7 tips for your first African safari holiday

You may need travel vaccinations well in advance of your safari holiday. Look online or ask your GP surgery or local travel clinic for a consultation to find out which vaccinations you'll need. Depending on exactly where you’re going, they may also advise that you take anti-malaria tablets.

Also, don't forget to get travel insurance for your safari tour.

Most people expect Africa to be hot but it can be cold at times, particularly early in the morning and late at night. Pack layers, including a warm fleece or jacket. Neutral colours like khaki and green are best when on safari, but they’re not essential. Try to avoid wearing white though, as this will catch the attention of animals the most.

Protect yourself from the sun with a hat and sunglasses. Dust can also be a problem in the dry months, so sunglasses will protect your eyes. A lightweight bandana is good to wear, as you can pull it up to protect your face when the dust flies.

A huge part of your safari will obviously be taking photos of the amazing animals you see. Dust and rain risk damaging your camera equipment, so you’ll need to make sure it’s covered up as much as possible when not in use. When you’re travelling, store your camera in a bag or pouch. We’d recommend taking a waterproof cover, or even just a shower cap, to cover your camera from rain. To protect it from dust, cover it with a cloth or t-shirt in between shots when you’re in the jeep. If you’ve got a DSLR camera, a lens hood is vital to protect your lens from being scratched. And whatever equipment you use, don’t forget to insure it before your holiday.