Packing for an African safari is unlike packing for any other trip. With light aircraft flights, rugged landscapes, and game drives in open vehicles, the right luggage can make a huge difference to your experience. Here’s what you need to know when selecting the best safari bags for your adventure.
Flying in a light aircraft is certainly an awesome and quintessential part of the safari experience—soaring over vast landscapes, spotting wildlife from above, and landing on remote airstrips. But unlike commercial flights, baggage rules are strict, and failing to comply can mean leaving luggage (or worse, yourself!) behind.
Here’s our top tips for choosing the best safari luggage to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey for you!
Check your luggage weight limitations
Each safari itinerary has its own luggage restrictions based on the light aircraft airlines, so always check your itinerary in the important information section where your luggage allowance will be listed. If in doubt, check with your safari specialist (that’s us!) before you pack.
Basically, the small aircraft flights will have a more strict allowance than international carriers due to the aircraft size. In general, it will be either 15 kilograms or 20 kilograms total weight – that means it’s the total weight of both your main bag AND your hand luggage. Pilots must adhere to weight limits for safety, and overweight bags may need to be flown separately—at your expense. They often weight bags and any excess needs to be paid for locally – be warned!
Pro tip:
Pack light and weigh your bags before leaving home to avoid surprises at check-in!
As a general rule of thumb:
- East Africa light aircraft flights are usually 15 kilograms total allowance (33lbs) per person, including hand luggage.
- Southern Africa light aircraft flights are usually 20 kilograms (44lbs) per person, including hand luggage.
Keep in mind:
- Pilots have the final say—if your bag is overweight or oversized, it may be left behind.
- If you think you’ll exceed the limit, consider booking extra freight allowance or an additional seat for your luggage in advance of travel to avoid delays.
- Personal weight matters too—passengers over a certain weight (typically 85kg-100kg per seat) may need to purchase an extra seat, that’s why we ask you on our booking form.
Bag type: choose a soft, squashable duffel bag
For your main piece of luggage, opt for a soft-sided duffel bag with no hard frame or rigid structure. This is essential if you’re travelling on these light aircraft flights. But some itineraries don’t need such flights and therefore luggage type isn’t a factor. Again, always ask us if you’re unsure!
Luggage compartments on the light aircraft are small, and pilots need to fit (aka squash!) bags into limited space. Hard-shell suitcases or roller bags simply don’t work. The same applies to some overland safaris, where space in 4×4 vehicles is restricted.
Best choice:
- Soft-sided—so it can be squashed and manoeuvred into tight compartments.
- Durable – you want strong handles and over shoulder strap and a decent zip closure.
- Water-resistant or waterproof—to protect against rain or leaks while in transit.
- Within the airline’s size/dimension limits—always double-check before you travel.
Don’t forget:
- Security: Use a small padlock to secure your bag—but don’t lose the key!
- Carrying comfort: Do you prefer wheels, backpack straps, or a shoulder sling? Consider how you’ll be moving with your bag. Since hard-framed suitcases aren’t suitable for safaris with light aircraft flights, a collapsible travel trolley can be a great alternative. This allows you to wheel your duffel bag through airports but remove the trolley when you don’t need it. There’s so many other gadgets out there these days too, so have a look and determine what suits you best.
- Zippers matter: Opt for a sturdy, dust-resistant zipper—smaller, cheap ones tend to jam (we blame the African dust!).
- Value for money: If you’re only using the bag for safari, don’t overspend—unless you’re planning another trip (and we hope you do!).
Your carry on matters
Remember if you have light aircraft flights, your carry on bag cannot have hard sides either. So think about a compact bag, something that has capacity for your essentials like camera, binoculars, travel documents, a light jacket and any medication and toiletries.
On light aircraft, your carry-on may need to fit under your seat or at the back of the plane rather than in an overhead compartment so small and lightweight is key.
There’s all types of backpacks these days including ones with vacuum pack capability so you can fit more in!
Don’t forget:
- Essential toiletries and medicines
- A travel wallet for passport, insurance and money / cards
- a travel lock for added security when moving between destinations
- a spare set of clothes just in case your main bag goes missing or gets delayed if you’ve got connecting flights
Final thoughts
Choosing the right safari luggage is about practicality, durability, and ease of travel. By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared for smooth and stress-free journeys across Africa’s breathtaking landscapes.
Remember to pack light, use packing cubes for organisation, and don’t forget—once you land in Africa, our team takes care of the heavy lifting. From the moment you’re met by our guides and drivers, your bags will be handled with care so you can focus on enjoying your adventure.
Still have questions? We’re here to help!
Get in touch, and we’ll guide you through packing for your safari.