Taking a trip to Africa is all about exploring the great outdoors. And while you’re having a blast outside on safari, it’s important to make sure you’re protecting yourself against the sun and bugs.
Below, I’ve outlined some of the most important things to bring with you on an African safari vacation to protect yourself from the outdoor elements, as well as suggestions on the best products on the market:
1. A wide-brim hat: Whilst on safari, you want to protect your face, scalp, and neck from the powerful African sun. A baseball cap can only cover your face, which is why we suggest bringing a hat with a brim on all sides. We love the hats produced by the brand Tilley. Not only are Tilley hats safari chic but they also offer fantastic protection against damaging UV rays.
2. Sunglasses: A great pair of sunglasses is a must when traveling on an African safari vacation since it can get quite bright on safari! We love Ray Ban aviator sunglasses because they’re stylish and have a fantastic reputation when it comes to the quality of their lenses.
3. Bug spray: One of the most important things you can bring with you on safari is bug spray! Those mosquitoes can be quite pesky at times, especially during the dusk hours in warm summer months. Make sure that when you go out on safari that you spray all exposed body parts with insect repellent. We recommend Off! Deep Woods Insect Repellent, which comes in a 2.5 oz canister–perfect for your carry on! This product has 25% DEET, which is one of the most powerful and effective insect repellent chemicals. I find this product works perfectly and doesn’t contain too much DEET. There are also a variety of all-natural bug sprays, such as Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent Spray (4 fl oz spray bottle) and Burt’s Bees Outdoor All Natural Herbal Insect Repellent (4 fl oz).
Many accommodations also utilize mosquito nets around beds, which not only protect you from any mosquito intruders, but they also add an element of romance and elegance to your suite. When you return home from your afternoon game drive, the accommodation staff turns your bed down and opens your mosquito net to flow around your bed.
4. Tall socks: You may be walking through tall grass during your African safari tours, so make sure to wear tall socks when doing so, to protect your ankles against insect bites.
5. Sunscreen: This is a big one and absolutely essential for a trip to Africa! The African sun is very powerful, so before going out on safari, make sure to lather up with a minimum SPF of 30. And be sure to pack lip moisturizer with SPF. Even when it’s overcast outside it’s important to remember to put sunscreen on since the clouds reflect the sun rays.
6. Long-sleeve shirt: Even though you’ll be wearing bug spray and sunscreen on your arms, a long-sleeve shirt can provide additional protection. It’s easy to forget to reapply sunscreen and insect repellent when you’re having a blast on safari, so a long-sleeve shirt can work as back up! We suggest a light, airy, moisture-wicking material and NOT cotton.
