Safari Packing List for Families
Everything we actually use (and what we leave at home) when on safari with our kids.
Why This Guide Exists
We packed for our first safari with our three kids without really knowing what we’d use. Some things were invaluable. Other things never left the suitcase. This guide is everything we’d pack again – to help you feel prepared, not overwhelmed, so you can focus on what matters most: the adventure.
You’re not packing for a resort stay.
You’re packing for adventure.
Before You Go
Unlike a typical vacation, a safari comes with its own unique challenges:
- Very early morning game drives (often before sunrise)
- Hot afternoons but surprisingly cold mornings
- Dusty or muddy roads depending on the season
- Long stretches inside the park with no shops nearby
- Wildlife sometimes right outside your accommodation (which is amazing… but also a little wild!)
In My Suitcase
I try to pack clothes that are comfortable, practical, and easy to layer as the temperature changes throughout the day.
☐ Light, breathable tops
☐ Long-sleeve layering shirt
☐ Comfortable pants or leggings
☐ Warm sweater
☐ Comfortable sleepwear
☐ Closed-toe shoes
☐ Sandals
☐ Neutral colors
In My Day Pack
These are the things I like to keep within easy reach once we leave camp for a game drive.
☐ Reusable water bottle
☐ Wet wipes
☐ Bug spray
☐ Long layer/jacket
☐ Sun hat or cap
☐ High SPF Sunscreen
☐ SPF lip balm
☐ Hand sanitizer
☐ Snacks
☐ Travel itinerary
☐ Tissues
☐ Buff/scarf
I Never Leave Camp Without…
These few items made every safari we’ve taken more enjoyable.
☐ Binoculars
☐ Flashlight/torch
☐ Camera
☐ Power bank
☐ Extra memory
☐ Airalo eSIM
Traveling with Kids?
Kids get bored and kids get hungry – prepare for that and you’ll be just fine.
☐ Small backpack for each kid (optional)
☐ Reusable water bottle for each kid
☐ Quiet activities like books or coloring
☐ Headphones
☐ Downloaded movies or shows for downtime
☐ Tablet/device for watching downloaded entertainment
☐ Plenty of their favorite snacks
For Evenings Around Camp
Once the game drive is over, these are the things I’m always glad we packed.
☐ Warm hoodie or sweater
☐ Flashlight or headlamp
☐ Comfortable camp clothes
☐ Extra socks
☐ Shower shoes (especially if using shared facilities)
☐ Shower caddy (if using shared facilities)
☐ A pack of game cards
A really important safari tip (don’t skip this)
One thing I really recommend checking ahead of time:
Many safari operators and lodges in Uganda can actually arrange breakfast, packed lunches, snacks, and drinks (our safari guide gave us coffee – such a needed drink when we woke up before 5 am) for your game drives.
This was a game-changer for us — especially on early mornings when you’re leaving before sunrise and don’t want to think about food at all.
But here’s the key:
Make sure you ask about this in advance when you book.
Not all places include it automatically, and it’s one of those things that’s so much easier to organize and pay for before you arrive than trying to sort it out on the day.
From Emily’s Notebook
Pack a warm layer.
I packed a jacket for everyone else in my family…
…except me.
The first morning game drive was freezing, and I spent it borrowing my husband’s sweatshirt.
Don’t make my mistake.
Install your eSIM before you travel.
One thing many travelers don’t think about is mobile data.
Safari travel often means long drives, remote lodges, and limited Wi-Fi.
Having everything ready before you arrive makes the trip so much smoother.
We’ve happily used Airalo for years because we can activate everything before leaving home.
Sunscreen really matters.
I spent one safari with my arm resting on the edge of the vehicle.
Only that arm got sunburned.
The Ugandan sun doesn’t mess around.
Apply sunscreen before you leave camp—not after.
The best safari gear isn’t the one that’s most expensive – it’s the gear that lets you forget about it and enjoy the moment.
A few things we learned the hard way
Just a couple of real-life notes from our Murchison trip:
- Game drives start early early — think 5:00am wake-ups
- Mornings are cold even if the day is hot
- Roads inside the park can be rough (we even got stuck once!)
- You likely won’t have access to shops once inside the park
- So once you’re inside, you really want to feel prepared.
A Little About Me
I’m Emily — a wife, mom of three, and travel-loving storyteller sharing our family’s adventures from Uganda and beyond.
After returning to Uganda with my family, we’ve been exploring East Africa together and navigating everything from international flights with kids to weekend road trips and everyday life abroad. Here, I share practical travel tips, honest experiences, and the places that have become part of our family’s story.
Thanks for coming along on the journey.
Meet Our Family →
I hope this guide helps your family enjoy every minute of the adventure. -Emily
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Save Me a Seat at Our Table
We’re so glad you’re here.
Life is a little more meaningful when it’s shared.
About once a month, I sit down with a cup of tea and write a letter about what we’ve been noticing, learning, cooking, exploring, and celebrating in our little corner of Uganda.
It’s less like a newsletter…
and more like catching up with a neighbor.
If this sounds like your kind of place, go ahead and save yourself a seat.
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Valid: 4/21/2026 – 9/30/2026