I grew up in a fairly typical family: Mom, Dad, a brother, and a sister.
I was the middle one, the in-between sister. Sometimes naughty, sometimes nice.
Our family looks very different now. We lost our fabulous Mom and our beautiful sister, and today we are one Dad, one brother, and one sister. Still close, still bonded, but undeniably changed.
I think when you lose part of your family and as you grow older memories surface more easily. The good, the not-so-good, all tinged with the quirkiness and humour that make up most families.
This morning I woke up thinking about our family holidays.
We didn’t have many, so when we did go away, it was a BIG occasion, something we looked forward to for weeks.
One trip in particular stands out. We were going to St Lucia. I knew absolutely nothing about it except that there was a big lake and hippos. That was my entire brief, and I was beyond excited.
My parents, however, were slightly less enthusiastic, mostly because they first had to get three young children there.
That meant an extremely early start.
Tessa and Roo, our Alsatian and Labrador, were boarding with Granny. Bags were packed, and the pad kos was ready. Pad kos, of course, being the essential road-trip snacks: a flask of tea, boiled eggs, little sausages, sandwiches, Eat-Sum-More biscuits for us kids, and for my Mom, Royal Creams, her absolute favourites.
We left while it was still dark so the children could sleep most of the way.
Blankets were thrown off in the morning rush, toothbrushes tossed in at the last minute, half a cup of tea swallowed with a biscuit, and then we were in the car and off. Within minutes we were asleep, safely carried by a prayer and my Dad’s steady driving.
Seven hours later, we arrived.
Bags were unpacked: one for Mom and Dad, one for my brother… and one for my … wait….what?
Shock.
Horror.
There were no bags for my sister and me.
They had been left behind.
We had what we were wearing: a T-shirt, shorts, and our underwear. That was it.
Wealth was not part of our vocabulary, so we were each given a brand-new St Lucia T-shirt and a little denim skirt, mine trimmed with pink and red braiding. We thought Christmas had come early… but that was it for the entire two-week holiday.
And you know what?
We lived in two T-shirts, one pair of shorts, one little skirt, one pair of knickers (my brother’s underpants were generously shared), and we had the BEST TIME EVER.
You need almost nothing.The less you carry, the less you worry
Which brings me to the moral of the story:
Don’t pack a lot.
You need almost nothing. The less you carry, the less you worry and the more time you have to soak up your surroundings. To see the animals, feel the breeze, and move easily under the African sun.
Lightweight, neutral-coloured clothing works best. Layering is a winner, especially in Africa, where mornings can start cool and by midday the sun is fierce. In Cape Town, you may even experience wind, rain, and sunshine all in one day, we like to keep people on their toes.
Packing essentials for Africa
Underwear and socks
Shorts and T-shirts
A long-sleeved shirt and long pants for cooler evenings
A warm fleece or jacket
Swimwear (especially in summer, spring, and often autumn too)
A good pair of well-worn boots or trainers
Sandals or flip-flops for casual wear
If staying at an upmarket safari lodge, check if slightly smarter evening wear is required
A small daypack is also useful. Inside it:
Binoculars
Camera or phone
Reusable water bottle
International/universal plug adapter
Note: many destinations especially in East Africa do not allow single-use plastic bags.
Travel documents & health
Passport valid for at least six months after travel
Visas obtained in advance where possible
Cash, US dollars are king in many African countries. Bring small, clean, newer-print notes
Travel insurance documents and emergency contact numbers
Yellow fever certificate if required
Health essentials:
Insect repellent
Malaria prophylaxis where necessary
Sunscreen, lots of it. The African sun is harsh
Basic medical supplies: plasters, disinfectant, antiseptic cream, pain relief, motion-sickness tablets
Medication for an upset stomach, water, food, temperature changes, or altitude can all play a role
Toiletries, eco-friendly if possible, and only the basics
Top of my personal list
A sarong or kikoi (perfect as a wrap, towel, head cover, or blanket)
Wet wipes, a must
Hat and sunglasses
A supportive sports bra for bumpy roads (East Africa, Botswana, and even Kruger have a few jolters)
Once you’re packed lightly, you’re ready to enjoy the journey.
Once you've packed lightly you're ready to enjoy the journey
St Lucia, or the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, is where we went. It was amazing then, and it still is.
This vast protected area lies along South Africa’s coastline in KwaZulu-Natal. It’s dominated by a large lake home to crocodiles, hippos, and extraordinary birdlife, including pelicans and flamingos. Nearby grasslands support elephants, giraffes, and a wide variety of antelope.
It’s a truly special place and one that’s absolutely worth a visit.
Whether you are interested in a film collaboration, destination storytelling project or carefully curated African expedition, we would love to hear from you
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