Lightweight & Compact Safari Equipment

I get many people writing in to ask me “what should I take on safari” – of course there is no absolute list as all adventures are slightly different and different people have different wants/needs. But because I am currently busy planning for a trip to Zimbabwe, where I hope to spend a lot of time on safari, photographing as well as just enjoying the wonderful wildlife that the country has to offer, I thought that with my experience, what I take with me may be of interest to others as well and at least give you a starting point.

I have already written an article with an essential packing list & what to take on safari, and another one that covers what clothes to take on safari, so I won’t go over the basics again, but rather go into specifics on the actual equipment that I take on safari:

On this trip I will be going with my wife as well as our new daughter who will be just over 4 months old when we leave, so I have to make sure that what safari equipment (Cameras, Binoculars etc) I take are as compact and lightweight as possible as I will also need plenty of space, free hands and available weight to carry baby clothes, prams etc!

Best Safari Binoculars

For me the most important piece of kit is my binoculars, as they take viewing wildlife to a whole new level and I highly recommend that anyone who goes on safari invests in a decent pair. Through working on this website (see my section on Safari Binocular Reviews) and from working on my Best Binocular reviews website, I test and review many binoculars every year. The cheapest binoculars are rubbish, little more than toys and I urge you to stay well clear. That does not mean you have to spend a fortune as most good quality pairs are sufficient and far better than not having any at all.

Like all my other equipment, the most important feature I am looking for is a pair to take on safari is one that is light and compact. The very compact pairs have the disadvantage of not being as suitable as larger versions in low light conditions, so for me the ultimate pair would be a mid-sized binocular where you combine decent light gathering ability with a fairly compact binocular.

Of all the binoculars I reviewed last year and taking all things into consideration (including cost) the best for safaris were the Minox BL 8×33 Binoculars and if price is not really a factor, the Kowa Genesis XD 10×33 Binoculars.

If you are looking for a cheaper pair and want to keep size down to a minimum, favourites of mine are the range of Steiner Wildlife and Safari compacts. I often use them when out walking in the bush, especially when I am carrying other equipment like my camera as they can fold up small enough to fit into your shirt or jacket pocket. Take a look at the Steiner 10.5×28 Wildlife Pro Binoculars or the cheaper Steiner Safari Pro 10×26 Binoculars.

Would it not be for the fact that I am going to combine this trip with a little work and take a pair of binoculars that I have not used before to test and review, I would definitely take one of those pairs above.

Best Camera For Safaris

For this trip, I am looking to get myself a new camera – For me it is important to get the best possible wildlife photographs, not only for my enjoyment, but also for this website and so it is vital that I don’t sacrifice quality for gear that is too lightweight and compact.

I have already written an article as to why I feel that for me, a Superzoom Bridge Camera is the best camera to take on safari, rather than an SLR with a powerful telephoto lens (Digital SLR vs Compact SuperZoom Cameras) – The main reasons being cost as well as weight and size.

Panasonic FZ100 The obvious choice?
I have been using the range of Panasonic FZ cameras years now and I am a real fan of them, indeed some of my favourite Zimbabwe safari photos were taken with the now very old Panasonic FZ18 (see my gallery of Bird & Wildlife Photographs taken in Kariba, Zimbabwe)

I especially like the way that you can so easily attach a Telephoto Conversion Lens to the Panasonic’s to further increase the focal length, which is especially useful for bird photography.

So looking at my list of the best Superzoom Bridge Cameras 2012 and the fact that I thought it was excellent when reviewed it a while back, I was very tempted to go with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100.

Newcomer: Fujifilm FinePix HS20EXR
Brand new for 2011 is the Fujifilm FinePix HS20EXR that in many of the specifications is very similar to the Panasonic FZ100, except in some key areas like having a more powerful 30x zoom (compared to 24x on the Panasonic) and a EXR CMOS sensor that records images with a very high resolution (16 Megapixels compared to 14M on the Panasonic).

What I also love is that at the end of the lens there is a 58mm thread, meaning that I can also attach a Telephoto Conversion Lenses (more on that later). So even though it is a little bulkier and heavier than the Panasonic, it is still far smaller and lighter than the equivalent SLR set-up.

