One of our more frequently asked questions here at Real Africa is what should I take on safari and what should I wear. It really depends on which country you are travelling to and what time of year you are travelling as daytime temps can be high whereas at nightime it can be freezing cold – even in Africa! Your best bet is to talk to your travel consultant who will advise you accordingly.
Firstly do not take your rigid giant suitcase with you. Much of your travelling between the airport and various safari camps or lodges will be done by mini-bus or 4 wheel drive and the space is very limited for baggage. If you pack a soft canvas type holdall that can be squeezed in then so much the better. If you are flying in and out of a safari camp then many of the light aircraft have strict weight limits for bags and you must not go over this. Please check with your travel consultant as to what the weight limit is before travelling. As well as your main bag you will also need to pack a day bag or rucksack to take out with you on game drives and when on outings away from your safari lodge for cameras and binoculars and packing away extra layers once the sun has come up.
Towels and toiletries are usually provided by the safari lodge unless your are going to quite a basic camp so you do not need to pack those. You will need to take appropriate clothing with you for safari so that you can be safe and comfortable and remain unobtrusive when game viewing. You will need lightweight and neutral coloured trousers and t-shirts and also for the hear perhaps some shorts. Bright colours will often scare off the wildlife so would not be much good when on a game drive! Clothes should be loose and comfortable as the tracks you drive along are extremely rough in places and the journeys will be long and bouncy!
Comfortable shoes are advisable and if you are walking on safari then a worn in pair of proper hiking boots are recommended. Sunglasses and sun hats are a must as is sun cream as the African sun is extremely strong at any time of the year. Most people are surprised when they hear that it can get very cold at night and also in the early mornings and late evenings. Bring warm fleeces and a jacket if you are staying in the highlands or the Masai Mara in particular. And a lightweight waterproof is also advisable.
A lot of the camps and lodges offer dinner outside around the traditional boma so make sure you have something warm. Most people do not dress up for dinner but you can take a smarter outfit if you prefer. Please make sure you take long sleeved shirts and trousers for the evening as mosquito protection and some potent mosquito spray. And don’t forget to take your malaria tablets unless you are going to a malaria free zone in South Africa. Most lodges do offer laundry facilities but on a typical safari you tend not to stay in one place for more than one or two nights. Most lodges have swimming pools so don’t forget to take a swimming costume with you either.
If you have lots of gadgets such as cameras, video recorders, smart-phones etc then don’t forget to take your chargers and an adaptor. A torch is also a good idea for helping you find your way back to your tent or your room after a night at the bar!
