safari kleding baby

by Sarah Bowmar | Sep 17, 2021 | The Kids

Safari Baby Outfits

While in Tanzania, Oakley arguably had the cutest safari outfits anyone had ever seen. She had just turned 1 year old and I knew I needed her to be in closed toe shoes majority of the time due to bugs. The outfits we ended up with were absolutely adorable! We were there for 28 days but I only packed about 14 days worth of clothes- we luckily had the ability to wash clothes and hang dry. I have a list below of everything I brought, broken out by category. It was about 75/80 during the day and got down to 55/60 at night most nights!

• Brown Short Sleeve Onesie
• Green Short Sleeve Onesie
• White Short Sleeve Onesie
• Giraffe Onesie
• Leopard Onesie

Shorts and Pants

• Green Stretchy Shorts
• Black Stretchy Shorts
• White Leopard Shorts
• Khaki Stretchy Shorts
• Giraffe Shorts
• Leopard Shorts
• Giraffe Pants
• Jean Shorts

Rompers and Sets

• Two Piece Animal Print Set
• Zebra Romper
• Animal Romper
• Elephant Romper
• Cheetah Romper

Accessories and Shoes

• Leopard Sneakers
• Jean Jacket

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COMBINE TIMELESS STYLE AND COMFORT

Find the Essential Clothing and Accessories for Your Next Adventure. Welcome to Hickman & Bousfield, the number one supplier of safari clothing available online.

In our boutique, we provide a wide range of practical and stylish safari clothing for both men and women. Perfect for your next trip, expedition, or adventure. Browse our range of high quality safari wear by collection which includes safari jackets, shirts,shoes, jewellery and otheraccessories.

All orders to both the UK and Internationally include free shipping.

Don't forget to check out our safari clothing look books for plenty of safari inspiration.

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Best safari clothing: brands, clothes & tips for African safaris

You’re off on safari! You’ve done all the research , purchased the guide books , and the tickets are hot in your hand.

But most importantly, you’re getting ready to pack your ultra-light bag with everything you’ll need for your trip of a lifetime.

You’ve read all the advice you can handle (perhaps even this post on how to pack for safaris for your African bush adventure).

But when it comes down to the line, you still have no idea whether your favorite sweater is going to be a help or a hindrance, if you should pack jeans, how many pairs of socks are enough, and what on earth to expect once you are out in the wild.

What to wear on safari is something of a conundrum , the answer to which is entirely dependent on whether you are a complete slave to fashion and constantly worry about your appearance.

Or whether you don’t care if your trousers absolutely match your shirt and if your shoes co-ordinate properly with your camera bag.

So, in a bid to help sort the wheat from the chaff when it comes to safari style, this guide aims to highlight the best safari clothing brands and tips for your next trip to Africa .

African Safari Clothes: 7 Useful Tips

The African savanna has seen virtually every take on both the best and worst dressed safari goers , including some of the most practical and impractical safari gear around.

This includes everything from haute couture animal prints hot off the Milan catwalk, to Prada stilettos getting stuck in between the slats of wooden decks, and $300 silk scarves ripped to shreds by thorn bushes.

There are also tales of wild baboons getting hold of Victoria’s Secret lingerie and leaving it draped for all to see high in the branches of an acacia tree.

There are plenty of stories about complete wardrobe disasters—but to ensure you’re not one of them, here is a list of useful tips on how to dress for safaris .

1. Leave the luxury safari clothing at home

Lesson 1 in safari style is to NEVER take your best clothes into the bush .

If you find a pair of shorts, trousers, or a top you love and know that it would break your heart to have it ruined on safari, it’s probably best to leave it at home .

Instead, look for clothing that is specifically suited for the wild . And if the item comes in different colors, buy the range!

This way, over the years, you’ll acquire a variety of clothes which come everywhere with you. Look out for clothes that you can team together to create practical yet stylish outfits.

2. Keep your clothes for safari simple

Lesson 2 is learning how many of each item you will need . As a rule of thumb, always go with four of the basics.

Four pairs of shorts , four pairs of cut-off pants , four string vests , four t-shirts , four pairs of long pants , four button-through shirts (two of which are long-sleeved), four sets of underwear , four pairs of socks … you get the drift, I am sure!

When traveling in winter or during the colder months of the year, add to this scenario two lightweight long-sleeve t-shirts and two knitted sweaters , plus two fleeces or warm jackets , thermal long johns , gloves , a scarf , and a beanie .

When considering your safari apparel, ALWAYS pack a swimsuit and a couple of sarongs/kikoys . Even in the winter, it’s usually warm enough to suntan during the day and sometimes even swim.

3. Your safari wear should include comfortable shoes

Lesson 3 concerns footwear . In the heat of the summer, it is best to pack at least two pairs of “bush slops” – flip flops (thongs) which are heavy-duty, waterproof, and good enough to handle walking in the light bush for game drives.

You may also need two or three pairs of fashionable flip-flops or sandals for around camp and evening meals, and a pair of good walking shoes ( Merrells ) for walking safaris.

In the winter, replace the walking shoes with walking boots and add a pair of lightweight faux-fur lined “trendy” flat boots for evening wear.

4. Safari fashion: accessories

Accessorize – that’s the key to lesson 4 – it’s the difference between a good safari wardrobe and a bad one. Two or three lightweight colored scarves and/or wraps are a must in any safari bag .

Usually, they have beadwork or applique of some description on them. These are useful for dressing up even the most conservative safari outfit—great if you’re looking to add a dash of glamor to your evening meals. Team them up with a couple of great “ethnic” bead necklaces and earrings .

Another essential item to include with your safari attire is a hat —and these can most certainly be fun. Pack in a couple of lightweight, floppy straw sun-hats, as these are great for game drives or tiger fishing.

Another good option is the usual peak baseball-style caps.

5. What to wear on safari – quality

Lesson 5 is all about quality . Everything you take into the bush with you needs to stand the test of time.

This includes the elements of the African wild, the rigors of hand-washing, and bumping and grinding in the back of a safari vehicle halfway across Africa.

So it’s important to check your clothes before you pack to make sure they can be hand-washed, aren’t going to fall apart the first time you wear them, and are not likely to fade too drastically when hung in the sun to dry.

The material of your clothing is also important. When out in the wild, it is best to stick to strong natural materials like hemp , linen , leather , and wool .

Nylon and polyester also tend to provide adequate protection against the elements.

6. Best safari clothing brands

Wondering where to buy safari clothes? Most of the high-street fashion chains carry good quality fashionable safari clothes which will stand up to the average safari conditions.

As such, you may be able to avoid the need to go to specialist outfitters and camping/outdoor stores where things tend to cost a lot more.

And, of course, the big brands like Jeep (a favorite with safari goers because their clothes are practical, hard-wearing, and pretty at the same time) and Cat always have some great clothes for safaris—including some of the best safari shirts.

In addition to these, here are several more reliable brands to consider when buying safari clothes:

• Columbia — this is a good option for those seeking affordable safari clothing that is still good quality.
• First Ascent — if you’re buying safari clothes in South Africa, keep an eye out for this brand as it offers some excellent quality clothing.
• Patagonia — while the brand is more expensive, they provide some of the highest quality outdoor clothing and gear on the market.
• REI — if you’re shopping online, REI is often the go-to for outdoor gear. Their house brand is affordable and offers many items that will serve you well on your safari.
• Ruggedwear — proudly South African, it is an official partner of the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA).
• Sapmok — footwear for every adventure. Comfy. Durable. And stylish.

