African Travel & Safari Packing List:
What I Actually Packed for Botswana & South Africa
A real packing list from a woman who refuses to buy zip-off pants and has never once regretted bringing her entire skincare routine.
In early 2026, I was supposed to be gone for ten nights. Four on safari in Botswana, six in South Africa with friends. I came home almost three weeks later. Scheduling problems turned into extended adventures, and I took every single one of them as a blessing.
I’m writing this because every “What to Pack for Africa” list I found in the past was written by someone who owns a lot of khaki and thinks decanting moisturiser into 30ml bottles is a personality trait. That’s not me. I don’t buy special clothes to travel in. I don’t wear quick-dry hiking shirts in Sydney, so I’m not about to start wearing them in Durban. I wear my actual wardrobe, the clothes I feel like myself in (granted, I can be a magpie for ready-to-wear khaki) and I pack my actual skincare, because after years of trying to be the cool low-maintenance traveller, I’ve accepted that I’m not her.
[My skin reacts to different water, air travel exacerbates my already frustrating skin. I need my things. While I can admire my travel friends who can fly with carry-on only, and I’ll carry my luggage myself, I won’t apologise for being the guest with the largest bag].
So here’s my real, unedited packing list from summer 2026. Botswana in the wet, South Africa spanning Johannesburg, Durban, and beyond. If you’re a woman who wants to feel like a human being while also spotting leopards at golden hour, this one’s for you.
The Philosophy (or Lack Thereof)
Most packing advice for Africa falls into two camps: the ultralight minimalist who can fit two weeks into a carry-on, and the safari outfitter who thinks you need to dress like a park ranger to sit in a game vehicle. I’m neither, although I admire both.
Here’s what I believe:
∙ You will not enjoy your trip more because your shirt dries in four hours. You will enjoy it more because you feel comfortable and like yourself.
∙ “Travel-sized” skincare is an agony. You pack 5ml of serum, realise it’s not suitable for your skin in the new conditions and you should have packed the other cream, your skin revolts, and you spend the rest of the trip looking worse for wear in your travel photos.
∙ You will always, always find shops. I stocked up at an H&M in a Durban mall that rivalled anything at home. South Africa has proper cities. You’re not heading into the wilderness with no resupply for a month.
∙ Pack for the trip you’re taking, not the trip Instagram says you should be taking. If you live in jeans, bring jeans. If you sleep in a ratty old t-shirt, bring the ratty old t-shirt. If you carry your phone and keys in a handbag, don’t suddenly start trying to carry them in 15 different zip pockets in your pants. Keep it simple. Feel comfortable. Blend in. You’re a child of the world - feel at home in every corner of the globe.
That said — the one place I adjust is safari. Neutral tones and patterns matter (not for fashion, but because certain colours can spook animals and/or attract insects). But “neutral” doesn’t mean you need to buy an entire Earth-coloured capsule wardrobe. Imagine that you can only see in grey scale and red. Then pack as though you don’t want to be seen. Grab the olive jumper and the grey t-shirt instead of the hot pink one. You already own this stuff. Right?
Toiletries & Skincare: Yes, All of It
This is the section where other packing lists tell you to bring “a small tube of moisturiser and a tinted lip balm.” Absolutely not. I brought my full routine and I’d do it again.
∙ Shampoo & conditioner (hotel supplies can’t always be trusted) and products
∙ Soap (see above for hotel supplies)
∙ Toothbrush & toothpaste
∙ Moisturiser (my daily one, the one my skin knows)
∙ Hand sanitiser
∙ Sunscreen (SPF50, non-negotiable — the African sun doesn’t care what it burns)
∙ Insect repellent (essential for Botswana and northern South Africa)
∙ Tick cream (if you’re doing any bush walking, you’ll want this)
∙ Razor
∙ Maybe you don’t need the full-glam makeup kit, but whatever you don’t leave the house without, plus remover and cotton pads
∙ Lip balm (the outdoor exposure, air travel and perpetual G&T induced under-hydration air will wreck you. Use ones with bees wax vs petroleum, which can make your lips dryer)
∙ Contact lenses & solution (where relevant) + glasses for the plane (where relevant)
∙ Hairdryer, brush, hair ties, and sprays. (Sometimes the hairdryer stays at home)
Clothes: Your Actual Wardrobe, But Layered
Botswana in February is summer. And this summer was a particularly wet one for the Tuli Block, where I went on safari. South African weather varies wildly depending on where you are: Durban is subtropical and mild, the highveld is crisp, and the Cape can be properly rainy and cold. Layers are everything.
Base layers:
∙ Underwear (check to see if where you are staying has laundry facilities and then pack as appropriate)
∙ Bras (a mix of everyday and sports bras - if you know me, you know that I like to run so full running gear also comes for the trip)
∙ Singlets (double duty as base layers and standalone tops)
∙ Socks (more than you think you need)
∙ Pyjamas (creature comforts, remember?)
