Light, neutral colours – you should avoid dark black and blue clothes as they can attract certain insects, avoid bright patterns because they can attract mosquitos. There’s a good reason most safari clothes are in shades of beige, sand and khaki. White clothes might get a little grubby. At the same time, you should avoid black and very dark colours too, as they can attract Tsetse flies, which have an unpleasant and painful bite.
Easy care clothes – you’ll be in and out of vehicles and out in the wild, so the last thing you need is to be worried about clothes with fussy care instructions. Pick clothes that won’t wrinkle easily and are simple to wash and dry.
Comfort is key – think about how your clothes will feel after a long travelling. Ditch anything that digs in or makes you uncomfortable.
Long clothes – long sleeves and trousers or long skirts/shorts will help keep you covered, providing some level of protection from the sun and insects. This isn’t a replacement for insect repellant though, you’ll still need to pack that. You can get anti-insect safari clothing.
We suggest:
- Lightweight long sleeve shirt x 3
- Lightweight long sleeve tee x 2
- Lightweight fleece
- Lightweight waterproof jacket
- Lightweight/convertible trousers x 2
- Lightweight shorts or safari dress (optional)
- Safari socks x 4
- Swimwear
- Sarong for swimming pools/Quick-Drying Microfibre Towel
- Merino wool thermals/pyjamas for sleeping
- A sunhat – the sun can be fierce, so protect yourself with a lightweight hat. Pick one with a brim to help keep the sun out of your eyes too
- Beanie hat – for the early morning starts and chilly evenings
- Headband – to keep hair out of your eyes
- A neck gaiter or lightweight scarf is often useful to keep away flies and keep your neck warm during early morning / evenings
- Sports bra – seriously. Some of the roads can get very bumpy and you’ll thank us for the extra support when you’re bouncing along. (Men, not so much!)
- Walking shoes (enclosed toe)
- Walking open toe sandals are sometimes a good option for inside the vehicle on long journeys
- Sunscreen – non-perfume
- Sunglasses, with UV protection
- Binoculars and camera
- Insect repellent. A common myth is that DEET kills mosquitoes and insects when, actually, it repels and deters them. Current research has shown that mosquitoes intensely dislike the smell of it. You will likely come across different formulae with DEET percentages ranging from 5% all the way up to 100%. A common misconception is that DEET in higher percentages offers increased protection. The effectiveness of DEET does not increase beyond 20%, and can be expected to work for four to five hours. With this in mind – and if you are worried about the effect of DEET on skin – it makes sense to use a bug spray with a lower DEET percentage and re-apply as needed.
- Travel adaptor
- Torch
Please note: There will be time to wash clothes while camping, often between the first and second game drives.
Hotels offer a paid laundry service, but they will not wash underwear.