flgirl0817

I have a trip planned in May to South Africa, Victoria Falls and Botswana. I am told that the evenings will be chilly and the only fleece jacket that I was able to find is Navy blue.I'm wondering if wearing Navy will be ok. All of my safari clothing is beige and tan. Can someone please answer this question as I am driving myself crazy. I also purchased a black LL Bean rain windbreaker - that's mostly for Cape Town.

Thanks in advance for your help. This will be my first trip to Africa and I am so excited and I love reading everyone's trip report and questions.

HariS

Should be okay. I thought most animals are color blind? they wouldn't care about your jacket ...... enjoy!!!

flgirl0817

Thanks so much for your reply. I also was worried about mosquitoes, but I'll have my malaria pills so I should be fine. One less thing to be concerned about.

ShayTay

Hold on! Navy blue attracts tsetse flies. In fact, black and dark blue are the two colors used on flags set out to collect the flies. Their sting is quite painful and can even bring blood, so I wouldn't use the Navy blue fleece in Botswana unless you can put a thin windbreaker of another color over it. The black top will be fine in Cape Town.

flgirl0817

Shay Tay,

Oh boy - thanks so much for this information. I wasn't sure about the flies. I am very allergic and have to be careful. I just found a beige jacket on Magellans, so maybe I'll buy that one and leave the fleece at home. I cannot thank you enough!!!

HariS

In the winter time on safari in Botswana - i take my thick black jacket (don't know what you call it - the padded bubble style one?) ...... anyways, i haven't had a problem really.

KayeN

Hi flgirl0817

I would not worry about colours. If it is cold enough to need a fleece, I would not be worried about tsetse flies!

I have never been worried by the flies anywhere except Tanzania in January/February and quite frankly, colour seemed to make little difference - they attacked us all - light or dark colours!

I would not bother buying a jacket for this trip alone, use what you have!

Kind regards

Kaye

atravelynn

Winter in Botswana, I have not seen more than about 4 tsetse flies and have worn black. I have seen lots in parts of Zambia in winter.

flgirl0817

Hi All,

Thanks so much for your advice. I'm not going to worry about the color of the fleece and just take what I have. Many many thanks.