Going on safari? Get a kit tailored to your trip.
Tell us where and when you're going. We'll send the animals you'll see, what to pack, and reminders timed to your dates. Free, from a charity protecting the wild.
Travellers who see wildlife under threat go on to give more to conservation.
A kit for where you're going
The Pantanal isn't Patagonia, and the Okavango isn't the Serengeti. Pick where you're going and your kit, its season, packing list and animals are made for it.
Are you safari-ready?
Eight questions first-time safari guests ask most, answered by the people who protect the wild.
What should you wear on safari?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Quiet, neutral colours blend in with the bush and hide the dust. Skip camouflage: in some African countries it's for the military only. Bring a warm layer too, because open vehicles are cold at dawn.
The full packing and clothing list is in your kit.
What should you wear on safari?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Quiet, neutral colours don't startle wildlife. Light long sleeves and trousers keep off the sun and mosquitoes, and a rain jacket helps in the wet season. There's no need for camouflage.
The full packing and clothing list is in your kit.
What should you wear on safari?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Patagonia's wind is famous and the weather can turn in minutes. Wear layers you can add and take off, with a windproof, waterproof shell, in quiet colours that don't stand out to wildlife.
The full packing and clothing list is in your kit.
What should you wear on safari?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
You're on the equator, so the sun is strong: bring a hat, light long sleeves and reef-safe sunscreen. Many landings are "wet", stepping from a small boat into shallow water, so pack sandals or water shoes.
The full packing and clothing list is in your kit.
What should you wear on safari?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Quiet, neutral colours don't startle wildlife. In the rainforest, light quick-dry long sleeves and trousers beat the heat and the bugs, and leech socks help on forest walks. There's no need for camouflage.
The full packing and clothing list is in your kit.
What should you wear on safari?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
New Zealand's weather can change fast, even in summer. Wear layers you can add and take off, and keep a good rain jacket handy for boat trips and walks.
The full packing and clothing list is in your kit.
How can you tell a leopard from a cheetah?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Look at the spots first. Leopards have rosettes, broken rings around a golden centre. Cheetahs have solid round spots and a black "tear line" from each eye to the mouth. And it's leopards that drag their prey up trees.
Your kit has the Big Five and more look-alike quizzes.
How can you tell a jaguar from an ocelot?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
The jaguar is the largest cat in the Americas, with big rosettes that often hold a spot in the middle. The ocelot is much smaller, with chain-like stripes and blotches, and mostly comes out at night.
Your kit has more look-alikes to practise on.
How can you tell a sun bear from an Asiatic black bear?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
The sun bear is the world's smallest bear, with short sleek fur and a golden or cream chest patch. The Asiatic black bear is much bigger and shaggier, with a white crescent on its chest: the moon bear. On Borneo, any bear is a sun bear.
Your kit has more look-alikes to practise on.
Kea or kākā: which is the cheeky mountain parrot?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Kea live in the South Island's mountains and are famous for pulling at cars. Kākā live in native forest, mostly up in the treetops, and have a crimson belly and underwings.
Your kit has more look-alikes to practise on.
Andean condor or turkey vulture: which has a white ruff?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
The Andean condor is huge, with wings about 3 m across, a white ruff around its neck and white patches on its wings. Turkey vultures are much smaller, with a small bare red head.
Your kit has more look-alikes to practise on.
Which Galápagos iguana feeds in the sea?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
The marine iguana is the only lizard in the world that feeds in the sea: it dives for seaweed, then sneezes out the salt. Land iguanas are yellow-orange and eat cactus.
Your kit has more look-alikes to practise on.
How close do you get to mountain gorillas?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Trekkers keep about 7 m back, for one hour with the family. Gorillas catch human colds and flu, so the distance protects them.
Your kit has the trekking rules and what to pack.
Will you see every animal on your list?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Wildlife is wild. Shy and night-time animals may never show, and some days the quiet moments are the best ones. That's why your checklist scores every sighting, and the rare ones score the most.
Your checklist and Safari Bingo are in your kit.
What's the one thing you'll wish you'd packed?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
One pair each, so nobody waits while the leopard walks away. And pack light: small planes into the bush often allow only one soft bag of about 15 to 20 kg.
The full packing list is in your kit.
What's the one thing you'll wish you'd packed?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
One pair each, so nobody waits while the jaguar slips back into the forest. And pack light: river boats and lodges often have little room for bags.
The full packing list is in your kit.
What's the one thing you'll wish you'd packed?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
One pair each, so nobody waits while the puma walks over the ridge. And bring spare batteries: the cold drains them fast.
The full packing list is in your kit.
What's the one thing you'll wish you'd packed?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Many animals walk right up to you, but you'll want a pair each for whales, dolphins and seabirds out at sea. And pack light: boat cabins are small.
The full packing list is in your kit.
What's the one thing you'll wish you'd packed?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
One pair each, so nobody waits while the hornbill flies off through the canopy. And pack light: river boats and jungle lodges often have little room for bags.
The full packing list is in your kit.
What's the one thing you'll wish you'd packed?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
One pair each, so nobody waits while the albatross glides past. Many of New Zealand's best sightings, from seabirds to dolphins, are out on the water.
The full packing list is in your kit.
Is a safari good for kids?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Many camps welcome families and run programmes for children. Some have minimum ages for drives, walks or boat trips, so check before you book. A checklist and bingo cards keep young spotters busy for hours.
Your kit has a kids' pack with colouring pages and a Junior Ranger pledge.
How do you choose an ethical operator?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Good operators can tell you how your fees keep land wild, limit vehicles at sightings, and employ local people. Cub petting and "walking with lions" harm the animals you came to see.
