Nicole’s Safari Planning Guide
Nicole Apelian, a former lion researcher and game warden in Botswana, now leads safaris throughout Southern Africa. You may join her this June on Safari in Botswana or contact BootsnAll World Adventures for more information.
What to wear on your African safari? A travel guide for youÂ
A question I often get is ÂWhat do I wear on safari? Chances are, you are going on safari during the dry season. If you are visiting Southern Africa in May, June, July or August you will want warm clothes for those cold nights and shorts and t-shirts for the hot days.
My advice is to layer, layer, layer, especially if you are on flights with luggage weight restrictions. If you do have weight restrictions due to small charter flights, a soft-sided bag is best.
A typical day on safari will start at 6:00am for an early-morning game drive. You will most likely be in an open vehicle, so layers are essential  2 shirts, a fleece or sweater and a windproof jacket and windproof pants over your regular pants. I always recommend a light windproof outer layer to block the wind as you drive through the bush. You will also need a warm hat that covers your ears, a scarf and gloves.
As the morning warms up, you will start to shed your layers. Most likely you will be down to a shirt and pants by 10:30 or so. When you arrive back to camp for lunch, it will be hot. Now is the time to change into your shorts and t-shirt or tank top. You will most likely stay at camp through lunchtime and the hot afternoon.
Most afternoon/early evening game drives start at 3:00 or 4:00pm. YouÂll probably still be wearing your shorts, but bring your layers with you. You will need them if you are staying out after dark.
Late evening game drives bring you back to warm clothes once again.
Khaki? Is it really necessary?
Khaki colors donÂt show dust easily, which is one of the reasons they are so popular. Most animals you will be seeing, however, are color-blind, and wonÂt notice the yellow shirt you are wearing. White may be seen as a warning color, blue may be attractive to tsetse flies, and mosquitoes seem more attracted to darker colors, but for the most part you can wear what you want.
The most important things are to be comfortable and to bring things that will dry quickly if you need to wash items while in the bush. Do note that camouflage clothes are not recommended, and are illegal in some countries.
NicoleÂs Packing List for an African Safari
Travel Documents
Passport (current for 6 months out and with enough blank pages for your travels) along with a photocopy of your passport and other important documents (kept separate from the original) Airline tickets, VISA or MC, cash including small bills for tips
Accessories
Camera, spare batteries with charger, camera cleaning equipment and a dustproof soft-sided bag (a large ziploc to put over camera also works well against dust) Quality binoculars and flashlight/headlamp A good book or two, pen and paper Field guides A travel money belt that fits underneath your clothing
Clothing
1 pair of light weight slacks/pants, 1 pair of warm pants, 2 pairs shorts, 1 pair of lightweight windproof pants 1 windproof, warm jacket or a fleece or a sweater with a lightweight windproof jacket 4 shirts (2 short sleeve or tank tops and 2 long sleeve) 1 pair comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots and 1 pair teva-like sandals Underclothing, socks and a swimsuit Pajamas or tracksuit or warm clothes for sleeping Sun protection (hat that blocks the sun/sunglasses/sunscreen/lip balm) For winter months (May-Aug. in Southern Africa) Â warm hat/scarf/gloves/ear warmers
Toiletries
Personal toiletries (small sizes of shampoo & conditioner, moisturizer, brush, nail clippers, toothbrush and paste, deodorant, etc ), tissues/moist towelettes and a small ziploc with some washing powder in it. Band-aids, headache medicine, anti-diarrheal medicine, antiseptic cream, insect repellant with DEET (your guide should carry a full medical kit) Any prescription medicine and prophylaxis (be sure to include a letter from your physician for prescribed medicines)