7. What color clothing for African safaris

Finally, lesson 7 concerns white . Do you take white clothes into the bush with you? Hell yes.

As long as you don’t expect them to remain white for long and can accept the fact that no matter where you wear them, they’re bound to get a little dirty. It’s more or less a bush essential in my book because it reflects sunlight , keeps you cool and goes with everything .

Everyone says, “don’t wear white on a safari vehicle,” – but this is far from the truth. However, white isn’t the only color that’s good for safaris.

When dressing for safaris, the basic color range is simple: khaki , beige , white, and brown (or variations thereof).

Avoid black and blue during the day because they attract tsetse flies .

But do occasionally take these colors for evening wear when the tsetses have gone to bed.

What to Wear on an African Safari: Checklist

Now that you’re all clued up with what to consider when deciding what clothes to wear on a safari, it’s time to pack.

Here’s a checklist to ensure you don’t miss anything.

Africa safari clothing list

Below are some of the most essential pieces of clothing to bring along on a safari:

• 4 safari shirts
• 4 casual t-shirts or vests
• 4 safari pants or shorts
• 4 pairs of blister-proof socks for safari walks
• 3 pairs of pajamas
• 2 warm fleece tops or jackets (good for a summer or winter safari outfit)
• 2 pairs of flip-flops or sandals (one for the wild and one for at the lodge)
• 2 safari dresses (for at the lodge)
• 2 swimming costumes
• 1 waterproof jacket
• 1 kikoy or sarong
• 1 wide-brim hat or baseball cap
• 1 pair of safari shoes or boots

Safari gear and accessories list

In addition to clothing, you should include the following items when packing for a safari:

• 4 pairs of anti-chafing tights (good for walking safaris)
• 2 pairs of garden gloves (useful for gorilla trekking safaris)
• 2 pairs of ankle gaiters
• 1 pair of sunglasses
• 1 bottle of sunscreen
• 1 safari belt

Start Packing Your African Safari Clothing

There’s nothing quite like getting down and dirty on an African safari. Whether you’re going on a game drive or a walking safari, you’re sure to come in contact with the various elements of the wild—and not to mention the wildlife, too.

For this reason, having the correct clothing is important . This will protect you during excursions and allow you to blend in better with the natural environment.

So next time you’re contemplating what to wear on African safaris, review the list above . These useful tips will guarantee you have a pleasant experience, both at the lodge and in the bush.

So what are you waiting for? Check out these incredible African safari deals and start packing!

About The Author

Sharon van Wyk

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Tropenkleding: Voor als je op safari gaat of de jungle in trekt!

Als je naar Zuid-Afrika gaat, om de Big Five te spotten of als je in Brazilië het Amazonegebied in trekt, dan is het fijn om daar goede kleding voor mee te nemen. Speciale tropenkleding! Dit is vaak extra zonwerend, comfortabel en ook muggendicht.

Waar wil je meer over lezen?

Waarom is tropenkleding handig?

Er zijn verschillende redenen te vinden waarom tropenkleding handig is als je op reis bent, zo beschermt deze kleding je tegen verschillende dingen:

Tropenkleding tegen malaria

Wie naar de jungle in Zuidoost-Azië vliegt of naar natuurgebieden in Zuid-Amerika reist, kan mogelijk terecht komen in een malariagebied. Wanneer je daarheen gaat is het aan te raden malariapillen te slikken en je goed in te smeren met DEET, maar het is ook slim om aangepaste kleding te dragen. Wist je bijvoorbeeld dat zwarte en rode kleding muggen nog meer aan trekt? En dat je dus beter witte of andere lichte kleuren kunt dragen. Ook is het handig om ademende kleding te dragen, want vaak is het ook zo dat hoe warmer je lichaam is, hoe meer muggen op je af komen en de kans op een malaria infectie groter wordt.

Tropenkleding beschermt je beter tegen de zon

Toch is niet alleen Malaria een mogelijk gevaar als je op safari gaat of de jungle in trekt, als je niet de juiste kleding draagt kun je ook last krijgen van de zon. In de vorm van een zonnesteek (draag bijvoorbeeld wanneer de zon erg fel is een pet of hoedje), maar ook in de vorm van verbranding (dit kan zelfs door de kleding heen gebeuren). Vooral rond de evenaar kan de zon onwijs hard schijnen en kunnen UV-stralen dwars door je kleding heen dringen. Wist je bijvoorbeeld dat een gewoon t-shirt je maar met een factor 10 beschermt? En dat wanneer dit shirt nat is (van regen of zweet) het je maar met een factor 5 beschermt? Als je echt naar hete gebieden op reis gaat, moet je hier dus echt rekening mee houden.

Voorkom met tropenkleding beten van ongedierte

En wat dacht je van risico’s zoals teken of bloedzuigers? Als je niet de juiste kleding draagt en bijvoorbeeld diep de natuur in gaat, dan kan je met een slechte outfitkeuze eerder last krijgen van deze kleine beestjes.

In welk opzicht is tropenkleding anders dan gewone kleding?

Als je speciale tropenkleding koopt, is dit vaak kleding luchtig is en sneldrogend. Vooral dat laatste is fijn omdat je in de meeste tropische gebieden snel transpireert, maar ook last kunt krijgen van regen of een sterke luchtvochtigheid. Ook is de meeste kleding zo behandelt dat het je beschermt tegen UV-straling, soms heeft de kleding zelfs een factor 30 of 50, zodat verbranden door je kleding heen minder snel gebeurd. Verder is tropenkleding vaak ook net iets praktischer, zo zijn de meeste broeken afritsbroeken of heeft het handige vakken waar je dingen in kunt opbergen. Ook is het slim om dit soort kleding wat ruimer te kopen, want dan houdt het je zo koel mogelijk.

Merken die tropenkleding verkopen

Nu vraag je je vast af welke merken speciale tropenkleding verkopen? Dit zijn onder meer Craghoppers, Fjallräven (lees hier meer over dit outdoormerk) , CarePlus, Jack Wolfskin en Royal Robbins. Ohja en je hoeft niet meteen te denken dat deze tropenkleding alleen uit legergroene kledingstukken bestaat. Merken als Craghoppers of Royal Robbins maken ook toffe houthakkers blousen, jurkjes in leuke streepjesstof, rokken in bloemenprint en jacks in felle kleuren! Bij CarePlus vind je daarentegen wel precies wat je verwacht, veel broeken en blousen in licht groene kleuren. Zoek je ook goede schoenen voor een safari of jungletocht? Dan kun je eens kijken naar schoeisel van merken als Teva , Lowa of Merrel.

Wat voor kleding is handig om mee te nemen naar warme gebieden?

Dan nog even een lijstje van kleding die handig is om mee te nemen en als je meer inspiratie op wilt doen voor toffe outfits, moet je eens kijken naar dit modenieuws. Daar staan meer outfits die geïnspireerd zijn door gebieden in Afrika.

• Neem kleding mee van verschillende materialen
• Wil je kleding die niet kreukt en licht van gewicht is? Ga voor kleding van Supplex-polyamide of van een hoog percentage katoen, deze stof heeft een verkoelende werking
• Kies voor een afritsbroek of lange rok / sarong als je naar gebieden gaat waar je mogelijk ook naar tempels gaat
• Neem sneldrogende kleding mee, niet alleen omdat het snel droogt na het wassen maar ook in verband met transpiratie
• Kleding van het merk Craghoppers is vaak geïmpregneerd of fijn geweven zodat muggen er niet doorheen bijten
• Neem kleding mee met UV-werende eigenschappen
• Vergeet een petje of een hoed niet en denk zelfs aan nekbescherming
• Neem eventueel een poncho of paraplu mee als je in het regenseizoen op reis bent
• Kies voor speciale sokken van CarePlus die ook een beschermende werking hebben

Meer informatie over reizen naar de tropen is te vinden op de website van CarePlus en check dit vakantielijstje als je hulp nodig hebt bij het inpakken.

