What to Buy and Pack for a Wildlife Excursion

A wildlife excursion needs more than binoculars and a packed lunch. Prepare enough drinking water, food, lighting and safety equipment for the full route, including delays caused by weather or wildlife sightings. Waterproof storage keeps maps, notebooks and supplies usable in the field. Check batteries, charge power banks and pack equipment so each walking team can leave safely from the assembly point.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Outdoor

Backpacksqty 6
Waterproof cratesqty 4
Picnic blanketsqty 6
Seat matsqty 24
Walking sticksqty 8
Binocularsqty 12
Trail camerasqty 3
Night vision gogglesqty 4
Magnifying glassesqty 8
Compassqty 6
Route mapsqty 25
Waterproof notebooksqty 12
Pencilsqty 24
Paw print moldsqty 4

Lighting

Headlampsqty 24
Flashlightsqty 8
Spare batteriesqty 48

Communication

Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Phone power banksqty 4

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 6
Whistlesqty 24
Insect repellent sprayqty 6
Sunscreenqty 4

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 4
Folding chairsqty 8

Catering

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Water jerry cansqty 3
Disposable cupsqty 30
Platesqty 30
Cutlery setsqty 30
Mugsqty 30
Serving plattersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 3
Thermometerqty 2
Groceries
- Multigrain bread - 6 loaves
- Whole wheat wraps - 30 pieces
- Hummus - 1,5 kg
- Young cheese - 1.5 kg
- Smoked chicken breast - 1,5 kg
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kg
- Bell peppers - 10 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kg
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kg
- Nut mix - 1 kg
- Muesli bars - 30 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Vegetable soup - 8 liters
- Lentils - 1 kg
- Potatoes - 4 kg
- Leeks - 1 kg
- Onions - 1 kg
- Garlic - 3 bulbs
- Vegetable stock - 2 boxes
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Spice mix - 2 jars
- Croutons - 4 bags
- Chocolate cookies - 4 packs
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kg
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Still mineral water - 36 liters
- Sparkling mineral water - 18 liters
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Cola - 6 liters
- Cola Zero - 6 liters
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Wet wipes - 4 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Paper napkins - 6 packs
- Trash bags - 3 rolls

Kitchen

Gas burnersqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 2
Cooking potsqty 3
Frying pansqty 2
Serving spoonsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 3
Can openersqty 2
Kettlesqty 2

Cleaning

Dishpanqty 2
Dish brushesqty 3
Microfiber clothsqty 8
Towelsqty 6
Litter pickersqty 3

Tips

Plan at least one litre of drinking water per participant for a short half-day excursion, and add extra water for warm weather or longer routes. Use water jerry cans and refillable bottles rather than relying only on cups.
Pack two or three snacks per person in addition to the main food portions. Keep chilled items in coolers and prepare portions before departure so the group is not waiting while food is sorted out.
Give every walking team navigation and communication equipment: a route map, compass and walkie-talkie. Print spare route maps and keep them in waterproof storage in case one is lost or damaged.
Take one headlamp or flashlight per participant for an early, late or low-light route, plus spare batteries. Charge trail cameras, phones and rechargeable batteries before packing, and bring phone power banks.
Pack a first aid kit, emergency blankets, whistles, insect repellent and sunscreen where they can be reached quickly. Store notebooks, pencils, magnifying glasses and paw print molds in waterproof crates so field observations can continue in wet conditions.

Frequently asked questions

How much water should I bring for a wildlife excursion?: Pack at least 1 litre of drinking water per person for a short half-day route. Bring more for hot weather, limited access to refill points or an excursion lasting longer than 4 hours.
How many flashlights or headlamps do I need?: Plan 1 headlamp or flashlight for every participant who may walk in low light. Add spare batteries for each light and check the equipment at least 1 day before departure.
What food should I buy for a wildlife excursion?: Prepare one main food portion and 2 to 3 snacks per participant, with extra portions for the organiser and unexpected delays. Chill perishable food before packing it in coolers and record allergies before shopping.
When should I check the wildlife excursion equipment?: Do a full equipment check 1 to 2 days before the excursion, then charge batteries and power banks the night before. Confirm that maps, safety gear and waterproof storage are packed before equipment leaves for the assembly point.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.