Packing to go on safari can be a daunting task. What with trying to predict the weather in a faraway country, comply with airline luggage restrictions and deal with limited space. Along with packing for a holiday, safaris can be even more complicated – especially for first time safari-goers – when you’re not sure what to expect.
We’ve ensured you won’t forget the essentials when planning a trip to Madikwe in a handy safari packing list.
Light and comfortable clothing
Leave your high heels and formal attire behind. When you’re in the Madikwe bushveld, comfort is your top priority.
In the summertime, we recommend that you opt for light, breathable fabrics that you’re not worried about getting dirty and dusty. Stick to neutral colours and shades of blue to blend in with the bush and game viewing vehicles.
Even in the summer months, long sleeve cotton shirts are a great option to protect you from the sun.
Layers
Most people think of Africa and especially Madikwe (near the Kalahari Desert) as an eternally warm and sunny place. We do however experience a winter season and although we don’t experience snow, the nights and early mornings can become very chilly.
We always recommend packing layered clothing so you’ll be comfortable in all seasons. It’s always a good idea to pack warm underclothes and windproof jackets in the winter months between May and September.
Water bottles and fleece blankets are provided on game drives.
Sun protection
The African sun can be fierce and dangerous – even in the winter months. To make sure you’re well protected, pack a high SPF sun screen, a pair of UV protective sunglasses and a hat.
Our vehicles at Tuningi Safari Lodge only have canvas rooftops in the summertime. In the winter months, we want to be able to gaze up at the milky way on evening drives, as this is the best time for stargazing.
Camera and binoculars
While there’s no doubt that the beautiful landscapes and remarkable wildlife of Madikwe Game Reserve will be etched in your memory for years to come, you’ll definitely want to pack your phone or camera to share memories back home.
For those sightings that are a bit too far away to capture on film, a half-decent pair of binoculars are essential. They are a must for bird watching and sightings in hard to reach places.
For more information regarding your Madikwe safari packing list, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly reservations team via email at book@tuningi.co.za or by calling +27(0) 11 781 5384.
If you’d prefer to fill in our online booking form, please find it at the link here. We look forward to welcoming you to Tuningi Safari Lodge in the not too distant future.
Thanks for this helpful post! Loved reading it and looking at the beautiful photos. Madikwe seems stunning and I would love to visit it too with the family one day. It’s great that you mentioned about bringing warm clothes because typically people who haven’t yet gone to Africa wouldn’t think it can be cold there. So mentioning it is a great tip! Awesome blog, keep it up.
I have never heard of this place called Madikwe and I am really happy I came across this article of yours. I am definitely sharing this with my husband and plan to go out on a safari. Will bookmark this as it will really be helpful while we plan to visit stunning Madikwe. Thanks for this resourceful and informative post.