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What to pack for an African Safari!

August 3, 2016

What to pack for an African Safari

If you’re reading this blog post, the chances are you’re gearing up for the adventure of a lifetime! For many people, going on safari really is life changing: intimate wildlife encounters, beautiful authentic people and peaceful expansive landscapes work magic on many a person’s soul. Outbound in Africa’s hope is that you will experience all of these marvels and more! To help you feel confident and adequately prepared for your trip (so that you can make the most of every second), we’ve put together some packing tips for you.

Before you begin preparing or purchasing any new kit, keep these things in mind:

Many safari lodges and camps are only accessible for small aircrafts, which have strict weight restrictions for luggage (usually 12 to 15 kilograms per person) so pack light. We suggest going for a soft-sided bag rather than a suitcase on wheels. For your valuables (cameras, binoculars, passports etc.) we suggest a smaller easy-to-carry backpack or bag that you can take as hand luggage.

What to pack for an African Safari!
October 2, 2015
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@bushboundgirl for Outbound in Africa
What to pack for an African Safari

If you’re reading this blog post, the chances are you’re gearing up for the adventure of a lifetime! For many people, going on safari really is life changing: intimate wildlife encounters, beautiful authentic people and peaceful expansive landscapes work magic on many a person’s soul. Outbound in Africa’s hope is that you will experience all of these marvels and more! To help you feel confident and adequately prepared for your trip (so that you can make the most of every second), we’ve put together some packing tips for you.

Before you begin preparing or purchasing any new kit, keep these things in mind:

Many safari lodges and camps are only accessible for small aircrafts, which have strict weight restrictions for luggage (usually 12 to 15 kilograms per person) so pack light. We suggest going for a soft-sided bag rather than a suitcase on wheels. For your valuables (cameras, binoculars, passports etc.) we suggest a smaller easy-to-carry backpack or bag that you can take as hand luggage.

‘Did you know that the word “safari” literally means “jouney” in Swahili? (spoken in East Africa). Photo © The Safari Store.

Pack clothes that are ‘earthy’ in colour and will blend into your surroundings as much as possible. We suggest tones like khaki, olive, stone, brown and beige. White is the most conspicuous colour in the bush and should be avoided, especially if you’re planning to go on a bush walk, which is a magnificent activity, offered at many safari camps.

Be prepared for the elements. As a general rule, the temperature in the bush drops in early mornings and evenings. Morning game drives require an early start and you will want to wear warm layers (especially being in an open vehicle). Choose items that can be easily peeled off as the day warms up, such as zip-off pants, a beanie and a warm fleece with a t-shirt underneath. Always take along warm clothes on afternoon drives, which stretch into the evening. Covering up with light long sleeve tops in the twilight is important to protect you from mosquitos.