Is er een antimuggen spray die niet zo stinkt als care plus anti insectspray.Moet werken in Kenia Tanzania en Zanzibar

ik ben op zoek naar een merk afkomstig uit Engeland ,het verkoopt zacht materiaal rol koffers en kleding begint met r en eindigt op m Reehnom of Rahom ,ik kom er niet uit.

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Safari nursery décor ideas

Fantasy Fields Sunny Safari Monkey Wall Clock

• Let's Make Baby Crib Mobile

Boppy Elephant Kisses Changing Pad Cover

West elm mid-century safari nursery rug.

• Melissa & Doug Lifelike 3-Foot Plush Standing Baby Giraffe Stuffed Animal
• Sammy & Lou Crib Bedding Set – Jungle Pals
• Oopsy Daisy Eric Carle's Elephant Mother Canvas Wall Art

RoomMates Jungle Friends Peel and Stick Wall Decal

• Lambs & Ivy Me & Mama White/Gray Elephant Nursery Lamp

Big Dot of Happiness Jungle Party Animal Prints

Sweet jojo designs mod jungle safari animal print window valance, tegance storage baskets for organizing, imprinted designs set of 4 vinyl wall art decals, mary meyer giraffe baby mat.

Animals take center stage when you’re designing a safari-themed nursery. Set baby up to take a sunny adventure through the jungle with some lovable furry friends every day.

When looking for safari nursery décor, you can get really cute and playful here with silly accents (like a swinging monkey clock) and bright colors (oranges, greens, and yellows). But blacks, whites, and grays also add nice touches to a neutral room, too. 

Don’t be shy about taking the jungle look as far as you want to. Simply add a few accents, like a rug or wall art, or go all the way with lively wall decals, window treatments, and attention-grabbing stuffed animals . Here’s what will take your safari nursery over the top.

Why trust us?

He’s cute and he’s here to hang! This monkey clock is the perfect addition to dress up a wall of the nursery. Shaped like a monkey swinging on a tree branch, he looks as if he’s ready for some serious playtime. The clock is lightweight and easy to hang up, plus requires just one battery to operate.  

• Weight: 1.76 pounds
• Dimensions: 16 x 11.5 x 1.76 inches

Let's Make Baby Crib Mobile

The minimalist wind chime-style mobile will add a lot of charm to baby’s room. Secure the wooden top to a mobile hanger or ceiling and watch the handmade stars, pom poms, and cutest knitted elephant you ever did see dance around above the crib. Neutral gray and white go with any color scheme. Parents love the little bells in the mobile that give off a gentle, pleasing jingle sound that little ones love.

• Weight: 6.7 ounces
• Dimensions: 6.18 x 6.18 x 1.93 inches

The changing pad cover says it all — your baby is your heart. The gray cover features a white elephant blowing little floating hearts all the way up to the top. A 100 percent polyester material is surprisingly soft, and you can toss it in the wash for easy cleanup. Parents love how the plush fabric seems to soothe baby during diaper changes.

• Dimensions: 16 x 32 inches

Handcrafted in India, this 100 percent wool rug will feel good under little one’s toes — and it’ll look great, too. All playfully jumping around, the lion, leopard, tiger, and cheetah add a colorful, dynamic pop to any nursery. Plus, you’ve got the cool circular rug — 5-feet in diameter — that’s big enough to make a focal point in the room.  

• Dimensions: 5-foot diameter

Melissa & Doug Lifelike 3-Foot Plush Standing Baby Giraffe Stuffed Animal

Talk about a showstopper. The giant giraffe has been a classic gift for babies (yes, really) for years. And for good reason: He’s cute, he’s cuddly, and he’s pretty big. Three feet tall to be exact. But with those big eyes, long eyelashes, and little tufts on his head, baby will be happy he’s in her corner.

• Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Dimensions: 33.05 x 22.45 x 11.8 inches
• Age/weight limit: Recommended for ages 4 and up. Make sure to supervise babies during play. 

Sammy & Lou Crib Bedding Set – Jungle Pals

This bedding set comes with four pieces: a quit, crib skirt, fitted crib sheet, and stuffed toy elephant. Both the crib skirt and quilt are designed with cute and colorful baby jungle animals, including a giraffe, lion, elephant, and alligator. The gender-neutral pastels give a safari themed nursery a softer look. Parents love how nice the quilt feels, noting that it’s something baby will love for a long time. 

• Dimensions: 28 x 52 inches (crib sheet), 35 x 45 inches (quilt), crib skirt has 14-inch drop
• Age/weight limit: Infants should not sleep with quilts or toys   

Oopsy Daisy Eric Carle's Elephant Mother Canvas Wall Art

An Eric Carle illustration of a mama and baby elephant is sure to tug at your heart strings. The greens, blues, and grays in this picture add a touch of color to any room. It’s also produced with your little one in mind — the ink used is GREENGUARD Gold certified, too. Available in two sizes that are perfectly fitting above a crib, changing station, or bookshelf. 

• Weight: 1 or 1.75 lbs
• Dimensions: 18 x 14 x 1.5 inches or 24 x 18 x 1.5 inches

Just peel and stick and you’re good to go. These safari-themed decals are bright and colorful and feature a flock of fun animals, from monkeys to lions, birds, monkeys, and zebras. Easily place them around the top or middle of any room as a border, or make a silly scene on a wall. The package comes with 47 decals that can be removed and stuck again, no problem. 

• Decals arrange in size from 1.3 x 1.4 to 9.3 x 12.5 inches

Lambs & Ivy Me & Mama White/Gray Elephant Nursery Lamp

Mommy and me. A gray mom and baby elephant lovingly look at each other at the base of this small lamp. Complementing the base is a shade that’s white with a black zig-zag design. Parents point out that though this is small, it emits just the right amount of light you want for middle-of-the-night wake-ups. Bonus: It comes with an energy-efficient light bulb, too.

• Weight: 2.15 pounds
• Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 13.75 inches

These little animals are ready to steal your heart with this set of four ready-to-hang prints. The adorable faces and fun colors bring a happy vibe into the room. Ready to hang, these are also lightweight, so they’re easy to get up onto a wall. 

• Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Dimensions: 14.06 x 2.0 x 11.13 inches (overall); 11 x 11 inches each

This window valance completes the safari theme in the nursery. Friendly monkeys, snakes, lions, hippos, and giraffes are all happily hanging out on the white fabric. The valance is super easy to push through a window rod for effortless install. It’s machine washable, so you can also keep it looking like new for a long time.  

• Dimensions: 54 x 15 inches (requires a 0.75-inch rod pocket diameter)

Bring the outside in with this set of three large, leaf-printed storage baskets. Stash baby blankets, toys, books, or diaper supplies in these sturdy linen bins. Each bin is also outfitted with two natural rope handles for easy pick-up. Parents say that they hold up so well, you can use them through multiple kids. 

• Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Dimensions: 16.3 x 12.2 x 4 inches

Gang’s all here! A zebra, bunny, giraffe, and lion cartoon wall decals keep careful watch over baby. The decal comes as one large vinyl for you to position, peel, and stick. (Some parents cut these apart for alternate options for positioning and to make application easier.) Overall, happy parents say these are worth the little extra effort required to install.  

