What To Wear

CLOTHES: Convertible slacks (with a zipper to turn slacks into shorts) and long-sleeved shirts are ideal, with other layers to shed as the day heats up. A hat with a brim is essential, plus sunscreen and sun glasses. Pale earth colors such as tan or olive are best for viewing wildlife and birds, but military camouflage clothes are illegal in many African countries. Solid-colored safari clothes can be worn once you return home, and are widely available via mail order catalogues such as L.L. Bean or Travel Smith. Comfortable walking shoes, such as topsiders or running/tennis shoes with socks, are recommended over sandals; thorns are everywhere, and socks with your shoes deter mosquito bites. Include a lightweight raincoat or jacket, and a swimsuit (many lodges have pools.) You may want to take a light robe, plus rubber flip flops. If traveling in the winter months, the early mornings and late evenings can be quite cold. For this reason, it may be essential to bring a warm jacket and even a scarf or gloves.

RECOMMENDED PACKING LIST:

  • A small flashlight with extra batteries
  • Malaria tablets; consult your doctor for suggestions
  • Adapter plugs & converters for electrical appliances
  • Packaged wet tissues ("Wash & Dry" "Wet Ones")
  • A tiny calculator for estimating cost while shopping
  • Plenty of film or tape for your camera + extra batteries or rechargers
  • Long-sleeved shirts, slacks and socks to protect you from insect bites and sunburn
  • Good quality sunglasses - preferably polarized. Tinted fashion glasses are not good in strong light
  • Sun hat with a brim and sunscreen
  • Shorts/skirts
  • Long trousers/slacks
  • Underwear and socks
  • Good walking/hiking shoes, broken in
  • Sandals or rubber flip/flops for poolside
  • Swimsuit with light cover-up garment
  • Warm winter jersey for cooler mornings
  • Light rain gear
  • If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case you get irritation from the dust
  • BINOCULARS (ESSENTIAL)
  • Personal toiletries (basic amenities supplied by many establishments)
  • Insect repellent e.g. Off!, Rid, Jungle Juice, etc
  • Basic medical kit (aspirins, plasters, Immodium, antiseptic cream and Anti-histamine cream etc)
  • Tickets, passports, money etc
  • Waterproof/dustproof bags/cover for your cameras.

Please note that bright colors and white are NOT advised while on safari as they tend to attract bugs such as flies and mosquitoes. Camouflage clothes are often illegal.

BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE: The allowance on your international flights is two pieces of luggage, each not exceeding 70 pounds. Air transfers in Southern Africa have a luggage restriction of 20kg (44 lbs) maximum per person. However, it is essential that you travel as light as you can manage. For local charter flights between the camps in Namibia, the weight limit is 12 kilos (26 lbs.) total and strictly enforced. Camera equipment is included in the maximum 26 pounds! Also, the size and the structure of the bags are limited. Soft "squashable" luggage (duffel, fabric or canvas bags) is essential. Large and/or hard-sided suitcases are virtually impossible to stow in charter aircraft and should not be used. It is very expensive and unreliable to ship unaccompanied baggage in Southern Africa. Please avoid the expense of chartering an extra plane to bring your big luggage. Additionally, a guest who weighs 220 pounds or more should advise us.

Air Charters in Namibia provide a highly professional and reliable service. There are strict weight restrictions in place on any itinerary including these light aircraft transfers for the following reasons:

  • The aircraft are flown to manufacture's specifications which restrict weigh for safety reasons.
  • Most of the airfields are over 3,000 feet above sea level and are located in the tropics, and therefore the permissible aircraft carrying capacity is reduced.
  • The aircraft have physical space restrictions.
  • Only soft bags will be accepted. This includes camera equipment and hand luggage. No hard suitcases can be transported as they physically cannot fit into the aircraft.
  • The maximum dimensions of the soft bags should be as follows: 81cm (32 inches) long x 36cm (14 inches) wide. Please keep in mind that the baggage compartments on the light aircraft are only 25cm (10 inches) high, so the pilots must have the ability to manipulate the bag into the compartment.

These luggage restrictions for luggage sound like very little but bear in mind the following:

  • Most safari camps, lodges and hotels provide basic toilet amenities.
  • Laundry can be done on a daily basis, except in Damaraland and the Skeleton Coast camp where there is a severe water shortage. Most camps include this service for free, while hotels in larger cities charge an extra fee.
  • Mainly casual clothing is required.

If your itinerary includes light aircraft sectors and you have to bring more baggage than the stipulated allowance, please consult us for details on the options available to you. These will be at an additional cost. However if you do not require the excess luggage to accompany you on your safari and you arrive and depart via Windhoek, then we can make arrangements to store this for you in our Windhoek ground office. The luggage can be returned to you again either at your hotel in Windhoek (if you are staying overnight at the end) or by luggage transfer back to the airport if required. This is usually, by far, the most economical method and should be pre-booked prior to travel.