African Safari Essentials – The Ultimate Packing Guide

Here are our top tips for packing for an African Safari:

• Travel light.
  This is advice to take seriously. When navigating planes, trains and automobiles in a foreign country, the last thing you need is a travel bag that includes everything but the kitchen sink. Instead, picture yourself effortlessly swinging your travel bag over your shoulder as you head towards your awaiting safari vehicle, dressed from head to toe in the prerequisite beige. Why the classic neutral tones you ask?
• Consider your colours carefully.
  There’s something “Out of Africa” and aesthetically pleasing about wearing different shades of the savannah when on safari, but there are practical reasons too.
  
  Beige and other neutral colors blend well with the natural surroundings, helping to avoid startling wildlife. Interestingly, many animals that you will encounter on safari such as lions, elephants, rhinos and zebras have dichromatic vision. This means that they perceive shades of blue and yellow, have difficulty distinguishing between red and green and rely on senses other than colour vision. Fast movement, for example, can be more startling to wildlife than bold colours.
  
  Now that we have considered your “camouflage”, you also need to consider the heat. Heat management when you’re on safari is important. Light colours reflect more sunlight than darker colours, helping to keep you cool. These colours are also less attractive to certain insects, such as tsetse flies, which are drawn to dark colours. This is mostly due to the warmth that dark colours provide rather than the colours themselves.
  
  Another reason to wear these tones is that they effectively hide any dust and dirt from being on safari. They’re also extremely versatile and can easily be matched with other clothing items. So, all things considered, make sure that you are comfortable and if you’d like to rock safari fashion, neutral tones are the way to go.
• The art of layering.
  Itineraries for safaris often include an early morning game drive and a late afternoon game drive. Animals avoid the midday heat and are most likely to be active early morning or late afternoon. This also offers the promise of witnessing the most magnificent sunrises and sunsets. It can also mean that there will be a chill in the air. Layers are the solution! Consider a light jacket, a button-down shirt with a t-shirt underneath, a zip-up fleece or even a light shawl. In this way, you can adjust your clothing to the changing temperature.
• Pants!
  Here’s something that you might not know that is well worth knowing. It may save you an embarrassing situation or much confusion. In South Africa, “pants” are “trousers”. People are not referring to your underwear! We’d suggest cargo shorts or trousers. Those with a durable fabric, multiple pockets, and utility design are ideal for outdoor activities like safaris. Some more technical clothing even comes with moisture-wicking, insect defense and sun protection.
• Shoes, hats and accessories.
  When on safari, make sure you have a good pair of walking shoes especially if you plan to do a walking safari. Walking safaris are popular and offer a closer connection to nature not to mention an enhanced sensory experience. Don’t forget to pack good socks.
  
  A wide-brimmed hat is a must as the sun can be a scorcher, and a beanie will not go amiss in the winter months. Then, pack your swimming costume and sunglasses. There’s nothing better to do with your safari downtime than relax by the pool with a good book.

That should cover what you need and ensure a memorable, easy safari experience. Check with your accommodation whether you will be able to have your clothes washed and ironed along the way and remember: “He who would travel happily must travel light.”