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What to pack for a family safari is a question our Travel Experts get asked often. With family safaris being a popular travel trend, we thought it would be useful to put together a general guide to packing for children on safari. The following list is meant to give parents or guardians some ideas of what to pack for their children before heading off on their safari adventure, but your list will vary depending on the length of your trip, the season you're travelling in, and personal needs.
The most common trend we see when it comes to packing for a family safari is the temptation to overpack. Remember, most lodges and resorts will offer laundry services—the majority are free or inexpensive—and we recommend using these, as it is invaluable to be able to move around different stops with fresh, clean clothes.
Essential Safari Clothes for Children
We recommend packing the following clothes for your child’s safari:
- Two pairs of safari trousers (ones that zip off into shorts are best)
- Jeans (useful for colder nights)
- Two long-sleeve shirts (quick-dry fabrics are ideal)
- Two short-sleeve shirts (also quick-dry)
- Closed-toe, thick-soled sandals
- One smart-casual outfit (optional)
- Walking shoes (optional)
- Five pairs of underwear
- Three pairs of socks (if you're bringing walking shoes)
- Sun hat (we recommend a wide-brim kids’ safari hat)
If your lodge or any follow-up resorts have a swimming pool, remember a swimsuit and any other swimming gear your child usually uses.
Toiletry Essentials for Children on Safari
Keeping your children comfortable and protected on safari is key. Here’s our list of toiletry items we recommend bringing to make sure they stay clean and safe throughout your trip.
- Toothbrushes/toothpaste
- Broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF50+
- Child-friendly bug spray
- Hairbrush
- Hair accessories for tying back long hair
- Baby wipes (useful while on the move)
- Hand sanitizer
- Band-Aids and antiseptic cream
Gadgets, Games, and Downtime Essentials for Children
Taking an electronic device along is a personal decision. If you choose to pack one for your children, don’t forget headphones. However, we recommend leaving the electronics behind while on safari to fully soak in the wildlife and surroundings.
- Any books or electronics your children use during down time and long car rides
- Headphones
- Chargers for all electronics
Important Documents for Children
We suggest triple-checking this list and running everything past your dedicated Travel Expert to ensure you don’t leave any essentials behind.
- Visas or eVisas for each country (if visas aren't available upon arrival)
- Passports
- Full birth certificates for all your children (if required for destination countries)
- Recommended medication and medical evidence for the country you're visiting (e.g., Yellow Fever vaccination cards, Malaria medication, child-friendly anti-diarrhea and pain medication, etc.)
Other Safari Essentials for Children
There’s nothing worse than packing carefully, only to realize you’ve left your plug converter behind. Here are a few essentials we suggest you take along to spark curiosity and ensure your trip runs smoothly.
- Plug converter (generally 220/240 V)
- Small LED torch
- Binoculars (optional, but fun for children)
- Sharpie (great for labelling water bottles)
There are many reasons to go on a family safari, and while packing for a safari with kids can be a stressful process, we hope our guide has given you a good starting point. We have also created a list of additional things to consider when planning a safari for your family, which you may also find helpful.
Start planning your luxury family safari with Mahlatini. Our experts tailor every detail for comfort, safety & unforgettable adventure.
