Gearing-up for Africa
First of all, practice packing light. We tend to "dress down" at Shakawa and there are no occasions requiring formal wear or formality, for that matter. So clothing needs are minimal, as the following checklist indicates:
- Sturdy, high-topped hiking shoes If they are comfortably broken in, so much the better. If buying new, consider Goretex® or other breathable fabric uppers with leather lowers and rubber ridged soles. They should fit comfortably in the store; you don't want to be breaking in a pair of boots in the African bushveldt.
- Padded boot socks Cotton or combination cotton/nylon/polyester boot socks with padded soles work best when changed daily. You only need a few pair as we do a daily laundry pick-up from your room and return items the same day.
- Trousers and shirts Again, cotton is king with comfortable, loose-fit shirts and trousers the rule. Shorts are great on hot days. Look for trousers that zip off at the knee so you have options. Large cargo pockets are recommended for carrying all sorts of "stuff." And, sure, get those hunter style shirts with the neat epaulets if they make you feel better. Khaki or olive greens seem to be preferred colors in the bush.
- Wide brimmed hat You may prefer a peaked baseball-style cap, which is fine, but a wide brimmed hat is our choice for comfort under the hot African sun. Check out the safari hats on sale at Johannesburg Airport; some with open mesh sides. The Tilley Endurable hat is a good choice; cotton canvas with brass fittings and virtually indestructable. Visit www.tilleyendurables.com. A good pair of sunglasses completes the picture; preferably wrap-arounds. Yes, the kind U2's Bono wears. (They work well.)
- Windbreaker, safari jacket, sweater We call the latter a "jumper" for some reason. All are useful after sunset or dining outdoors at night in our "boma" dining enclosure. We included safari jacket simply because it looks good on men or women and has suddenly come back into fashion.
- Bathing suit Bring a couple and don't forget shower clogs to wear at poolside. You'll find a thick, terry cloth robe in your closet when you arrive. By all means, apply the highest rating of sun protection lotion at the pool and on game drives--at least #15.
- Apres Safari Outfits The rule is, there is no rule. Wear whatever you wish to dinner or for drinks at our our well-stocked bar. The atmosphere is decidedly cool and casual.
- Equipment The well-schooled photographer needs no advice, so we offer none. Save to say buy plenty of film at home; it is bound to be less expensive.For the dedicated amateur who may be buying a camera for the trip to Shakawa, speak to a professional and scan reviews of digital cameras, which have improved dramatically in the past few years. And you can see your results on-the-spot. For traditionalists, 200 speed general purpose film should meet all your needs. When it's ultra-bright, try 100 speed film with a tripod. There is a variety of compact tripods on the market that will fit in your camera bag and can be used on the roof of the vehicle, for example, to steady your shot. You will need a telephoto lens or zoom lens that extends up to at least 200 mm. Bring an even longer lens if you can; it will be well worth it Again, use the tripod; especially in lower light conditions..
For wide ranges of safari-appropriate clothing and equipment, check out these websites: www.orvis.com; www.huntingworld.com (great Africa-inspired luggage and camera cases), www.northcoveoutfitters.com, www.tagsafari.com, www.safariquip.co.uk, www.african-safari-journals.com, www.hollandandholland.com, www.williamevans.com, www.cabelas.com and www.shopng.com (National Geographic Traveler Magazine's catalogue).
Finally, if you don't own binoculars, invest in the best to see everything you can on this trip of a lifetime. Especially recommended are those with a vibration-dampening feature. Top brands include Bushnell, Leica, Minolta, Swarovski Optik and Zeiss.
There. Now you should be all geared up for your ultimate African adventure at Shakawa Lodge & Game Reserve. And, we promise, you simply can't miss!