Best Safari Luggage 2025: Bags and Backpacks Reviewed, Restrictions and Guidance
Are you looking for the best safari luggage for your trip?
That’s what we’ve got for you here. I’ve been through a lot of bags on my many trips to Africa. This list includes what I’ve found to be THE best luggage for safari.
* No time to read the whole article? Here’s THE best bag for your safari ⤵️
⭐️ RATED: 5 out of 5 with over 50 reviews
• At 46L, the perfect carry-on size for long/short trips
• Light at 1.5 lbs / 0.7 kg
• 5 external handles and stowable shoulder strap
• Guaranteed for Good™️
These bags check all the boxes. They’re roomy enough for all your gear, aren’t too heavy empty, and are comfortable to get around with. And they’re sturdy enough to withstand the rigours of a long camping safari.
Plus, safari companies do have rules when it comes to luggage. The bag you choose can have a big impact on your trip. So I’ve also put together restrictions and guidance to help with your trip.
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The Best Safari Travel Bags
These bags will work whether you’re heading to South Africa, East Africa, Botswana, or any other of the incredible safari destinations in Africa.
When it comes to what luggage to take on safari, I recommend a lightweight, good-quality nylon duffel bag. I prefer these over leather or canvas simply because nylon tends to be lighter.
But, I’ve included the best leather and canvas options as well. The choice is yours!
Here is the best of the best luggage for safari travel.
Best Safari Duffel Bag
Size: 22″ x 11″ x 10″
Weight: 1.5 lbs / 0.7 kg
⭐️ RATED: 5 out of 5 with over 50 reviews
This is a great, lightweight bag, made with durable, double-ripstop nylon. It’s the best duffel bag for safari.
It has some useful features:
• a padded laptop sleeve with external access.
• top side pocket and collapsible laundry pocket.
• 5 external handles, stowable shoulder strap
• fits well when worn with the shoulder strap crossbody, and the bag diagonal across your back; good for carrying longer distances
• Guaranteed for Good™️
✔️ Find the Cotopaxi Uyuni 46L Duffel price
Size: 21 x 14 x 9 inches
Weight: 1.4 lbs / 0.63 kg
⭐️ RATED: 4.6 out of 5 with over 50 reviews
This duffel has everything you should be looking for in the best bag for safari travel. The wide opening is perfect for managing your items, making it easy to find what you’re looking for.
The hand grips also act as shoulder straps and backpack straps
More handy features:
• there’s a zippered pocket on one end.
• long zippered pocket down one side.
• has a small, easy-access external pocket
• made of 300D packcloth
• The single compartment makes it easy to arrange your things according to your own system.
• the bag is covered by Osprey’s “All Mighty Guarantee“
🧳 Find the Osprey Daylight Duffel price
➤ The Drakensberg Weekender (L)
If you’re set on the idea of a traditional canvas safari bag, this is a great option. While it’s not quite as squishable, it’s not much heavier than some of the nylon bags.
Here are a few of its features:
• a roomy 60L. May not be carry-on-able if packed too full.
• the durable canvas is 100% cotton with leather trim.
• has a padded bottom and internal pocket.
✔️ Find the Weekender price
Size: 21″ x 11″ x 10″
Weight: 4.5 lbs / 2.0 kg
➤ Cenzo Vecchio Italian Leather Travel Bag
If you love the thought of a decadent, high-quality leather bag, then this is the perfect safari bag for you.
Here’s what you get:
• full-grain calf-skin leather
• durable, tear-proof, stain-resistant beige canvas lining
• inside zippered pocket.
• floor-to-floor zipper
• hand grips and detachable shoulder strap.
• brass zipper and hardware
✔️ Find the Cenzo Vecchio Travel Bag price
Size: 22″ x 12.5″ x 9″
Weight: 1.8 lbs/ 0.822 kg
➤ Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler (S)
⭐️ RATED: 4.5 out of 5 with over 545 reviews
This bag is a roomy 40L, and also comes in 60L and 90L, in case you have a lot of gear.
