Packing For An African Safari

Posted by Nick Niesen on October 29th, 2010

What to take with limited allowances for travel, in vehicles and/or light aircraft. The first thing you should do is invest in at soft bag. Your luggage will be squeezed into a limited space in your safari vehicle and a hard suitcases just will not do. Make sure the bag is plain, hardwearing with a sturdy zip.

We are often asked what binoculars to bring on safari we recommend the following: - a power x7 or higher. Look for any of the following: 7x42, 8x42, 10x42, 8x50, 10x50. It is the second number that is critical. Less than 30 and image quality is seriously compromised. Higher than 50 and you will have a hard job holding them steady. If you can afford Zeiss, Leica or Swarovski, all the better, but Canon, Nikon and Opticron do very good reasonably priced glasses.

[Recommendations for Binocular: - Magnification: 8 x 42 - Field of View: At least 330 ft at 1000 yards. - Exit pupil size: 5.25 mm or more Eye relief: 18 or more - Prism and Coating: BAK-4 prism and Fully Multi-Coated surfaces, Weight: Not more than 30.1 oz. Lbs]

MAKE A PLAN AND STICK TO IT! creating a list - like an architect planning a building, so must you plan the contents of your suitcase. Set aside the pieces you intend to bring and ensure that they are clean and ready to be packed

Jewellery ? don?t take what you don?t want to lose, and leave behind the flashy pieces that could attract thieves. Keep makeup to a minimum to save space, and leave the perfume behind when scented lotions will work just as well. When it comes to toiletries - travel kits are always the answer. Having a travel kit perpetually stocked in a waterproof case will save in packing time before the trip and aggravation [and mess] after arrival.

A Kenyan I know is an expert packer - he will spend time packing using every space possible in you soft bag. He ensures everything is clean and ironed. Once folded he irons them flat - sometimes rolling but if they are ironed and folded correctly rolling is not always necessary.

Clothing To Pack for a Safari:

2 pairs khaki cotton pants (jeans are hot and uncomfortable)

2 pairs sturdy shorts

2 long sleeved light coloured shirts (for evenings help to keep the mosquitoes at bay).

1 light sweater or sweatshirt

1 lightweight, waterproof windbreaker

1 or 2 pair sturdy walking or hiking boots or running shoes [thick soles are essential as when walking in the bush there will many long sharp thorns]

3-5 short-sleeved shirts or T-shirts

5 changes underwear and socks

1 hat with a brim (baseball caps might cover your nose but not your ears and neck).

Please travel light. You should also bring a day pack to carry any essentials you might need whilst on safari. On safari most people wear shorts and a T-shirt during the day and put on long sleeved shirts and long pants in the evening for warmth as well as protection from mosquitoes.

Khaki, brown, olive and beige colours are best for and safaris and game walks.
White is not a suitable colour for these activities; they will get dirty with red/brown dust within minutes.

Fleece or sweater and a windbreaker for game drives, because it is highly possible that you may go out on a hot day, but be faced with a chill evening on your return. Some areas have a steep temperature gradient, i.e. Very hot days and very cool nights.
Remember that layering your clothing will keep you warmer than relying on one thick item.