, rehydration salts and stomach remedies
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
Camera and electronics
- Your camera, with plenty of spare batteries
- Lots of memory cards: charging and backups can be limited in remote areas
- A power bank
- A universal plug adapter
- A dust cover or bag for your camera
- Binoculars, ideally one pair each
- A headlamp or small torch
Documents and money
- A passport valid for at least six months, with blank pages
- Visas, or the KAZA UniVisa for Zambia and Zimbabwe
- Travel insurance, including medical evacuation
- Copies of your documents, kept separately
- US dollars in clean, newer notes and small denominations
- A bank card for towns and lodges
Useful extras
- A reusable water bottle
- Sunglasses and a buff or scarf against dust
- A notebook or bird guide
- Earplugs: hippos are noisy neighbors!
- Zip-lock bags for electronics and documents
- A quick-dry towel for mobile safaris
Pack for the season
May ā August: cool and dry
Mornings and evenings can be cold, especially in an open vehicle. Bring a warm jacket, a beanie and gloves; days are pleasantly warm.
September ā October: hot and dry
Pack light, breathable clothing, a hat and plenty of sun protection. October is the hottest month, so drink lots of water.
November ā April: green season
Bring a light rain jacket and quick-dry clothes. Afternoon storms are common, and the landscapes are beautifully green.
What to leave at home
A few things cause problems on safari, or at the border.
- Camouflage clothing: itās restricted to the military in Zambia and Zimbabwe
- Drones: they need permits, and arenāt allowed in national parks without one
- Hard-shell suitcases: they wonāt fit small aircraft or vehicle spaces
- Bright colors and white: they disturb wildlife and show the dust
- Dark blue and black in tsetse areas: these colors attract tsetse flies
- Expensive jewellery: best left safely at home
Extra tips for private mobile safaris
On a private mobile safari, some nights are in remote camps with limited power and simple facilities.
Power
Charge everything whenever you can, carry spare batteries and memory cards, and bring a good power bank.
Comfort
A headlamp, wet wipes, a quick-dry towel and a warm layer for chilly nights make camp life much easier.
Laundry
Many camps and lodges offer laundry, so you can pack less than you think.
Safari packing: frequently asked questions
How much luggage can I bring on safari?
On light aircraft, usually around 15ā20 kg per person, in a soft bag. On road safaris there is more space, but soft bags are still best, as they pack easily into vehicles.
Do I need malaria tablets?
Most safari areas in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana are malaria areas. See your doctor or a travel clinic before you go: malaria tablets must be prescribed and bought before you travel. Use insect repellent as well.
What should I wear on game drives?
Neutral colors in layers. Early mornings can be cold, especially from May to August, so bring a warm jacket, a hat and gloves.
Can I wash my clothes on safari?
Yes. Many camps and lodges offer a laundry service, so you can pack fewer clothes.
What plug adapter do I need?
Zambia and Zimbabwe mostly use UK-style Type G sockets. Botswana and Namibia also use South African-style sockets, so a universal adapter is the easiest option.
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