So because of this, the camera I have decided to buy and take the Fuji FinePix HS20EX with me, which to be honest I am very excited about.

Telephoto Conversion Lens

Whilst I will admit, that the Fujiflim with its 30x (720mm – 35mm camera equivalent), will be more than enough for most situations on safari, but I also have a real passion for birds and love bird photography. Because of their small size and the fact that most are very timid, the bigger the zoom, the better the chance you have of getting close enough to take great photos. To do this I add a Teleconverter lens to my camera as for me the added size and weight that this entails is well worth it. Up until now I have always used the Olympus 1.7x Tele Conversion Lens (TCON-17) attached to my Panasonic – but have recently purchased a 2.2x teleconversion lens made by the Japanese company Raynox that I am extremely happy with. For more take a look at my Raynox DCR-2025PRO Super Telephoto Conversion Lens Review.

Best Compact Tripod For Safari and Travel

Because this FinePix HS20EX camera has a powerful 30x Zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 24-720mm) and the fact that I will also be attaching the Raynox 2.2x teleconverter lens to it, I feel that even with it’s very impressive image stabiliser, to get the best photos and video, without any blurring or image shake, a tripod is necessary.

As I write in my page on the Best Tripods for Travel & Safari, they need to be small and light enough to easily carry with you, but strong enough to take your camera with as little or better still no flexing or movement.

A while back after reviewing the Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT Tripod for my Binocular Reviews website, I liked it so much that I decided to buy it. But unfortunately as much as I would love to take it with me, I feel that it is just too it is just too big and heavy for this trip.

Another option that I considered, also from Vanguard is their excellent PH-242 Pan Head Window Mount, but as well as vehicle and houseboat safaris, I am also planning on doing a lot of walking in the bush and even though you can attach the mount to objects like tree branches, you cannot always guarantee that there will be one exactly where you need it.

Ultra Compact Tripod?
So I contacted Vanguard asking if they could help me with some lightweight equipment for the trip and they very kindly sent me some kit to try out and review, including the Nivelo 204BK Aluminium tripod. You can read my full review of the Nivelo 204BK Aluminium tripod here, but to sum up I was really impressed:

With a folded height of only 30cm and weighing just 600g it is certainly extremely lightweight and compact, so no problem packing it away with my luggage. It extends to over a meter which is good and I love the “twist-n-lock” legs that allow you to extend and lock them in seconds – a very important consideration a few seconds can mean the difference between capturing a picture of a skittish bird or not.

It has a load capacity of 2kg (4.4lbs) and considering it is so lightweight this is very impressive and easily holds my Superzoom Bridge camera. Admittedly when fully extended there is a little movement and flexing, which is to be expected, but as a base for safari photography and as a travel tripod it is steady enough and far better than none at all.

The problem I have with it is the added instability I get once I attach a Teleconverter lens to my camera and this is mainly due to the extra length added to the camera by the telephoto lens. I feel that if I was just taking photos, it would be acceptable, but I also shoot a lot of video with my camera and so I need a tripod that is a little more stable, which is a shame because I really love just how light and small it is.

So all in all an excellent lightweight travel tripod, ideal for super zoom bridge cameras and the new Mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras, but if you are planning on using a DSLR camera or indeed a Bridge Camera with a telephoto lens attached and want to take steady video footage, I would recommend getting a slightly beefier tripod.

Compact Travel Tripod
Slightly larger and less compact than the ultra compact tripods a compact travel tripod can also carry a little more weight and is more stable, making shooting video on a superzoom bridge camera like the Fujifilm FinePix HS20EX or Panasonic FZ100 with a teleconverter lens possible. Here again you have some excellent choices from Vanguard and many in their Alta+ look ideal and I especially like the look of the Vanguard Alta+ 225CT that weighs just over 800g, has a folded hight of less than 35cm and yet it can carry a load of 3kg or for added stability the Alta+ 284CT, weighing 1.37kg’s with its folded height of 50cm, that should still easily fit into my suitcase and can carry a weight of 6kg.

Latest Update: I know I said that the Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT Tripod was too big and heavy to take with me, but because I felt that the Nivelo 204BK was just not steady enough for my camera with the teleconverter attached, I have decided that I will now be taking it with me. I would have preferred to take a more lightweight carbon version – but my budget just won’t stretch that far.

