Living Her Vision

Because I had never been to Madikwe before, I read everything I could about the location and weather. I wanted to make sure that I was prepared since we would be in the middle of the African Bush with no stores nearby.

The summer season is from October to April with high temperatures in the 90s. If visiting during this time, it is important to pack lightweight, breathable clothing.

I packed a lot of shorts and short-sleeved shirts, but I also packed a few long-sleeve shirts, long pants, and two lightweight pullovers. Although it is the summer there, I am happy that I packed long pants and shirts because in the eight days we were there, we only experienced a few hot days. The weather for most of the week was mild with chilly mornings and evenings.

Having clothes to layer is the best idea.

Below are the essentials you should bring on an African safari during the spring or summer season. Remember, the roads are dusty and game drives are early in the morning and late in the evenings.

1. Camera
2. Hat
3. Sunglasses
4. Sunscreen
5. Bug spray
6. Hiking sandals or sneakers
7. Flip flops, slides, or sandals
8. Small bookbag or crossbody bag
9. 1-2 pairs of long pants (depending on length of stay)
10. 1-2 long-sleeve shirts (depending on length of stay)
11. Light weight sweatshirt or light jacket
12. South African outlet converter

Although I read some tips that said to avoid black clothing, I did not find it to be necessary. I would, however, avoid white outfits because you can get dusty on game drives, and also avoid bright red so that predatory animals do not mistake you for a meal.

Since I am not a hiker, I did not want to spend a lot of money on hiking boots that I would never wear again. Instead, I opted for a pair of hiking sneakers from Merrell.

These sneakers were perfect for me. Though they had a thick bottom, they were very lightweight and comfortable. The tops and the sides have mesh which allowed my feet to breathe, and the thick bottom prevented thorns or brushes from piercing the sole of the shoes.

I would not wear open-toe shoes to avoid stubbing your toe or getting pricked by thorny bushes, but it is a personal preference. My mother-in-law wore flip-flops for most of the game drives and was fine. There was, however, one day when she got a couple scratches on her feet during one of the bush breaks (aka bathroom breaks) she took.

Items such as binoculars and rain ponchos were provided for us. Check with your lodge to see the items they provide for guests.

In preparing for the trip, the question I was asked the most was if I had to get shots or vaccinations. No – none of us needed to get shots to visit Madikwe since it is in a malaria-free area. With that said, even though it’s Malaria free, bug spray was essential to ward off other annoying insects.

Before booking your trip, do your research and be sure to talk to your doctor for the most accurate information about medications, especially if you plan to visit other countries while in Africa.

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