Packing

Although the choice of what to take is yours, there are some things we consider essential and as a guide you should plan to take the equipment and clothing detailed below. If camping all of the camp equipment is provided but you will need to bring your own sleeping bag and towel. Luggage should be kept to a minimum. You will need a daypack to carry water, picnic lunch, waterproof, camera, binoculars, etc. The rest of your luggage will be transported between places by the camp staff and they appreciate not having too much to deal with when they do so.

One of the most essential items is comfortable footwear. Hiking boots you might wear walking in the Lake District or the Scottish Mountains are likely to be too heavy and hot. Lightweight boots or trainers will be the most comfortable footwear if you are walking in the bush but you must make sure they are worn in and you will be happy walking in them for several hours at a time. When travelling or relaxing at hotels and around camp you will probably find sandals a welcome relief from the heat but in the bush thorns are everywhere so thick-soled leather is preferable to thin, rubber flip-flops.

The best advice about clothing is that you will need far less than you think. If you can’t fit your clothing into an airline’s cabin baggage allowance then you are probably bringing too much. There may be the chance to go swimming so make sure you bring appropriate swimwear.

In the daytime all you will normally need to wear is a shirt/top and skirt/trousers/shorts. You should be aware that exposed arms and legs will be subjected to a sun that will burn most European skin types within half an hour. The other factor to bear in mind is that you may be walking through grassland and bush where it seems every grass is spiky and every bush has thorns. Given this lightweight trousers, where the bottoms zip off and convert to shorts are a good option. Alternatively carry shorts or trousers so you can change if needed.

In some places local people are quite sensitive to standards of dress. If visiting schools and villages, or when out and about in cities women need to make sure that certain parts of the body are covered up. Short shorts and skirts and strappy tight tops will mean you get stared at for all the wrong reasons. Shoulders should be covered and tops should not be too tight. Skirts and dresses need to come below the knee - trousers (not leggings), again not too tight, are also fine. Generally when on safari you can be far more relaxed with shorts and t-shirts being perfectly fine.

In the early mornings and evenings it is often cool enough to warrant a fleece top, sweatshirt or jumper and it can rain at almost any time although showers are most likely to fall in the late afternoon/early evening. A lightweight, rainproof top will be useful and you should probably carry this in your daypack. Waterproof bottoms are not really necessary.

In the evenings long sleeves and trousers will help to prevent you being bitten by mozzies. You may be staying in an area where malaria occurs and you are better off covering up and not getting bitten. For the same reason you may want to wear socks in the evenings to protect your feet and ankles from insect bites. You should also bring a good tropical insect repellent.

A wide-brimmed sun hat will be essential along with plenty of high factor sunscreen!

Bring binoculars for your safari and make sure you have spare camera batteries since, in many places, there will be no electricity available.

A small torch will also be invaluable. Many people favour head torches. However, in our experience, whilst convenient in that they leave both hands free, they have the disadvantage of attracting flying insects to your face. Because there is so little ambient light, night time vision under the moon and stars is significantly better than at home.