Enjoy a Kuoni safari to the full with our handy packing tips. They could help you avoid getting eaten alive (by insects) and stay cool, comfortable and camouflaged.

Dark T-shirts are not a good idea, as they attract flies such as tsetses.

Good walking shoes are essential, as well as a couple of pairs of khaki trousers and long sleeved cotton shirts for the day. Take casual clothes and slip-on sandals for dinner, and a light sweater and windproof jacket for chilly mornings. A kikoi – Kenyan wrap – can be used as a sarong or a scarf.

Avoid taking large suitcases, as most internal transfers are on small planes that will take only 15kg per passenger. Use a soft, squishy bag instead of a hard case. Many camps we offer have laundry facilities.

A small backpack is useful to cart daily essentials about. Consider taking a book of birds, plants and animals, a pair of binoculars, sunglasses, sunblock, insect repellent, cap or sunhat that will not blow off on a safari vehicle, and a kikoi and light sweater.

Don’t forget to take your own binoculars. There’s nothing more frustrating on safari than not being able to see whatever your guide is pointing to – and nothing more irritating to other passengers than having to lend you their own binoculars. If you can, it’s also worth taking a telephoto lens for your camera.

A hat is essential, as is sunblock. When you set out for a game drive at dawn it won’t be hot but, a few hours later, you might start to roast. Also sunglasses that hang round your neck may not be glamorous, but they're practical when you're trying to juggle binoculars and cameras.

The African bush contains bugs – they’re part of the safari. Those who prefer insects to remain at a distance, including biting horseflies, should take repellent and remember to rub it in morning and night. There are now plant-based, sweet-smelling body creams available, which make the daily cream-slathering process less distasteful. In malarial areas – check with your Kuoni agent – prophylactics are essential.

A wash bag that hangs on a hook is very useful. Smaller camps might not have vast bathrooms in which to spread out toiletries. It’s also worth remembering that camps really are in the middle of nowhere, so there is no local chemist nearby. Make sure your kit contains sticking plasters for blisters, painkillers for headaches and antihistamine cream for bites. Wet wipes are handy, too.

Take a book. One of the great pleasures of going on safari is the afternoon siesta. While most camps have a range of reading matter to indulge in (primarily about flora and fauna), it’s worth taking something to read around the pool or under a tree on a hot afternoon.

A swimsuit doesn’t take up much room in a suitcase and could be indispensable on hot days. Even bush camps in the middle of nowhere occasionally have pools.

Invest in a book about local plants and animals. The more you know, the more you’ll appreciate the wilderness.

Drink lots of water. The African bush can be very dehydrating.

Read more about safari holidays

Kuoni Concierge

If you have any questions on what to do and where to go in Kenya or Tanzania or if you wish to pre-arrange restaurant reservations, holiday experiences or private airport transfers visit the Kuoni Concierge.

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