What to Pack for your Bushtops Safari

1. Best Luggage for your safari

Lightweight, flexible luggage is crucial. Most of our local small planes impose a strict weight limit of 15kg in total. Please use only soft-sided duffle bags instead of hard-shell suitcases as they are much easier to stow in small aircraft and safari vehicles and a light backpack for your essentials and camera equipment. We offer a complimentary laundry service at all of our Bushtops Camps, so it is easy to travel light. If you do require extra weight, please talk to your agent as you can book an XL seat or pre buy an extra weight allowance. Please ensure you don’t pack any single-use plastics or bags as they are banned in both Kenya and Tanzania.

2. Safari clothing

Packing the right clothing is key to staying comfortable and/or safari chic:

• Neutral Colours: Earthy tones like khakis, greens, browns and greys are ideal for blending into the environment, especially if you plan to do any walking. Bright and dark colours should be avoided as they can scare wildlife and attract insects. Navy/ black clothing can also get very hot in the sun and attracts flies. Cotton is usually the coolest fabric in the heat. In some countries, camouflage print is illegal as it is reserved for the military.
• Layers: Pack lightweight long trousers, long-sleeved shirts, jumpers and fleeces for chilly mornings and evenings, which can be easily shed for an under layer of a t-shirts and shorts when the sun comes out. The dress code at dinner is smart casual, so no need to dress up, unless you want to!
• Wrap up warm: If traveling during winter months (June-August), include wind and waterproof jackets, scarves and beanies for those early morning and night game drives. In June and July temperature fluctuations can vary from 9 to 35 degrees centigrade by midday.
• Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes, trainers or hiking boots are essential for game drives and walking safaris. It’s useful to have a cool pair of sandals or flip-flops for relaxing around camp and pool. Thick, long socks are recommended for walking safaris top avoid insects and thorns.
• Swimwear – be sure to pack your costume to enjoy the hot tubs and/or swimming pool.
• Sun Protection:  sunglasses for sun protection are must-haves. You will receive a complimentary cap from Bushtops
• Neck Buff or Scarf: It is also useful to throw in a light scarf or buff to cover your face for dust (handy too for particularly strong smelling sightings) or to protect the back of your neck from sunburn.

3. Toiletries & Personal Care

• Each of our tents at Bushtops is equipped with bathrobes, kimonos, hair dryer and amenities such as soap, shampoo/shower gel, conditioner and lotions.
• You might want to pack your favourite Sunscreen with high SPF, lip balm or Vaseline
• Mosquito repellent and your anti-malarial tablets.
•  Prescription medications (pack enough for the entire trip in your carry-on luggage). Please remember to pack spare contact lenses/glasses etc
• Any medicines you might need i.e. antihistamines, diarrhoea medication, pain relief, and lozenges although Bushtops keeps a stock of these at hand.

4. Gadgets and Safari Gear

Safaris offer incredible photo opportunities, so having the right gadgets is vital:

• Cameras: A good camera with zoom capabilities is invaluable for wildlife photography. Be sure to pack spate batteries and memory cards.
• Binoculars:  for spotting distant animals. Bushtops provides one pair of Swarowski binoculars for every tented suite. We even have a night vision camera in the Mara.
• Chargers & Adaptors: At Bushtops Camps you will find international sockets. In Kenya and Tanzania we have 220v AC.
• Torch/Flashlight: A rechargeable LED torch or headlamp is useful for navigating campsites at night. A small torch is provided in your suites.
• A lightweight day pack/bag is useful for carrying your equipment and any other essentials on walks and drives. A refillable water bottle will be provided for you.

5. Essentials

• Your passport, ETA, visa and travel insurance.
• Visitors coming from Tanzania to Kenya and vice versa have to have a valid yellow fever certificate.

Less is definitely more when it comes to packing for your safari. Avoid packing excessive jewellery, excessive make up (often heavy), perfume (attracts insects), high-heeled shoes or gadgets like hair straighteners. Rather pack your sense of
adventure!
We look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful Bushtops Camps, where wild luxury is a given, and memories are made to last a lifetime.
Happy packing!

All images by Oliver Fly Photography