What type of clothes do you wear in Kruger

[Racky]

Hi everyone,
what kind of clothes should I wear in August?
thanx

[Gemma T]

You'll need to take both cold and warm weather clothes with you.
It gets cold overnight, the coldest we've ever had it was -2 in Lower Sabie, which is blooming cold when you're in a tent!!
Then during the day it get up to the high 20s and even into the 30s.
My best advice is layer up and shed the layers as it gets warmer.
We always throw a pair of shorts in the car for a quick change too!!

Make sure you pack your yellow ribbon!!
I have to say the park has always been very generous to us in August!!
Enjoy your trip

[onewithnature]

Indeed the best advice is to layer.
I've been caught out on several occasions, even though I don't easily get cold.
Last August, in Tamboti, we had the lowest tent in the camp; I clean forgot about that physical law I learned at school - cold air sinks!
During the night it sank with malice and I couldn't believe how cold it was in Kruger that night.
My SO reminded me that a pool of water in the river bank had iced up around the edges.
Next night we asked Orpen Camp for extra blankets, but they only supplied us with two, saying they didn't have enough.
We learned our lesson very well that holiday and now we will ensure we are prepared next time.

[JacquiS]

My goodness! I am liking this forum more and more!

To answer the question - Depends what time of year. I usually always wrap in layers, as all year round it generally is chilly before 9am, warms up, then becomes chilly again around 4pm (bar the summer months of course!)

Also, in the summer months we always take a rain jacket with us! These wonderful African storms have a way of sneaking up on one :-). They are beautiful though - Hot, electrical, and rumbling thunder that can touch your soul! ... Wow, someone call the hippy police for that last statement, haha.

But yes - All in all, layers are key :-D

All the best,
Jacqui

[Albert]

We almost always go to the park in May/June/July. I find that I need to pack more for the trip to and from the park (I remember midnight in the Vrystaat at -12 °C one year) than in the park itself.
The Kruger outfit is simple:
Shorts (brown/dark green); between knee-length and the Rooies' Nampo denim shorts' length
T-shirt (maybe more than one, people tend to start complaining after a few days), any colour will do as long as it is brown.
Slip-slops
Cap (now the Stiffnecks version).
Sunglasses.

And for the evening: Jeans/sweatshirt/beanie (Stiffnecks, to cover the bald spots against the mozzies)/tackies. Socks are optional.
After standing in the braai smoke for a while the mozzies leave you alone.
Oh, and a Swiss army knife in the pocket. I don't do the newfangled Leatherman stuff.

[DinkyBird]

Not much I can add, even in winter, its only cold early morning and in the evenings, days are warm enough for shorts. And I am talking as a Saffie and we think we will freeze to death if the temp drops below 20 degrees

I have experienced extreme heat in October; and also a really cold wet snap in a November. So do take a wind breaker and tracksuit for just in case.

[isinkwe]

Never worn long pants in the Kruger, not been cold enough in the last 45 years, and I prefer to go in Winter, May, June and July.
If you are planning on going out on a night or early morning drive on the open game viewing vehicles, Longs might be a good idea.
What about investing in some of those long pants, that you are able to zip the long part off at about knee height- producing instant shorts- the best of both worlds.
You might even want to have a about midday at that time of year
Your daytime temps could easily get to 30 degrees C at that time of year.
Enjoy your visit

[bert]

JDW, in not showing the legs you mean white british mildbottles

I travel with the famous zip-off pants. long when its cold or agains mozzies.
And short when its warm. Takes a minute per zipper to make it long or short

And always have a windbreaker and something warm with me
Been in Kruger last year in october. A hot day changed in a rainy day
Temps dropped from 32 to 21 and very damp and felt real coldish.

[onewithnature]

What is it with all the sunblock warnings? Those that use all sorts of sunblock are a bunch of sissies. You are in Africa and Africa is not for sissies. So take the heat and the mozzies head on. Personally (I think because I am Chuck Norris' cousin), haven't take any mosquito bite prevention for the past 40 years.

Only joking My experience is because the air is so moist during the summer months, that sunstroke is not an issue. Look at the statistics. When last have you read about a person that have died because of sunstroke or a mosquito bite. I am not saying that the threat should be ignored, but to over emphasize it is also not correct.

Rooies, three things about your commentary come immediately to mind.
Firstly, maybe your blood doesn't do it for mossies, but for most of us it is obligatory to do everything to avoid those nasties biting - any death from malaria is one death too many.
Secondly, darker skin has more melanin content, such that harmful UVA and UVB rays are better absorbed and their dangerous effects lowered. However, even people with dark skin may get skin cancer if they're careless, so those with fair skins are at very high risk of skin cancer from such practices.
Skin cancer can suck away a life as surely as other cancers can; we have a friend who has just had a second operation to remove a cancerous growth close to his brain, all because of decades of stubborn refusal to use sunscreens.
The Sun's rays are harmful to unprotected skin, and it is essential to retain one's youth, vigour, and health by keeping the harmful rays at bay.
Thirdly, some things DO need to be over emphasised because so many people do not listen and if we can only get through to them, we may save another life.
As to malaria deaths from mosquito bites, there are too many examples out there; Bruce Bryden's - the famous ranger's - death in 2009 is a notorious example, while some forumites have mentioned family members or friends they know about.
Bottom line: overemphasis as to the dangers of excessive unprotected sun exposure and frivolous attitudes to malaria and its prevention are entirely justifiable.

[tent dweller]

During the day I wear cotton long pants and a T-shirt and some sort of sunhat(either a peak cap or a straw wide brim hat) at night I wear the same but just add a light sweater and maybe some thin socks, of course this is in summer

[Grantmissy]

December is mostly shorts and t-shirts time in Kruger. Luggage to Kruger is considerably less during summer.

[Bennievis]

Agree Grantmissy..
However - do take warm clothes with on your night drive.. I know.

[t-bal]

T-shirt, pair of football shorts, socks, shoes, tracksuit bottoms, thick jumper and another thick jumper as our windows are always open. The higher the sunrises the less I wear the flip-flops come out along with the sunglasses.

[Hippotragus]

Most months of the year it is shorts and either short-sleeved or sleeve-less shirt. Early mornings will put on a fleece until it gets warmer. Usually sandals, but sometimes takkies. Very occasionally trousers (need them for evening/night drives in open SANParks vehicles). I usually stick to muted colours - khaki, beige, brown etc. - as they don't show the dirt from loading the bakkie, etc. Those colours are also better if going on a guided walk.

Kruger is not a place for high fashion - keep it simple, practical and comfortable.

[Ian Grant]

Summer: Shorts, t-shirt, slops, cap and a layer of sunscreen
Winter: Shorts, t-shirt, slops, cap (covered by track pants and top for morning until it warms up).