Safari is not a SAFARI.

Right after our wedding, we didn't go on our honeymoon. Instead we deferred a whole half a year, so that we can take time off to go on a safari in Africa, our dream vacation. 

So much preparation goes into the planning of a safari trip to Africa. You need to figure out what the kind of animal viewing, the type of experience, the time of year, your budget. And after all that has been set, then you look for the regions and camps that fit your needs, see if they have availability (some camps are super-small and fill up early) and transportation. 

And then there's all the other preparation that you need to do like vaccinations. And then establishing a packing list. 

The former is somewhat easy since we took care of most of the vaccinations when we went to Cambodia a year ago. But the latter is really a pain.  One inconvenient thing about Africa travel is the strict luggage restriction. One bag up to 12 kg per person on some flights, which is really not much. Not only am I packing for a safari, but also some beach time in Mauritius and Seychelles and a stopover in Johannesburg. And I can only take 12kg? What is a girl to do?

I know that I am going to Africa for the experience, so it shouldn't matter what I wear all that much. But still, in my mind, I see myself looking fabulous in designer safari-style outfits: 

  

(from L to R: Michael Kors, Rag and Bone, Behnaz Sarafpour)

Unfortuately, with a 12kg limit, I will be relegated to taking 2 pairs of long pants, 2 pairs of short pants, 2 long sleeve shirts, 2 short sleeve shirts, 4 changes of underwear, hiking shoes, flipflops, swimsuit and maybe one dress... And they all need to be washable and treatable with deet (to keep away the malaria).  

So what my bag will actually contain come May will be:

  

(Products from REI.com)

These are all items that are guaranteed to keep me warm in the 40-degree morning & evening and keep me cool in the 85-degree mid-day. Provide protection against bugs and sun. Also, moister-wicking and quick drying.

But not so pretty, don't you think? Any suggestions on how to spruce things up with these items without taking too much more?