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Safaris possess a dust-ridden elegance, always with the possibility of heavy rains setting in. Expect to be dirty during the day but cleaned up and fresh in time for dinner. Fast-drying clothes are a necessity. So are good binoculars for viewing animals walking to watering holes at dusk. Film is expensive abroad, so bring your own. And don't forget a flashlight. Good binoculars are key. Unless you will be on a long foot safari, opt for full-size binoculars. Look for water-resistant or water-proof models, ample eye relief (the distance from your eye to the eyepiece) and coated lenses, which increase clarity and contrast. Especially in low-light conditions. Where magnification is concerned bigger is not always better. Pay attention to the two numbers that describe the binoculars (eg, 8 x 40). The first number refers to the magnifying power of the binoculars. In this case the object would appear eight times closer than with the naked eye. But the more you increase magnification, the more binoculars are affected by hand wobbles. For wildlife viewing, eight or nine is the stan- dard. The second number refers to the size of the objective (define) lens. A larger objective lens permits more light to reach the eye, making for better viewing during dawn and dusk (prime- time periods for watching animals). The new Canon 10 x 30 IS (800-652-2666, www.canon.com. $500) borrows the com- pany's camcorder image stabilization technology and uses a high-tech system to reduce the shake often associated with high-powered binoculars. Waterproof, fogproof Minolta Aptiva 8 x 42 (201-825-4000, www.minolta.com. $686) binoculars will suit wildlife voyeurs and bird-watch- ers alike. They have ample eye relief and are durable yet light. Pentax DCF WP 8 x 42 (800-255- 04'5, www.pentax.com. $780) waterproof binoculars feature fully multicoated lenses, long-eye relief and magnesium frames to reduce weight. New to the Steiner line-up, the Safari 9 x 40 (800- 257'7742, www.pioneer-research.com. $349) are auto-focusing binoculars built to withstand Mother Nature's temperamental side and have wrap-around eyecups to minimize sidelight. The new Kodak MC3 Unit (888-368-6600, www.kodak.com. $200) is a camera, dig- ital video/audio recorder, walkman built into one device no bigger than your hand. Just don't for- get your memory cards, which add about $50-$200 to the price. Proper footwear is key to any safari. If you're walking through brush, keep the vipers at bay with Russell's Snake Proof Boots (920-361-2252, www.russellmoccasin.com. $375)· Russell has been making boots for more than 100 years and designed these 16-inch boots pre· cisely for comfort and protection from snakes. Keep your feet safe and dry in and out of the water with Merrell's funky, comfortable Aqua Moc (616-866-5500, www.merrellboot.com. $65), with great traction, breathable mesh and quick-drying ventilation. The next consideration is your head. Keep the hot sun and driving rain off your face with a hat from Miller Hats (800-789-0839, www.millerhats.com). the largest online hat store, with everything from a safari to a bush hat to a Stetson. Cover your eyes with Serengeti's light- weight Apogee 2000 (800-846-0013, www.aceoptics.com. $125) sunglasses with a nongradient copper lens perfect for viewing animals. Sunburn is a big factor out there. Ombrelle full spec- trum sunscreen (www.ombrelle.ca). to protect against burning (thereby skin cancer and prema- ture aging), is tried and true by lifeguards and others who work long hours in the sun. Thick brush, UV rays or local custom often dictate that you wear pants-even when it's so hot you'd prefer not to do so. Mountain Hardwear's Canyon (800-953-8375, www.moun- tainhardwear.com, Men's and Women's styles; pant $90, shirt $82) trekking pants and shirts pro- vide ultralight, quick drying, deep-pocketed, vented salvation. Bring a fleece for cool nights. Napapijri makes high-end fleeces designed for adventure travel (970-827'9091, www.napapijri.it). While Magellan's Terramar or CoolMax undies (800-962-4943, www.magellans.com. boxers $16.85, undies $15.85) won't aid a safari seduction, they're comfy, dry quickly, and make spontaneous dips in the Zambezi much more appealing. Petzl's Duo headlamp (801-327-3805, www.petzl.com. $66) has two bulbs, a high- powered halogen bulb and a standard bulb to keep you from tripping over slumbering beasts during nighttime animal viewing. Finally, bring a mUltipurpose tool like the Leatherman Wave (800-847-8665, www.leatherman.com. $100) with pliers, wood saw, wire stripper, serrated knife and several screwdriver options for any task that confronts you.-lou Mazzante & Monica Martino