Cost & Where to Buy
UK Residents: Vanguard Alta+ Tripods on Amazon.co.uk

US Residents: Vanguard Alta+ Tripods on Amazon.com

Tripod Head

I have decided that because I am not going to take an ultra-lightweight tripod with me, instead opting for a more sturdy full-sized tripod, I may as well also take what is now one of my favourite pieces of kit as well. The Vanguard GH-100 Pistol Grip Ball Head.

Because the handle that is attached to a ball head is so intuitive it makes moving the camera into position very quick and accurate – even more so than a standard ball head. Panoramic shots are really easy and panning for video is also possible.

I can’t begin to tell you how many shots I have missed in the past (especially of birds) because I was fiddling, trying to get my camera into the correct position on the tripod – with this I hope to rectify much of that – so for me even though it is a little bulky and heavy for travel, I have decided to take it on safari with me this year.

Read the full Vanguard GH-100 Pistol Grip Ball Head Review.

Night Vision Binoculars

There was a time not so long ago that the only people that had half decent night vision equipment were the military, police and other law enforcement professionals. This was mainly down to their high cost and whilst I wouldn’t describe a good quality night vision binocular as being cheap, their prices have come down a lot over the past few years and it is now a real option for you to take your own night vision binoculars on safari.

Why Night Vision?
So much of what goes on in the African bush goes on after dark. Most predators hunt at night and many other animals are far active during this time when it is much cooler.

In the past most people would use a spotlight at night, this had the major disadvantage of disturbing the animals natural behaviour. A night vision device is a far better and more ethical option and I now almost never go on safari without one.

For more on how they work and why I highly recommend taking a night vision binocular or monocular on safari read my article on Night Vision for Safaris and Wildlife Observation

Night Vision Monoculars or Binoculars?
On this latest trip I will be taking the excellent Luna Optics LN-PB3 Night Vision Binoculars with me. In the past I have often opted for a night vision monocular as opposed to a binocular, just to save weight and space in my bag.

However after reviewing the Luna Optics LN-PB3, I was so impressed with the quality of the view through it, especially after adding the optional LN-ELIR-1 laser illuminator, that I just can’t resist taking it with me. Besides because it’s body is made from aluminium it is pretty lightweight. It is also one of the smaller full size night vision binoculars out there. (it is about the size of a standard full-size binocular).

For more details – take a look at my full review of the Luna Optics LN-PB3 Night Vision Binoculars

Cost & Where to Buy
UK Residents: Luna Optics Night Vision on Amazon.co.uk

US Residents: Luna Optics Night Vision on Amazon.com

Travel / Camera Bag

Obviously I don’t want to have to put my expensive equipment in with my luggage on the plane with the cargo, so I always carry it on board with me as hand luggage. To do this, with as little hassle and as much comfort as possible a good Travel / Camera bad is essential.

Over the years I have used many and in my experience a bag that has been specifically designed to carry photographic equipment works the best. This year I will be taking the one of the Skyborne Series of bags from Vanguard as they have kindly sent me one to review – Read my Vanguard Skyborne 51 Laptop and Camera Backpack Review

As I mention in my review, I think that this Skyborne Camera Backpack is one of the best that I have ever used. The only thing that I would say about the Skyborne 51, is that I am a little worried that it may just be a little to big to take on as hand luggage, it will probably just depend on the person at the desk on the day. To be safer, it may be better to take one of their smaller bags like the Skyborne 48 that can carry one Pro DSLR with attached lens (up to 70-200mm f/2.8), 3-4 extra lenses, a flash unit and accessories (memory cards, cables, battery and charger) plus a laptop up to 14″or even the Skyborne 45, which can still carry one Pro DSLR with attached lens (up to 70-200mm f/2.8), 1~2 extra lenses, a flash unit and accessories (memory cards, cables, battery and charger) plus a 12″ laptop.

Whichever one you choose, one of the best bits is the quick access opening, that enables you to quickly grab your camera without disturbing all your other gear.