Here are its main features:
• it’s incredibly durable, made of abrasion-resistant and water-repellant material.
• folds into itself for storage.
• has tuck-way backpack straps, side shoulder strap, side and top handles
• U-zip provides full access
• has an easy-access end compartment and external side pocket.
• equipped with a detachable inside mesh divider
• comes with the amazing No Matter What™ Lifetime Warranty.
✔️ Find the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler (S) price
Size: 21.6″ x 12″ x 8.6″
Weight: 0.9 lb / 0.4 kg
⭐️ RATED: 4.5 out of 5 with over 1,600 reviews
If your budget is straining at the seams, this duffel is a good, affordable option. I’ve used a similar bag, and it worked just fine for several months.
With this bag you get:
• hand grips and a detachable shoulder strap.
• one long zipper along the top of the main compartment.
• front pockets that can hold your passport and boarding pass.
• external pouches on either end for snacks and reusable water bottle.
• the option to fold it up into a small packet. This also makes it a good option if you want to tuck a spare bag in your main one if you’re a big souvenir shopper.
• the same capacity as the more expensive bags.
However, with a lower-quality bag, even one that’s fairly sturdy and well-made like this one, you take a risk of tears and broken zippers. Be sure to pack some duct tape, just in case. (Always take some.)
✔️ Find the G4Free Duffel price
Best Duffel Backpack Hybrid
Size: 22″ x 14″ x 9″
Weight: 3.4 lb/1.54 kg
⭐️ RATED: 4.4 out of 5 with 20 reviews
This 44L bag has a long shoulder strap and hand grips, as well as stow-away backpack straps. It’s a great choice for short hauls as a backpack.
However, the padding is thin in the backpack straps, so don’t plan to use it as a long-haul backpack. Remember, the straps add a bit of bulk.
This bag also features:
• 1/3, 2/3 clam shell opening.
•two zippered mesh interior pockets, plus an external zippered access pocket for your 1L bag of liquid products.
• the same durable, weather-resistant, rubbery fabric as the Global Carry-on above.
• front panel organizing pocket.
• internal zippered compartments and compression straps.
• limited lifetime warranty
✔️ Find the Transporter price
Best Backpack
Size: 22″ x 14″ x 11″
Weight: 4.2 lb/1.9 kg
➤ Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack
⭐️ RATED: 4.6 out of 5 with over 90 reviews
Lightweight, much sturdier than it looks, and very roomy. Every bag is different, and the colours make it easy to pick out of a pile.
The hip belt is adjustable for different torso sizes, so you get a more comfortable fit.
You also get:
• clamshell opening with zippered mesh dividers
• padded laptop and tablet sleeve
• rain cover included, but quite waterproof on its own.
• exterior water bottle pocket
• the company donates 1% of sales to non-profits, to support a healthier planet
• also available in a 35L size
• Guaranteed for Good™️
** A bit smaller at 35L, the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack has the same look and the same great features. PLUS it has an added upgrade – the waist belt is now detachable for those times when it just isn’t necessary.
✔️ Find the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L and the
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L prices
Size: ~25″ x 14″ x12″
Weight: 2lb 4 oz
➤ Gregory Stout 45 Plus Backpack
⭐️ RATED: 5 out of 5 with 3 reviews
If you’re planning to backpack through Africa, you’ll be spending a lot of time with your pack on your back.
If that’s the case, then your best backpack for safari is going to be one that was made to be worn that way.
This one has:
• adjustable and breathable, important in hot climates
• sternum strap, 2 zippered hip belt pockets
• bottom compression strap
• integrated rain cover
▶The downside is that it’s top loading, which is enormously inconvenient to get into it. Even with bottom access as well, it’s a hassle to pack and unpack.
It’s also a bit too long to use as a carry-on if it’s packed full.
For those reasons, I only recommend a pack like this if you really need it.
But, if you are wearing it for long distances, you’ll be really glad to have a comfortable backpack.
