23 Essential Travel Products for Your Safari Packing List

If you’re planning on doing any wildlife spotting, binoculars are a must. And if you’re travelling solo, you can’t share these gadgets between your bag and a travel partner’s. So a lightweight, compact pair is a good choice.

Binoculars really are an essential travel product for a safari. The 10 x 42 binocs pictured here are great.

I never want to waste my precious time in Africa waiting out the rain. A good rain jacket helps the show go on.

Anything you might be wearing while wildlife spotting should be neutral-coloured so that you don’t stand out.

Travel Tip: If you’ll be going on safari, the most essential travel products will help you blend into the background.

This LifeStraw water filter straw. Most of the health problems travellers have are related to contaminated water. I’m always excited to find packable, easy, solutions. Much more eco-friendly, too, than endless bottles of water.

These are one of the most essential travel products I’ve come across for Africa. One straw can filter 4000L of water, and the company provides clean water to school kids for every one sold.

I love an easy-up tent. I like that this one is light, has a large door on the wide side, and a waterproof fly.

There’s NOTHING like feeling the vibrations in the ground when a lion roars during the night! So sleeping in a tent can be an awesome African experience.

Video Recording Bluetooth Sunglasses. Record your adventures as you go! The Bluetooth function lets you listen to music and answer calls and for a very affordable price.

Perfect for a hike or walking safari in Africa! These are really great for on-the-go recording when you’re cycling, too.

An Inflatable Solar Lantern. A full-size camping lantern/power bank that folds down to less than an inch, and weighs about 5oz.

Lack of electricity & power outages are commonplace in Africa, and at night, it’s nice to be able to see what made that sound.

Not magical, but probably one of the most essential travel products for camping in Africa.

Some of the finest coffee is grown in Africa. And if you need coffee with your oxygen in the morning, this tiny French Press Coffee/ Tea Maker might be worth the bit of space it takes up in your carry-on.

It takes a little practice to get it just right, but it’s a handy little gadget.

Not a gadget, but maybe an accessory? As much as I love GPS and Google Maps, I recommend a fold-out paper map to get the lay of the land.

They’re a bit harder to find now, so I’m always excited to find a good selection of maps. Absolutely one of the most essential travel products.

Plus, the one shown here is THE best Map to get if you’re heading to Botswana, especially on a self-drive safari.

You need soap cases since you’ve switched to shampoo and conditioner bars and solid body wash to save the planet. AND save liquid space in your carry-on.

These are made of unbreakable silicone, and have a removable soap saver for the bottom to let water drain away. Perfect for travel, too. They close tightly and are easy to clean.

A small, sturdy, waterproof Blue-tooth speaker is great to have tucked away in your bag, if you have room.

When you’re in the African bush, you want to listen to the bird and animal noises around you. But when you’re staying in Cairo or Fez, some music as you’re falling asleep is great.

This is my favourite all-purpose kind of bag, for Africa or anywhere. Shoulder strap AND hand grabs, no wheels taking up space and adding weight, and with light nylon fabric.

This one has a padded laptop sleeve with external access and top side pocket and collapsible laundry pocket. It’s also equipped with 5 external handles and a stowable shoulder strap. And each bag is made with a unique colour combo.

A collapsible water bottle is a necessity, and this one is leak-proof, BPA-free, and can stand on its own.

I started out with the collapsible pouch-style bottles, and I learned how handy it is to have a bottle that can stand up on its own.

*Try not to leave a trail of single-use plastic bottles through Africa!

If you are concerned about the weight of your bag, it’s best to check it before you get to the airport. This luggage scale is easy to use. You might want to take it along for the flight home, too.

You need to be able to lift your bag yourself! This is definitely one of the best and most practical travel products.

These refillable 100ml (3oz) sprayers, are TSA-compliant, and great for the liquids you can’t avoid taking. Toner, eyeglass cleaner, bug spray – have a marker handy for labelling!

They’re also good to hold water for a quick spritz on hot days.

These silicone tubes are 100ml (3oz) & 60ml (2oz) TSA-approved. They also have a little suction cup on the back. This is great if you are showering in camping-type conditions where there might not be anywhere to set things. 

These sorts of containers are some of the most essential travel products. They’re squishable, so can take up less room as they empty.

A long cotton scarf or bandana is invaluable when it comes to keeping cool when you’re travelling in super hot places. Just wet it down, squeeze it out, and wrap it around your neck.

Use any temperature water. You’ll be amazed at how well this works to keep cool! It’s my favourite trick for those sweltering days on safari. Or at home!

Reusable period products can make life easier when you’re away. It’s certainly nice not to have to worry about being able to find what I need. Reusable pads are handy, too.

Pads aren’t usually a problem, but tampons are really hard to find in Africa. This cup is great, but I suggest using it a couple of times before your trip to practice.

Boring but necessary. If you think you might have to do any hand washing at all, be sure to take a universal sink stopper. It’s a sure bet that if you don’t, you’ll wish you had.

Trust me (and laundry strips make it easy).

If you have trouble getting comfortable in your plane seat, especially if your legs aren’t long enough to touch the floor, you’re going to love this foot hammock.

Dangling legs interfere with their circulation, and it’s just not comfortable or healthy. This footrest is easy to use, and folds flat to slip into the pocket of your carry-on.