Cost & Where to Buy
UK Residents: Vanguard Skyborne Bags on Amazon.co.uk

US Residents: Vanguard Skyborne Bags on Amazon.com

Also worth Considering

Below are a few new pieces of equipment I have reviewed since first writing this article and what I am planning to take with me on my next trip:

MINOX DTC 500 Trail Camera Review We took this excellent remote Minox digital camera with us to Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe where we would leave it overnight and got proof of what ever passed by. What we got back was some incredible video and still photos of elephants, honey badgers, hyenas, a porcupine, African civet, warthogs, bats and many more animals that you very rarely see in the wild and we managed to capture them on film!

Taking a family Africa safari may take special planning upfront, but the memories will make the extra effort well worth it. Here are some tips to make for a better experience.

Plan your family safari schedule wisely.
Family safari schedules can get busy, especially when visitors are trying to see a lot of wildlife. Traveling through your destinations will involve being with strangers in small planes, safari vehicles and boats. Think realistically about how much hustle and bustle your children will be able to handle with a good attitude. Too much fussing could put a damper on your once-in-a-lifetime Africa safari and other guests’ vacations too.

Consider the age of your children.
If your children are under the age of eight, it may be difficult to find accommodations at private game reserves. Many of these reserves have age requirements for guests, and sometimes it can be as high as 12 years. Safety is the main reason behind these rules. The animals you can see on a family Africa safari may respond negatively to young children simply because they can sense that children are smaller, younger and slower than they are.

Think about taking a private family safari.
A private family safari might be the best option for a truly enjoyable experience. It is possible to rent out an entire private lodge for your trip. When you do this, most places will then allow children under eight on site. With no other guests involved, you can set the pace of your excursions solely based on your family’s needs.

Look for lodges with children’s programs.
If you don’t want to take a private family safari, you might want to search for options with built-in activities for kids. Some camps plan wilderness activities just for children to pursue during the day while adults are taking other tours.

Try a self-driving family safari.
One of the best Africa safaris as a family can be a self-driving trip with accommodations at a national park, like Kruger National Park in South Africa. In addition to being able to set your own schedule and plan meals according to your children’s tastes, you’ll see lots of other families. Interacting with other kids could put your children at ease with their surroundings.

Avoid malarial areas during a family safari.
You have to be especially wary of malarial areas when going on safari with children younger than 10. Malaria and the available treatments are much more damaging for young children than they are for adults.

Inquire about your camp’s menu in advance.
Most safari camps serve food from a buffet and order food supplies far in advance. Check to find out what types of food they serve before you leave. If your children are picky eaters, you can plan to bring food items they enjoy eating or start introducing them to foods served at your lodge before your trip.

Further Reading

• My full guide to Family & Kids Safari Holidays in Africa
• Kids Safari- Family Safari Holidays in Kenya
• Shamwari Game Reserve South Africa (Family Friendly)
• Family Safaris on Africa Exclusive (External Site)

Guide to Bush & Safari Jackets for Men

Some people go on Safari thinking that Africa’s weather is hot and so a good jacket is not that necessary. Not true, winters can be very, very cold in many safari locations and even in summer it can be pretty cold on an early morning game drive, on night drives or even in the evenings sitting around the boma enjoying your evening meal.

I have owned a number of safari and bush jackets in my time, some very good and some not. In this article I will go through some of the features that I find useful and point you in the direction where you can find your ideal safari jacket.

Origins
The style of jacket similar to that of the main image in this article was made popular by around the beginning of the 20th century by the early European adventurers who came to Africa.

Safari & Travel Jacket
You must remember that a true safari jacket or bush jacket is a garment designed for the purpose of going on safari in the African bush and therefore function and comfort are far more important than style. But also remember that before you get to to the bush, you will also be doing quite a bit of travelling. To save on luggage space it makes sense to use the same jacket for travel, so make sure that it is comfortable and at least a little stylish!

Colour
As with most of you safari clothing, stay away from bright or shiny colours. On safari you want to blend in as much with your surroundings as possible. So stick to green, brown, beige and khaki Jackets.

Also try not to pick a jacket with camouflage colouring. I know that it seems ideal and makes popular urban wear in the west, but in Africa only the military wear camouflage and indeed in some African countries you can be arrested for wearing it.