• Dimensions: 17 x 44 inches (each decal is 8 inches to 15 inches in length)

Time for lots of snuggles on this tummy time play mat. Shaped like a giraffe, it’s the perfect size for baby to lay down on and reach for the animal’s ears or horns. You can move this around the room or into the next room. It’s soft, cuddly, and incredibly cute. Easy to wipe clean, too, which is essential.

• Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Dimensions: 3.5 x 24 x 35 inches

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Safari Clothing

BUGTech™ anti-insect outdoor & safari clothing: let your clothing do the work to keep biting, stinging bugs at bay in the outdoors and in Africa. Proven insect defence, sun protection, and wicking. Expedition tested | Made for the outdoors & safari

• Boys & Girls
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• Holdalls & Duffle Bags
• Weekenders & Carry-ons
• Backpacks, Satchels & Small Bags
• Toiletry Bags for Travel
• Totes & Champagne Coolers
• Business bags
• Luggage Trolley
• Pannier Bags
• Pet Feeders
• Locks & Scales
• Gift Vouchers
• Books & Maps
• Multi-tools
• Insect Repellent
• Torches (flashlights)
• Straps & Mounts
• Trophy Cameras
• Binocular Photography
• Cleaning Kits
• Essential Accessories
• Travel Essentials
• Travel Adaptors
• Evenings, Outdoor & Travel Clothing
• Outdoor, Travel & More
• Safe drinking water
• Rufiji™
• Mara&Meru™
• Barmah Hats
• Thusk™

Technologies

• Insect Protection
• Sun Protection
• Anti-bacterial
• Wicking & QuickDry
• BUGTech™
• Elasticated cuff
• Bonded Fleece
• Security Pocket
• Roll-up sleeve tabs
• MaraTech™
• Feminine cut
• Blister Protection
• Protect Yourself
• Sunglasses Loop
• SAFARITech™

Safari Shirts Read our Safari Shirts Advice Guide

The advice below is a summary. If you are looking for more information & expert advice then please click here for our full safari shirt advice section

• It is important that you pack safari-suitable shirts for your children on safari which also offer maximum protection from the elements and defence from most biting insects.
• Pack children's safari shirts in neutral, natural tones such as shades of khaki, brown, and green.
• We recommend long-sleeved safari shirts for children with roll-up sleeve tabs over short-sleeved shirts. These enable boys and girls to roll their sleeves up and down to stay cool, keep warm, or to avoid sunburn on their arms. It also increases defence from most biting insects when sleeves are rolled down, which is further increased when the fabric is treated with insect repellent.
• Kids' safari shirts with a collar also give your kids added protection from sunburn - and, again, from insect bites.
• Look for children's safari shirts which have the following key characteristics: the ability to wick moisture to keep them cool, high level of sun protection (SPF50+ is best), and an anti-insect fabric finish assists in reducing bites from most flying and biting insects.
• Pack more children's safari shirts made from man-made fibres (polyamide) than natural fibres (such as cotton). Man-made fibres are better at wicking moisture from the skin - and it is this movement of moisture which will keep them cool.

Number of children's safari shirts to pack for their safari: Up to 4-day safari: x 2; Up to 8-day safari: x 4; Up to 12-day safari: x 6

Boys' & Girls' BUGTech Anti-Insect Safari Shirt in Katavi Khaki

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• When packing safari trousers for your children, pack children's safari pants made from safari-suitable colours (shades of green, khaki, and brown) and lightweight, strong fabric. Nothing beats the feeling they will get when they wear safari trousers worthy of a great conservationist or early explorer.
• Children's safari zip-off/convertible trousers are the simplest safari trousers to pack for children as they allow for maximum versatility. By removing or adding the legs, you are able to convert them from trousers when cool to shorts when hot. Children's convertible zip-off safari pants also save on valuable packing space by being two garments in one. The legs on the children's safari convertible pants also give added protection from the sun and defence from most biting insects - even more so when their safari trousers are treated with built-in sun protection and anti-insect treatment.
• The ideal children's safari trousers and safari shorts should offer the perfect blend of the following functionality: lightweight with built-in ripstop for added strength, a high level of built-in sun protection (SPF50+ is best), and an anti-insect finish.
• Children's safari trousers which are made from man-made fibres (such as polyamide) are preferred over those made from natural fibres (such as cotton) to keep your children cool while on safari. These fabrics also allow your child to dry off faster should their safari trousers get wet from a rain shower or from mucking about in a stream (a crocodile- and hippo-free stream of course).
• What is more, you will be able to wash and dry your kid's safari trousers much faster when made from man-made fibres such as polyamide.

Boys' & Girls' BUGTech Zip-Off Safari Trousers in Baobab

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• Children feel the cold faster than adults and so it is important when going on safari to pack a children's safari fleece to keep them warm and snug on early morning and evening game drives and through the African winter.
• Pack a kid's safari fleece which is made from safari-friendly colours such as brown, greens, and khaki.
• Pack a safari-coloured waterproof layer for each child if you are travelling over the rainy season for your safari.
• Having lived in Africa through the rains we are also able to advise that the daytime temperature goes from very hot before the rains start, to much cooler once the rains have settled in. The difference may be as much as 10 to 15 degrees celsius below the average temperatures and so again we advise that a fleece or jacket is packed to keep you warm.

Number of boys' and girls' safari jackets or safari fleeces to pack for your safari: 1 x safari fleece or jacket; 1 x waterproof safari jacket should you be travelling over the rainy season.

Men's SafariElite Bonded Safari Fleece in Safari Sage

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• If you are going on a classic game drive type of safari, then pack comfortable women's safari shoes to wear on game drive but which are able to double as good walking shoes for a walk in the bush - an activity we highly recommend. Note that if you do not have walking shoes with you on game drive then your guide may decide against a quick impromptu walk in the bush
• Also take a pair of women's safari shoes to wear around the camp. These may be the same pair as your select for the above, but it may also be a pair of cooler sandals, pumps, or similar.
• For full-on walking safaris make sure you take women's safari shoes which are made for longer hikes - and ensure that you walk them in properly before you go on safari. You may prefer low rise canvas trail shoes or leather higher rise boots - the preference is purely personal.
• If you are going on a walking safari in sandy areas (check with the walking safari company you have booked with) then we suggest that you pack higher rise boots with a built in tongue - such as our Rufiji™ APU Safari Combat Boots - as this will minimise the amount of sand which goes into the shoe which will cause discomfort.
• We would still take a a pair of cooler women's shoes or sandals for before and after walks when around the camp.
• Safari tip: always check your shoes for small snakes, scorpions, spiders and insects before putting them on.

Rufiji™ Explorer Safari Veldskoen Shoes in Ruaha Rust

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The advice below is a summary . If you are looking for more information & expert advice then please click here for our full safari hat advice guide .

• For the best protection from the strength of the midday sun in Africa - for your neck and face - pack a wide-brimmed women's safari hat.
• With mean high temperatures reaching mid-20 to mid-30 degrees Celsius on most safaris and with safari areas in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, and Zambia high above sea level, the effects of the sun will be pronounced and the risk of being burnt by the sun will be high. A wide-brimmed women's safari hat is literally your first line of defence against sunburn.
• Wide-brimmed women's safari hats also provide shelter when it rains. We find that a wide-brimmed safari hat definitely makes it more comfortable when you are caught out on a walk or game drive by a sudden thunderstorm or tropical shower, as at least your face remains dry and fewer drops go into your eyes.
• Colour is key when choosing a women's safari hat - with neutral shades such as khaki, green, or brown the best. Your safari hat will often be the most conspicuous part of you while viewing wildlife on a walking safari.
• Pack a women's safari hat which suits your safari style. Fortunately, there are more styles available for women today which range from leather hats to classically-styled indie and panama-shaped hats.
• Modern wide-brimmed women's safari hats are also conveniently packable and are easy manipulate back into shape. A note though: not all hats are packable and should be carried with your carry-on luggage - and, even when a hat is packable, never crush your safari hat under a hard object - such as shoes or binoculars - when packing.

