Forget the pith helmet: What you really need to pack for a safari

You won’t need a flak jacket or a safari suit. And the pith helmet is best left at home (or donated to a colonial history museum). There will be Instagrammable moments aplenty, but they should focus on fantastical wildlife encounters rather than fashion. Packing for your upcoming safari is therefore straightforward.

Pack light in a soft-sided bag. Space is limited in safari vehicles and the small aircraft often used to transfer you between camps.

Try not to overpack if travelling for a safari.Credit: Illustration: Greg Straight

Follow the guides’ lead and aim to blend in. Muted colours allow you to move seamlessly through the bush; dark colours are a magnet for the sun and tsetse flies, which can inhabit tropical Africa. Try to mimic the habitat and hues of the wildlife you’ve come to see: khaki, wheaten, green. A scarlet blouse might not be a red rag to a bull elephant, but it jars with the landscape and might alert skittish animals to your presence.

Expect extremes. Moisture-wicking fabrics ease hot days – outdoor adventure outlets sell a range of suitable wear. My safari uniform comprises lightweight hiking pants and a long sleeved linen shirt, which guards against the sun and can be pulled over a T-shirt. Shorts will do, but be sure to cover up at dawn and dusk when the mosquitoes are biting. Supplement your sunscreen with a broad-brimmed hat and – on scorching days – a neck gaiter. Sundowners often herald a cooldown; nights turn frosty, and dawn game drives elicit chills of the meteorological kind. Blankets (and sometimes water bottles) will be supplied on most game drives, but take a jumper or lightweight jacket for campfire soirees.

Ditch the heels and brogues – even dinners in the most luxurious camps won’t necessitate glam footwear. Walking safari? Pack hiking boots. Driving? Runners will do. If you’re a renegade, like some of my friends and family, you can wear thongs while exploring. I’m wary of snakes and other creepy-crawlies, so I slip into the cooling footwear only once back in camp – and always apply mosquito repellant to my exposed toes.

Wearing muted colours allows you to move seamlessly through the bush, dark colours are a magnet for the sun and tsetse flies.Credit: Getty Images

Safari operators are prepared for medical emergencies, but a personal first-aid kit is essential. Mine is stocked with Hydralyte, antihistamines, Stingose, sunscreen and anti-malarial medication where appropriate (see a travel doctor before departure for relevant advice).

I’ve had aerosol insect repellents confiscated or inspected by several southern African airport officials before, so I now travel with the non-aerosol spray or cream versions; RID and Bushman are my top picks. Forgotten something? Pop into Link Pharmacy at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport if you’re transiting there; stock includes over-the-counter anti-malarial medication.

Binoculars amplify the game-watching experience, and a head-torch is handy for nighttime forays. Camps generally have power outlets, but a battery pack will keep your phone and camera charged while you’re bushwhacking.

Pack sustainably. Limit the rubbish you leave behind and leave space in your bag for items required by community projects in the region you’re visiting. Connect with local providers and find out what they need at Pack for a Purpose. See packforapurpose.org