5 Items You Should Pack For Your Safari Holiday

5 Items You Should Pack For Your Safari Holiday

Getting ready for your safari adventure? Safari equipment specialists, The Safari Store share with us the 5 items you should pack.

The team at The Safari Store are driven by one thing – helping people enjoy the immense and diverse experiences Africa has to offer. The right gear plays an enormous role in this. As founder, designer, and rugged expedition-tester of the cleverly thought out luggage and clothing on offer at The Safari Store, Steve Adams knows better than most what to put in your suitcase for your next safari – and, indeed, which suitcase is the best fit for African travel. Here are Steve’s top five items to pack for your next African adventure.

1. Insect & Sun Protection

Bites and bad sunburn can really ruin your African holiday, so RID Insect Repellent, SafariSUN, and a wide-brimmed hat go hand-in-hand in terms of protection. Mix this with clothing from our BUGTech range for its built-in insect repellent and sun protection properties.

2. Binoculars 

A good pair of 10x42 binoculars. I would not scrimp and I would definitely invest in a pair such as the Vortex Diamondback 10x42 which also offer an industry first: an unlimited lifetime warranty. It is also worth noting that, if you really push the boat out and get a much more expensive pair such as the Swarovski SWAROVISION EL 10x42, then not only will your viewing experience of Africa be heightened but, by adding the Swarovski PA adaptor, you are able to attach your iPhone to your Swarovskis and, with some practice, take very good photos on your way. This is a great way to minimise the camera gear you take along in your suitcase and pair your mobile and your binos for memories you can take home with you at the end of your African travels.

3. Rufiji MaraTech SafariElite Long-Sleeved Shirt and Rufiji Zip-Off Safari Trousers

I literally live in the shorts section of my Rufiji trousers and the option to wear them as trousers when it gets chilly is very handy. You also have the option of mixing and matching the legs of your zip-off trousers with BUGTech+ water-resistant and insect-repellent fabric for comfort on dewy early walking safaris through long grass.

When it comes to the SafariElite shirt, simply roll your sleeves up or down depending on the temperature or to protect your arms from the sun. I have been intimately involved in the development of the MaraTech and BUGTech fabrics available through The Safari Store, which have evolved through intense testing in extreme African conditions. As a result of this, these fabrics wick moisture away from the skin, quickly release wrinkles from being packed into your suitcase, are quick to dry, and contain built-in SPF50+ - the highest sun protection factor on the market. If you want a bit of added protection from biting insects, BUGTech fabric has built-in insect repellent without compromising on any of these features. These specially-engineered fabrics are far more beneficial than traditional cottons and are designed for comfort and protection in African conditions.

When buying clothing for your safari, try to stick to neutral colours. You will want to watch animals behaving naturally and not reacting every time they see you – as is the case when wearing brightly coloured or black and white clothing, which are alarm colours in the bush.

4. Soft Squashable Bag

When travelling in Africa, you will quickly learn the importance of using a soft and squashable bag. The Safari Voyager has been specifically designed around packing for and travelling in Africa and has a host of features that make it the ideal safari bag. Essentially, you are able to build your own bag - keeping your luggage together when travelling with the benefit of detachable zip-off standard side pockets that can then be used as smaller stand-alone bags. You also have the option of the larger 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 attachments for extra space you can attach to the core bag. This comes in handy when packing and these smaller bags can simply be zipped off and worn as a satchel or backpack for day trips and outings for walking, birding, and outdoor hobbies and adventures.

5. A Fleece

When travelling to Africa, a warmer layer is rarely at the forefront of people’s minds. A fleece is an absolute safari essential. It can get very cold on the back of an open Land Rover during early morning and evening game drives and it can get quite chilly no matter the season – especially in high altitude destinations.