Materials
Many Jackets will be made from a materials that are waterproof, but make a noise as you rub against it. This is perfectly fine for camping in a wet environment, but if you are trying to sneak up to skittish animals like an antelope, the noise made by your clothing can often frighten them away. Cotton drill type materials work the best and if you need your jacket to be waterproof, look out for ones that have a waxy type covering.

Pockets
Pockets to me are really important and cannot be underestimated! Look out for ones that will make it easy for you to carry your camera, binoculars or guide books.

Buy Safari & Bush Jackets

Below are a few examples of ideal jackets to travel with and take on safari.

	Joe Browns Forces Bush Jacket Stylish as well as hardy, this bush jacket from Joe Browns has retro military styling and is a great laid-back jacket that’ll stick by you through thick and thin. Loads of large pockets ideal for storing binoculars, a compact digital camera or safari guide book. The outer is made from 100% Cotton, the lining: 65% Polyester, 35% Cotton. Note the Shirt and T-shirt are solde separately. Buy on Amazon.co.uk Buy on Amazon.com
	Mens Workwear Safari Jacket Made from 100% cotton canvas, the Workwear Safari Jacket has 2 bellowed hand warmer pockets, front placket with stud fastening, 2 chest pockets with stud fastenings and Studded cuffs to sleeves. Buy on Amazon.co.uk Buy on Amazon.com
	Mens Jack Pyke Hunter Jacket Waterproof – Breathable – Noiseless. The ideal safari jacket. Outer shell: 100% Polyester brushed tricot with laminated membrane. Lining: 100% Polyester brushed mesh & taffeta. Details: Full length double opening zip, Concealed hood in pocket, 2 lower front bellow pockets with cartridge holders, 2 hand-warmer pockets 1 internal chest pocket, Fold-down waterproof seat flap, Elasticated weather shrouds on wrist, Available in olive green or english oak. Buy on Amazon.co.uk Buy on Amazon.com
	Safari Gilet / Safari Vest As an alternative to a long sleeve Jacket, ideal for wearing in warmer weather is a safari gillet or vest. Good ones like the Result Adventure Safari Gilet pictured on the left come with many pockets an are ideal for photographers or indeed anyone on safari as the pockets can be use to store your binoculars, guide books or anything else. Buy on Amazon.co.uk Buy on Amazon.com

Safari Wear
For more, take a look at this section of the safari guide on Safari Clothing and Advice, it includes Men’s and Women’s Safari Wear.

Womens Combat trousers and Cargo Pants are very similar and in some cases they refer to the same item of clothing. But in general Combat pants are less formal than cargo trousers which in a way is surprising considering the military connotations.

The term “combat” also implies that the garment is more likely to be made with a camouflage print but this is not always the case and I would suggest that you stay clear of ex-military camouflaged clothing when going on safari as I have heard that it is illegal in some African countries.

Having said all this there are many combat trousers for women that are ideal to take with you on safari and they often end up being much cheaper than buying specifically designed Safari pants or trousers from specialist safari stores.

In general what you are looking for is a pair of combats that are comfortable to travel and walk in, they must also be tough, but without being too warm to wear in hot conditions. The colour should help you blend in with your surroundings, so go for khaki, beige, greens, browns and stone colours. Any extra pockets can be really useful for holding things like cameras, binoculars and birding books.

Where to Buy Combat Pants

	Womens Combat Trousers Amazon have a great range of womens combat pants as well as cargo pants ideal as safari wear, take a look at the links below: Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
	Khaki Crop Combats Combat crop trousers for women offer you great comfort and will keep you cool on those hot summer days, featuring stitch detail, pocket detail at the front and yoke detail at the back. 100% Cotton. Machine Washable Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

Safari Wear
For more, take a look at this section of the safari guide on Safari Clothing and Advice, it includes Men’s and Women’s Safari Wear.

Just remember the ideal safari pants are comfortable to travel as well as walk in, tough, without being too warm to wear in hot conditions. Their colour must help you blend in with your surroundings and any extra pockets can be really useful for holding things like birding books, cameras and possibly binoculars.

Cargo pants are so named because of their ability to carry so much “cargo” in the pockets. But as safari trousers, womens cargo pants are ideal because most are designed for tough, outdoor activities and have several large pockets, most often with button, snap or Velcro closable flaps. In addition to these front and back pockets, they will often have side pockets as well.

