What to actually pack for a safari

The single most common mistake is the suitcase. Light aircraft between camps have a hard limit — typically 15kg per person including hand luggage — and it must be a soft bag, because rigid cases will not fit the hold. This is not a guideline the pilots negotiate.

Clothing

Dawn game drives are genuinely cold; by eleven it is hot. Layers solve this and nothing else does. Neutral colours are practical rather than aesthetic — bright white shows dust, black and dark blue attract tsetse flies.

• Three or four neutral t-shirts and two long-sleeved shirts (sun and insects)
• Two pairs of trousers, one convertible
• A warm fleece and a windproof layer for early mornings
• A wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses
• Comfortable closed shoes; boots only if you are walking or trekking

The things people forget

• Binoculars — one pair per person, not per couple. This is the highest-impact item on the list.
• A headtorch, for tented camps after the generator goes off
• Spare camera batteries; charging is limited and often solar
• High-factor sunscreen and lip balm — the equatorial sun at altitude is fierce
• Any prescription medication in its original packaging

What to leave behind

Camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians in several countries in the region, including Uganda and Zimbabwe, and will be confiscated. Drones require permits that are rarely granted. And you will not need the third pair of shoes.

“Most camps offer same-day laundry. Pack for four days, not fourteen.”