{"id":100348,"date":"2026-04-29T15:42:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T05:42:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.signatureluxurytravel.com.au\/?p=100348"},"modified":"2026-04-29T15:42:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T05:42:11","slug":"how-to-pack-for-safari","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.signatureluxurytravel.com.au\/how-to-pack-for-safari\/","title":{"rendered":"How to pack for a safari without sacrificing style"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1777434531533{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”]Signature\u2019s <\/strong>editor, Christian Barker, shares how to pack for a safari without compromising on style. Here, he outlines his top 10 strategies for navigating strict luggage limits while upholding sartorial standards on a luxury safari.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

On my first African safari, I overpacked catastrophically \u2013 two duffels, to the barely concealed amusement of a fellow traveller: the editor of Vogue<\/em> Singapore, who managed the entire trip on half as much luggage and still looked impeccable (Margiela tabi cowboy boots and all). For my second journey into the heart of darkness, I was determined to do better.<\/p>\n

My hosts, Abercrombie & Kent<\/a>, made it non-negotiable. A week before departure, strict instructions arrived along with a regulation A&K soft overnight bag: one checked piece, 15 kilograms maximum. Soft bags are mandatory on the small bush planes that connect camps, as hard-sided luggage simply doesn\u2019t fit in the hold. As a chronic excess luggage culprit, serious strategisation was required. Here are the principles I followed to stay underweight \u2013 while dressing both practically and immaculately.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”100355″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1777441191450{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1777432030597{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

1. Build around one versatile jacket<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

An unconstructed sports coat in tan or khaki is your hardest-working piece\u00a0<\/span>\u2013<\/span>\u00a0smart enough for dinner, casual enough for game drives, and stuffed with pockets for essentials<\/span>\u00a0(especially handy while flying)<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>My go-to:\u00a0<\/span>Ralph Lauren<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s chino cotton\u00a0<\/span>sports coat<\/span>. Pair with\u00a0<\/span>complementary RL<\/a><\/span>\u00a0chinos<\/a> for an effortless safari suit effect.<\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1777432126301{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0<\/span>Follow the two-shoes rule<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Footwear eats into luggage allowance like nothing else, so stick to t<\/span>wo pairs total.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>First<\/span>\u00a0and foremost<\/span>, y<\/span><\/span>ou<\/span>\u00a0need something sturdy for mountain\u00a0<\/span>outings<\/span>\u00a0and treks on the veldt.<\/span>\u00a0Timberland<\/a><\/span>\u2019<\/span>s\u00a0<\/span>Eurohiker<\/span><\/a>\u00a0boots are a perennial for good reason: waterproof, supportive, and at 485g, lighter than most hiking boots going<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>For the second\u00a0<\/span>shoe<\/span>, choose something<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>compact and\u00a0<\/span>squishable<\/span>:<\/span>\u00a0Sperry boat shoes<\/a><\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0or\u00a0<\/span>for a\u00a0<\/span>luxed<\/span>-up\u00a0<\/span>option<\/span>, Tod\u2019s loafers<\/a>. L<\/span>ightweight, packable, pool-to-<\/span>d<\/span>inner versatile.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1777432218605{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

3<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Save<\/span>\u00a0your\u00a0<\/span>fin<\/span>est\u00a0<\/span>attire<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Daily laundry is included at most safari camps\u00a0<\/span>\u2013<\/span>\u00a0but<\/span>\u00a0suffice to say, t<\/span>he delicate cycle is not in use. Clothes come back a little roughed up. S<\/span>kip<\/span>\u00a0the Cucinelli<\/span>\u00a0and Loro Piana<\/span>. Muji<\/a><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/a>s Cool Touch piqu\u00e9 polos<\/a> are genuinely breathable,\u00a0<\/span>have an upstanding button-up collar to protect your neck and sit p<\/span>erkil<\/span>y under a jacket. And cost-wise, they are<\/span>\u00a0perfectly expendable.<\/span>\u00a0I also brought two long-sleeved Uniqlo AIRism t-shirts<\/a> \u2013 one\u00a0<\/span>white, one taupe \u2013 offering protection from insects, ventilation and (with a price\u00a0<\/span>roughly\u00a0<\/span>that<\/span>\u00a0of<\/span>\u00a0a\u00a0<\/span>decent\u00a0<\/span>martini) reassuring replaceability.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1777432737954{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