Cargo trousers often come in stone, khaki or beige colored and cotton, but can come in other colors and fabrics as well.

Where to Buy Cargo Pants

Soul Cal Brushed Womens Cargo Combat Pants Soul Cal is inspired by the laid back Californian lifestyle, bringing you cool, casual wear with a hint of luxury. These cargo trousers are ideal to take on safari. Rugged enough to handle anything the bush throws at you, plenty of pockets and still stylish. For these and other womens cargo pants check out the links below: Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

Safari Wear
For more, take a look at this page on Safari Clothing Advice, that includes Men’s and Women’s Safari Wear.

The image above is one of the most iconic images of the Sixties and depicts German model Veruschka in Kenya, defiant and pouting, with a rifle hitched behind her shoulders, wearing nothing but an over-sized floppy hat and a skimpy khaki Yves Saint Laurent tunic for a Vogue shoot, photographed by Franco Rubartelli. What it did was start a new and exciting fashion trend: “Safari Wear” and all of a sudden it meant that you could not only look great whist on safari, but you could take some of the clothing onto the streets of Paris as well.

Safari dresses are not as piratical as wearing a shirt and trousers, but they are ideal for wearing around the lodge and are fine whilst on safari in a vehicle. I would however not recommend using a safari dress for walking safaris, here trousers to protect your legs from thorny bushes and plants are far more suitable. I would look at using a safari dress once you have returned to the lodge after your game drive, they are ideal to wear around the pool and to breakfast and lunch.

As with all safari wear, look out for dresses in colours that blend in with the bush, so khaki, browns, greens and stone colours work best. As a dress will not really be worn out on walking safaris, things like extra pockets and the thickness of the material is not that important.

There are far more durable dresses available (see below) than the dress shown on the right that may be that little bit more suitable for travelling with.

Where to Buy Safari Dresses

Promod Safari Style Dress Instant casual chic and ideal to wear around the safari lodge is this gorgeous safari shirt dress. Popper through fastening. Flap chest pockets. Mid-waist design. Turn-ups on short sleeves Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

Safari Wear
For more, take a look at this page on Safari Clothing Advice, that includes Men’s and Women’s Safari Wear.

After much research, I am still not totally sure what the exact differences between Combat trousers and Cargo Pants are. I think they are less formal than cargo pants which is surprising considering the military connotations. The term “combat” also implies to me that you are more likely to have a camouflage type material but this is not always the case. I would however recommend that you stay clear of ex-military camouflaged clothing when going on safari as I have heard that it is illegal in some African countries.

Whatever the differences, there are many Combat pants that are ideal to take with you on safari and they usually work out much cheaper than buying specifically designed Safari pants and trousers from specialist safari stores.

For a full explanation read my article on what you should look out for in the perfect pair of safari trousers for men, but in general what you are looking for is a pair of trousers that are comfortable to travel and walk in, tough without being too warm to wear in hot conditions and the colour should help you blend in with your surroundings. Any extra pockets can be really useful for holding things like cameras, binoculars and birding books.

Combat trousers seem to tick all the boxes and so you may wish to take a look at what combat pants are available to buy on-line below:

Where to Buy Combat Pants

Mens Combat Trousers ideal for Safaris The Soul Cal Miami Combat Pants on the left are ideal, bringing you cool, casual wear with a hint of luxury. If they are not quite your style, Amazon have a huge range of combat pants ideal for safaris, take a look at the links below: Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

Safari Wear
For more, take a look at this page on Safari Clothing Advice, that includes Men’s and Women’s Safari Wear.

As I mentioned in an earlier post on Safari trousers, it is often far more expensive to buy trousers specifically designed for safaris from a safari clothing specialist than it is to just get some that are ideal to take on safari without specifically been designed for that purpose.

In a nutshell, what you are looking for are pants that are comfortable to wear and walk in, tough, without being too warm to wear in hot conditions. Their colour must help you blend in with your surroundings and any extra pockets can be really useful for holding things like birding books, cameras and possibly binoculars.

