Clothes: neutral, light, long
Three long-sleeved shirts in khaki, olive or tan; two pairs of light trousers; one pair of shorts for camp. Avoid bright colours and dark blue, which tsetse flies like. One fleece for early drives and a light rain jacket even in the dry season.
Shoes
One pair of broken-in walking shoes and one pair of sandals for camp and the spring. Brand-new boots are the most common reason for blisters on the walking safari.
The small things that matter
A head torch, a refillable water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellent, lip balm, a hat with a brim, a small daypack and a zip bag for your phone. A power bank, because charging points are shared.
Brand-new boots cause more trouble on a walking safari than any animal we have ever met.
Health
Talk to your own doctor about malaria prevention well before you travel and bring any regular medicines in their boxes, with a few days spare. We carry a full first aid kit, but not your prescriptions.
What to leave at home
Drones, which are not allowed in the parks. Expensive jewellery. Anything you would be sad to see covered in red dust.