Your Ultimate African Safari Guide

 Believe it or not, going on an African Safari requires some packing skills. Since you’ll be out in the middle of the African wilderness, there’s pretty much no chance to buy whatever it is you’ve left behind, so of course, you MUST remember to pack the essentials and more. Take a look at our guide to packing for an African Safari to ensure you get it right the first time!

Essentials to Pack:


1. Outdoor clothing

Luckily, you don’t need to pack too much clothing for a safari holiday. Most of your clothing will be the very basics such as t-shirts/safari shirts, long pants and shorts - there’s no need for ‘night out’ outfits or anything fancy, of course. Since you will be out in the wild and bush most of the time, take along clothing items you don’t mind getting sandy or muddy, and be sure to stick to neutral colored tones such as beige, khaki, grey, etc. Bright colors are an absolute no. You need to blend in with the surroundings to avoid alarming the wildlife.

2. Hiking shoes

Invest in a good branded hiking shoe that is comfortable, waterproof and fits correctly. You need a good pair as you will be doing a lot of walking, climbing through and over things and jumping into ponds, over broken trees and going down slopes with loose gravel.


3. Safari hat 

Believe it or not, the safari hat is one of the most important pieces of attire. Make sure that it is comfortable and has a wide brim to keep the sun off your face, a waterproof hat is great as this can then be utilized in good or bad weather. There is no typical safari hat and some especially the ones we all think is the ultimate safari hat, the pith helmet, yes, agreed they look great in wildlife photo shoots, but they are very uncomfortable.

4. Binoculars

Invest in a good pair of binoculars which can be used for safaris or birdwatching etc. You don’t want to be out in the wild and miss the chance of seeing a rare wild dog out in the long grass because you’ve forgotten your binoculars.

5. Water bottle

This is, of course, another very important item that you don’t want to miss or leave behind. Out in the sun can make you extremely thirsty and there is nowhere around for you to stop and get water. A lightweight bottle is best as you will fill it with water which will add up with all the essential goodies you need to carry in your backpack.

Where to go:

Now that you have an idea of what you need to take along its time to plan where to go. Africa has many beautiful safaris and are very convenient as they are close to other tourist destinations such as Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal. Here are a few that could be of interest to you:


1. Thanda Safari

Thanda Safari, a private game reserve in KZN is a luxurious award-winning safari lodge. Whether you are looking for something extra special for a honeymoon or a family getaway, Thanda Safari will tick off all the boxes for you. This beautiful lodge has three properties, each boasting their own unique design, personal charm, and ambiance. Thanda has nine luxurious bush suites, a tented camp with one grand deluxe tent and fourteen smaller, but oh-so-beautiful tents. No matter the choice you make each allow you privacy, relaxation, and exclusivity to enjoy your own special safari experience. ‘Thanda’ in isiZulu means “love” and once you have experienced the love of Thanda Safari it will remain in your heart forever.

2. Botswana

Botswana is an African safari never to be forgotten even if it is one that is more expensive than most. Botswana is known as the ‘gem’ of Africa, and with its natural beauty, it’s easy to understand why. Botswana boasts the largest inland delta in the world, the Okavango Delta. The two most popular safari destinations are the Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve. The Okavango Delta is blessed with a large number of wildlife such as buffalo, elephant, crocodile, hippopotamus, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, rhinoceros, buffalo, wild dogs and to top if all, thousands of bird species.

3. Kenya (best for the Masai Mara migration)

Kenya is another popular safari destination known for beautiful landscapes, the abundance of wildlife and Mount Kenya, the second highest mountain in Africa. Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya is known for the Great Mammal Migration which usually takes place from July to October, making it the most popular time of the year for tourists wanting to experience herds of wildebeest crossing back and forth across the Mara River.