Cargo Trousers

This style is ideal as most Cargo pants are designed for tough, outdoor activities and have several large pockets, most often with button, snap or Velcro closable flaps. In addition to these front and back pockets, cargo pants will often have side pockets as well. Cargo trousers are most often khaki or beige colored and cotton, but can come in other colors and fabrics as well. It is no wonder that Cargo pants are so named because of their ability to carry so much “cargo” in the pockets. The style became so popular that cargo shorts soon followed and are also ideal for taking on safari.

Where to Buy Cargo Pants

Mens Cargo Trousers for Safaris The Carhartt Men’s Canvas Cargo Pants on the left are ideal, made from 100% cotton and feature large side cargo pockets but if they are not quite your style, Amazon have a huge range of cargo pants ideal for safaris, take a look at the links below: Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

For more, take a look at this page on Safari Clothing Advice, that includes Men’s and Women’s Safari Wear

There are a few specialised shops that offer specific safari wear that include men’s trousers specifically designed for safaris, but I have often found them to be on the expensive side. This is just because these shops are so specialised and obviously aimed at tourism, where like weddings, everything seems to be just that little bit more expensive. So in my opinion, it is often better to look for some long pants that make ideal safari trousers rather than ones marketed as “Safari Pants” or “Safari Trousers”.

What Makes the Ideal Safari Trousers?

The main functions of your safari pants are to protect your skin from the sun, biting insects and thorns in the bush. On top of this pockets will help you store books, cameras or binoculars.

Colour
As with most of the clothing that you should wear in the bush, you want the colours to blend in with the enviroment, so look for Beige, Brown, Green and Khaki coloured trousers. My advice is to always stay clear of camouflage prints as in some African countries it is illegal to wear it if you are a civilian.

Material
I find that a cotton material works best for me, depending on the thickness used they can be surprisingly cool and still protect your legs not only from the hot African sun, but also from biting insects like mosquitoes especially in the evenings. These days you can also find many trousers made from new man made materials, specifically designed to keep you cool that also work excellently. I would however just make sure that when you walk they don’t make too much of the canvas type rubbing noise which could scare away potential animal sightings especially on walking safaris.

Ruggedness
There is always a balance between your trousers not making you too hot when you wear them and being tough enough to survive walking through a thorny bush whilst on a walking safari. Even if you don’t plan on walking through the bush your trousers must be tough enough for travel.

Pockets
Again depending on the type of safari you are on pockets are either nice to have or almost essential. If you are going to be in a game drive vehicle for most of the time, extra pockets are nice to have. If however you are going to be going on camping and walking safaris, extra pockets to carry things like compact cameras, binoculars, bird books or even pocket knives are really important.

Cargo Pants
Cargo style trousers are ideal as they have all the qualities we are looking for. For more take a look at this article specifically about Mens Cargo Pants for safaris or take a look at what is available to buy on-line below:

Kariban – Mens Safari Trousers Available in Beige, Navy and Black – I would definitly go for the beige colour. Elasticated waist with zip fly and button. Adjustable clip belt. Two front pockets. Two back pockets, one zip, one tear release. Left leg zip pocket. Right leg multi-pocket, two tear release sections and one zip section. Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

Mens Cargo Trousers for Safaris The Carhartt Men’s Canvas Cargo Pants on the left are ideal, made from 100% cotton and feature large side cargo pockets but if they are not quite your style, Amazon have a huge range of cargo pants ideal for safaris, take a look at the links below: Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

Mens Combat Trousers ideal for Safaris The Soul Cal Miami Combat Pants on the left are ideal, bringing you cool, casual wear with a hint of luxury. If they are not quite your style, Amazon have a huge range of combat pants ideal for safaris, take a look at the links below: Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

For more, take a look at this page on Safari Clothing Advice, that includes Men’s and Women’s Safari Wear

Part of the series on Safari Clothing for Women, this article will take a look at women’s safari blouses and shirts and just because you are in the bush, does not mean that you can’t have style. There are many lovely fitted safari tops especially for women, but there are also a few pointers that you may wish to consider.

Sleeves
Long sleeves can not only help protect you from the harsh African sun, but also from biting insects in the evening and the chill on an early morning game drive. If your safari vehicle does have shade, then a short sleeve shirt or sleevless blouse will be more comfortable during the heat of the day.

