Barefoot Safaris Packing List

This is our recommended general packing list. Please check your itinerary for any specific requirements.

‘There are two kinds of travelers in the world: those who packed light and those who wish they had.’ Mobile safaris are just that, mobile! Packing for a safari can be a challenge because of the weight restrictions that small charter aircraft place on your bags: sometimes no more than 15 kg total. You will potentially be moving between several different modes of transport (airplanes, cars, light aircraft, trucks, boats) so plan accordingly. Suitcases with wheels don't work very well in the African bush! Soft duffel type bags work best. Again, this is very much itinerary dependant. As a general rule, try and bring lightweight clothing and equipment.

A note on clothing:

Clothing in earth tones is recommended. Some insects are attracted to bright colors; as such wearing earthy tones can make your safari infinitely more comfortable. Earthy tones also make you less conspicuous to wildlife and allows for a better viewing experience.

Personal Clothing & Other Items / Quantity / X / Other Items / Quantity / X
Boots (Well-worn in) / 1 Pair / Camera (with dust bag/protective case, memory sticks, accessories) / As Req
Sandals/Flip Flops/Thongs / 1 Pair / Binoculars / O / As Req
Warm Hat/Beanie / W / 1 of / Toilet Paper or Tissues / As Req
Gloves / W / 1 Pair / Pegs / 4 of
Fleece or sweatshirt / W / 1 of / Sewing Kit / 1 of
Tilley Hat (or equivalent sun hat, wide brim) / H / 1 of / Swiss Army Knife/Leatherman / 1 of
Shorts 100% Cotton (Day wear) / 1-2 Pair / Head Torch / 1 of
Socks (Including hiking) / 4-5 Pair / Quality Flashlight / 1 of
Swimming Costume/Bathers / 1 of / Washing Line / 1 of
Shirts Short Sleeve 100% Cotton (Day wear) / 2-3 of / Water Bottle 1Litre / H / 1 of
Shirts Long Sleeve 100% Cotton (Night wear- Mosquito Protection) / 1 of / Map(s) of Country / O / 1 of
T Shirts / 1-2 of / Bird Book / O / 1 of
Trousers (Light Cotton Zip Off type) / 2 Pairs / Guide Book / O / 1 of
Underwear / 5 Pairs / Book on Mammals / O / 1 of
Thermal Underwear / W / 1 of / Mosquito Nets / D / 1 of
Wind/Waterproofs Soft Shell Jacket / 1 of / Travel Watch / 1 of
Towel (Travel Towel) / 1 / Sunglasses (& or spare pair of specs.) / H / 1 of
Sleeping Bag (Check Itinerary) / D / 1 / Plastic Bags (Bin Liners + Small Bags) / As Req
Sleeping Sheet (Check Itinerary) / D / 1 / Ziploc bags / As Req
Travel Pillow / 1 / Universal Bath Plug / 1 of
Day Pack (Can combine with CamelBak hydration system) / D / 1 / String / 1 Ball
Sarong/Kikoi garment (useful for many applications) / 1 / Scotch Tape/Duct tape / 1 of
Wash Kit Items - No Aerosols / Quantity / Travel Adapter Plug (Electric) / H / 1 of
Nail Care Kit including clippers / 1 Pair / Snorkel & Mask (Check Itinerary) / D / As Req
Deodorant / 1 of / Mosquito repellant (mains plug in) / 1 off
Shampoo/Conditioner / 1 of
Razors/Shaving Gel / 1 of
Eye Care (Contact lenses/solution) / As Req / Finance & Documentation / Quantity
Soap/Shower gel (Consider biodegradeable) / 2 of / Itinerary Copy / H / 1 Copy
Toothbrush & Toothpaste / 1 of / Health Insurance Policy / E / 1 Copy
Sanitary Items / H / As Req / Money: Cash + Travelers Cheques / E / As Req
After Sun Lotion (Aloe Vera) / 1 Bottle / Passports inc. Visa + Photo copy / E / 1 Copy
Hairbrush / 1 of / Flight Tickets + Photo copy & Invoice / E / 1 Copy
Moisturising Cream/Lip Balm / 1 of / Credit Cards / H / Visa/MC
Sun Tan Lotion (Min 30 SPF) / H / 1 of / Contact Addresses etc / H / As Req
Wet wipes/Baby wipes/Hand Sanitizer / H / 1 pack / Car Park Vouchers / As Req
Medical Kit Items / Quantity / Passport Photos for VISAS / H / 4
Personal Compact Emergency First Aid Kit / H / 1 of / Yellow Fever Certificate (Check Itinerary) / E / As Req
Sterile Syringe Set / 1 of / Medical prescriptions (actual document) / H
Pain Killers / 1 of / Miscellaneous
Eye & Ear Drops / 1 of / Medication of a personal nature/Prescription medication / E / As Req
Broad Spectrum Anti-biotic (See Doctor) / H / 1 Course / Travel Diary & Pen
Malarial Prophylaxis (See Doctor) / E / As Req / Mobile power bank (to recharge your technology devices)
Oral Re-hydration Treatment / 5 Sachets / Kindle Reader
Aspirin / As Req / Hiking poles / D
Cold / Flu Remedies / As Req
Antiseptic Wipes (Medi. Wipes) / As Req
Anti-histamines / As Req
Imodium Tablets (Anti-diarrhea) / As Req
Water Purification Tablets / As Req
Mosquito/Insect Repellant (With Deet) / H / 2 of

W = Winter months (May-Aug)

D = Itinerary dependent

O = Optional (Supplied by Barefoot Safaris)

E = Essential, don’t leave without it

H = Highly recommended

Rev 2 – 29/01/2016