Birder’s Quintessential Packing Checklist
Whether you’re preparing for your first overnight birding trip or you frequently travel the world in pursuit of birding joy, our Quintessential Packing Checklist is useful for first-timers and pros alike!
We certainly recognize that packing for a multi-day birding trip is a delicate balancing act. You want to bring everything you need to enjoy the experience fully without over-packing or carrying things that never leave your suitcase.
Deciding on clothing in particular can be stressful. We recommend choosing pieces that are lightweight, moisture-wicking, and easy to layer. For birding in particular, natural, muted colors such as browns/tans, greens and grays are suggested in order to blend in with the environment.
If possible, avoid white and bright colors, as well as animal prints, as they may startle or confuse wildlife. Also avoid black or dark clothing that might attract mosquitoes. In addition, it is important to note that some countries restrict or prohibit civilians from wearing camouflage clothing.
For longer trips, take advantage of hotel or lodge laundry services so you can pack fewer outfits and focus on versatile pieces to prevent over-packing.
To streamline your packing process, our checklist serves as a quick visual guide to help you decide what to bring (and what to leave behind) based on your destination, trip length, and personal travel style.
- In conjunction with the checklist, your packing strategy should include bringing items that play double or even triple+ duty, such as:
- Packing cubes to organize items by category (clothing, electronics, toiletries, etc.) so everything is easy to find without having to unpack your entire bag. Those same packing cubes later become an excellent way to separate clean clothes from your laundry. It’s worth noting that some countries have restrictions or bans on plastic bags, making cubes an even more practical solution
- Zip-off hiking pants that convert into shorts when temperatures fluctuate
- A lightweight, waterproof jacket with a hood that works for rain protection and as an added layer of warmth on planes and during early morning birding walks
- A smartphone that functions as an all-in-one tool: camera, e-book reader (if your eyesight permits), birding app, and repository for digital copies of important documents
- A lightweight backpack that serves as your carry-on during travel days to keep important documents, electronics, and medication secure, which then seamlessly transitions into a daypack for birding essentials while in the field
Be sure to use these tips and the checklist to guide you in preparation for your next birding adventure! Click the link below to request your copy of the checklist: