What type of clothes do you wear in Kruger

[saraf]

Just 4 weeks and 2 days until my next visit (not that I'm counting or anything). Our last visist to SA was in June, this time its going to be Feb. At the moment at home I'm wrapping up warm day and night but what, in general, can I expect in Kruger in Feb? We're think of doing a couple of night drives while we are there - would it be advisable to bring wrap-up warm clothes for this or will a woolie jumper be OK?

Any help would be appreciated.

[wendyp]

It is very hot this time of year. I was in Kruger over Christmas and New year and temps were above 40, so expect it to be that hot in Feb. Maybe and idea to take a warm top for the night drive in case of rain.

[Elaine/USA]

was to layer my clothes.
that is in order to peel them off as it warmed up during early morning drives and in order to put on piece by piece for the late drives as it cooled down.
One of the other most amazing tips was...always have the scarf ..thin, lightweight, cotton, etc...around the neck. It was amazing how much warmer i felt as the night cooled down with that small bit of protection round my neck. LOL

[Meg]

It's really, really hot there in comparison with the UK at this time of year - expect 40+ temps. Don't let that fool you into leaving the raincoats at home though - last Feb we were caught in a cracker of a thunderstorm on a night drive

Also, take a fair amount of insect repellant - the mozzies are rife at this time of year.

Have an awesome time!

[Shidzidzii]

Authentic safari Gear sounds very larny but it's not necesarily so.
Khaki (or multi-coloured veldfocus type) cotton shirts and rugby shorts and bush-sandals are easy to handwash (5 minutes work and your fingernails come extra clean) and they dry looking ironed.
Even for a month trip 6 sets are sufficient and the packing space and weight is neglegible, so there is space for a case of Scotch (only after sundown).
Take 1 all purpose rain/towelling jacket for change of weather.
Now for Victoria's secret (tip). Take a few Speedo's along.
You know : Wear-swim-change-dry-wear-shower-change-dry-wear-......-sing "It's so good to be a man (on holiday)".

[Elsa]

We normally visit in Winter as well, May/June and I still go for shorts and t-shirt, but when starting out early at gate opening time add a light cardigan/jacket and one of those throws for around my legs.

Usually by 10am or so the weather has warmed up enough to ditch the extras, and enjoy the glorious sunny weather that prevails at that time of year, average max. around 32 at midday.

[Snoobab]

Hi Silvina and welcome.
During the day Mozzies are not really a problem so nice cool clothes are a good idea. At Night I normally wear long sleeve cotton shirts with tracksuit pant and shoes and socks.
Lots of Tabard, Citronella candles and burning of insect coils should work.

[neumannr]

During the day...the coolest option is best cause it sure gets toastie out there...but night time I would also say tracksuit...and long sleeve cotton top...but on night rides and if not around camp fire can get little cold.

Tabard or something of that sort for the insects is a must...because they will eat you alive with the smallest bit of encouragement!

[LittleLeopard]

Hi Silvina! You must also not forget the importance of good, sensible and comfortable walking shoes or decent sandals to protect against rocks, snakes, etc. especially in bushveld camps and on walks/trails. If you are planning to go on any long walks, make sure you have enough ankle support since the terrain might be uneven.

[NightOwl]

Nothing beats Cape union mart clothing. And I just LOVE the Old Khaki(brand) long pants with the zip-off leggs. I only pack one pair and it counts as a long pants and shorts. Very versatile. Drive during the day in the shorts and at night by the camp fire, I just zip the legs back on...

[Meandering Mouse]

Cape Union Mart has brought in the "zip up" pants in more hi-tech material. One of the advantages of the material is its ease in washing. It dries easily without creasing. On my last trip one of the campers had a pair and he always looked pristine. He would just give in a quick wash each night and viola!
In true angel style, I hate to look like I have just crawled out of bed, even in the bush.

[bert]

Hi Familyfun
We always started with the famous Zipp-of pants and a fleece
And a pair of slippers in the car
When it got warmer the pants were transformed in short ones,
fleece went of and slippers instead of shoes and socks

If you intend to do a nightdrive dont forget gloves and something to cover your head. Can get cold in a open truck
And a windbreaker or something similar works wonders as well

[Elsa]

We always go to Kruger every May/June and I can assure you that altho the early mornings are cold the day heats up rapidly and it can become very hot by midday.
Also, the morning/night drive vehicles usually have some blankets available to wrap around your legs.
So don't go too overboard with warm clothes.
Enjoy.

[Bush Baptist]

Hello. I hope these don't seem like trivial questions. I will be visiting Kruger in May and I have read that it will be cold. Does this mean that for early morning and night drives I should wear a heavy long coat over heavy pants, a thick sweater, and long underwear (thermals)? Is it this cold? (I am not accustomed to the cold.)

Leave the long coat, but a thick sweater and heavy pants will do. a beanie is useful also. Just remember when the sun gets up it starts getting warmer quickly. You might want to peel off, so wear something lighter underneath.

Also, I have a question about what colours are appropriate. The Kruger SAN Parks website and/or Kruger private lodge web sites, discourage the wearing of white or other bright clothes--because you are too visible to animals (though I am not at all clear on what animals see).

Not relevant, go for practicality rather than colour. No animal is going to run away from a Man United shirt (Liverpool maybe ) Just don't wear a leopardskin suit and a pith helmet, you will be ID'd as a tourist immediately.

Meanwhile, I have read time and again (not on the SAN Parks website) that dark clothes are not good to wear at night or early morning as mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors, especially black and navy blue. So what should I wear? I just bought some khaki and olive green clothes for daytime wear, but will it matter if I wear a white jacket or black jacket at night or early morning as it will be dark anyhow? I would hate to bring too much stuff, or pack clothes that will be of little use to me. ).

By May, it should be cold enough to kill off the mozzies, so this is not a major factor. Just get a Tabard spray and do your hands & head for the occasional survivor

I also have a separate question related to early morning drives. Not being a morning person, I need a little caffeine (tea) to wake up and get going. However, the only bungalows I could book for Kruger are with communal kitchens. Would it, then, be a good idea to take a Thermos with me so that I can make some tea the night before, that I can then drink in my bungalow before heading out on a morning drive (which I understand starts at about 5:30 a.m.)? My Thermos keeps beverages hot all day. I can't see running to the communal kitchen just before 5 a.m. and heating up some water for tea. What do other folks do? I'd appreciate hearing about your experiences.

Yes, the kitchens all have PERMANENT BOILING WATER on tap, so you just take your thermos with your brand of caffeine powder in and fill up. It takes seconds.
Another practical tip. Persuade yourself that you ARE a morning person, and if not, put your watch forward 3 hours so you run to the kitchen at 8a.m!!

You are investing a lot of money in this fantastic trip Tangi, don't let the time rob you of any experience. As Bon Jovi says, you can sleep when you're dead.

Enjoy!