✔️ Find the price of the Gregory Stout 45 Plus Backpack prices
Best Daybag
Size: ~16″ x 11″ x7″
Weight: 7 oz
⭐️ RATED: 4.5 out of 5 with >1,900 reviews
Aside from your main bag for safari, you’ll need a daypack to take out on game drives or bush walks.
As well, if you’re travelling throughout Africa, you’ll need a bag to take on your daily adventures.
You’ll want to take your reusable water bottle with you, sun protection, a jacket if the mornings are cool, and maybe your extra camera batteries, for example.
This daypack is perfect:
• it has wide, comfortable straps
• contains a sleeve for an optional water bladder
• it’s extremely water-resistant
• has external side pockets for your water bottle
• a large packet on the outside that clips shut
• there is an internal zip pocket
This one is 22L and can be used as a shopping bag, too, if you’ll be spending any time in towns and cities.
A light tote bag is great, as well. I prefer a backpack for ease of carrying on bush walks, though.
✔️ Find the sinotron 22L Backpack price
Decathlon Luggage and Gear for Canadian Travellers
This is a great pack to wear long distances. At 40L and 26″x12″x10″, it can fit carry-on guidelines if the top is not stuffed full (21.5″). It also comes in a larger size if you’re taller. Has multiple compartments and a side zip.
Here is a site with camping gear that is great for travelling in Africa. Find headlamps, tents, battery-powered lanterns, travel pillows, luggage scales, and more. Their autumn sale is a great time to gear up.
7 Most Important Rules for Choosing the Best Safari Luggage
There are a few rules when it comes to choosing the best bag for travelling to Africa. The most important requirements for your bag should be:
➥ It meets Luggage Restrictions
➥ Soft-sided
➥ Lightweight
➥ Comfortable to Carry
➥ WithOUT wheels
➥ Carry-on size
➥ Prepare for a walking safari
1. Consider Safari Luggage Restrictions
Safari luggage restrictions are a serious consideration when you’re deciding on a bag. For example, if you’ll be flying into a safari camp on a bush plane, there are often strict weight limits.
You may be permitted no more than a 33 lb bag, though some companies allow up to 44 lbs. These rules can be very strictly enforced. Safari luggage size can be an issue as well.
Be careful to always double-check with your tour operator before you leave home to be sure.
Even if you won’t be travelling on small planes, safari vehicles have limited space. They may have rules, too, against rigid frames or wheels on your luggage. Again, always consult with your tour company to avoid hassle later.
2. It Should be Soft-sided
Soft luggage for safari is always the way to go. There will be limited vehicle space for a group’s bags. As the best luggage for safari travel, duffel bags can be thrown in with everybody else’s without worry.
As well, soft-sided luggage fits together better and take up less space. This is true on the plane as well. A soft bag is easier to fit in the overhead and under the seat in front of you.
*Remember that hard-sided bags and trolley bags aren’t allowed on many of the small planes used on fly-in safaris. Check with your tour company.
3. Lightweight but Sturdy
The less your bag weighs when it’s empty, the more you can pack it with and remain within the weight limit.
When I’m choosing my bag, I steer away from heavy canvas, and especially leather bags. The extra weight just isn’t worth it, no matter how good it looks.
The airline or your safari company will have weight limits that you need to consider. But also remember that you need to be able to comfortably lift and carry your bag.
For this reason, I don’t always recommend tools like compression bags. Just because you can fit more into your bag, doesn’t mean that you should.
And remember, you do tend to get what you pay for. It’s great to find in cheap back that looks like it fits the bill, but a broken zipper or split seam can throw a pretty big wrench into your trip.
Your bag will be tossed around, mashed under other bags, potentially exposed to weather – it needs to be tough.
Look for sales, shop around, but ultimately go for quality over price. The Eagle Creek bag above is a good middle-of-the-road choice.
4. Comfortable to Carry
– Whether you decide on a duffel with just a shoulder strap and hand grips, a standard backpack, or a combination of the two, try it out. Fill it up and walk around.
