If you’re about to head off on a safari to Africa’s extraordinary destinations, you’re probably wondering what to wear and what to pack. From game drives to bush walks and sundowners, you’ll want to be prepared for everything on your safari. Our expert team know exactly what you do and don’t need on safari, from your luggage to your clothing and accessories. We’ve put together the ultimate packing guide so you can go on safari in style.

Experience it: Spectacular South Africa

Luggage

Before you start packing, you need to choose the right luggage. For a safari in Africa, a soft-sided suitcase or duffel bag is the best choice. Most luxury safari camps and lodges have strict luggage restrictions, particularly if you’re flying on small domestic flights between destinations. A lightweight, soft-sided bag can be easily stowed in small storage spaces.

Daytime clothing

If you want to safari in style, you’ve got to choose the right clothing. Here are our tips on how to dress comfortably and appropriately on safari:

• Wear long trousers and long-sleeve shirts to protect against the elements and insects. It’s appropriate to dress conservatively in many African countries, so bring clothing that can cover your shoulders, chest and midriff, even outside the national parks.
• Bring shorts, t-shirts, sun-dresses or casual wear for downtime around the lodge.
• Wear clothing options that are easy to layer up, as morning and evening game drives can be cold, while the daytime drives can be hot. You’ll need a warm jacket and a waterproof coat in case of rain.
• Choose moisture-wicking materials to stay comfortable and cut down on clothes washing in remote safari camps and lodges.
• Wear clothes in neutral colors such as brown, beige, khaki and dark green. This helps you blend in with the landscape and increases your chance of spotting wildlife. Avoid white and brightly colored clothing. You should also avoid military-style camouflage clothing as it’s illegal in many African countries such as Zimbabwe, Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda.
• Swimwear: Most luxury safari lodges have a pool so bring your swimwear.
• Sleepwear: Pack some comfortable sleepwear in breathable materials
• Underwear and socks: Go for moisture-wicking underwear and socks to help you stay comfortable all day.

Read more: Cape expectations: how Travel Concierge Jameel makes South Africa sing

Footwear

Bring comfortable walking shoes that have been worn-in, to avoid blisters. If you plan to do any hiking, you’ll need sturdy hiking boots.

You should also bring a pair of sandals or flip-flops for relaxing at the lodge or by the pool.

Evening wear

Depending on your safari and lodge, you may like to bring a more formal outfit for dinners or evening events. Check with your personal Travel Concierge to find out if you need to bring evening wear on your tour.

Accessories

Bring a wide-brimmed hat and polarized sunglasses to protect you from harsh UV rays.

You should also bring one or two lightweight scarves or bandanas. These come in handy for protecting your face from dust, shielding your neck from the sun, cleaning lenses on your camera or glasses, or wrapping around yourself on chilly mornings.

Read more: 5 of the best Passport Moments you’ll enjoy with Luxury Gold

Travel gear

Camera and accessories: Capture the incredible wildlife and landscapes with a good camera, protective cases, extra memory cards, and spare batteries or a portable charger. If you plan to take photos with your phone, bring a dustproof and waterproof case plus extra memory cards.

Binoculars: Good quality binoculars are highly recommended.

Torch or head flashlight: These are essential for navigating around the lodge at night or if you plan to go on night game drives. A solar-powered torch or flashlight is a great eco-friendly alternative.

Portable chargers and adaptors: Portable chargers are one of the handiest gadgets you can bring on safari. You’ll also need to check the plug type for your destination to determine which power adaptors you need. If you’re visiting multiple countries, a universal power adaptor might be the best option.

Waterproof bags: Bring waterproof bags for all your important equipment. If you plan to go kayaking or do water sports, bring a dry bag.

Reusable water bottle: Stay hydrated and limit single-use plastic waste by bringing a reusable water bottle. You can refill it at your safari lodge or during game drives. You may also like to bring a water bottle with an in-built filtration system.

E-reader: If you love to relax with a good book in the afternoons when travelling, bring an e-reader such as a Kindle or Kobo with some good books preloaded. It’s easier than hauling around heavy books and you can download dozens of books at a time. Ask your personal Travel Concierge for recommended reading about your safari destination before you go.

