What to Pack for a Safari to Serengeti National Park

Find Out What To Pack For A Tanzania Safari to Serengeti National Park

Serengeti Links:
Serengeti Balloon Safari | The Great Wildebeest Migration | Serengeti National Park Overview | Southern Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Ndutu, and Olduvai | Central Serengeti, Seronera, and Grumeti | Northern Serengeti, Kogatende, and the Mara River | Quick Travel Tips For Serengeti National Park | What To Pack For a Serengeti Safari

What To Pack For A Safari To Tanzania: Serengeti National Park

In working out what to pack for a Serengeti safari, packing light means packing right. From luggage restrictions on light aircraft to meeting the needs of the season, make sure you have the best clothing and accessories for your Serengeti safari.

From following the Great Migration to going on a hot air balloon adventure, keep reading for top packing tips for the Serengeti. Find out about what to wear, luggage, accessories, and footwear - and and use our comprehensive, intuitive safari packing list tool for a comprehensive checklist before you travel.

What is the Climate in Serengeti National Park?
The Serengeti has moderate temperatures, with a climate that is divided into a cool dry season from May to August (getting warmer into September and October) and a hot wet season from November to April. There are long and short rains, with the short rains taking place from November to December.

When it comes to dressing for conditions, the best advice is to dress in layers for changing conditions throughout the day. The Serengeti is equatorial, but is located 1500m above sea level, which means it experiences more moderate conditions than some other locations in Africa.

No matter the season, follow these packing tips and use our expert advice to prepare for your unforgettable Serengeti adventure.

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What To Wear on a Safari To Serengeti National Park

• Pack Light for Safari: If your travels include transfers by light aircraft or mobile safari adventures, you'll need to pack light. Restrictions aside, lightweight, technical safari clothes in neutral colours such as khaki and olive green are the best choice for a safari. Our feather-light BUGTech anti-insect safari clothing is full of features, including built-in insect defence, UPF50+ sun protection, and moisture wicking. It also dries fast, streamlining the laundry cycle so you can minimise what needs to go in your suitcase.


• Pack a Warm Layer: Altitude, early morning starts, and cool evenings are some of the main reasons to pack a warm layer like a safari jacket or fleece. East Africa's open-topped game-viewers and wind chill add to the cold factor, so make sure you are prepared for all conditions. Add a packable waterproof jacket in case of rain - or as an added windproof barrier.


• Anti-Insect Clothing: Don't let insects irritate your enjoyment of the bush. Cover up in BUGTech™ clothing, which has an anti-insect treatment and a fabric construction that is difficult for mosquitoes to penetrate. While the malaria risk in the Serengeti is low in some areas (with higher prevalence during the rains), it is not zero - and public health also recommends taking malaria precautions on a Serengeti safari. The best defence is to prevent bites with BUGTech™ anti-insect clothing and a reliable insect repellent. Always consult your medical practitioner for medical advice before travelling.


• Sun Protection: Lightweight, UPF50+ clothing is a must all year round in the Serengeti, where high altitude intensifies the effects of the sun. To protect yourself from painful, red sunburn - and the long-term effects of the sun - covering up is the best prevention. A wide-brimmed safari hat and accessories like the Vintage Print Head&Neck Scarf provide added protection (and look stylish too).


• Wicking Clothing: Moisture wicking relates to the ability of safari clothing to draw moisture away from the skin. In doing this effectively and drying fast, this clothing helps to keep you cool and comfortable when the day heats up. Our wicking clothing has been designed and tested to provide insect defence that doesn't compromise on the wicking performance of the fabric.


• Boots, Shoes, and Socks: Whether you are going on an arranged walking safari or a short bush walk, the right footwear ensures nothing detracts from the magic of the experience. Our safari shoes and boots are made in Africa for Africa. They have also been tested by anti-poaching teams and recreational walkers in different locations to be sturdy, reliable shoes for walking on trails and in the wilderness. The Ultimate Anti-Blister Safari Socks are made from smart, wicking yarns in a double-layered design that prevents blisters. Walking through grass? Ankle gaiters keep your shoes debris-free and dew and ticks away from your ankles. Closed shoes are also a must to protect your feet from insects.


• Take a Torch: A torch is an essential for safety and convenience after sunset on safari. If you are visiting an unfenced camp or campsite, this is especially important - and it will come in handy to scan for wildlife, snakes, and insects in low light conditions.

The Serengeti National Park Luggage Guide

• Stay Away from Hard-Sided Suitcases: The light aircraft used for fly-in safaris are all part of the safari charm, but they come with a few rules. To get your luggage into the hold, most airlines require soft duffel bags that are squashable and strong. Our duffels have been made to match the required dimensions for light aircraft travel on safari - and are equally perfect for mobile safaris, luxury travel, and overlanding. Duffels are also only as full as you fill them, which gives you flexibility when packing.


• Luggage Restrictions: The prescribed weight and dimensions of your safari luggage will depend on the airline provider, aircraft, and type of safari, but always check for luggage restrictions before you travel, so you can enjoy a stress-free holiday. As a general rule, we recommend a duffel bag that is 70 x 30 x 30cm.


• Satchels for Safari Accessories: Once you've arrived, you'll need a light day pack to carry around your phone, binoculars, and essential safari accessories. Our safari-styled satchels are right at home for day trips, game drives, and activities.


• Luggage Accessories: The right luggage accessories give you peace of mind as you travel. If you're worried about lugging your duffel bag around, add a portable luggage trolley to sail through the airport with ease. A portable luggage scale removes uncertainty around weight, while travel locks remove worries around safety.