Number of wide-brimmed women's safari hats to pack for your safari: 1 x wide-brimmed safari hat per person. *Pack a warm and cosy safari beanie for cold mornings and the African winter too.

Men's Explorer Canvas Safari Hat (Adjustable) in Meerkat

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• Pack a women's safari dress and a pair of women's safari skorts to add variety to your wardrobe.
• Ensure that you select women's safari dresses and skorts which are made in safari-suitable colours.
• A women's safari dress can also be very versatile when worn with tights, as a longer shirt, or tucked into your safari trousers.
• Women's safari skorts - which are a combination of shorts and a skirt, with the shorts inside the skorts - are great for safaris in 4x4s as you are able to climb on to and off of the game drive vehicle without worrying about your underwear showing.
• While, by their design, both safari dresses and safari skorts do allow for a good flow of air around the body to keep you cool, it is still worth looking for styles made in technical fabrics simply as they are usually lighter, easier to pack, and perform better in the heat.

Pack any combination of women's safari dresses & skorts to get the following totals: Up to 4-day safari: x 1; Up to 8-day safari: x 2; Up to 12-day safari: x 3

Women's Serengeti Safari sKorts with Stretch in Savannah

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• Walking in the bush while on safari is the quintessential experience. We recommend it to all who go to Africa.
• Whether you go for a short nature walk with your guide or a multi-day walking safari, please ensure that you pack safari-coloured safari socks which offer a double layer for blister protection. Bad blisters ruin good walks.
• Ankle gaiters are ideal for walking in the bush as they offer both your ankles and socks more protection from thorns, wet grass, grass seeds, and anything scurrying around at ankle level. A must-have for longer walking safaris, but useful on any bush walk.

Number of blister-proof socks to pack for your safari: Up to 4-day safari: x 2; Up to 8-day safari: x 3; Up to 12-day safari: x 4.

Number of Ankle Gaiters to pack for your safari: Pack 1 x Pair per person.

Mara&Meru Ultimate Anti-Blister Socks (Active, Everyday, Safari) in Olive Green

Safari canvas gaiters, rufiji™ safari canvas gaiters (unisex) in safari tan, rufiji™ safari suede gaiters (unisex), safari beanies & scarves read our safari beanies & scarves advice guide.

• Pack a multi-functional Head&Neck scarf for just about all outdoor adventures, including safari. Head&Neck Scarves keep your neck and head out of the sun when it is hot, and provide an element of warmth too when it starts to get cold. They offer maximum versatility.
• It can and does get cold on safari. See our Womens Safari Jackets and Fleeces page for more information on why this is the case.
• Pack women's garments and accessories for your safari which keep you warm. Women's safari scarves, safari beanies, and safari gloves should be considered a packing essential over the African winter - and may also be required for some mornings on summer safaris too.
• At the very least, we recommend packing a safari beanie on any safari as they are so small and light to carry in your luggage, yet have a big effect on how warm you are should you get cold. Keep your safari beanie in the bag you take on game drives. You may well get some envious stares from others who have not had the foresight to pack a safari beanie.
• Further to the point above, for the African summer, pack a women's safari beanie just in case. For the most part, your women's wide-brimmed safari hat should keep you warm enough, but why take the risk? Please also take note of the altitude of the area in which you are going on safari. The Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, as an example, is over 2000 metres above sea level and most camps are on the rim of the crater and so may have cold temperatures (morning and evenings in particular) and precipitation throughout the year, so we would recommend taking warmer safari accessories just in case.
• Pack safari scarves, safari beanies, and safari gloves in safari colours.

Number of women's safari scarves, safari beanies, and safari gloves to pack for your safari: 1 x women's safari scarf; 1 x women's safari beanie; 1 x women's safari gloves - although you should be fine tucking your hands into your women's safari jacket or fleece to keep them warm.

Thusk™ Zulu Knitted Headband in Winter Sand

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Safari with a Baby: the ultimate guide!

This post may contain compensated links. Find more info in our disclosure policy

While planning our first trip with J to South Africa and Namibia we spent a lot of time debating whether we could possibly go on safari with a baby. As first-time parents and with J only 8 weeks old at the time of departure we had zero experience of travelling with a baby but, after much research and deliberation, we decided to reserve a few safari nights in Madikwe Game Reserve in the far north of South Africa. Now that we have experienced safari with a baby we wanted to share what we learned, what you need to consider and the pros and cons of taking very young children on safari to help you with your safari planning!

What to consider when planning a safari with a baby

1 | game drives or self-drives.

When planning a safari with a baby you’ll need to decide between a self-drive safari and guided game drives. If you haven’t been on safari before this means you have the choice of:

• self-drive: drive your own car through the park in search of wildlife
• guided drives: on a safari truck in the same parks you can self-drive
• game drives in private reserves: most game lodges in the private game reserves offer morning and evening game drives on small trucks with usually 6 or 8 guests in total and these are included in the daily rate. Self-drives are not usually permitted in these private reserves.

Self-drives are a great option for safari with a baby as you drive your own car, have the flexibility to start and finish when you please and the baby can join you. They’re also typically a cheaper option. However, it’s much rarer to spot animals such as cheetahs and leopards and big 5 sightings often get jammed with cars.

Private game drives have the advantage of better wildlife spotting as the rangers and trackers are incredibly skilled and can also go off road for the best sightings. However, it’s very unlikely that a baby will be allowed on a game drive.

2 | Malaria

Over recent years we’ve had amazing safari experiences in Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands in South Africa and the Okavango Delta in Botswana but these trips were accompanied by anti-malarial medication and other precautions to prevent mosquito bites. Unfortunately, many safaris are located in areas where visitors are at risk of contracting malaria although the level of risk varies depending on the month and location.

We weren’t prepared to take any risks when it came to J’s health so we ruled out any of the parks where malaria presented a risk. Luckily, there are some excellent malaria-free safari options, predominantly in South Africa, and this was where we decided to focus our search.

Safari with a baby tip: always consult a medical professional for advice on travel vaccinations and malaria risk. We are sharing our own personal experience which does not constitute medical advice in any way.

3 |  Choosing a location for a safari with a baby

Location is key when planning any safari and especially so when planning a safari with a baby. We wanted somewhere that offered an authentic safari experience with the potential for lots of big game sightings . The tradeoff was that it must be malaria free and preferably a private game reserve that wasn’t too remote in case J got sick and needed a doctor or a hospital.

Given the excellent malaria-free safari options in South Africa, this was where we decided to focus our search.

The Options

We narrowed down our options to the Madikwe Game Reserve, Waterberg and Pilanesberg National Park which are all malaria free, are home to the Big 5 and offer private game reserves. We also added the self-drive Addo Elephant Park to the mix as we’d had some incredible experiences at Addo on previous visits and the elephant sightings are so special in Addo.

Where we stayed

We opted for a deluxe cottage in the family-friendly  Tau Game Lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve – check prices here

Tau and Madikwe offered everything we wanted – Madikwe is malaria free and only the lodge guests are allowed access to the park. Our lodge, Tau Game Lodge, isn’t too far from the main road to Botswana and is relatively close to Johannesburg in case we needed to get back to the city. Tau overlooks a natural watering hole and our terrace provided endless entertainment when we weren’t on drives – we even had an elephant come within a few meters of our room, it was amazing!

