Knowing what to pack is key
Going on an African safari will most likely be the most exciting adventure you will ever take in your travels. Seeing “the Big 5” in the wild—Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo—is a memory that lasts forever, so you’ll want to be prepared for every situation when you explore the African savanna. You’ll also want to make sure you feel comfortable and have all the gear you need to make your trip easy and stress-free.
My husband Dave and I have been on our fair share of African safaris and we’ve learned a few things from each trip to the continent. From dressing the part to packing the right camera gear, we’ve got you covered; TravelSmith has made it easy, too. They’ve broken down their safari gear into one comprehensive safari collection where you can browse all the clothing and gadgets that will make your African safari a trip to remember.
Seeing elephants and other big game in the wild is an unforgettable experience
Safari Tip #1: Dress the Part
Have you ever wondered why everyone dresses in khakis and long sleeves in adventure movies? Don’t those clothes make people hot and sweaty on the African plain? Well, yes and no. The reason people wear long sleeves and pants while on safari is because if you choose lightweight, breathable clothing, you’ll actually be more comfortable than you would be wearing shorts and a tank top.
Long sleeves protect you from the elements. The sun can be harsh in Africa so you want as little skin exposed as possible. Long sleeves protect you from the elements and if you stick to neutral colors, you’ll blend in nicely with the savanna—letting you watch the local wildlife without interrupting their day as you reflect back the heat of the sun.
Safari Vest
This is absolutely the best time to break out your inner Indiana Jones. The Men’s 15 pocket Voyager Vest and Women’s 15-Pocket Voyager Vest are great for carrying extra batteries, sunscreen and anything else you might need to keep handy. Safari vehicles can sometimes be crowded so you don’t want to have to rummage through your bags all the time. Besides, you may miss spotting some rare wildlife with your head down, so keep everything at your fingertips.
Safari Hat
I don’t wear hats often when we travel, but while on safari one never leaves my head. A breathable hat protects you from heat stroke and keeps the sun out of your eyes. You are watching wildlife after all, so you don’t want to be looking at them through dark glasses. With a hat, you don’t need to constantly wear your sunglasses.
Recommended: Tilley AIRFLOW and ExOfficio BugsAway Hat
Shoes
Chances are if you are going to Africa on safari, you’ll be doing a walking safari or paying a visit to a Maasai village. When walking through the brush, you want to protect your toes—so wear comfortable, closed-toed hiking shoes with ample support.
Recommended: Merrell Moab Shoes
Shop our Safari Collection.
Travel Tip #2: Gear for Spotting Wildlife
Your guide can’t spot all the wildlife on the Great Plains, so it’s up to you to help. Half the fun of going on safari is working to spot the animals. They can hide and blend in well, so you have to keep a sharp eye. Binoculars are perfect for this: you can search far into the horizon, then let your guide know if you spot a cheetah or zebra in the distance.
Leopard staring at us from a tree branch
Travel Tip #3: Be Versatile
We love to pack items that have dual purposes. A perfect choice for a safari is a pair of zip-off convertible pants. Sometimes the heat in the truck can be pretty harsh, so you may want to break your clothing down into layers. Being able to zip off the bottom of your pants and turn them into shorts can really make things a lot more comfortable.
My favorite piece of TravelSmith clothing for the ladies is definitely my zippy skort. It’s a skirt and short combo, in one. I can wear it out on safari and feel comfortable going on a hike in it, but it can also be worn out for dinner at night. African safari lodges are often very posh and part of the fun is dressing up and enjoying a sunset dinner overlooking the savannah.
Taking a hike to local villages with the Masai tribe
Travel Tip #4: How to Get the Perfect Shot
For your camera gear, we highly suggest packing two camera bodies and having them both around your neck at all times. You’ll need a wide lens to capture those beautiful African landscape shots, but you’ll also want to immediately grab your long lens to zoom in on a passing lion or buffalo. Plan to pack one camera with a long lens attached (for capturing wildlife shots) and the another with a wider, versatile lens for capturing those landscape shots.
We recommend a 500mm lens for zooming in. In places like the Maasai Mara of Kenya or Serengeti of Tanzania, you’ll be surprised by how vast the landscape is and how far away you often are from the wildlife. Safari vehicles have strict rules not to bother wildlife and to keep a safe distance away. Many times animals are lazing under trees several hundred yards away, so you’ll want a zoom lens to get that picture of a giraffe reaching up over the tall trees.
Finally, buy a beanbag to rest your camera body on the roof of your safari vehicle. You can’t bring a tripod with you inside the truck, but a beanbag stabilizes your camera so you can zoom in and capture those incredible shots of a leopard hiding in a tree or a cheetah running off in the distance.
Pack a camera and zoom lens so you can take amazing photos like this
Ready to Go?
Shop our site for travel clothing and travel gear ready made for any climate. Consult our packing guides and free packing list that includes everything you need to pack for your next adventure.
About the Author
Dave and Deb are well-known travel personalities in both online and mainstream media. Their highly acclaimed website, The Planet D, won Gold Medal for Best Travel Blog by the Society of American Travel Writers and best Photo Illustration of Travel. Dave and Deb founded The Planet D in 2008 after cycling the continent of Africa and have traveled to more than 100 countries on all 7 continents. They live by their motto “Adventure is For Everyone.” If they can do it, anyone can.
Read Next: Packing Tips for Europe
The post How to Prepare for an African Safari appeared first on TravelSmith: TravelCenter.