Your kit has five questions to ask before you book.
How do you choose an ethical operator?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Good operators can tell you how your fees protect the forest and wetlands, limit boats and vehicles at sightings, and employ local people. Holding sloths and other wild animals for photos stresses and harms them.
Your kit has five questions to ask before you book.
How do you choose an ethical operator?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Good operators can tell you how your fees help protect the land, keep groups small and back at sightings, and employ local people. Feeding wild animals changes how they behave and puts them at risk.
Your kit has five questions to ask before you book.
How do you choose an ethical operator?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Every visit to the national park goes with a licensed naturalist guide, so ask about yours and how big the groups are. Good operators keep you on the trails and back from the animals. Touching or feeding wildlife is against park rules.
Your kit has five questions to ask before you book.
How do you choose an ethical operator?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Good operators can tell you how your fees protect the forest, keep groups small and employ local people. Elephant rides, animal shows and wildlife selfies harm the animals you came to see.
Your kit has five questions to ask before you book.
How do you choose an ethical operator?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Good operators hold a Department of Conservation permit, keep back from dolphins, seals and nesting birds, and give back to conservation. Feeding kea and other wildlife makes them sick and bold.
Your kit has five questions to ask before you book.
Should you tip your guide?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Tipping is customary on most safaris, and customs vary by country and camp, so ask before you go. Where you can, tip your guide and tracker directly: they're conservation's front line.
Your kit has tipping tips for your last day.
Should you tip your guide?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Tipping is customary on most nature trips, and customs vary by country and lodge, so ask before you go. Where you can, tip your guide directly: guides are conservation's front line.
Your kit has tipping tips for your last day.
Should you tip your guide?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Tipping is customary on most nature trips, and customs vary by country and lodge, so ask before you go. Where you can, tip your guide directly: guides are conservation's front line.
Your kit has tipping tips for your last day.
Should you tip your guide?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Tipping your naturalist guide and boat crew is customary, so ask your operator for its guideline before you go. Guides are conservation's front line.
Your kit has tipping tips for your last day.
Should you tip your guide?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Tipping is welcome on most nature trips, and customs vary by country and lodge, so ask before you go. Where you can, tip your guide directly: guides are conservation's front line.
Your kit has tipping tips for your last day.
Should you tip your guide?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Tipping isn't expected in New Zealand, but a tip or a warm review for a great guide is always welcome. Guides are conservation's front line.
Your kit has tipping tips for your last day.
You photographed a rhino! Can you post it?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Share the photo, not the place. Poachers watch social media, so turn off location tagging and never post where or when you saw a rhino.
Your kit has more tips for photos that never help a poacher.
You photographed a jaguar! Can you post it?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Share the photo, not the place. Poachers and wildlife traffickers watch social media, so turn off location tagging and never post where you saw a jaguar or a macaw nest.
Your kit has more tips for photos that never help a poacher.
You photographed a puma! Can you post it?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Share the photo, not the place. Turn off location tagging and never post exactly where you saw a puma or a huemul: it can lead crowds and hunters to them.
Your kit has more tips for photos that never help a poacher.
A sea lion pup comes up to you. Can you get a selfie?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Let the animals come to you, keep about 2 m back and never touch them: it's a park rule, and a pup that smells of people can be rejected by its mother. No flash, either.
Your kit has more tips for photos that never help a poacher.
You found a hornbill nest! Can you post it?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Share the photo, not the place. Poachers and wildlife traffickers watch social media, so turn off location tagging and never post where you saw a hornbill nest, an orangutan or a tiger.
Your kit has more tips for photos that never help a poacher.
You found a penguin nest! Can you post it?
Pick an answer to see what the guides say.
Share the photo, not the place. Turn off location tagging and never say where a nest is: visitors who follow can scare the parents off their eggs.
Your kit has more tips for photos that never help a poacher.
Your Safari Kit, tailored to your trip
We build your kit around where and when you're going. Your first email unlocks it all, on one page, for your region. Then a few short reminders, timed to your dates.
Your own kit page
Everything for your region on one page, in the order your trip needs it, from booking to the drive home.
Look-alike guides
Leopard or cheetah? Black rhino or white? Quick quizzes on real camera-trap photos.
Spotter's checklist
The Big Five and dozens more for your region, with points for every animal. On your phone or printed.
Packing and clothing list
What to bring, what to wear and what to leave at home for the animals' sake.
Safari Bingo and kids' pack
Three bingo cards for the vehicle, colouring pages of the animals you might see, and a Junior Ranger pledge.
Choosing an ethical safari
Five questions to ask your operator, the attractions to avoid, and how your trip can pay to keep the wild wild.
On-safari tips
What a game drive is like, how to behave at a sighting, photos that never help a poacher, and who to tip.
Six short lessons
One every few days before you go, each opening a part of your kit.
A trip reminder
A few weeks before you travel, so nothing is forgotten.
Your family's certificate
A Certified Safari Spotter certificate when you're home.
Get your free Safari Kit
Tell us where and when you're going, and your tailored kit arrives the moment you sign up.
From Save the Animals, a US 501(c)(3) charity with Candid's Platinum Seal of Transparency.Your kit is on its way. Have an amazing trip!
Check your inbox. Can't wait? Open your kit now.
Your Safari Kit arrives by email right away, then short reminders timed to your trip and your family's certificate after. Made by Save the Animals, a US 501(c)(3) charity funding the rangers and reserves protecting these animals. Sources: Hehir et al., Journal of Sustainable Tourism (2023), 924 travellers. Photos: Snapshot Safari via LILA BC, CDLA-Permissive-1.0. We cropped camera banners, resized the images and removed their metadata.