4<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Trust the experts<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Kiwi outdoor specialist\u00a0<\/span>Macpac<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>offer a range of<\/span>\u00a0n<\/span>ylon-elastane hiking pants<\/a><\/span>, which<\/span>\u00a0handle mud,\u00a0<\/span>snags<\/span>\u00a0and heat\u00a0<\/span>way\u00a0<\/span>better than cotton. A good ripstop raincoat is\u00a0<\/span>also\u00a0<\/span>non-negotiable<\/span>\u00a0somewhere like Uganda \u2013<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Macpac<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s<\/span><\/a>\u00a0Mistral<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>is as\u00a0<\/span>waterfast<\/span>\u00a0as a duck\u2019s proverbial and\u00a0<\/span>weighs\u00a0<\/span>in at\u00a0<\/span>just 370g.\u00a0<\/span>You may also want a sleeveless lightweight fishing vest (Barbour<\/a>\u2019s no stranger to angling) to wear over a tee when\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0warm but you need\u2026 something extra.\u00a0<\/span>Be prepared with layers \u2013 sa<\/span>fari weather makes Melbourne<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s look predictable.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”100352″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1777441206931{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1777432954150{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

5. E<\/span>arth<\/span>\u00a0your\u00a0<\/span>tones<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

O<\/span>n safari,\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0all about o<\/span>live, khaki, tan, taupe, ivory, brown. This\u00a0<\/span>isn<\/span>\u2019<\/span>t just aesthetic\u00a0<\/span>\u2013<\/span>\u00a0tsetse flies are attracted to dark and patterned clothing, bright colours spook animals, and red and orange can agitate gorillas.\u00a0<\/span>And\u00a0<\/span><\/span>never<\/span><\/span>\u00a0wear camouflage<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u2013<\/span>\u00a0it<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0associated with conflict and poaching, and<\/span>\u00a0illegal\u00a0<\/span>outside the armed forces\u00a0<\/span>in Uganda,\u00a0<\/span>Zambia<\/span>\u00a0and Zimbabwe.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1777433026868{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

6. Inspiration, not perspiration<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

For a masterclass in\u00a0chic\u00a0safari dressing,\u00a0watch\u00a0<\/span>Out of Africa<\/span><\/i>\u00a0(1985) and\u00a0observe\u00a0how\u00a0Robert Redford\u00a0navigates\u00a0the\u00a0Kenyan\u00a0bush in\u00a0rakishly tailored\u00a0khaki\u00a0ensembles.\u00a0<\/span>The English Patient<\/span><\/i>\u00a0(1996) adds a more nomadic,\u00a0romantic,\u00a0sun-bleached sensibility: loose cotton, dusty neutrals and a\u00a0charmingly\u00a0d\u00e9gag\u00e9\u00a0dishevelment.\u00a0In fashion, Ralph Lauren is the undisputed\u00a0master of safari\u00a0sartorialism. Google image search\u00a0\u2018Ralph Lauren safari\u00a0ads\u2019\u00a0and study the\u00a0way Ralph layers\u00a0tobacco-hued\u00a0boots,\u00a0loose\u00a0unironed\u00a0shirts,\u00a0beat-up chinos, aged\u00a0cognac leather\u00a0and\u00a0jackets\u00a0in oat,\u00a0olive\u00a0and stone\u00a0tones.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1777433520526{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

7. Early to bed, early to rise, accessorise<\/h3>\n

You\u2019ll need two pairs of sunglasses, no more, no less. Lightly tinted for overcast mornings; dark polarised lenses for full sun. (My recommendation: Ray-Ban Aviators<\/a> x2, stowed in the same glasses case.) A packable Panama \u2013 as purveyed by the experts at Hat of Cain<\/a> \u2013 is elegant and efficient. But trade it for a cap on open-Landcruiser game drives, unless you fancy chasing your chapeau across the Maasai Mara. Carry a light scarf<\/a> (a good rule no matter where you\u2019re travelling), and consider a neckerchief \u2013 great for perspiration, cleaning lenses or glasses, using as a mask to guard against dust, and just generally looking jaunty. I have a bunch in Japanese furoshiki<\/em> cloth. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1777433678958{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

8<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Don<\/span>\u2019<\/span>t<\/span>\u00a0overthink\u00a0<\/span>undergarments<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 b<\/span>ut\u00a0<\/span>don’t<\/span>\u00a0skip them<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