Click here to book Tau Game Lodge

Madikwe Game Reserve

Madikwe Game Reserve is a park in the far north of South Africa, sitting along its border with Botswana. It’s around a 4 to 5hour drive from Johannesburg depending on the lodge. Madikwe is home to Africa’s Big 7 and, at 76,000 hectares, is one of the biggest game reserves in South Africa so we figured the safari experience had the potential to be epic and it was – we had some spectacular sightings including our first spotting of wild dogs and the aftermath of a lion kill.

Where to stay in Madikwe

Given its malaria-free status, Madikwe Game Reserve attracts many families and offers a range of lodges which accept children of all ages. Our family-friendly picks are:

• Tau Game Lodge:  family-friendly luxury at a reasonable price. We loved our stay at Tau – check prices now
• Tuningi Safari Lodge:  another great family-friendly option with lots of activities and special treats for young guests – check prices now
• Rhulani Safari Lodge:  five-star luxury which welcomes children of all ages – check prices now

Click here for the best Madikwe Game Reserve lodge prices

The Eastern Cape

If you’re focusing on Cape Town and the Garden Route Amakhala Game Reserve and Addo Elephant Park are two great options on the Eastern Cape and within driving distance of Cape Town and the Garden Route.

Amakhala Game Reserve:  A malaria-free safari option, just outside Port Elizabeth, the Amakhala Game Reserve is home to the safari big 5 of lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and plenty of antelope species.

Where to stay in Amakhala Game Reserve

• Woodbury Tented Camp:  in the heart of Amakhala, the accommodation comprises en-suite canvas tents with views of the valley – check prices now!

Click here for the best Amakhala Game Reserve lodge prices

Addo Elephant Park:  we’d also recommend Addo as a self-drive option either as an alternative or alongside a private game reserve. Addo’s elephant sightings are some of the best we’ve had and it’s location, a few hours off the Garden Route, is easily accessible.

Where to stay in Addo Elephant Park

As Addo Elephant Park is a self-drive safari you can either stay within the park or opt for a hotel close by and drive into the park for wildlife spotting drives. Our favourite options in the park are:

• Gorah Elephant Camp: you can stay right in the park with the elephants at the family-friendly Gorah elephant camp –   check prices now!
• River Bend Lodge: another family-friendly option for staying in Addo park itself! –  check prices now!

Click here for the best Addo hotel prices

Family-friendly Safari Lodges

4 | are safari lodges child-friendly.

Safari lodges are often expensive and guest numbers are limited so it’s understandable that not all are child-friendly. However, there are lots of lodges ranging from budget to luxury that do welcome babies from birth so there are still plenty of options.

It’s important to choose your lodge depending on your needs as there are various levels of child friendliness – some lodges have kids clubs, babysitters, kids game drives and activities while some simply accept them as a room guest with no special treatment or facilities.

Whichever lodge you choose it’s important to be respectful of the other guests as safari is often an expensive, once in a lifetime bucket list experience for many.

5 | Is there a minimum age for game drives?

It depends on the lodge. Many lodges require a child to be a certain age before they can join a standard game drive in a truck with other guests. In the case where younger children are allowed on game drives the family are usually requested to take a private truck which often comes at an additional charge – understandably, other guests often prefer not to have babies and younger kids in their trucks.

Many child-friendly lodges run special kids game drives for younger guests – they’ shorter and tailored towards more kiddie friendly sightings.

Safari with a baby tip: the lodge we opted for, Tau in Madikwe, had a huge watering hole which the rooms and restaurant overlooked. This was a hidden gem – we had endless wildlife within touching distance and saw elephants, rhino, alligators among a host of wildlife keeping entertained for hours. We’d highly recommend choosing a lodge with a watering hole if you’re doing safari with a baby as, even when we skipped game drives we had an incredible show from our bedroom. It’s great if you have older kids as well and we saw lots of kids and adults fascinated by goings on at the watering hole!

6 | Can a baby go on game drives?

Although you might find some exceptions in the smaller private reserves, babies typically aren’t allowed on game drives for a few reasons:

• Babies can cry at any time and game sightings are a hushed affair. Firstly, as humans we’re encroaching on the wildlife world and have to be as unobtrusive as possible and, secondly, who knows what would happen if an animal responded to the cries of a small baby – it’s been said that in the African bush a baby’s cry has attracted vultures who mistake it for the signal of a distressed animal.  We came across one or two lodges which allowed younger guests on game drives but the truck wasn’t allowed within 50meters of a Big 5 sighting.
• the game drives are up to 4 hours in duration which is a long time in a truck for a little one
• the private game reserves are mostly on dirt tracks and the drives are bumpy. Also, when a ranger spots something really interesting, it’s common to take a frantic jaunt through the dense bush while everyone holds on grim death to the sides of the car!

While the options are limited if you do opt for a lodge that has baby-friendly game drives consider bringing a car seat for safety in the truck.

6 | How to manage game drives with babies/children

As mentioned, some lodges have kids clubs, babysitters at the lodge and kids game drives all of which are designed to keep little ones amused while parents enjoy the game drive.

As J was only 8 weeks old when we travelled to Africa we felt he was too young to leave with a babysitter. We travelled with my mum, J’s granny and another safari addict, and the three of us took turns to go out on drives. Over our three day safari we each managed 4 safari drives and skipped out two each to spend with J. It worked out perfectly and we all witnessed some incredible sights in the bush as well as having fun with J at the lodge.

3 thoughts on “Safari with a Baby: the ultimate guide!”

Hi guys Through your website I found Tau Lodge at Madikwe Game Reserve and I just wanna say thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! We had the best time with our 2 year old, who joined us on 4 of 8 safari drives as we had a private drive but even on the other days we who stayed back at the lodge enjoyed so many animals! Elephants, rhinos, impalas, wilderbeast and zebras all came down to the waterhole. Even once lions! So even if you can’t go on a drive you see so many animals! Thanks so much for posting this it helped making our South Africa trip truly unforgettable!

That’s awesome to hear! We can’t wait to return with our little ones, I still dream about the watering hole!

As off May 2023, Gorah does not welcome under 10s.

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Adventure Travel With a Glass of Wine

13 of the Cutest Baby Animals to See on Safari

By Jennifer Dombrowski 44 Comments

The Serengeti is a safari destination that is a magnificent experience any time of the year, but it’s in February when nearly all of the animals have babies. Between the Great Migration on the Serengeti Plains and all the adorable babies, a luxury safari in Tanzania with SkySafari by Elewana is a bucket list trip that will definitely top the list of best trips you’ve ever been on. We’ve seen things on safari that put the circle of life into perspective like hyenas hunting wildebeest, lions feasting on their morning kill and an elephant that died from a wound likely inflicted by poachers. While those things are a sad reality, we’ve also seen the cutest baby animals that just absolutely melt your heart. There are 13 of the cutest baby animals to see on safari:

1. Lion cubs

Lionesses will give birth to a litter of one – four cubs and we were lucky to find this litter of four (though you can only spot three in the photo).

2. Elephant calf

Elephants only get pregnant once about every five years and the gestation period is 22 months. Elephant calves are quite small! Our guides estimated this cutie was around eight or nine months old.

3. Giraffe calf

Giraffe calves are born already around six feet tall! Though after seeing full grown giraffes, it’s pretty easy to spot a youngster even when they’re on their own. Sadly, we learned that giraffes aren’t very good parents and will leave their babies own their own while traveling several kilometers away.