Safari Accessories to Pack for Serengeti National Park

• High-Quality Binoculars: Our number one safari packing essential is always a pair of binoculars. The images you have seen of the Serengeti are true to life - the plains are extremely vast and game-viewing at a distance is a strong possibility. Poor-quality optics are the same as having none at all, so invest in brands like Swarovski or Vortex for great game-viewing and unforgettable sightings at any distance.


• A Torch: A rechargeable torch is a good idea for nighttime around camp. Choose a travel-friendly, bright, long-lasting, and compact torch to illuminate your room and surroundings - and detect wildlife and creepy crawlies in low light.


• Insect Repellent: Repel flies, mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects by packing a reliable insect repellent. There are also patches of the Serengeti where tsetse flies are prevalent - and insect protection is important to try and prevent these painful bites. For the best all-round protection, we recommend applying and re-applying insect repellent regularly (for tsetse flies, a DEET-based repellent is best) and covering up in BUGTech™ anti-insect clothing.


• Sunscreen: The best way to protect yourself from the sun is to cover up in sun protective clothing and a wide-brimmed safari hat. However, no sun protection strategy is complete without a reliable sunscreen. Make sure you pack an adequate supply to apply and re-apply throughout the day.


• Tubular Scarf and knitwear: A head and neck scarf is an understated safari accessory that can be very useful while out and about on game drives and during activities in the Serengeti - especially in warm-weather conditions. Conversely, warm, woolen knitwear accessories add an extra snug factor to chilly early mornings and nippy evenings.




Serengeti National Park Safari Packing Checklist

Made for Africa and adventure, our safari clothing, luggage, and gear is tested to be the best for your trip to Serengeti National Park. From watching the Great Migration to soaring over the park's incredible landscapes on a Serengeti hot air balloon safari, every item has been safari and expedition tested™ in Tanzania and around Africa to ensure they meet our performance standards. For a customised safari packing checklist, use our safari packing list tool.



BUGTech™ Clothing
The best safari clothing for the Serengeti is made from anti-insect technical fabrics. This ultra-lightweight fabric is perfect for covering up to protect yourself from insects and the sun, with built-in UPF50+ sun protection and premium moisture wicking performance to keep you dry and cool. Make sure you pack long-sleeved safari shirts with roll-up sleeve tabs and zip-off safari trousers to adapt to changing conditions throughout the day and layer effectively.
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Non-Technical Safari Clothing
Non-technical safari shirts and safari trousers and shorts give you options on what to wear according to safari activities and conditions. Pack a selection that includes the Serengeti T-Shirt, joggers and shorts for women and Savute T-Shirt, Cargoes, and Shorts to create the perfect safari outfit as you explore the Serengeti.
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Wide-Brimmed Safari Hat
Long days exploring the Serengeti grasslands mean exposure to sun. A wide-brimmed hat is one of the top safari packing essentials for sun protection. A 360-degree wide brim protects the face and neck without affecting visibility. For the best all-round sun protection, always apply and re-apply a reliable sunscreen and cover up in UPF50+ SAFARITech and BUGTech™ clothing and accessories like the Vintage Print Head&Neck Scarf.
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Safari Jackets and Fleeces
The trick to dressing for a Serengeti (and any) safari is to wear layers - and that means always packing a warm layer like a fleece jacket and a lightweight safari jacket. Early-morning starts, chilly evenings, and the moderate climate of the Serengeti makes a warm layer a must. Top tip: Add a packable waterproof jacket to be rain-ready and to beat wind chill.
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Insect Defence
Whether reducing the Serengeti's low malaria risk, being tsetse fly ready, or removing the nuisance of flies and other insects, insect protection is always a must. Cover up in our bestselling BUGTech™ clothing and pack a reliable insect repellent. Apply and re-apply insect repellent regularly throughout the day for the best possible protection. Top tip: we always recommend a DEET-based insect repellent as the best option for tsetse flies.
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The Best Binoculars
The Serengeti has areas of some of the most amazing wide open spaces. This means your wildlife sightings don't always happen up close. A pair of high-quality binoculars make sure you can enjoy the vivid clarity of every detail at every sighting. Not looking to buy? Check out our binoculars rental service (UK only).
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Safari Shoes
Comfortable closed-toed shoes or boots are the number one essential footwear for a Serengeti safari. Make sure you pack worn-in walking shoes so you can comfortably enjoy bush walks or walking safari activities. Make sure you tuck a pair of sandals for downtime between activities and around camp.
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Anti-Blister Socks
Double-layered socks made from smart, wicking yarns help to prevent painful blisters and keep your feet cool and comfortable for every leg of your travels. Whether you're planning long walks or simply want the assurance of pain-free time on your feet, anti-blister socks are a must.
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Safari Luggage and Bags
From fly-in safaris to the sometimes cramped luggage trailers on mobile safaris, soft and squashable duffels are the order of the day for safari to meet luggage restrictions. Make sure you take a day pack for carrying your binoculars and other personal items on game drives and activities. With some clever, convertible options available, choose from our range of satchels, backpacks, and camera bags.
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Serengeti Links:
Serengeti Balloon Safari | The Great Wildebeest Migration | Serengeti National Park Overview | Southern Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Ndutu, and Olduvai | Central Serengeti, Seronera, and Grumeti | Northern Serengeti, Kogatende, and the Mara River | Quick Travel Tips For Serengeti National Park | What To Pack For a Serengeti Safari