Read more: The personal touch: our top 5 curated luxury travel experiences for 2023

Toiletries

• High-SPF sunscreen
• After sun cream
• Mosquito repellent
• Bite relief cream
• Lip balm
• Hand sanitizer
• Biodegradable wet wipes
• Eco-friendly toiletries such as solid shampoo, soap, deodorant, and toothpaste tabs.
• Basic first aid kit including band-aids, pain relievers, antihistamines, gastro relievers, and any personal medications. Check with your doctor about whether you need to bring malaria prophylactics.

Documents and essentials

Keep your passport, visas, travel insurance information, and any necessary vaccination certificates in a secure, waterproof document holder.

What not to bring

Plastic bags: These are banned in many African countries including Kenya and Rwanda. All visitors are required to discard any plastic bags before entering the country including ziplock bags and duty-free plastic bags. There are penalties for those found in possession of them, so be sure to use alternatives such as cotton totes or silicone bags.

Camouflage clothing: It’s illegal in many countries and unnecessary on safari.

Drones: These are illegal in East Africa.

If you want to know more about what to pack for your safari, be sure to speak to yourTravel Concierge. They are experts on your destination and are there to offer guidance and personal service every step of the way so you can safari in style.

If you’ve ever wanted to take a luxury train journey, the Rocky Mountaineer is almost certainly on your list. From the plush carriages and iconic GoldLeaf service to the 360-degree views of the unparalleled beauty of the Canadian Rockies, the Rocky Mountaineer is a world-renowned rail journey. Here, we’ll delve into the history books to uncover how it became North America’s most luxurious train journey – and how you can experience the wonders of the Rocky Mountaineer.

Experience it: Majesty of the Rockies 

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Origins of the Rocky Mountaineer 

The Rocky Mountaineer made its maiden voyage in 1990, but its story goes back a little further than that. The construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in the late 19th century connected the vast, largely unpopulated expanses of Canada and northern USA and paved the way for transcontinental passenger trains. In 1988, the Canadian government created VIA Rail and privatised all passenger rail services. 

However, the scenic routes through the Canadian Rockies were not included in VIA Rail’s portfolio. This presented an opportunity for entrepreneur Peter Armstrong, who envisioned a luxury rail service that would showcase the beauty of the Canadian Rockies and provide a unique experience for travellers from all over the world.

The inaugural Rocky Mountaineer journey took place in 1990. It was a two-day journey from Vancouver to Banff, taking in Western Canada and the Rockies. It was an immediate success, and the following year was named one of the “World’s 20 Best Rail Experiences” by The International Railway Traveler magazine.

Read more: 7 of the world’s most luxurious train journeys

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Full steam ahead

The Rocky Mountaineer continue to upgrade and expand its fleet and in 1995, introduced the luxurious GoldLeaf cars. They quickly became the most popular way to experience the Rocky Mountaineer thanks to its exclusive outdoor viewing platform and gourmet meals prepared on board.

In 1996, the Rocky Mountaineer started setting records, becoming the longest passenger train in Canadian history, with 37 cars. Just three years later, in 1999, it broke the record again with 41 cars. 

In 2002, it welcomed its 500,000th guest and six years later, its one-millionth. Since then the Rocky Mountaineer has carried over two million passengers. The Rocky Mountaineer celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2015, having grown to be the largest privately owned luxury train company in the world.

Read more: Embrace the Old-World Glamour of the Luxury Train Travel

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Global recognition

The accolades kept on coming over the years. The Rocky Mountaineer has won the prestigious “World’s Leading Travel Experience by Train” eight times at the World Travel Awards. Conde Nast Traveler listed it as one of the “Top 5 trains in the world”, and BBC named it as one of the “50 Things To Do Before You Die”. National Geographic named it one of the “World’s Greatest Trips” and one of the “Top 10 North American Train Trips”. They’ve been frequently honored as one of The International Railway Traveler’s “10 Best Rail Experiences in the World”.

The Rocky Mountaineer was also Lonely Planet’s Winner of Best Sustainable Train for 2021 and won Tourism British Columbia’s “Foresight Sustainability Award” for leadership and advocacy of sustainable tourism. In an effort to reduce its environmental impact, the Rocky Mountaineer uses locomotives powered by biodiesel fuel, a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to traditional diesel fuel.