4. Baboon infant

Baboon infants hang on to their mother’s stomach for the first month and then at five or six weeks old, start riding on their mother’s back. This cute little fella (boy parts definitely indicated he was a fella) was less than a month old! We were lucky to spot him playing very close to the road, though he scampered over to hold on to mom as soon as we stopped.

5. Wildebeest calf

Wildebeest calves can stand within just a few minutes of being born and can run with the herd within an hour after birth. We saw a few young calves as the Great Migration moved from the Serengeti Plains south to Ngorongoro Crater, where the wildebeest will birth their calves in the short grass plains.

6. Cape buffalo calf

Cape buffalo calves are completely dependent on their mothers for their first year. The females will stay with and join the natural herd. We saw mostly male herds, but did spot some calves in a female herd we came across.

7. Hippo calf

Hippo calves are born in the water and can hold their breath for nearly three times as long as an adult hippo. Hippos spend around 16 hours each day in the water, so babies are a little hard to spot. We got lucky to spot a baby out of the water at Ngorongoro Crater.

8. Warthog piglet

Warthog moms only have four teats and piglets each suckle from their “own”. No sharing! When warthogs run, their tail sticks straight up and the piglets run in a line behind mom. Though I hope they weren’t running from a predator, they are too cute in running mode.

9. Zebra foal

Zebra foals are actually born brown and white and with a thicker coat. They look fuzzy, which makes them all the more adorable. Like wildebeest, zebras have their babies just before the long rains begin in February. We saw quite a few baby zebras at Ngorongoro Crater.

10. Thompson gazelle fawn

Thompson gazelles are really small with an adult standing at only around 2 – 3 feet tall. Females move away from the herd to birth a single fawn and the fawn will spend most of its time resting and hiding in the grass. It’s not very common to spot a fawn, so we were particularly lucky to see this little fawn with its mom on the short grass plains at Ngorongoro Crater during the Great Migration.

Hyrax live in families of up to 50 and are sort of look like a rabbit without long ears and cotton tails that can climb. The babies all snuggle up with mom when they nap and we were quite amused watching the resident hyrax families at Serengeti Migration Camp.

12. Crocodile hatchling

Crocodiles lay around 50 eggs and bury them in the sand on the riverbank. Of the 50 eggs, only one or two hatchlings actually survive. This little guy was sunning himself right next to mom in the Serengeti.

13. Monkey infant

Like baboons, monkey infants clutch their arms around mom and hitch a ride on their belly. Because the mom and dad are so protective of their youngsters, baby monkeys can be hard to spot. Like all kids, they like to play and you might spot them chasing each other around. As soon as the parents spot you watching though, they grab up their babies and hold on to them protectively.

Loved this post? We love when you share our content! ~ Jen & Tim

About Jennifer Dombrowski

Jennifer Dombrowski is an independent travel publisher and an American expat who has lived in Bordeaux, France since 2016. She previously lived in Northern Italy in a small village near Venice for seven years where she fell in love with wine and wine tourism. She is an award-winning travel writer. She is also a travel correspondent on Traveling on the American Forces Radio Network. Luxe Adventure Traveler was named one of the top travel blogs to watch by the Huffington Post and TripAdvisor, and has been featured by top publications such as National Geographic, CNN, Buzzfeed, and Business Insider. Jennifer's photography has also been featured on publications such as USA Today and Travel + Leisure and on the Travel Channel.

February 25, 2014 at 1:38 PM

Wow, amazing photos! Sounds like you both got lucky in catching sight of some of those li’l guys and gals. Can’t wait to see what you’ve got in store for your next few posts 😉

Jennifer Dombrowski says

February 27, 2014 at 11:19 AM

Though it was going into the long rains when we were there, we had pretty good weather and it was the perfect time of the year to see the babies. So cute to watch!

Lauren Bassart says

February 25, 2014 at 3:22 PM

This was just about the cutest post ever!!! Love all the babies. So jealous of you guys 🙂

February 27, 2014 at 11:20 AM

Thanks Lauren! At first we were just shooting the babies, but then we specifically started trying to capture a mom and wee one. Just so much cuteness!

February 25, 2014 at 3:57 PM

After getting hit with one Polar Vortex after another in the U.S, it’s nice to see signs of Spring with all the young animals being born. Nice photos.

February 27, 2014 at 11:21 AM

Even though we were just a few degrees below the Equator, it was definitely a different season there in Tanzania! Kind of disappointing to come back home to the winter rain in Italy after getting a taste of “Spring”.

Shikha (whywasteannualleave) says

February 25, 2014 at 4:42 PM

When I went on safari in Selous Tanzania for honeymoon, the lion cubs were playing hide and seek so I’d love to try and catch them next time – I absolutely loved baby hippos though – so cute!

February 27, 2014 at 11:23 AM

What a fantastic place to go on honeymoon Shikha! Lions don’t have a specific time of the year that they breed, so you have a pretty good chance of seeing lion cubs any time of the year. Hope you spot some on your next safari!

February 25, 2014 at 4:45 PM

Even the baby croc is cute!

February 27, 2014 at 11:25 AM

I still wouldn’t mess with even the baby croc. We’ve got a close up and it already has some lethal looking teeth.

Adam Evans says

February 25, 2014 at 5:34 PM

I love the zebra and foal. Interesting to see the foal has a kind of ginger hue!

February 27, 2014 at 11:27 AM

We were surprised that baby zebras are so brown too. Very cute. The coat almost looks like a thick fuzz or velvet.

Katherine Belarmino says

February 25, 2014 at 7:22 PM

That giraffe baby is ridiculous!!

February 27, 2014 at 11:29 AM

Isn’t it so cute? It’s parents were no where around. I can only hope it survives on its own.

February 26, 2014 at 12:24 AM

Wow, that’s impressive you did get all the big ones and small ones to…what a fun trip, must have taken lots of great images to share!

We averaged anywhere from 600 – 1000 photos each day. I think I could post a safari photo a day for the next year!

Kate Blake says

February 26, 2014 at 1:20 AM

Amazing pics! I love the baby hippo

February 27, 2014 at 11:32 AM

The hippos were so funny! They make the best noises that just make you smile.

Lauren says

February 26, 2014 at 1:29 AM

Those are so cute! The babies look like miniature versions of the adult ones. I really like the zebra and the lion cubs, although they are all very adorable 🙂 Your photos are very impressive!

February 27, 2014 at 11:35 AM

Thanks Lauren! The babies are just so adorable to see and I loved watching them interact with their moms.

Alouise says

February 26, 2014 at 1:35 AM

This post if full of some serious awww. I love the one of the baby elephant.

February 27, 2014 at 11:38 AM

That baby elephant had to be the happiest elephant I’ve ever seen! Elephants were definitely a favorite to watch, especially when they play in water holes. We’ll have a post coming on a herd having some serious fun in a water hole.

jenny@atasteoftravel says

February 26, 2014 at 2:30 AM

So cute! You were definitely there at the right time for the babies. Can’t wait to read about your adventures!

February 27, 2014 at 11:39 AM

Yes Jenny! I was a little disappointed that we never got the a blazing fiery African sunset, but it’s hard to be too disappointed when we got to see all these wee ones.

Heather says

February 26, 2014 at 4:15 AM

What a treat! Even the baby crocodile is cute!

February 27, 2014 at 11:42 AM

The babies are just too cute to watch! Even the baboon baby melted my heart. I had a bad experience with baboons at the zoo when I was a kid, so don’t really like them.

