When it comes to packing for safari, there’s one golden rule: soft-sided duffels only. Most safari flights and overland safaris require it. After safari adventures in multiple African countries, I’ve learned not all duffels are created equal. For my recent safari in Tanzania with Golden Sky Safaris, I packed all my essentials including safari clothes, camera gear, and even my Starlink in the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler 60L Duffel. It didn’t just hold up – it excelled through three safari stops and a beach escape to Hodi Hodi Zanzibar arranged by Doug MacDonald Safaris.
What I Packed This In For Safari
The Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler 60L duffel was my primary bag for exploring the Lake Natron basin, descending into Ngorongoro Crater, and chasing wildlife in the Serengeti. After days in dust and bumpy Land Cruisers, it still looked brand new. Traveling for a month including safaris and trekking Kilimanjaro, I stored my larger rolling duffel in Arusha while I went adventuring in the bush. This duffel even slid neatly into my larger one for international flights and a few days of R&R in Zanzibar at the tail-end of my trip.
Why I Love the Cargo Hauler 60L
Here’s what stood out:
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Spacious but Safari-Approved: Holds a surprising amount without being oversized. While perfect for small bush flights with strict baggage weight limits, it could be used as a carry-on and stored in overhead bin on most international airlines.
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Smart Storage:
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2 large exterior zippered pockets (ideal for muddy shoes and wet gear)
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1 exterior zippered pocket with a mesh pouch great for organizing smaller items like sunscreen, bug spray, hand sanitizer, or wipes.
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Compression Straps:
Four external straps cinch things down tight, keeping the load balanced and compact. -
Multiple Carry Options:
The hideaway backpack straps are great, especially if you need to walk for a bit, or to make it easier for someone to carry it to your safari tent or lodge room. They’re padded and surprisingly comfortable. This bag has grab handles everywhere—top, sides, and ends. -
Tough as Nails:
This bag took a beating across multiple safari locations and still shows no signs of wear and tear. Plus, it’s lightweight and water-resistant. -
Packs Into Itself:
Once unpacked, it folds down into its own end pocket for easy storage. -
Sustainably Made:
Crafted from recycled materials this is durability meets eco-conscious design. - Color and Size Options:
Comes in five colors. I went with currant, a rich berry red that blends, yet stands out, in the sea of safari khaki. It also comes in 3 sizes – 40L, 60L, and 90L.
Bonus: My Packing Cubes Obsession
I paired the duffel with Eagle Creek packing cubes, which I’ve used for years. The Pack-It Isolate Carry-on Set is my favorite, mainly for the two-sided clean/dirty cube. On this trip, they helped keep clean and dirty safari clothes separated and organized, my travel and regular travel clothes organized, along with my workout and Zanzibar specific clothes organized in a compression cube. These compression packing cubes are one of my non-negotiables for not just adventure travel, but any travel.
It’s a Soft-Sided Duffel Powerhouse
Whether you’re heading out on safari, an off-grid trek, or a weekend road trip, the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler 60L is a soft-sided powerhouse. It checks every box for size, durability, packability, and comfort. It’s versatile enough for the wild Serengeti and stylish enough for a boutique beach stay on Zanzibar’s coast. It’s perfect for the African bush, or any wild adventure in America.
🦓🌍 If you’re gearing up for an African adventure, this is the duffel to pack.