Packing for a Safari
When packing for that first Safari it can be quite overwhelming, not knowing the unknowns.
The unknowns as in what to pack, what not to pack, will I need this or will I need that. A big unknow is what’s the weather typically like? Sure, you can look at the weather app and get an idea for the area or ask somebody that’s been or even ask your PH what to expect. But you know and I know weatherman are overpaid to be wrong and each one of us handles weather different. Different times of the year will require different gear such as in wintertime (May-August) which is their primary hunting season is very dry with little rain, they do get snow in parts of South Africa, and it can be downright cold although their winters are not as cold as winters here in Wyoming they are extremely cold for someone from Florida. This is why I look at it as what are you more accustomed to? Think of the type of weather you’re accustomed to and relate it to what you’re seeing on the weather apps and what your PH and outfitter are telling you
I still need a jacket, gloves and a beanie during these months in the early mornings and late evenings but on a typical day its back to short sleeve weather come mid-morning.
How much do I pack?
On the lines of packing, even if it is colder and you need a couple extra layers, you still don’t need to pack the kitchen sink. The great thing about Africa is laundry is done every day or every other day allowing you to limit the amount of clothes that you need to take with you. For me, I found the sweet spot being three pairs of hunting clothes that being hunting shirts, hunting pants/shorts, I do typically travel in a pair so that way I have four pairs in all you will learn more about why I travel in a pair in my upcoming video that drops Tuesday. Even when I have four pairs, I really only wear about two, but it is nice to have a backup pair.
Camo?
For me, I don’t wear camo. I wear a solid color khaki or green, which work great especially like an olive green that is a phenomenal color to wear anywhere in Africa. I stick to a lot of cotton material as it holds together much better than the synthetic stuff in the African bush. The African bush is no joke, everything bites you, stabs you, rips at you, and or runs you over.
So for me like on this upcoming Safari, I am taking a pair of The Origin Moab pants in 98% cotton and then I’m taking three pairs of redhead shorts that I got from Cabela’s these are also in cotton material. For this trip, I know a couple of the outfitters are going to be providing low long sleeve shirts, so I’m not packing any of my button up long sleeve shirts however I am packing some short sleeve shirts that I like to wear and are comfortable, and durable. I get redhead T-shirts at Cabela’s that are made from a lot of cotton material that will stand African Bush they are very affordable and comfy as well. For travel I will probably be wearing a second pair of the Moab long pants from Origin that way I essentially have two pairs of long pants and three pairs of shorts while I’m in Africa, which is more than I would normally take.
Footwear
For my shoes I’ve always been a Courteney Boots fan but after getting a pair of these Jim Green African barefoot rangers I truly love them. I wear them barefoot as that’s how they’re built to be worn, but I am taking some socks one pair I’ll be wearing while traveling because I do not want to touch the airport floors with bare feet, but then I’ll have a couple extra pairs to wear around camp in my camp shoes which are crocs if its chilly or while we’re doing some night hunting if it’s colder, I will layer up with a pair of socks.
Jackets and top layers
For jackets I have packed a light cotton pull over, a polyester pullover mainly for camp and relaxation, and then heavier cotton pull over that I will use for my coat in the morning, evenings and all-night Hunting. I’ve also included a vest for a little bit extra layer for night hunting and driving around in the morning if it is cold enough.
To see my full gear breakdown and what I packed for this upcoming safari check out my YouTube video that drops on Tuesday it’s going to be long, but it has all the details and everything in it for you to get a good Idea on the gear to pack for your upcoming Safari.
I’ve also attached a brand-new packing list that I built. This one is printable, savable, and customizable. It gives you what I think you would need for a colder weather African safari as well as a place to add some of your own items, checkboxes and much more.
I hope some of this information helps you guys out. Stay tuned for this week’s YouTube videos, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me always happy to help and answer questions where I can.
Below is a video of what I'm packing for my August 2024 Safari.
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