That’s some heavy-duty work your clothes are going to need to do!

Let’s start with colour. There’s a reason every African movie you’ve ever seen has the stars dressed in beige or khaki. And while you don’t need to look like you’ve just stepped off the set of Out of Africa, neutral colours will ensure you don’t scare off the wildlife while bright colours will help to keep the wildlife away. When it comes to safari and trying to spot the wildlife, anything that makes it easier should be welcomed. You also don’t want to wear anything too dark, as well as generally being hotter colours to wear, dark colours attract the mosquitoes and whether you’re in a malaria-prone area or not, you really want to try and keep the mosquitos away if you can.

While we’re on textures, loose-fitting is best, again it will keep you cooler and keep the mosquitos away from your skin. We’d recommend long loose-fitting pants and shirts to keep you covered if you’re planning a walk through the bush, particularly if you’re gorilla trekking. Long sleeves and pants will help to keep your arms and legs free from scratches.

Remember we mentioned those safari ants? If you’re going somewhere where they are present you’ll definitely want to wear long pants and thick socks that you can tuck your pants into. You don’t want to get bitten by a safari ant.

While it’s logical to assume that travelling to Africa means long hot days, the nights and mornings can get cool, so make sure you take a couple of jumpers and a lightweight jacket in case it rains. Trust us, it does rain here and when it does, it absolutely pours.

So before you head off, here’s our list of what to pack on an African safari:

(We’re going to assume you’ve got the basics, like underwear sorted)

• T-shirts
• Lightweight, long-sleeve shirt
• Jumper
• Lightweight, waterproof Jacket
• Long pants
• Thick socks
• Light socks for days in the van
• Thongs or sandals for around the hotel or campsite
• Closed-toe and sturdy walking shoes, especially if you’re going on a gorilla trek or long hike
• A cap or good hat that won’t blow off at the first sign of wind
• Sunglasses, of course, the African sun can be very bright.

Toiletries

As well as your standards make sure you take:

• Any medication you need as well as malaria tablets if in a malaria zone.
• Prescription glasses, even if you normally wear contact lenses you might find the dust will make wearing contacts uncomfortable.
• A good sunscreen
• Mosquito spray

Electronics

• A good camera – you don’t want to miss that lion in the distance, or the stunning vistas. Extra batteries and compact flash cards. There’ll be photo opportunities at every turn, you won’t want to miss any of them!
• Chargers for your phone, your camera and any other electrical device you’re travelling with. Take your chargers – or a power bank – out on safari with you too. You can be out on the plains all day and might need to charge your devices along the way.
• Headlamp or a good torch. You might be in tented accommodation or want to do a night walk (check with your guide first of course!).

So, it’s no wonder that when it comes time to choose an African safari, it can be a daunting experience. There are so many different options of where to go and what to see, where do you even begin?

If you find yourself lusting after an African adventure, if a safari is on your bucket list or you have dreams of your own Out of Africa or Lion King experience then read on because we’ve got five tips to help you find the right safari.

1. Know what you want to see. Wildlife, duh! Not all parks, or all countries will provide the same experience when it comes to wildlife so the more you can narrow it down to what you actually want to see, the better experience you’ll have. For instance, if you desperately want to see a meerkat in its natural environment, you’ll need to go to Namibia. Want to go trekking for gorillas? There are very few places, even in Africa that are home to these beauties, so if that’s a must-see for your African trip you’ll need to go to Rwanda, the DRC or Uganda. Want to see the Big 5? You’ve got more chance in the Masai Mara in Kenya than the Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, but if it’s elephants you’re after, make sure you include a stop at Amboseli; for flamingoes, you’ll want to add Lake Nakaru but if you really want to see hippos then you might want to go to Lake Navaisha… You see what we mean? You’ll have an amazing time in each, but you don’t want to miss your favourite wildlife now, do you?
2. Know how you like to travel Do you want to stay in a national park? Stay in luxury or is a tent more your thing? Many of the countries in Africa may be considered ‘developing’ but there is no shortage of the types of accommodation you can stay in. You’ll find luxurious lodges scattered throughout the continent, in the national parks and outside. Some safaris, like our Kenya Soul tour, will include a night under the stars in tents for that up close and personal experience – you’ll hear the hyenas laughing and the lions roaring throughout the night and will get to feel like you’re truly a part of the jungle. Two very different experiences, equally magical depending on your preferences.
3. Know what experiences you want We mentioned earlier that each destination in Africa offers something a little different, Uganda is well known for its gorilla trekking, but also for the friendliness of the Ugandan people. Truly you’ll go for the wildlife, but be blown away by the hospitality of its locals, not to mention the stunning landscapes. In Kenya and Tanzania, you’ll be overwhelmed by the wildlife, while in Madagascar you’ll see wildlife and some amazing beaches. Ethiopia will fill you with wonder with its amazing history and intriguing architecture and the DRC will thrill you with its massive volcanoes and stunning walks. Before you pick a tour, think about your likes and dislikes and what Africa means to you. If you want to add a trek up Kilimanjaro or a walking safari, be sure to factor that into where you travel to. Africa is a big continent and it can take a long time to get from one location to another – there is a reason they talk about the African massage and it has something to do with the state of the roads in many of the less populated areas!
4. Know what you want to do Do you want to volunteer overseas? Take epic photos? Have a family adventure? There are tours that focus on volunteering, tours that focus on photography, tours that focus on experiencing as much wildlife as you can, tours that focus on hiking… The list is endless. You can visit coffee plantations, unbelievable waterfalls, stunning beaches. Just because someone else spent five days chasing the Big 5 in the Masai Mara, doesn’t mean you will want to do the same. You might prefer to spend two days on a beach or in a resort swimming pool, two days on Safari and a day visiting local communities. Don’t be tempted to simply recreate someone else’s holiday unless that really is the way you like to travel and mirrors the things you are interested in.
5. Who will you go with? Ok, we know you are well sorted on that front, we assume you’ve figured out whether you’ll be travelling with friends, with kids, with your significant other or on your own. But once again, there are different tours that cater to different types of groups and tours that either allows you to join with other travellers or to create your own bespoke tour. You won’t want to turn up on a family-focused tour if you’re hoping to have a romantic African getaway with your significant other.

