An African safari is always an exciting adventure, whether it’s your first trip to the bush or you’ve been on so
many that you’ve lost count. It can be easy to forget something in the thrill of getting ready to go and trust
us, we are as excited to welcome you to Madikwe Game Reserve as you are to get here. However, we want
to ensure you have all your creature comforts to maximise your enjoyment and leisure at our Luxury Safari
Lodge. It’s for this reason that we’ve put together a packing list for you to make your life just that much
easier

As Madikwe is a Luxury Game Reserve, we are well equipped to provide for every season and are
accustomed to the natural weather conditions. Winter in the North West Province of South Africa brings
with it dry, sunny days and chilly nights, while summer welcomes rain and temperatures up to 35°.

Below is a general guide to packing for your African Safari: 

Your travelling essentials:  

  • Valid passport  Valid visa – if required
  • Copies of your passports and other essential documents 
  • Air tickets 
  • Spending cash 
  • Comprehensive travel insurance

What to wear at a Luxury Safari Lodge

Generally speaking, the days on safari at Madikwe Game Reserve are warm, which means shorts and light shirts are ideal. However, winter nights and early mornings on the gamed drive vehicles can get chilly and therefore long-sleeve shirts, long pants, and pullovers are advised. During the warmer months, the long trousers and long-sleeve shirts act as protection from mosquitoes. 

Footwear is a vital part of any African safari – especially for walking activities. Comfortable and practical footwear is highly advisable. Sandals are not recommended for the game drives or activities but are more than welcome by the poolside.

So essentially, all the clothing you need for a four day trip to Madikwe Safari Lodge is the following:

  • 4 x light outfits for summer or 4 x warmer outfits for winter 
  • 1 x jacket 
  • 2 x pullovers/jersey 
  • 1 or 2 x buffs 
  • 1 x pair of loose, long pants and long sleeve shirt 
  • 1 x pair of sneakers or hiking boots 
  • 1 x pair of causal easy on sandals 
  • 4 x pairs of socks 
  • 4 x pairs of underwear
A female visitor at Madikwe Game reserve sits on the hood of a safari vehicle watching nearby game through binoculars
A visitor at Madikwe Game reserve sits on the hood of a safari vehicle watching nearby game through binoculars

Safari Essentials 

  • Personal Toiletries
  • Personal first-aid kit (headache pills, antihistamine cream etc)
  • Protective eye-ware – the sun can be harsh on the eyes 
  • Insect repellent
  • Hygiene wipes 
  • Photographic requirements – batteries and chargers, memory cards
  • Binoculars
  • Lightweight reading and writing material
  • Hat or cap
  • Sun protection for skin
  • Lip balm
  • COVID-19 essential – masks. We do also recommend buffs for the game drives as they double as a bit of warmth while on the game drives in the open-air vehicles
  • Small backpack to put most of the above in to have with you for game drives
An Important note: Prescription medicine 
For any specific medicinal needs and requirements – it is essential to bring sufficient supplies of prescription
medicine with you for the duration of your stay. It is also a good idea to pack your prescription in case of
emergencies.
With your bag packed and ready for your great adventure, we at Madikwe Game Reserve are eager to welcome you to our magical luxury safari experience! Book your stay today!