Every time I go somewhere for a workshop I am faced with early morning wake up calls. This is a GOOD THING… I love early morning light and once I am up, I am ready to go. But I am also a procrastinator. I wait until the very last minute to get out of bed. I allow myself 15 minutes to get up, brush my teeth and hair, wash my face, get dressed and get my gear together. If you are like me, some of these tips may help. You may have a few good tips of your own you would like to share.

First I start with the way I pack my checked bag. I do have a hard case bag and believe me this has helped with fragile items in the past.

While I am home going through my clothes and deciding what to take with me. I pick out five pairs of safari pants, matching safari shirts for each pair of pants and because I like to wear a tank top-I pick out a coordinating tank top for each outfit, next I pick out a matching buff for each outfit and a pair of short ankle socks.

Now for the fun part, I take five plastic hangers. I put one pair of pants on each hanger (folded over the bottom piece of the hanger) then I put a matching shirt on the same hanger and button the top button, over the hook of the hanger I put a tank top and matching buff, inside the top pocket of my safari shirt I put a pair of my socks. Each hanger now has a coordinating outfit ready to go. After I finish with all of these sets of clothes, I take all five hangers together and fold them neatly together in my suitcase, when I get to my location, I take them out as a group and hang them up. They are remarkably, not wrinkled and each outfit is ready to go. Since most safaris are around ten days I plan on wearing each outfit twice. I can use the plastic hanger to hang clothes after washing them out myself (they dry very quickly) or get them laundered at camp.

In addition to these outfits I pack an extra pair of pants, 2 extra tank tops and 2 extra socks. I also always bring 2 safari hats. I can’t tell you how many folks have lost hats on safari. I also bring 2 lightweight fleeces and a beanie hat. I also pack rain pants and a rain jacket.

If I am going somewhere cold, I make adjustments to my packing. I use base layers instead of safari pants and shirts, I wear snowboard pants ( I pack 2 pair) over the top of my base pants. I wear stretchy fleeces over my base layer shirt—2 if really cold a warm jacket. I wear smart wool socks (I pack them and my tripod head in my boots) and use smart wool buffs, boots, gloves, hats and scarves, etc.. you get the idea.

No matter if I go somewhere warm or cold I always travel with shower shoes or flip flops, mine are lightweight plastic, they are also worn in camp or around the lodge-but most of all they keep my feet free of germs in the shower. These I pack on the outside flap of my gear bag for additional cushion for my gear.

My toiletries are all in a ziploc bags that I have been re-using for years. I have my toothpaste and toothbrush together with dental floss in one. I have shampoo,conditioner, comb and shower gel in another. I have all of my additional items including things like, band-aids, after-bite, neosporin, hydrocortisone, deodorant, nail clippers, sunblock, etc.. in another bag.

I never have to sort through my suitcase looking for a pair of socks or matching shirt again. I also get my camera gear bag together and make it a habit to clean my lenses each night before going to bed.

GEAR BAG

I always bring (2) camera bodies.

Sony Alpha a9 mirrorless camera--my go-to camera for wildlife

Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens

Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM Lens

Sony FE 24-105mm f/4, G lens

Sony FE 1.4x Teleconvertor

Sony FE 2X Teleconvertor

MeFOTO GlobeTrotter Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod/ black -comes with its own head.

Rocket Blaster Dust-Removal Tool (Large, Black)-if you have an inferior rocket blower -throw it away and get a good one.

Hoodman lens wipes-these are amazing.