There are so many choices when it comes to planning your African adventure, but it really comes down to knowing yourself, how you like to travel and what you want to see. A little bit of research at the start will ensure you have the best experience possible – for you!

But with all the excitement and relaxing in to holiday mode, the best plans to maintain your healthy eating habits and exercise routine can soon slip away.  Spending hours in a jeep or van combined with those all you can eat buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner can play havoc with even the most stoic commitment to staying fit and healthy.

Not to mention the stops for a “cold one”, the snacks on the bus and the and the long days travelling from one place to the next.

But staying healthy while on your safari doesn’t have to be a chore, with a few simple tweaks to your holiday routine you can maintain a healthy lifestyle.

After all, better food and drink choices and increased activity are sure to help improve your energy levels and your mood as well as looking after your waistline.

 1. Drink lots of water and take a good water bottle with you. 

Most hotels and safaris in Africa will include free water. Drink it! It can be easy to succumb to buying too many cokes or other local sweet and sugary drinks when you’re travelling, especially if you’re in a hot climate. But instead of buying cokes, drink the water you’ll be much better hydrated. Where possible encourage the driver or tour guide to buy a large water bottle that can be shared among the group. As well as saving your wallet and waistline, you’ll be helping the environment. And remember to fill up your drink bottle throughout the day.

2. Take fresh fruit on those long transit days 

Often your hotel breakfast will provide fresh fruit – just make sure they are happy for you to take a piece to go before you do so, not all hotels like guests to take items from the breakfast bar away with them. If there is no fruit at breakfast, or you can’t take it with you, see if you can make a stop at a nearby supermarket or local market to pick up some fruit. It’s much better for your energy levels and your health to eat fruit throughout the day instead of less healthy snacks such as chips, biscuits or chocolate. And, as well as being a healthier option, visiting a local food market and choosing fruit is a great way to experience the local culture and try some new foods.

3. Get active 

On a safari holiday you’ll spend a lot of time sitting in a jeep or bus looking out for wildlife. It’s an amazing experience, but not exactly one that’s conducive to being active. See if you can add a walking safari to your trip, many tours will include a walking component or you can always ask your guide if it can be added. Try stretching in the jeep, or taking a walk around the hotel complex in a morning before you set out on your first safari for the day or at night when you return. Just make sure you check that it’s safe to walk outside before you do so before starting your walk. Many hotel complexes in Africa are set inside wildlife reserves and you may find buffalo or elephants can access part of the site! Also consider whether you can add a swim or kayaking as part of your day’s activities. Don’t take on anything too strenuous, the key is to stay active, you don’t want to give yourself an injury on holiday!

4. Visit the markets and top up on breakfast items, or choose the healthy options in your hotel breakfast. 

It can be tempting on a safari holiday to go for the kinds of foods you wouldn’t eat every day at home. And trust us, those African breakfasts are hearty, you’ll generally be offered just about any kind of breakfast cuisine you could imagine. And while you are on holidays and should be free to enjoy a hearty breakfast, sometimes those breakfasts are less than healthy. Many comprise of processed white bread and jams, fatty foods or sugary cereals. Think of them as a treat, and supplement them with healthy options. See if you can get some local fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, avocadoes and fresh fruit either in your hotel, or from a local supermarket to give your breakfast a healthy edge. It will be more filling and generally higher in fibre. In hotel breakfasts, fruit, yoghurts and muesli are generally provided, or you could try an egg on multi grain bread for a healthier cooked breakfast option.

5. Watch the booze 

It can be easy to get into the habit of drinking everyday when you’re on a safari – at lunch and dinner– particularly when you’re in a hot, dusty climate. But those calories can really add up. Break up the alcoholic consumption with water or a lime and soda. Remember you’ll be drinking the water that’s included on your tour regularly so should be staying well hydrated! You’ll feel better the next day and have far more energy for your travels.

Taking an African adventure is all about having fun and enjoying the moment, but by choosing some healthy options while you’re travelling, you’ll be able to make the most of every minute of your tour.

By Alice Bastable, a Melbourne-based dietician, and Diane Squires, a writer and tour host.