Heading out on a 10-day safari in Kenya was a dream come true! Packing for it, however, was a bit of a challenge. Between unpredictable weather, long game drives, and being limited to a total of 33 lbs., I had to be thoughtful but still keep my luggage light. I wanted to dress in true safari style and took some inspiration from one of my favorite movies, “Out Of Africa”.
When you are on safari, remember less is more and many lodges offer daily laundry service which we took full advantage of. Keep it practical, breathable, and comfortable, and you’ll be set for an unforgettable adventure. Be sure to scroll all the way down for my ULTIMATE SAFARI PACKING GUIDE CHECKLIST as well as links to shop most of my items.
These places worked well for shopping stylish safari clothing:
Anatomie (Here & Here), Amazon, J Crew, Quince, Frank & Eileen & Madewell
Layering: The Secret to Staying Comfortable (and Stylish)
The key to dressing for safari was all about smart layering. Mornings started chilly, especially on early game drives, but by midday, the sun was intense. I relied on lightweight base layers—like breathable tees —topped with a vest or a light jacket. I took scarfs that served as warmth, sun protection and a pop of texture. My all seasons jacket was perfect for sudden weather changes and I was especially glad to have it for our hot air balloon ride over the Mara.
Mixing & Matching Neutrals For True Safari Style
I packed everything in a palette of greens, khakis, and beige—and it made putting outfits together incredibly easy. These earth tones all worked together, so I could mix and match without overthinking. Even with just a few pieces, I created different looks while staying practical and photo-ready. Earth tones aren’t just functional—they’re surprisingly flattering and make you feel like a true explorer.
I wanted to be comfortable traveling from safari camp to camp on the bush planes, so I took some lightweight linen, jeans and sneakers. This was also how I dressed while walking around the camps to lunch, cocktails and dinners.
Safari Packing Guide Checklist:
Clothing:
- 2 lightweight, long-sleeve cotton tops (white & olive green)
- 2 cotton short sleeve tee shirts (white & beige)
- 2 long sleeve blouses (white…also for cover up & khaki linen)
- 2 pairs of pants (khaki & olive green)
- 1 pair of jeans
- 2 pairs of cargo shorts (olive/khaki & leopard print)
- 1 quilted vest (olive green)
- 1 lightweight vest (khaki)
- 2 utility jackets (khaki & beige)
- 2 dresses for dinners at the lodge (leopard print slip dress & olive shirt dress)
- 1 light packable all-purpose jacket (mornings and evenings were chilly)
- 1 pair of cotton long sleeve pajamas
Shoes & Accessories:
- comfortable hiking shoes (worn daily)
- sneakers
- lightweight sandals for evenings or pool time
- 1 utility belt
- 1 bathing suit
- wide brimmed sunhat
- baseball cap
- 3 scarves
- 1 cross over/belt bag
- 2 bras
- 3 pair socks
- 4-5 quick dry underwear
Toiletries & Health:
- high-SPF sunscreen and bug repellent with DEET
- basic meds
- minimal skincare (these 3 products were all I packed) & makeup products (ogee stick for blush, eye shadow & lipstick)
Extras:
- binoculars and a journal
- phone lanyard (this was a life saver!)
- sunglasses
- power bank and universal adapter
- soft-sided duffel bag (many small flights limit hard suitcases)
Click the photos below to shop:
Stay tuned for an upcoming post where I will share our full 10 day Kenya safari itinerary.