One fixable issue you might find is a duffel with a shoulder strap that cuts into your shoulder a bit. This can be a problem especially if you’re going with a budget bag. A seatbelt cover like this is an easy fix that I’ve used, and it helps a lot.
5. No Wheels
Wheeled bags were a genius invention, and are a gift to travellers in a lot of situations. Safari isn’t one of them.
Safaris often involve travelling in small bush planes. Wheeled bags, as well as hard-sided ones, generally are NOT allowed on board.
They’ll also get in the way when any safari vehicle gets packed up. Sometimes they aren’t even allowed on safari trucks, due to the limited space. Go for squishable when you can.
The wheels decrease the available room in the bag and add weight to it, too.
If you’ll have a long walk through the airport, get a cart. Otherwise, you’ve tried the bag and determined that you can comfortably carry it (see #3 above), so you’re all set.
6. Carry-on Size
– The general size for an international carry-on is 9″ x 14″ x 22″ and 40 lb (18 kg), or 45L. But each airline is a bit different, and things do change. So always check your airline’s website before you decide on your bag.
If your safari plans do include a small aircraft, there is usually a tight safari luggage size/weight restriction. There are rarely exceptions to these restrictions. A luggage scale is always a good idea.
In short, the size duffel bag for safari I recommend is the largest that still fits within my airline’s carry-on limits.
7. Prepare for a Walking Safari or Bushwalk
Chances are good that, aside from epic game drives, you get to go on walking safaris. These are also known as bushwalks.
You’re going to need to take a few things with you – sun protection and water, for example. And to carry them, a comfortable, roomy day pack is perfect. A lightweight, packable one will come in handy many times during your trip.
Packing Tips
First things first – the best safari luggage is a single carry-on bag. This is always my first recommendation.
Keep in mind that when I travel to Africa, I go for no less than a month, and usually more than one. It really is possible to take everything you need in one bag.
Unless you’re staying in one place for your entire trip – and really, even if you are – having just one bag to worry about makes life infinitely easier.
As well, having your bag with you on your flight is a big stress reliever. It happens anytime I’ve watched my own luggage disappear into the cargo hold of a plane. I feel like I’m holding my breath until I see it again at my destination.
And of course, there have been times when I didn’t see it at my destination. At least, not until I was about to leave again. That can put a serious damper on your trip.
For those reasons, the bags above are all carry-on-sized. They’re all about the same size as the one that I’ve travelled through Africa with for 6 months at a stretch. On safari and just exploring.
Trust me, it’s very possible! If you need help getting there, we have some epic packing advice, and a complete packing list for you.
What to Clothes to Wear on Safari
When you’re deciding on your safari packing list, there are a few things you need to think about:
- Pack safari clothing that will help you stay comfortable in the heat. Mornings can be cool, though, so be sure to bring the appropriate clothes.
- Browse these quick packing lists to find out the best things to pack for the weather.
- If you’re not sure what to expect weather-wise during your trip, find out when and where to expect cooler weather.
It’s also important to consider the colour of your clothes. It’s more important than you might think:
- Camouflage and military-style clothing are frowned on in Africa. It is even illegal for everyone except members of the military in some countries. Best leave it at home.
- Plain khaki colours are best. They allow you to blend in when on a game drive or bushwalk, so you can watch the animals unnoticed.
- Dark colours like black, navy, and red will attract mosquitoes and tsetse flies. Tsetse flies, which can transmit African sleeping sickness, are also attracted by metallics and bright colours. Again, khaki is a good choice.