Pockets
Are not always for show, if you carry a camera or binoculars on safari (and you should) a good pocket or two either on your shirt or safari jacket will help especially on walking safaris.

Collar
A safari shirt with a collar is a good idea, again this will help protect your neck from the sun

Colour
As is the general advice on all your clothing, you should be looking at getting colours that blend in with your environment and in this case it is the African bush, so look for shirts and blouses that are khaki, brown and green colours. To really blend in many people would assume that camouflage coloured material would be best and this may be so, but it is un-advisable as in many African countries it is illegal for civilians to wear camouflage.

Type of Material
This is important, I find that cotton works best as it is the most comfortable in hot conditions. These days there are a number of modern materials that work just as well, but if you plan on any walking safaris try and make sure that what you wear does not make too much noise like a canvas type material as this could give your location away to any wildlife that you are trying to sneak up on.

Where to Buy Women’s Safari Shirts and Tops

Because safari type wear has become fashionable many high street stores now stock suitable tops, you can also buy on-line:

	Promod Crinkle effect cotton Safari shirt The khaki version of this top makes ideal safari wear, it has a buttoned collar, lapelles on the shoulders. 2 flap pockets and is made from 100% Cotton. Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
	Promod Belted longline shirt Made from 100% cotton, this light top is perfect for those hot days on Safari. Whilst the shirt may not be ideal for walking safaris as it does not have pockets, it would work well within a safari vehicle or just to wear around the lodge. Promod Crinkle effect cotton shirt Amazon.com

For more, take a look at this page on Safari Clothing Advice, that includes Men’s and Women’s Safari Wear

I recently received the following question on combining a photographic safari holiday with some scuba diving:

Hi,
I was wondering if you could assist us with any suggestions for our safari
holiday: As I am a photographer and my girlfriend a newly qualified scuba diver, we are hoping to combine a safari with some diving. Do you have any packages and advice?

As it is a fairly common question, I thought it may be useful to post my answer on the site:

You guys obviously enjoy the same things as I do: photography, diving and wildlife!

I learnt to dive in Kenya – mostly because it was cheap and I had a few days to spare, see my article on Scuba Diving in Kenya. Kenya is also obviously a good place to go on safari – just make sure that you don’t get one where you go in a mini van packed with tons of other tourists as you will find it very difficult to get any decent photography done.

Whilst Kenya is great, I personally think that a fantastic place to combine scuba diving and Africa’s wildlife is the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park.

It has all the wildlife you could ever hope to see in the reserve and if that is not enough you have the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Parks nearby. I have heard that the diving at Sodwana Bay which is Part of the Greater St Lucia Wetland reserve and located within the Maputaland Marine reserve is the place to go Scuba Diving in South Africa, although as yet I have not been lucky enough to try it for myself.

Because it is a national park, you can hire a car travel around by yourself, giving you the time to stop and take photographs of whatever you like. Accommodation in South Africa’s National parks is excellent and much cheaper than staying at a lodge, just book early as the fill up quickly.

What is more is from here if you are feeling adventurous, you could travel up into Mozambique where there is also some great diving, but far less wildlife.

I hope this helps as I don’t actually sell any packages on my site, just advertise them.

For more holidays, a good place to look is the Safari Holidays section on my site, there are holidays that include diving as well as, photographic specific ones

Just look for a holiday that is similar to your requirements and fill in the enquiry form under it and the operator will get back to you directly.

Cheaper Airport Parking and Airport Hotel Parking

The current recession has made large and small companies all look to reduce their costs and expenses and travel is an obvious area, which has come under the microscope. While face-to-face meetings, will still continue companies are looking at technology to reduce travel with telephone conference meetings.

Over the past 9 years the travel industry has faced numerous events that have placed ever greater pressure on margins:

• 9/11 Twin Towers.
• SARS outbreak in Asia
• Indonesian Bombings
• Al-QaedaA attacks in London and Spain
• Credit Crunch
• Swine fever and a potential pandemic

Having been involved in the Airport Parking business since 1989, the last 18 months must rank as the worst. The result has been cheaper parking prices, particularly at Gatwick airport and customers looking for cheaper deals need to monitor prices in much the same way as booking a flight. Super choice of car parks for Gatwick airport parking.