What to Pack for a Modern Safari

Perhaps it’s the word safari. It comes with certain ideas about what you’re supposed to wear and what you need to bring. Light, natural fabrics are comfortable in the heat, neutral colours work well in the bush, and layers are useful when the temperature changes between an early morning drive and the middle of the day.

At Tanda Tula, things are relaxed. Dress up for dinner if you’d like to, but there’s no need to pack anything formal. And you don’t need an entirely new wardrobe just because you’re going on safari.

There are, however, a few things you’ll be very glad you brought with you. So, what should go in your bag?

A few T-shirts and lightweight shirts, shorts and comfortable trousers will cover most days. Long sleeves are useful for keeping the sun off your arms, and a lightweight scarf or sarong is one of those things that can come in handy in more ways than you expect.

Neutral colours such as khaki, beige, olive and brown work well in the bush, but there’s no need to take the idea too far. Comfortable clothes in light, natural fabrics are far more important than looking as though you’ve dressed specifically for safari.

You also don’t need enough clothes for every day of your stay. We offer a laundry service at Tanda Tula, so you can pack light and wear things more than once.

This is probably the piece of advice we repeat most often.

Temperatures in the Timbavati can change considerably over the course of a day. When you head out before sunrise, it can be much cooler than you expect. By the time you return to camp a few hours later, you may have taken most of those layers off.

In winter, bring a warm jacket or fleece, along with a beanie, scarf and gloves. Summer in the Timbavati is hotter and wetter, so light clothing, a swimming costume and something waterproof are useful. Spring and autumn can give us warm days and cooler mornings, making layers particularly handy. You can read more about what each season looks like here.

Whatever time of year you’re coming, it’s worth checking the weather before you leave home.

You don’t necessarily need hiking boots. A comfortable pair of closed shoes is useful, particularly if you’ll be spending time on foot.

For the rest of the time, sandals or slip-slops are handy around camp and by the pool. More important than buying special safari shoes is bringing a pair you already know is comfortable.

If you’re unsure about footwear or anything else you may need for your stay, our FAQs are a good place to check before you start packing.

You’ll spend a lot of time outside in the Timbavati, much of it in an open vehicle, so a hat or cap, sunglasses and a good sunscreen are worth keeping near the top of your suitcase.

Long sleeves can offer some extra protection during the day, and that scarf or sarong we mentioned earlier may prove useful here too.

And don’t forget your swimming costume.

If you have your own pair, bring them.

Sometimes an elephant is standing a few metres away and binoculars are the last thing you need. At other times, your guide has spotted a bird high in a tree or there’s something happening on the other side of a waterhole and you’ll be very glad to have them.

They’re particularly useful for birding, and for sightings that don’t happen right beside the vehicle.

Bring whichever you enjoy using. If photography is an important part of your safari, bring your camera and the equipment you know you’ll use. If you’d rather take photographs on your phone, that’s perfectly fine too.

Just remember the things that keep everything working: chargers, spare batteries if you use them, enough storage and the correct plug adaptor if you’re travelling from overseas.

Bring enough of any prescription medication for your trip, as well as the everyday medication you normally use for things like headaches, allergies or an upset stomach.

A small torch can be handy too. There are torches at camp and guests don’t walk around unaccompanied after dark, but having your own beside the bed or in your bag can still be useful.

If you’re travelling to Tanda Tula from outside South Africa, remember the appropriate plug adaptor for your devices.

Then there are the things that aren’t essential but are nice to have. A book is one. There is time between drives to read by the pool or find somewhere quiet at camp.

For those who would rather tick things off as they go:

• T-shirts and lightweight shirts
• A long-sleeved shirt or two
• Shorts
• Comfortable trousers
• A fleece or warm jacket
• Beanie, scarf and gloves in winter
• Something waterproof in summer
• Comfortable closed shoes
• Sandals or slip-slops
• Hat or cap
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Swimming costume
• Lightweight scarf or sarong
• Binoculars
• Camera and/or phone
• Chargers, spare batteries and plug adaptor
• Prescription and everyday medication
• Small torch
• A book, if you’re a reader

And perhaps leave a little space in your suitcase. You really don’t need to bring everything with you.

Yes, so there’s no need to pack a fresh outfit for every day of your stay. This also makes it much easier to keep your luggage light.

Only if you want to. Tanda Tula is relaxed, so there’s no dress code requiring formal clothing in the evenings.

If you’re travelling from overseas, check that you have the correct adaptor for South African plug points before you leave home. You can find more practical information in our FAQs.

Once your bag is packed, there isn’t much left to do.

Soon enough, that warm jacket will be beside you on an early morning drive, the binoculars will be passed around the vehicle and the swimming costume may be drying somewhere back at camp.

The things on this list are useful, but they’re only there to make the days ahead a little easier. The important part is that you’re coming to spend some time with us in the Timbavati.

If there’s anything you’re still wondering about before you travel, get in touch with us. We’ll be happy to help.

We’ll see you at Tanda Tula.