Girlie panic about what to wear on safari - any advice welcome!

poddle911

Hello, I'm off to South Africa in 4 weeks and spending 4 days on safari in Kruger National Park. And while I'm SUPER excited, I'm also a little stressed about what to take with me.

My restrictions are:

* not much time to shop and there's the little matter of Christmas (:j) in the mean time

* I don't have a lot of cash to spend and I don't want to buy things I'll never wear again, such as head-to-toe khaki and a pith helmet...

* I've got a baggage limit of 20kg which doesn't seem very much! (Especially as I have to take at least two formal outfits too for wedding...)

* There are oodles of mosquitoes and I think I've got to tuck my trousers into my shoes

I've read up on Trip Advisor and in the guide book about what to take, but I'm hoping to get some first-hand reassurance from somebody who has actually been on safari!

Do you think the following is enough / too much / totally bonkers?

* 1 or 2 pairs of khaki-style trousers
* trainers (i don't have any walking boots)
* socks
* a fleece
* a woolly hat
* a selection of vests and long sleeved tops

And do you just wear the same in the evening?!

Aarggh! It's a minefield - any help very gratefully received

Thanks, poddle

luci

I would suggest wearing your oldest clothes in a neutral or dark colour. That safari dust gets everywhere and it doesn't wash out.

You may want a change of clothes for evening, but again it's very, very casual.

nickeeb

I visited Kruger at the end of June this year and it is amazing - you'll have such a great time.

Even though it was their winter time, the sun was really hot from about midday onwards, but the mornings and evenings were utterly freezing! I wore about 5 layers on my top for safari, which I could take off one by one as it got hotter (vest top, t-shirt, jumper, zipper and waterpoof coat). Your clothes list looks good to me, but definately take gloves too.

We didn't stay in the park, but in a nearby hotel so I did take extra clothes for the evenings (dark jeans and some different tops) at dinner.

Have a fantastic time!

Heliflyguy

poddle911 wrote: »

* There are oodles of mosquitoes and I think I've got to tuck my trousers into my shoes

Most mossies bite during sunrise and sunset how many there will be will depend on the season.
Wear light weight (if hot) long sleeve tops and long trousers in light colours.
On any exposed skin you should use a repellent with 50% DEET as per insructions, use during the day as well as you can still get bitten then and you dont want malaria let alone dengue fever, shorts will be ok just use that repellent.
Dont get up in the morning, step onto the veranda to watch the sunrise and forget to put it on.
Cant help with the safari attire, what did Maddona wear when she was in Africa, that may be the vogue.

poddle911

Thanks guys, that's really helpful! It will be summer, but also rainy, so prime time for mozzies, especially sunrise and sunset which is when we'll be out on the game drives.

Heliflyguy - invaluable advice, thank you! Luckily I'm not too worried about the fashion side of it, as long as I'm comfortable, as cool as possible and don't get malaria...

trrk

Your list looks fine, no need to overthink it. You probably won't be doing much walking so trainer are fine. Unless you are staying somewhere really posh casual clothes are fine for the evenings (I was camping so definately casual there!). You won't need to buy anything new if you already have casual clothes for walking/hiking/being outdoors here.

Have you got anti-malarial pills? Malarone are best for short trips as it has least side-effects and only needs to be takena few days before and after leaving the area.

poddle911

Thanks trrk, very reassuring! I've got an appointment with the travel nurse next week, so hopefully will have things sorted well before Christmas.

tummy_tank

Been there done that and got the khaki t-shirt!!!. Everything is very informal and casual. Loose light weight clothing for the heat, doesn't have to be khaki or beige just fairly neutral. Whatever you do DON't tuck your socks into your shoes!!!. In the evening just apply deet to exposed areas and you should be fine. Ifound the gel from boots best to get good coverage! a small torch can be helpful for the dark when the power goes off at night, oh! don't forget to have a ball

MrsE_2

So Katherine Hepburn in African Queen isn't much help for ideas then?:D