Africa Freak

Best safari luggage – Duffel bags & backpacks for African travels

Unloading safari luggage from a small plane at the Maasai Mara airstrip

The best African safari luggage is completely different to the necessary luggage for a city trip or backpacking expedition.

There are some very unique conditions that make it important to choose specific safari luggage. This includes the dusty savanna, cramped buses, and a jam-packed Land Cruiser bouncing into the wilderness.

The single most important part of African travel is having a suitable bag . Everything else you can work out after you have arrived.

But what is the best luggage for an African safari? Is it a duffel bag or backpack? And if so, what are the best safari bags for your trip?

In this guide, we’ll detail everything you need to know .

Best Luggage for Travel to Africa: The Basics

Off-roading in the Serengeti, in harmony with nature

An elephant does not care what you look like. Neither does a lion or even a safari guide .

So put the fancy clothes away and get practical . The wilderness simply isn’t a place for frivolities, and that starts with your safari luggage.

First, take a look at our detailed guide on what to pack for an African safari. In short – pack light and keep it simple .

Why? Well, however you plan to travel in Africa, it’s going to be full, and there isn’t enough space for big safari luggage.

  • Light aircraft safari flights have strict 15 kg baggage weight limits.
  • Safari vehicles are generally designed for off-roading and don’t have much space for luggage.
  • Travel on public transport, and you must be comfortable carrying your own luggage, including walking with it for more than a kilometer.

On an African adventure, you will be moving from place to place. On many safaris, you go to a different camp every day.

So there isn’t even time to unpack everything. Just take the basics and stay practical – this isn’t a fashion statement!

It doesn’t help if you are a wizard at folding safari clothing into crease-free, super-flat, super-organized piles. If your safari luggage is a complete dinosaur, it’s going to be disastrous.

And all the skillful arrangement adds up to nothing if your bag weighs more than King Kong with the Empire State Building in his left hand and a distressed blonde in his right!

What is the Best Luggage for Safari?

Driver loads safari luggage on top of a jeep

It is important to choose the right luggage for your African safari. This way, you can ensure the safety of all your belongings , whether on the plane, bus, or the savanna.

As mentioned above, you will need to pack light. And in addition to sticking to the strict weight limits, the bag should be able to hold all your clothing and gear .

Chances are you’ll need to pack several layers for those warm days and cold nights. You may also need space for your camera equipment .

Luckily, there are many lightweight duffel bags and backpacks that fit the bill. Below is a breakdown of the best safari duffel bags, backpacks, and travel bags for your next African adventure.

Best duffel bag for safari

The North Face duffel bags for a safari

Soft-sided luggage for safari is a must , and there are many duffel bags that offer exactly that. They are also spacious enough to store up to a week’s worth of clothing and toiletries, along with your other safari gear.

Depending on which African safari you’re visiting, it may help to look for a technical duffel bag .

These travel bags have unique features that can help a ton when out in the wilderness. Common features include a water-repellent shell and detachable straps .

But what is the best duffel bag for an African safari? Top brands to look out for include The North Face, Travelpro, and Red Oxx .

Best backpack for safari

Targus Drifter 15.6

While duffel bags are the preferred pick, backpacks are good too – especially if you’re going on a walking safari through Mana Pools National Park or elsewhere in Africa.

Like duffel bags, backpacks for safari need to be light , durable , and compressible . They also need to have enough pockets and compartments to store your belongings securely.

Backpacks also make for a good secondary bag. As such, opt for a roll-top as these can easily fit into your larger duffel bag during your flight and transfer. This way, you’re getting the best of both worlds.

What is the best safari backpack? Recommended picks include the Saddleback Leather backpack and the Targus Drifter.

Other safari travel bags

In addition to your safari duffel bag or backpack, there are a few other luggage items you may want to bring along.

These items are fanny packs , dopp kits , and camera bags . Each of these can easily fit into a larger bag and can come in hand when on a safari.

Remember to only bring these along if necessary as you might need the extra space.

How to Pick the Best Luggage for African Safari

Crossing the river whilst on safari in Tanzania

Let’s recap on the conditions, especially if you haven’t been on a safari in Africa.

On an African safari, you will be driving off-road , often on arid landscapes shrouded in dust. If it’s not dusty, it will probably be muddy.

Take a holiday at an all-inclusive beach resort, and you only use your luggage once – to get from your home to the resort.

In Africa, you will be on the move .

Whether public or private transport, flights or local buses, all that moving means things will spill, and your safari luggage is going to get dirty .

There are usually two options when it comes to what to wear on holiday. Change your clothes every day, or change your destination every day instead.

As you regularly move between destinations, you won’t need lots of luggage . And don’t worry if your clothes are a little sweaty or dust-stained. You will look more out of place in incredibly clean clothes.

It’s going to be hot, probably very hot. You will be battling against humidity. If it’s the rainy season, you and your luggage will get drenched.

These can be tough conditions, so the fundamental principle of all safari luggage is to make it easier for yourself .

In addition to knowing what the best bags for exploring in the wild are, here is how to choose safari luggage . These are sure to make your African adventure easier and packing less challenging.

1. You need quality luggage for safari (but not designer or expensive)

The eternal conundrum is whether to head for an exclusive luggage shop or select the cheapest , most rubbish piece of safari baggage available at a local supermarket.

Airline baggage controllers do not distinguish between designer labels and care not for price tags. Your bags get completely stuffed up, whether you paid a small fortune or got them in the bargain bin.

Cheap black and blue duffel bag

Your bag will be treated like a bag of potatoes by the majority of the people who handle it, from baggage controllers to local bus boys squashing your carefully labeled luggage next to some chickens and maize sacks.

