What to Pack for your Botswana Safari Clothing, Tips, and Tricks

Congrats, you’ve finally booked THE trip. The Botswana dream is happening, and your out-of-office email is working overtime. But now comes the tricky part — what on actual earth do you pack? Don’t worry, we’ve made all the rookie mistakes enough times to spare you the trouble (zebra-print leggings, we’re looking at you). We’re here to make sure you get it right. From climate quirks, fashion dos and absolute don’ts, to the art of packing like a pro. If you show up with a giant Samsonite full of neon after this, we’re not the problem. 

Here is your Botswana guide to packing smart, stylish, and safari-sensible. Starting, naturally, with the bag you’ll be squeezing everything into.

Luggage Restrictions on Small Planes:

In Botswana, you’ll be hopping between camps via small bush planes and open safari vehicles. Let’s talk Bush plane realities. Charming, but they have a very real aversion to excess baggage. 

Here’s what you need to know: 

• Soft-shell duffel bag only
• Soft is malleable and easily fits into tight spaces. It’s best to avoid rigid frames, retractable handles and wheels.
• Max 20kg (including hand luggage and camera gear). We promise, you can do it!
• If you’re a diva or have extended travel plans and know you’ll be overweight or have excess baggage (don’t we all), speak to your travel planner. There are workarounds (just not sympathy).
• Laundry is included at most camps, so DON’T pack your entire wardrobe, Sharon.

Here are our favourite duffels:

Before you gleefully toss in that linen jumpsuit or flirt with a straw hat the size of a satellite dish, let’s have a quick chat about the weather. Botswana’s climate is pretty temperate, but it will change throughout the day. It swings between crisp winter mornings and warm summer afternoons with all the subtlety of a Beyoncé key change, and it will dictate what you wear.

Seasonal Weather Patterns in Botswana:

Summer (November–April):
Cue the humidity. It’s hot, sticky, and lush with brief thunderstorms. 

Expect: 

• Cool mornings (18–22°C / 64–72°F), 
• Hot days (30–35°C / 86–95°F), 
• Warm nights (20–25°C / 68–77°F), 
• The occasional downpour or dramatic thunderstorm.

Winter (May–October):
The air is dry, dusty, and cool. Layers are your BFF — you’ll want to dress in layers that you can shed and re-layer throughout the day.

Expect:

• Red-nosed chilly mornings (5–10°C / 41–50°F),
• Sunny days (22–28°C / 72–82°F)
• Big temperature drops at night (down to 0–8°C / 32–46°F).

Why Climate Dictates Clothing Choices

These are the elements that will remind you of just how good or bad your choices are:

• Temperature Swings: Morning drives can feel like winter. By lunch, it’s summer again. Layers are life.
• Sun Exposure: The African sun doesn’t mess around. She is bold, brilliant, and slightly vengeful. You’ll want breathable long sleeves, a good hat, and SPF 50 like your nose depends on it. Unfortunately, this is not your off-the-shoulder moment.
• Bugs: While Botswana doesn’t have much trouble with tsetse flies, mosquitoes love a sundowner just as much as you do. Cover your arms and ankles (We love neutral long linen pants and shirts to fix this problem). If you forget your bug spray, the lodge should have!

Let’s talk Materials. Making the correct choice here can make the biggest difference.

• Cotton & linen – breathable, natural, durable.
• Merino wool – warm but lightweight for winter.
• Technical fabrics – quick-dry and moisture-wicking for hot days.

Avoid anything too synthetic—plastic fabrics don’t breathe and can turn a beautiful day into a sticky ordeal.

Tops and Outerwear:

• Short and long-sleeved shirts in cotton or linen — a long-sleeved button-down with a tank is ideal. Sun protection and breathability all in one.
• A warm jacket — for chilly mornings and unexpected temperature drops
• A lightweight sweater — for cooler nights
• All camps provide a water-proof poncho on the game vehicle for surprise rain

Bottoms:

• Trousers — loose, light, and dust-friendly.
• Shorts — for midday heat at camp and bush walks. 
• Dresses & Skirts — Ladies, this is a great option for around camp. We love a kaftan moment by the pool.

 Winter Layers:

• Fleece or down vest — Compact, warm, great for layering.
• Jersey/hoodie — Layering!
• Insulated jacket or windbreaker — For morning game drives when the wind feels like a slap in the face.
• Warm hat/beanie — Crucial for early starts.
• Wool gloves — You’ll thank yourself! 
• Scarf/shawl — Multi-purpose warmth and sun protection.
• Tracksuit pants/joggers — Get toasty on game drives.

 Footwear Must-Haves:

• Comfortable closed-toe shoes- Light trainers or bush boots for drives and walks.
• Flip-flops or sandals for the pool or pottering around camp
  

Evenings at camp are relaxed, not red carpet. But slipping into something fresh and a little more zhuzh post-shower can feel divine after a day in the bush.

• Evening wear: No need for black tie.
  • Ladies: This is where your beautiful linen set comes in handy! 
  • Gents: A collared shirt and chinos do the trick.