How to Pack for an Africa Safari: The Essentials
- malaria meds
- sunscreen
- insect repellent with DEET
- toothbrush & toiletries
- small towel
- hair clips, ties, razor
- wide-brimmed hat with strap/clip
- sunglasses and cord/chums
- camera/extra batteries & SD card
- downloaded travel
- binoculars
- flashlight & headlamp
- charging cables
- power adapter
- laundry sheets
- foldable daypack
- filtered water bottle
- downloaded map app
- women:
- period products
- clothes that cover shoulder/knees
- toilet paper
- 4 short-sleeved shirts
- 2 light, loose, linen-y pants
- 2 shorts
- 5 pairs underwear
- 2 bras
- 1 pair closed-toed shoes
- 5 pairs socks
- 1 pair flip-flops
- 2 pairs of light pyjamas
- thin scarf/bandana to soak, & wear on the neck
- swimsuit
- a sarong
You’ll use your laundry sheets to rinse underwear and anything else that needs it. Some tours will have a laundry service, especially if you’re on a luxury safari.
And don’t be afraid to wear the same thing more than once!
Safaris and Travel Resources
Now that you’ve found the perfect bag, there are a few more things to consider to ensure a smooth trip.
✔️ Travel Insurance is a must. Safety Wing Nomad Insurance will take care of you from take-off to return home. Hook up with SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
✔️ Never count on having drinkable water when travelling in Africa. A great alternative to buying plastic bottles is to carry a 24 oz Grayl water purifier bottle.
One will filter 250 L of water, and will filter out anything and everything that could make you sick, plus chemicals and microplastics.
Find the Grayl water purifier bottle on Amazon.
✔️ Soap-free shampoo, conditioner, body and face wash, and skin care bars are the perfect way to avoid checking your bag because you have too much liquid.
Ethique products are an excellent option. Find Find Ethique on Amazon.
Luggage for an Africa Safari: FAQ
What Size Bag Do I Need for Safari?
I recommend a maximum size of 45L in a soft-sided bag. Large enough to fit everything you need, but still small enough to be carry-on size.
Measurements of 10 x 12 x 25 inches and 33-44 lbs are average, but a soft squishable bag might be given a bit of leeway in size.
What size luggage is allowed on an African safari?
Small planes used within a safari can have strict size limits that depend on the airline. An average is a 33-44 lbs soft-sided bag, measuring about 10 x 12 x 25 inches when it’s all packed.
What should you pack for a trip to Africa if you want to see wildlife?
On safari in Africa, the goal is to blend, so clothing in neutral colours like khaki, green, brown and grey are best if you want to see wildlife.
What kind of shoes are best to wear on safari?
On safari it’s best to wear breathable, closed-toed shoes, with soles that can withstand sharp acacia thorns.
What not to wear on safari?
The goal is to blend, so leave bright, white, and crazy-patterned clothes at home. Also, leave camo behind – it is strictly for military in Africa, and is illegal in some countries. Also, avoid bright and dark colours as they attract mosquitoes and tsetse flies.
Is it ok to wear grey on safari?
Yes, neutral colours like grey, as well as browns, greens, and khakis are good colours to wear on safari.
Do I need a hat for safari?
The sun can be strong in Africa, and you’ll be spending long hours outside on safari. A cap or preferably a wide-brimmed hat is essential, and a chin strap or hat clip is handy.
What are the best duffel bags for safari travel?
A sturdy, lightweight nylon duffel with comfortable straps and at least one external, easy-access pocket is best for safari travel. Good, covered zippers that will keep the dirt out are important, and look for a duffel with a good warranty.
Summing it Up: The Best Bag for Your Safari
The best luggage for an African bag is a lightweight duffel bag. But as you can see, there are other options that also work well.
And they’ll work whether you’re heading to South Africa, East Africa, Botswana, or any other of the incredible safari destinations in Africa.
Once you’ve got your bag, you’re one step closer to safari! Africa is an amazing place, and you don’t need to take a lot with you to have an unforgettable time.
It might be daunting to consider travelling so far from home with just a carry-on. Find everything from products designed to minimize what you need to pack, to the pros and cons of packing cubes in IWIF’s epic packing guide.
Happy travels!
You might also like:
• How to Plan a Trip to Africa: an Essential Guide
• What to Bring When Travelling to Africa: Unexpected Essentials
• Types of Safaris in Africa
• Travel Resources