9. Go short on shorts<\/h3>\n

Shorts leave you exposed to leeches, ants and other\u00a0bitey\u00a0wildlife, so they\u2019re\u00a0best employed sparingly. Patagonia\u2019s Outdoor Everyday shorts<\/a>\u00a0(made from recycled fishing nets)\u00a0are\u00a0lightweight,\u00a0durable\u00a0and\u00a0eco-friendly.\u00a0Many\u00a0luxury\u00a0lodges have a pool, and after a long morning game drive,\u00a0nothing\u2019s\u00a0so refreshing as a dip.\u00a0(Except, perhaps,\u00a0a\u00a0very\u00a0large\u00a0G&T.)\u00a0Ralph Lauren\u2019s\u00a0Traveller Classic\u00a0swim\u00a0trunks<\/a> pack down to nothing and\u00a0can\u00a0double as casual shorts around camp.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1777433948637{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

10<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Keep calm and carry less<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Swap the laptop for an iPad<\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0Lighter,\u00a0<\/span>more compact \u2013 and utterly<\/span>\u00a0sufficient<\/span>, unless\u00a0<\/span>you\u2019re<\/span>\u00a0planning to write a Hemingway-<\/span>esque<\/span>\u00a0masterpiece as the Great Migration rumbles by<\/span>. Pair with a compact camera\u00a0<\/span>\u2013<\/span>\u00a0a Leica<\/a><\/span>\u00a0Dlux8<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is ideal for\u00a0<\/span>up-<\/span>close\u00a0<\/span>primate\u00a0<\/span>encounters; less so for distant giraffes.<\/span> Carry these and any everyday essentials\/inflight needs in a small crossbody bag; <\/span>mine\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0an old nylon\u00a0<\/span>St<\/span>\u00fc<\/span>ssy<\/span>\u00a0number, but for an upgrade, consider this beautiful suede-trimmed Tod\u2019s<\/a> iteration.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1777434277013{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”]The final tally:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>Two polos. Two long-sleeve<\/span>d<\/span>\u00a0tees. One pair of shorts<\/span>, plus one swim trunk<\/span>. One pair of chinos. One pair of hiking pants. One raincoat<\/span>, o<\/span>ne fishing vest.\u00a0<\/span>Hiking b<\/span>oots and boat shoes.\u00a0<\/span>Two hats. Sunnies, camera, iPad,\u00a0<\/span>scarf<\/span>\u00a0and neckerchiefs.\u00a0<\/span>A small crossbody bag. Five pairs of underwear.\u00a0<\/span>Four pairs of<\/span>\u00a0socks.\u00a0<\/span>Minimal toiletries in a re-used business class amenities kit.\u00a0<\/span>Total:\u00a0<\/span>13kg<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u2013<\/span>\u00a0and room left for souvenirs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Note:\u00a0<\/span>The author bought all\u00a0<\/span>these items independently<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Keep reading:<\/strong>
\nSignature’s guide to the best safaris in Africa<\/a>
\nInside South Africa\u2019s first luxury wheelchair-friendly safari lodge<\/a>
\nEverything you need to know about gorilla trekking in Africa<\/a>
\nSafari of a lifetime at andBeyond\u2019s Phinda Private Game Reserve<\/a>
\nSignature’s ultimate travel essentials checklist<\/a><\/div>\n

This article is a Signature Luxury Travel & Style<\/em>\u00a0digital exclusive.
\nBe the first to see more exclusive online content by subscribing to the enewsletter.[\/vc_column_text]

Two pairs of\u00a0<\/span>midweight\u00a0<\/span>cotton socks for travel days<\/span>, worn<\/span>\u00a0with the boat shoes<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0(<\/span>Yes, boat shoes should, as a rule, be <\/span>sported<\/span>\u00a0sockless, but\u00a0<\/span>airport\u00a0<\/span>and plane\u00a0<\/span>floors are not somewhere you want to go barefoot<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>ever<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>For hiking<\/span>\u00a0and drives<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>bring\u00a0<\/span>two pairs of\u00a0<\/span>thick, wool-rich\u00a0<\/span>Humphrey Law<\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/a>s Genuine Army Socks<\/a> in olive green\u00a0<\/span>\u2013\u00a0<\/span>Australian-made, military-issued and\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>bomb\u00a0<\/span>in the bush<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0As for underwear, again\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0breezy and light AIRism<\/a> for the win. Five pairs so\u00a0<\/span>you\u2019re<\/span>\u00a0not caught\u00a0<\/span>lacking<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”100353″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1777441220453{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1777433862141{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”]<\/p>\n