Picture yourself hopping into a game drive vehicle on a South African safari and rambling across the grassy plains as the sun rises over the horizon. Birds chirp and flutter through the trees while an exciting variety of animals emerge to greet the dawn. It is one of the most unforgettable African experiences you can enjoy!

South Africa stands out as a premier safari destination, offering travellers a variety of incredible wildlife reserves and national parks that are sure to leave you breathless. Let Expat Explore guide you through some of the most visited locations to get you excited about a South Africa safari trip!

Related: Read about how one of our travellers started solo and ended up as a family in South Africa.

Top Game Parks in South Africa:

Kruger National Park

Famous for its vast size and diverse wildlife, Kruger National Park is the crown jewel. Expect to see the Big Five alongside giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hyena, and countless bird species in this special part of Africa.

Pilanesberg National Park

This volcanic crater park offers stunning scenery alongside abundant wildlife, including the Big Five, cheetahs, hippos, and crocodiles.

Eastern Cape Safari Parks

This region boasts luxurious private game reserves with diverse wildlife like elephants, lions, rhinos, buffalo, leopards, cheetahs, and numerous antelope species.

East African safaris that should not be missed

East Africa shouldn’t be overlooked when talking about the top safari spots in Africa! Tanzania and Kenya are also world-renowned safari destinations with unique experiences.

Tanzania is a must-visit for safari enthusiasts and is home to the world-famous Serengeti National Park, known for the spectacular wildebeest migration. Expect to see lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, cheetahs, and a variety of other wildlife. Another East African powerhouse, Kenya offers sightings of the Big Five alongside zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, cheetahs, and iconic landscapes like the Maasai Mara and the Great Rift Valley.

Related: Discover the 10 Best outdoor activities in South Africa not to miss!

Are you planning on heading off on a spectacular South African safari sometime soon and wondering what to wear on safari? We’ve got you covered with this complete South African safari packing list. Read on to get ready for your African adventure!

Here are 10 things to remember when packing for a South African safari:

1. Light, neutral coloured clothing

In general, it is a good idea to pack comfortable, casual clothing that you can wash and wear easily. Go with clothes that are lightweight and airy as it can become incredibly hot when the sun is beating down. Neutral colours such as khaki, green, beige, light browns, neutral checks and even light to medium blues are best for game viewing. To avoid looking like a safari novice, steer clear of bright red, yellow, purple and white (white also gets dirty quickly which can happen easily in the bush). Avoid dark blues and black on game drives as these colours can attract tsetse flies (good news is that tsetse flies are not common in the Kruger National Park). 

Travel tip: Keep note of any potential luggage regulations. If you are catching small flights or safari vehicles, you may be limited to one bag of 20kgs and only soft bags may be permitted.  

2. Pack smart and bring layers

On your South African safari trip, you’ll experience early morning and late afternoon game drives. These times can be chilly – even during summer. Bring along a jacket, sweater or jersey and layer up to stay warm. Airy, long-sleeved shirts give you protection from the sun as well as pesky mosquitoes! Pack shorts and t-shirts to use during the day as well as comfortable jeans and long trousers for the evenings and cooler days. 

Keep note of the season as Kruger National Park can become quite cold in the early mornings and evenings during winter (May/June to August/September) so pack warmer clothes for these times. 

Even when packing your layers, it is wise not to overpack; taking too many clothes is a mistake often made by travellers. 

Travel tip: Most lodges and hotels offer same-day laundry service for an additional fee. 

3. A light-weight, waterproof rain jacket

It’s always a good idea to pack a rain jacket no matter where you go – unless you’re visiting the desert of course! Summer is generally the rainy season in spots like the Kruger National Park. However, it’s always good to be prepared even when visiting during the dry season. Some lodges may offer rain ponchos to guests, or make use of close top safari vehicles. 

4. Sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, and lip balm

Be sure not to make the mistake of underestimating the power of the African sun! Sun protection like sunscreen, sunglasses, a cap or hat (wide-brimmed is a great option) and lip-balm are must-haves for your safari trip. 

5. Comfortable walking shoes

You don’t need to pack heavy-duty hiking boots unless you are embarking on a walking safari. Comfortable walking shoes will be great for exploring your lodge or hotel and taking short walks. Pack a pair of comfy sandals to use around the lodge or hotel pool in between game drives. 

Related: Celebrate your trip to South Africa with one of its iconic wines – Chenin Blanc!

6. Binoculars

While you are in the wild, you will already be getting a first-hand experience of the action – get even closer when using a pair of binoculars! Some game rangers may have spare pairs for passengers but it is always a good idea to take your own pair. This allows you to enjoy close-up views of hard-to-spot animals and birds in their natural habitats. 

7. Camera, lenses, extra batteries and memory cards

Any exciting wildlife sightings will usually be accompanied by the fervent snapping of cameras during safari game drives! We can’t blame people for wanting to capture once-in-a-lifetime moments. Make sure you bring your camera or phone to take photos; this includes any extra lenses, batteries or memory cards you may need. 

Travel tip: While photographic memories are great, be sure to take a moment to pause and fully absorb the beauty of the bush while you’re physically in it. 

8. A personal medical kit

A few general medical supplies are a great addition to your suitcase. It’s always good to have painkillers, insect-repellent, anti-allergy medication, band-aids (plasters) and anything else you think might be needed. Malaria medication might be a necessity depending on the area of South Africa you are visiting. Consult your doctor or travel clinic before travelling to find out what you might need to take.

9. Something slightly snazzy for lodge and/or hotel dinners

This second last point isn’t a necessity. It is more of a “nice to have”. There may be some dinners at the lodge or hotel where you’d like to dress up a bit! Bring along something small like a snazzy scarf or a pair of smart shoes or sandals to up the glam factor. Keeping it casual is completely normal too! 

10. All of your important documents 

Finally, be sure to pack all of your important documents! Passport, tickets, visas, travel insurance, medical forms and emergency contact information. Having copies of these in physical or digital form is also a top tip.

Related: Once you’ve done Africa, head to the USA and discover its top national parks.

Follow this helpful South Africa safari packing list and you’re well on your way to being ready for your adventure into the wild!

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You can experience safari thrills along with the breathtaking beauty of South Africa on our South Africa Escape, Taste of South Africa, Kruger Safari and The Panorama Route and Cape Town and the Garden Route tours. You’ll be spoiled for choice in this magnificent country!