In a few days, I will be visiting one of my favorite national parks for another eventful safari and it’s time decide what to pack.
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a large wildlife preserve and conservation area located within the southern Kalahari Desert. Picture red sand dunes, Camelthorn trees and abundant wildlife, it is Africa at its best.
The park is fairly isolated so packing right is vital. If I can give one piece of advice to women planning a safari in Africa, it’s to forget what any fashion magazine has ever told you to wear on safari. There is only one rule: Comfort is key.
This is especially true if you do a self drive safari. Expect to spend at least 7 hours a day in the car exploring the park and if you are an avid wildlife lover, it can even be longer.
I also try to wear neutral colors to blend in with the environment, this is a must if you intend on doing a walking safari.
It is very tricky to pack for this time of the year because temperatures tend to fluctuate a lot, it’s very likely to experience all four seasons in one day.
Fortunately, this is not my first safari so I know exactly what to pack, so here are my clothing essentials for a self drive safari:
Location: South Africa,The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Season :Autumn/Winter
Weather: Cool in mornings, hot during the day and cold at night.
- Long Pants – Make sure these are comfortable, don’t go for skinny jeans or leather tights.
- Long Sleeve – This is a basic essential, wear it from morning to evening and layer it if it gets colder. Always wear long sleeves at night to guard against mosquitos.
- Comfy Hoody – For those chilly morning drives, I always keep a comfy hoody in the car.
- Airy Top – Temperatures can reach up to 35 Celsius this time of year, stay away from bright and dark colors.
- Tank Top – Ideal for layering, I stick to pastels when I want to wear color.
- Comfy Sweats – You will probably wear these the most! Wear them during morning drives and once the sun sets to avoid getting mosquito bites.
- Vest – Layer over your long sleeve top for those chilly afternoons.
- Shorts – Breathable fabric and dark colors work the best.
- Parka – At night temperatures can drop to below zero, essential for night drives and evening braai’s.
- Swimwear – Not all rooms will have aircon, but most camps will have a swimming pool, it’s a great way to cool down.
- Warm P’J’s – Come prepared for those cold nights.
- Denim Shirt – Unbuttoned with a tank top underneath for warmer days or a vest over it for colder days.
- Sunhat – The African sun can be brutal, make sure you have coverage.
- Comfy Sneakers – Sneakers or boots , closed shoes will protect you from scorpions and other crawling critters. It is Africa after all.
- Shades – Protect your eyes from the harsh African sun.
- Scarf – Cover up while having sundowners. As soon as the sun disappears, it gets chilly
- Beanie – Keep your ears warm.
