What to bring

Whilst not intended as a complete guide to everything you need to pack for a safari trip to the reserve what follows below are some tips that will hopefully prove useful.

Clothes

Layered options for clothing are generally the best solution as temperatures can vary widely throughout the day, especially during the winter and early spring months where it can start near freezing and reach well into the 30s by the afternoon. Neutral colours that tone with the natural environment are best when out on the reserve, so khakis, browns and greens are good choices. Thin layers with long sleeves or legs provide the ability to cover up and protect yourself from the sun if it gets too strong, and a good hat is essential at all times of the year as are a pair of sunglasses. In the cold winter mornings a pair of gloves and wooly hat may also be welcome additions, although they'll be stuck back in the bag after an hour or so. A warm coat in winter and a waterproof layer in the wet season would be sensible additions.

Shoes for wearing out on the reserve should be sturdy and safe for climbing in and out of the game drive vehicles. If you plan on doing any walking on the reserve or wild dog tracking then your footwear should be appropriate for hiking these distances through the bush with its thorns and sharp gravel. Around camp some comfortable lighter shoes or sandals keep your feet cool during the day.

Game viewing gear

A good pair of binoculars is an essential piece of kit that will enhance your safari experience hugely by enabling closer views of animals and especially the birdlife. Most people cannot hold these steady enough to make magnifications above 8-10x worthwhile. Cameras and photography are discussed in a separate section but certainly bring plenty of film or memory cards and spare batteries. Good field guides are certainly useful and will help you get to know the species you see each day. With nearly 400 types of bird found on the reserve a bird book is a definite bonus - the SASOL Birds of Southern Africa is a recommended option. Others may be interested in plants, trees, or insects and a whole range of books are available on these subjects. A notepad is often useful to record sightings and memories, although we can also provide tick lists for animal and bird species if you wish.

Cooking and washing

Our River Camp lodges have fully equipped kitchens complete with all the usual utensils including cooler boxes and lanterns. The luxurious en suite bathrooms come with soft, thick towels and bars of soap. You need only bring any personal toiletries - including adequate sun creams and insect repellant. If you are self-catering please contact us for more details on the kitchen facilities and food supplies.

Daytime activities

The hot hours during the middle of the day are traditionally a time for rest and relaxation on safari. Some days we will be able to offer short walks or drop you off at a viewing hide for a few hours if desired. Otherwise you can make use of your private patio areas, the sunloungers and swimming pool at the central facility, or just lie back on the deep couches in your living space and enjoy the sounds of the bush all around. Some good books often help pass the time and you are welcome to bring a laptop or tablet device as River Camp has a basic wi-fi network that you can access at the Reserve Office.