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New Zealand’s weather is changeable and we can experience extremely cold weather at any time of year, especially in the mountains. Our huts/camps vary in altitude from sea level to over 1000 metres. Therefore it is necessary to have warm clothing for all safaris and guided walks. Jeans are not suitable for hiking. The following gear requirements apply to our Nature Safaris. The Milford Track, Routeburn Track and Ball Pass trips have slightly different requirements so please see the relevant trip dossier for details.

Essential Items
· hiking boots (not shoes)
· backpack (at least 50 litres capacity)
· backpack liner (plastic bag)
· 3-season sleeping bag
· waterproof raincoat
· warm fleece/wool jersey (not cotton)
· shorts for hiking
· polypro/thermals – top & and long-johns
· 3 pairs of socks (they get wet)
· warm hat or balaclava
· sunscreen and sunglasses
· drink bottle (1 litre)
· spare shoes or sandals
· flashlight/head lamp
· insect repellent (sandflies like foreign blood)
· spare set of clothes

Optional: Therm-a-Rest sleeping mat, gaiters, binoculars, gloves/mittens, earplugs, walking poles, camera.

We Supply: Sleeping mats (dense foam), tents, cooking equipment, plates/cutlery, first aid kit, safety equipment and maps.

We allow space for 120 litres a person (one large pack plus one day pack). You may be required to forward any excess luggage if you exceed this. Any gear you do not need on hikes can be locked in the vehicle. NZ Nature Safaris accepts no responsibility for security of your luggage. We highly recommend travel insurance.

Equipment recommendations:

Hiking Boots - Strong boots are essential, reaching above the ankle for good support. They should have a strong rubber sole with a chunky grip. Remember, on safari we are often hiking completely off-track. It's not important for your boots to be waterproof as we often cross rivers or streams, so they will be wet anyway. For safety reasons, we always insist that people wear their boots on river crossings. Make sure you break in your boots before you come on Safari. Gaiters can help to keep mud and small stones from getting inside your boots, but are not essential.

Sleeping Bags - Lightweight down sleeping bags are fantastic. If you are concerned about weight they can weigh as little as a kilogram, and be very compact. Synthetic fibre bags are bulky and heavy but considerably cheaper to buy. If you are serious about hiking then we recommend you buy a down bag. New Zealand Nature Safaris does hire out high quality sleeping bags at $50 per safari.

Backpack - Make sure it is comfortable. Before you purchase it make sure you put some weight into it. Your pack should hold at least 50 litres - you will also be required to carry a portion of food (2-3 kg). It is a good idea to stow your gear in large plastic bags inside your pack. Learn how to pack your backpack properly, with heavy stuff closest to your back.

Raincoat - The weather in New Zealand is very changeable and it can at times bucket-down with rain. It is very important that you have a good waterproof raincoat. We highly recommend raincoats made from Goretex or similar breathable fabric. They make hiking in extreme conditions considerably more comfortable. If the weather is bad on safari we may have to change our itinerary to tramps without river-crossings, sometimes involving travel on the tops of ranges. We will still get out into the elements. It is all part of experiencing outdoors New Zealand.

Warm Clothing - Synthetic Polarfleece and polypropylene clothing is great, as it is both lightweight and warm when it is wet - it will actively wick moisture away from your skin and will keep you warmer. Wool also has this property. Long underwear in these fabrics is great and compact. A warm hat will prevent heat-loss from your head, and make sitting around those campfires much more pleasant. When hiking it is best to wear shorts. Jeans are not suitable in the outdoors.