Read more: Christmas on the tracks: 7 of the world’s most beautiful, festive train journeys

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The Rocky Mountaineer experience 

The routes

You can still take the very first Rocky Mountaineer route today. Known as the First Passage to the West, it’s the most historic route, traversing along from Vancouver to Banff and Lake Louise. 

The Rocky Mountaineer has three other routes, including Journey Through the Clouds and Rainforest to Gold Rush, which takes you from Vancouver to Jasper through the UNESCO-listed Jasper National Park. From the beautiful mountain scenery to the remarkable wildlife, these are breathtaking journeys. For something a little different, you can also take the Rockies To The Red Rocks journey from Moab to Denver, with vast canyons, red sandstone, and enchanting deserts as your backdrop. 

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The views

They say it’s about the journey, not the destination, and this expression really comes to life on the Rocky Mountaineer. As you board the carriage each morning, you’re in no rush to reach your destination, because every passenger knows you’re about to witness something extraordinary. When you travel through the Rockies, you’ll see dazzling glaciers, snowy mountains, glittering lakes, and soaring canyons. 

You’ll pass through the iconic Spiral Tunnels, chug along the Kicking Horse River, and cross the Great Continental Divide. From Roger’s Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon, Kamloops and Lake Louise, to Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was planted into the ground, this rail journey is nature and history entwined. 

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You can even spot the renowned wildlife of the Rockies in their natural habitats, such as bears, elk, moose, mountain goats, and eagles soaring overhead. The train’s onboard hosts will also call out and let you know when they spot any animals.

This is one journey where you don’t have to worry about taking in everything at high speed. The train regularly slows down to a rolling speed to ensure every guest can soak up every spectacular angle and snap some wonderful photos.

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The luxury carriages

The train’s custom-designed, bi-level, glass-domed observation cars offer passengers 360-degree views of the spectacular scenery. You’ll feel completely immersed in the majestic mountains, lush forests, and rushing rivers from the comfort of your seat.

The premium GoldLeaf Service offers passengers a luxurious travel experience, with bi-level railcars featuring dining rooms on the lower level and observation lounges on the upper level. For a more intimate experience, you can step outside on the large outdoor viewing platform, exclusive to GoldLeaf passengers. 

While inside, you’ll enjoy five-star comfort and style, with wide plush seats and impeccable service. The warm and welcoming hosts bring the train journey to life. They’re extremely knowledgeable and will share the history and stories about the region. The hosts are also happy to answer all your questions as you roll through the gorgeous landscapes. 

Read more: 5 celebrities who have experienced the timeless luxury of train travel

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The dining

The Rocky Mountaineer is truly a feast for the senses. If you can tear yourself away from the views, you’ll enjoy gourmet meals and menus created by award-winning chefs Jean Pierre Guerin and Frédéric Couton. GoldLeaf passengers dine in an exclusive lower-level room with sweeping views. 

The mouthwatering meals infuse fresh, local ingredients, such as Alberta beef short ribs, B.C. steelhead salmon fillets, Fraser Valley chicken, and Yukon Gold potatoes. Meals are complemented with local beer and wine including an Okanagan Valley Merlot. Your hosts will also serve complimentary snacks and beverages between meal times. You’ll even be pleasantly surprised throughout the trip with plates of freshly-baked cookies or glasses of wine. 

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The stops

The Rocky Mountaineer is unique in that it exclusively operates during daylight hours. This ensures passengers can fully appreciate the stunning landscapes along the route. Guests spend nights in luxury hotels at various stops along the journey and the exceptional service extends to these stops. As the train pulls into the station at the end of the day, you’ll enjoy a seamless transfer to your hotel, with your luggage brought directly to your room.

How to experience the Rocky Mountaineer

Experience the wonders of the Rocky Mountaineer on our Majesty of the Rockies luxury tour. You’ll journey from Jasper to Vancouver aboard the remarkable Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service. Soak up the unobstructed views from your glass-domed windows and outdoor viewing platform. Hear the stories of the Rockies and enjoy gourmet meals with locally-sourced ingredients and paired wines. From the mountains and wildlife to the plush carriages and gourmet dining, you’ll find out why the Rocky Mountaineer is North America’s most iconic and luxurious train journey.