• Make sure you’ve got length on the arms and legs for bug protection. For winter nights, you’ll want to opt for a warm jacket, and closed shoes. 
• Swimsuit: Trust us, you’ll use it. 

DOs:

• Stick to earthy tones — khaki, sand, olive, stone. You want to blend in. 
• Dress in layers
• Choose natural, breathable fabrics
• The dress code at camps is generally very relaxed, but we always recommend bringing at least one outfit that makes you feel abit fabulous – for when you feel like being abit more put together.

DON’Ts:

• Wear camouflage — it’s not advised in many African countries due to military associations. 
• Pack bright colours — you’ll stand out like a sore thumb. 
• Adopt khaki as your entire personality trait. You’re not David Livingstone, nor are you on an expedition to the unknown. Two pockets are plenty. 
• Go heavy on accessories — minimalism is best, and rather leave your extra jewellery at home. Stick to what you wear every day. 
• Heavy, bulky coats — not needed, even in winter.
• Over-sized handbags — go for practical crossbodies or totes
• For the second time – Laundry is available at most camps, so DON’T pack your entire wardrobe.

How to Organise Your Safari Gear

• Packing cubes — the holy grail of organisation, and our new obsession. Who knew life could be this easy?
• Roll your clothes — (pro tip) to save space and avoid wrinkles.
  

Sun Protection Essentials

• Wide-brimmed hat — bucket hats do diddley squat, in our opinion, so rather bring a cap if you’re skipping your wide-brimmed moment. 
• Polarised sunglasses — So you don’t have to squint through the glare. 
• High SPF sunscreen — The Botswanan sun laughs in SPF 15. 50 it is.

Practical Gear and Extras

• Daypack or dry bag — for camera gear, water bottles, and other drive-time bits
• Camera – You won’t regret it!
• Binoculars — Essential, unless it means no space for underwear. 
• Buff or small scarf — great for dust, the cold bite, and extra sun protection
• Warm hat/beanie – Crucial for early starts.
• Scarf/shawl – Multi-purpose warmth and sun protection.
• Adapter – 3 prong plug adapters or an international adapter. 
• Side note – Camps are generally plastic-free zones, so you will get a reusable water bottle. Don’t worry about bringing your own.

Tipping is never mandatory, but it is customary in Botswana, and a lot of camp staff depend on tips to supplement their income — so it is gratefully accepted and appreciated! 

Let’s get into it:

Who?

• Generally, you are tipping the guides (individually) and the general camp staff (as a group). Most Botswanan camps don’t have trackers. 

What?

• Some lodges accept card tips (this will be added to the staff’s monthly salary), but we believe cash, in American Dollars, is best. Bring two envelopes per camp for your tips – one for your guide and one for the general staff. 

How much?

• Our general rule of thumb is
• For guides: $20 per person per day. 
• For general staff: $15 per person per day.
• Mokoro polers or butlers: $10 per person per day. 

When?

• It’s best to tip once, at the end of your trip.

Most lodges have you covered with soap, shampoo, body lotion, and even bug spray (fancy). So let’s not pack our entire bathroom, and save your liquid allowance for things that matter, darling. Example of things that matter: mosquito repellent and SPF 50.

The Essentials:

• Toothbrush & toothpaste (please)
• Deodorant (again, please)
• Hand sanitiser & wet wipes (safari gold — great for dust and emergency bush visits)
• Lip balm
• Sunscreen (minimum SPF 50)
• Mozzie mooti (mosquitto repellent) 
• Malaria tablets (check with your doc before travelling).

Your Pocket-Sized First Aid Kit:

Remember to decant into ratios that make sense for the length of your stay. You aren’t trying to open your own bush pharmacy. 

• Pack the usual goodies you would take on an overseas holiday – painkillers, help for a bad stomach if you need it, one or two plasters, and your other must-haves. 
• Antihistamine tablets — if you’re prone to seasonal allergies.
• Motion sickness and nausea tablets — if you’re susceptible (bush planes can get bumpy)
• Any prescription meds — the only thing you should bring extra of — just in case! (One can’t predict delays)
• Extra contact lens solution or a second pair of glasses for those who need them. Heaven forbid you can’t see the animals you came all this way to see.

• Notebook or travel journal — for sightings, dreams, or doodles. 
• Some downtime reading to set the scene: 
  • The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency – for the mystery lover. 
  • Cry of the Kalahari by Mark and Delia Owens for the adventurer.
  • Colour Bar: The Triumph of Serets Khama and His Nation, by Susan Williams, for the romantics and history boffs. This is a love story that defined a nation.
• Bird Book or app for the birders or birders to be.  We recommend: 
  • Sasol eBirds Southern Africa App (Paid for. Specific to Southern Africa. For identifying birds and tracking your sightings)
  • Merlin Bird ID (For identifying birds. Pro tip: Identify regional packages before you arrive) 

Packing for a safari in Botswana is a delicate balance between practicality, comfort, and feeling a little fabulous around the campfire. Pack light, layer well, stick to soft bags and softer colours, and you’re golden. And remember, this isn’t Survivor. If you forget something small, there’s a good chance your lodge or guide will have you covered. More often than not, you’ll be kicking yourself for bringing certain things, not for leaving them behind.