Tops:
∙ T-shirts (a mix of neutral tones for safari and whatever you want for cities)
∙ Button-up shirts (disclaimer: I actually don’t wear a lot of these back home, but have a collection for Safari.. and yes, they’re from Patagonia and one would be considered technical gear - it’s ultra light weight and is fantastic for staying cool while keeping the sun off. Others are thicker weight for when I travel in winter, but I think I’ve ruled out bringing these thicker ones again. They’re not as easy to fold for packing)
∙ Long-sleeved shirts (sun protection on safari and warmth on cold mornings)
∙ Jumpers (make these ones work for you - you may want one for the cities, the game drives, or as a cosy layer before bed)
Bottoms:
∙ Jeans (yes, jeans on safari… I live in jeans and denim shorts back home. My off-duty outfit I feel happy in on any day)
∙ Tracksuit pants (for flights, for pre-bed time when you’re staying with friends, for “I’m not getting dressed today”)
∙ Running shorts
∙ Regular shorts (for the warmer parts of the day, or even rainy days… where if the temperature is right, I believe the less clothes worn the easier)
Outerwear:
∙ Jackets — bring at least two layers of warmth. A puffer or fleece for cold mornings and a lighter rain jacket for everything else.
Activewear:
∙ Riding/running gear (I had access to horses and running trails — pack for what you’ll actually do)
∙ Swimmers (some lodges have pools, and if you’re in Durban, you’re going to the beach)
A note on the unexpected three-week extension: This is where South Africa’s excellent retail saved me. When my trip stretched well beyond plan, I hit an H&M in a Durban shopping centre and grabbed extra basics — fresh city clothes for the extended stay. Don’t let anyone convince you that you can’t shop on the ground. South African cities have everything.
Shoes: Three Pairs, No Regrets
Everyone asks about safety when travelling to Africa. On the latest trip I think the biggest safety issue was the high chances of slip and falls with all the wet weather. Outdoors, surfaces were muddy. Indoors, tiles were slippery.
∙ Boots — closed-toe, sturdy, heavy to pack but essential in the rainy weather.
∙ Crocs or sandals — I wear these everywhere back home (I live by the beach, it’s a casual vibe). BUT you should not wear these on safari. Best keep your feet covered to keep them safe from creepy crawlies.
∙ Runners — if you’re someone who exercises on holiday (or walks a lot in cities), bring them.
∙ City shoes — ok, four pairs..
Three pairs sounds like a lot until you realise one pair will be dusty, one will be wet, and one will be the only thing standing between you and walking barefoot through an airport.
Safari Gear: The Fun Stuff
∙ Camera (and all associated lenses, batteries, and memory cards. But if you have a decent lens on your phone you don’t need to rush out to buy a camera. Sometimes the phone is the better choice)
∙ Binoculars — more essential than a new mirror less camera - even a basic pair transforms game drives. You’ll spot things the naked eye misses.
∙ Bird book — Southern Africa has extraordinary birdlife. If it’s your first safari you don’t need to bring. But I use mine as my bird list. Yep, bird nerd and proud.
Tech & Power
∙ Chargers for everything (phone, camera, watch)
∙ Garmin charger (if you’re tracking runs or hikes)
∙ Power bank (essential for long game drives and travel days)
∙ Power board (the single most underrated item on this list — one adapter plugged into the wall, multiple devices charging at once)
∙ Adapters (South Africa uses Type M plugs with the big round three-pin configuration — they’re different from most of the world… but they also use a two pronged plug. A multi-adapter can be useful here)
∙ Second phone (backup, kid-wrangling logistics, or a dedicated camera phone — whatever your reason, it earns its spot). Note - I used an e-sim in my daily phone on this trip. It worked ok, but the company I work for has cyber security plans in place that shut work connections down if your device pings in an unexpected region. Although I alerted the IT team of my travel to Botswana and South Africa, from time to time the eSIM would ping back to Europe and I found myself disconnected.
Travel Comfort
∙ Water bottles (refillable, because hydration is not optional in dry African air)
∙ Snacks (for flights, transfers, and the gap between lunch and dinner when you’re stuck in a vehicle)
∙ Neck pillow (long-haul flights and bumpy bush roads — no shame)
Medical
∙ Panadol (headaches, altitude, jet lag — pick your adventure)
∙ Band-aids (blisters, thorn scratches, the general chaos of being outdoors)
∙ Feminine hygiene products
∙ Antihistamines
∙ Basic first aid
I also recommend checking with your GP about malaria prophylaxis well before departure. Botswana’s Okavango region is a malaria zone, and parts of northern South Africa (Kruger area, KwaZulu-Natal lowlands) carry risk too. Don’t leave this to the last minute.
Documents: The Ones That Matter
∙ Birth certificates — if you’re travelling with children into or out of Botswana, you need unabridged birth certificates. This is non-negotiable. Batswanan immigration law requires them to combat child trafficking, and they will check.
∙ Affidavit — if you’re travelling as one parent without the other, carry a signed, notarised affidavit of consent from the absent parent. Have it ready. Don’t assume they won’t ask.
∙ Driver’s licence — useful if you’re self-driving any portion of the trip. An international driving permit is technically recommended for foreign licences, though Australian licences in English are generally accepted.
What I’d Change Next Time
Honestly? Not much. The wet weather was tough to deal with, so maybe more shorts?
But the core approach — bring your own clothes, bring your own skincare, refuse to feel guilty about the size of your bag unless you have to squeeze it onto a tiny bush plane — I wouldn’t change a thing.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need a safari wardrobe. You don’t need to leave your moisturiser at home to prove you’re a “real traveller.” You need to feel comfortable, prepared, and like yourself — whether you’re sitting in a game vehicle watching a leopard materialise out of golden dust, or walking through a shopping centre because your trip just doubled in length and you need more socks.
Have questions about travelling to Botswana or South Africa? Drop a comment below or message me — I’ve made all the mistakes so you don’t have to.