Rising 1,140 feet above the surrounding flat plain, Uluru is an extraordinary sight. As the world’s largest rock monolith, Uluru is taller than the Eiffel Tower and the Chrysler Building.  The base alone spans a massive 5.8 miles in circumference. Set in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Uluru began forming around 550 million years ago. This iconic landmark is fondly known as the heart of Australia’s Red Centre in the Northern Territory – but it’s much more than an enormous rock. Uluru is a sacred landscape for the traditional owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta, the Anangu Aboriginal people, one of the oldest continuous cultures in the world. In honour of World Heritage Day, we look at the cultural and spiritual significance of Uluru, Australia, and share how you can experience the wonder of Uluru on our Inspiring Australia tour. 

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The traditional guardians of Uluru

When you set eyes on the red sandstone monolith, you’ll marvel at the sheer size and impact of Uluru, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But if you observe Uluru transforming throughout the day in different shades of red, orange and violet, you’ll know you’re witnessing something truly remarkable.

Towering above the red desert plain, over 280 miles from the nearest large town (Alice Springs), the remoteness of the landscape lends itself to the powerful atmosphere that Uluru evokes. But this is far from untrammelled land. The Anangu people have been the guardians and traditional owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta for over 60,000 years. Anangu is the name used by Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Aboriginal people to refer to themselves. Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara are the two main languages spoken in Uluru-Kata Tjuta.

Read more: Acclaimed Sydney restaurant Bennelong and its love affair with Australian food

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The spiritual significance of Uluru 

Uluru and the nearby domes of Kata Tjuta are places of great cultural and spiritual significance to the Anangu people. The Anangu believe Uluru was created as a sacred site by their ancestral beings at the beginning of time. The traditional story says that each region of Uluru was formed by around 10 different ancestral beings. Uluru has several caves and fissures, also formed by ancestral beings, and the Anangu people still hold ceremonies in these caves. There is incredible physical evidence of this culture throughout the landscape, including rock art and remnants of ancient ceremonies and rituals.

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An unbreakable spiritual connection

For the Anangu people, Uluru and the nearby Kata Tjuta domes aren’t just rocks. They are living cultural landscapes and resting places for ancient spirits. The Anangu people live by Tjukurpa, the foundation and philosophy linking the people to their ancestors and the world. It governs everything from their customs and laws to mapping important places to find water and food. It also expresses their relationship between people, places, animals and the land. Tjukurpa is conveyed in stories, rituals, song lines, art and the landscape, and Uluru is an important part of this.

This spiritual connection to Uluru and the land remains strong today. The Anangu people continue to fulfil their duty to care for the earth and pass on their traditions and beliefs. Since the European discovery of Uluru, this sacred site has been horrifically mistreated, from the land being stolen to people climbing the rock face of Uluru despite the spiritual violation. In 2019, people were finally banned from climbing Uluru and the trail to the top was permanently closed. The Anangu people will continue to fight to protect their unique and ancient culture, history, and way of life.

Read more: Ayers Rock Resort: where to stay in Australia for a truly memorable experience

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Remarkable learning experiences

When you visit Uluru in Australia, you’ll see how this special region is an educational beacon and hub of information, with physical links to an ancient world. There’s a living history within the Anangu people who live much the same way they did thousands of years ago.

You’ll have the chance to witness some of these traditions on our Inspiring Australia tour. You’ll stay right on the edge of Uluru at the five-star Sails in the Desert and hear some of the ancient stories of the Anangu people. Experience the wonders of Uluru at sunset when you listen to the didgeridoo during the award-winning Sounds of Silence dinner. You’ll take guided walks through Uluru-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and learn about the importance of the land. Then see Uluru in a new light at sunrise when you witness Bruce Munro’s enchanting Field of Light art installation. The coloured glass spheres light up the desert in a magical experience.

You can experience the wonders of Uluru-Kata Tjuṯa National Park on our Inspiring Australia luxury tour, which takes you from the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef to the Outback, Alice Springs and Sydney.

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