February 26, 2014 at 8:43 PM

ohhhh yes, they’re really cute 🙂 I’m happy you had such a great time!

February 27, 2014 at 11:43 AM

Definitely one of our favorite trips we’ve been on Stef!

Angela Travels says

February 27, 2014 at 12:00 AM

Love the photos. I really want to go on an African Safari photo tour!

February 27, 2014 at 10:40 PM

You will love going on safari Angela! We’re barely home from this safari and now I am absolutely dying to go to Kenya, South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, and Namibia!

Samantha @mytanfeet says

February 27, 2014 at 3:51 AM

the baby zebra is adorable!! I had no idea they were born fuzzy and born, every animal is so cute when miniature size, even the crocodile. Great pics!

February 27, 2014 at 10:45 PM

Thanks Samantha! Yes the wee ones are just too adorable. I think even a baby hyena might be cute.

February 27, 2014 at 4:40 AM

Oh Mahh gahhd. All of them. Yes please. Can’t wait to do a safari. Not on this RTW trip but the next for sure. Thanks for sharing.

You will love it when you do go on safari, Shaun! This was one of our all time favorite trips.

February 27, 2014 at 3:50 PM

Awwwwm this post is the perfect thing for a Thursday afternoon… or for any afternoon 🙂

February 27, 2014 at 10:46 PM

Hard to feel blue with so much cuteness to look at here!

February 28, 2014 at 9:57 AM

The Zebra, the giraffe! I had to come back and have a look this morning!

February 27, 2014 at 5:51 PM

Nice pics – never heard of a Hyrax! Interesting looking animal. Frank (bbqboy)

February 27, 2014 at 10:48 PM

We’d never heard of one until about two weeks ago either, Frank. They’re pretty cute!

Devlin @ Marginal Boundaries says

February 28, 2014 at 8:43 PM

Those Hyrax are deviously cute, they just look like they’re up to no good, hatching some plan to steal your treats.

March 1, 2014 at 2:59 PM

LOL! We had a family of them that just loved to sun themselves on the wooden platform surrounding our tent.

Cheryl Howard says

March 3, 2014 at 12:14 AM

Awww, each and every photo is so so cute! 🙂

March 5, 2014 at 8:04 AM

Oh how I would love to go on safari! It would be even better to get to see all these baby animals. They’re all so cute, especially the Hyrax!

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Pop Culture Happy Hour

• Performing Arts

Pop Culture

You know it when you see it: here are some movies that got sex scenes right.

Linda Holmes

It is a happy coincidence that our "What makes a good sex scene?" episode came out in the same week as Challengers, a film about a romance triangle in the tennis world starring Josh O'Connor, Zendaya and (not pictured) Mike Faist. Niko Tavernise/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures hide caption

It is a happy coincidence that our "What makes a good sex scene?" episode came out in the same week as Challengers, a film about a romance triangle in the tennis world starring Josh O'Connor, Zendaya and (not pictured) Mike Faist.

What makes a good sex scene? It can be easier spot bad sex, but Aisha Harris, Christina Tucker, Ronald Young, Jr. and I tried to focus on the good this week on Pop Culture Happy Hour. You can listen to our full conversation here. (We didn't originally plan for this episode to run the same week as our episode about Challengers , which is out in theaters now, but it's a happy coincidence, since that film has gotten a lot of attention — probably too much, relative to its other merits — for the sex scenes involving its three leads. It's really very good .)

Movie Reviews

Watch a tense romantic triangle play out on the tennis court in 'challengers'.

It's often very obvious when a sex scene is bad, just like when a sex scene in a book is bad. It can get so uncomfortable to watch that you have to leave the room (and not in a way that feels true to the story). One of my personal tells for a bad sex scene is when all I can think about is how hard the actors are trying to persuade me that the characters are having a good time. For example, there has been much good discussion in recent years about Showgirls being a more interesting and competent project than it originally got credit for, but in that one pool scene (if you know it, you know it), all I can see is the effort.

Lauren Bacall And The 'Sex? What Sex?' Kind Of Movie Sex

It's not always as clear which scenes are good . That's partly because they serve so many different functions, all of which look different, and all of which can be effective. Furthermore, you don't want to confuse whether a sex scene is used well in a film with whether it's hot to you personally, despite the fact that there is overlap between those considerations.

In the 'Last Dance,' Magic Mike leaves his thong-and-dance routine behind

Here's what I mean: When Aisha talks about the sequence near the beginning of Magic Mike's Last Dance , it's not irrelevant that the scene is, to her (and to me), hot. But it also makes sense in the context of the film and the franchise, partly because of the way it sets up the power dynamic between Mike (Channing Tatum) and Max (Salma Hayek Pinault). Mike is older now, he knows more, and the way he approaches a lap dance is actually different than in earlier movies.

And not all good sex scenes are hot in the same ways. The one I mentioned in the episode, from the romantic drama Love & Basketball , is sexy, yes. But it's also a scene between young adults (the talented basketball players Monica and Quincy, played by Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps), and as such, it incorporates a tentativeness that's not present in Magic Mike's Last Dance , to say the least. As Ronald pointed out during our discussion, that sex scene is quite different from one that takes place later in Monica and Quincy's relationship, when they're older and know each other better. That certainly feels true to real life, but it's not always reflected in Hollywood films, where I would tentatively estimate that 90% of on-screen sex is more idealized and thus less intimate than real-life sex, in part because it isn't allowed to change over the course of a relationship.

Movie Interviews

'like it or not, we live in oppenheimer's world,' says director christopher nolan.

Even further from the hotness of the lap dance scene is Ronald's pick: the imagination of Kitty Oppenheimer (Emily Blunt) running wild in Oppenheimer. While her husband (Cillian Murphy) is being interrogated, she pictures him having sex with his mistress, Jean Tatlock (Florence Pugh). It goes by quickly enough that it might seem like a Christopher Nolan flourish for flourish's sake, but it serves the purpose of letting you feel her pain over her husband's affair. Her relationship with Robert doesn't look especially romantic in the film, let alone sexually charged; she finds herself consumed by the idea that he was having hot sex with this other woman, and she locks eyes with her vision of a naked Tatlock and finds herself tormented. It's not really the intent of the scene to titillate the audience, just to give specificity to the shape of Kitty's preoccupation with the affair.

What makes a good sex scene?

Christina raised another really important point, which is that sex scenes also collide with viewers at very specific moments. Her example from Bound , and the scenes between Violet (Jennifer Tilly) and Corky (Gina Gershon), touches on (among other things) her own history. It's an underappreciated aspect of the sex-in-movies discourse: representation matters in these scenes as much as anywhere else. I always wish I saw more sex scenes in movies that featured a broader variety of body types; it's still really rare to see ones that feature anybody who is even average sized. This is one of the reasons I'm curious about the upcoming season of Bridgerton , which places its focus on the gorgeous and curvaceous Penelope (Nicola Coughlan).

Looking for 'nomance': Study finds teens want less sex in their TV and movies

Good sex scenes are like any other kind of good filmmaking, honestly: it comes down to execution with purpose and care, done relative to whatever the function of the scene might be.

Whether that's spiciness or conflict or relationship growth or (as in the case of Bound ) setting up a steamy neo-noir story that wouldn't be the same if it weren't hot as heck, form follows function, ideally.

This piece also appeared in NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour newsletter. Sign up for the newsletter so you don't miss the next one, plus get weekly recommendations about what's making us happy.

Listen to Pop Culture Happy Hour on Apple Podcasts and Spotify .