Be warned – fragile stickers don’t work , especially not when you are on safari.

Spending hundreds or thousands on Louis Vuitton’s finest or the very latest Antler miracle is not a wise thing. And the cheapest safari luggage won’t live up to the demands of traveling in Africa.

Antler holdall

So go for a good , middle-of-the-road bag – the “iSpot” duffel bag range from Travelite is a recommended choice. They are durable and inexpensive.

iSpots are soft , relatively light, and have a built-in wheely handle so you can pull them along the road and runway when necessary.

iSpots have concealed zips , which all have locking facilities on them (so many lightweight safari bags only have locking docks on their main zips and not on side pockets).

Travelite iSpot range

They are hard-wearing , rugged , and spacious enough for two-week trips in Africa. The seams won’t rip and dispose of half your belongings onto a buffalo -covered savanna.

2. Safari travel bags should be soft

In Africa, there is plenty of space for elephants to charge around. But there is not enough space for luggage.

Keeping your weight below 15 kg is important. Your safari luggage needs to mold and squeeze into any available space.

Solid-state suitcases may be good for European city trips, but they are completely impractical for Africa .

These massive, stainless steel megalodons are too bulky, do not stack neatly, and take up too much unnecessary room.

Solid state suitcases

African safaris require soft , squishy bags that can squeeze into small spaces. As previously mentioned, duffel bags are perfect for this.

Backpacks are also a good choice, provided they don’t have a protruding and inflexible frame.

So let’s recap. The perfect safari luggage is light , squishy , hard-wearing , rugged enough for the dusty African savanna , and spacious enough for the safari essentials.

3. Reduce the volume of your safari bag

That aside, you should also take the volume of your bag into account. A 70-liter capacity is around average.

There are some excellent duffels out there , especially those designed for diving or adventure pursuits, which offer more space.

Coming in at $14.95, you get what you pay for with a duffel bag like this. It may last one trip if you are lucky!

But remember that a tightly packed soft bag is better than a loosely packed one because it keeps your belongings from rolling around and getting damaged.

It also prevents your cosmetics bag from getting a bang and leaking its contents all over your clothes.

Some duffel bags have straps that can compress the contents inside. These are ideal, as you can start light and still compress. Then you can expand it if you end up purchasing half a bag of souvenirs.

4. Other key considerations for the best luggage for safari travel

Travel toiletry bag

A wet bag is a great idea for cosmetics. Don’t buy an expensive one. You can use a run-of-the-mill high-street supermarket bag and tie the handles up tight to prevent unwanted spillages.

Consider decanting things like shampoo and moisturizer into small containers, or buy them in small bottles, to begin with.

The Body Shop , for example, has some great small bottles of products that are ideal for traveling. This reduces volume.

Your choice of safari luggage is peculiar to you and your needs , what you want to put in it and where you are going.

Whether you spend a lot of money on it or not, just make sure that it is secure with decent locks or, failing that, cable ties.

When flying, never put anything of value in it (jewelry, cameras, computers, cell phones, etc.).

And if it gets damaged by an airline’s baggage handler, make sure you stand up for your rights and get it either repaired or replaced.

Where to Take Your Safari Luggage

Photography equipment on a land cruiser bonnet

Having the right safari luggage can make or break your trip. But with this guide, you now know what to take and how to take it. So all that’s left is to go out and explore !

There are endless opportunities for a wild adventure in different locations – South Africa , Botswana , Namibia , Zambia , Zimbabwe , Tanzania , Kenya , Uganda , and gorilla trekking in Rwanda .

Hopefully, your safari luggage will keep you returning to Africa and experience as many incredible safaris as possible.

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Divergent Travelers

15 Best Safari Bags for your Next Adventure

Traveling on safari brings with it countless obstacles and situations that you need to be prepared for and having the right safari bags with you can help you to be ready, and to best enjoy your trip.

Safaris in Africa, Asia, or anywhere else in the world where you may choose to head off into the wilderness in search of wildlife, will ensure that you are encountering extreme weather conditions, be it rain, dust, mud, heat and cold, potentially all within the same day, so it’s imperative to choose safari bags that are able to withstand the worst that will be thrown at them.

There’s a lot more to reflect on too, and you’ll need to consider your style of travel, be it luxury safaris or budget safaris, expeditions, overland travel or charter plane flights.

Luckily, there are a lot of great safari bags out there to meet almost any requirements, and to help you decide what exactly you need, here’s our guide to buying the best products on the market.

Top 5 Best Safari Bags

Table of Contents

Quick Answer: Best Safari Bags

  • Best OverAll Safari Bag: North Face Base Camp Duffel
  • Best Budget Safari Bag: Osprey Packs Trilium 65 Duffel Bag
  • Best Safari Bag for Women: Osprey Packs Fairview 70 Women’s Travel Backpack
  • Best Safari Bag for Men: Osprey Packs Farpoint 70 Men’s Travel Backpack
  • Best Woman’s Safari Bag for Hiking: Osprey Fairview 40  
  • Best Men’s Safari Bag for Hiking: Osprey Farpoint 40
  • Best Safari Duffel Bag: North Face Base Camp Duffel
  • Best Safari Duffel/Backpack Bag: RAB Expedition Kitbag 80L Duffel Bag Blue 80L
  • Best Safari Day Bag: Osprey Porter 46  
  • Best Malti-Day Safari Bag: Osprey Packs Farpoint 70 Travel Backpack 
  • Best Wheeled Safari Bag: Eddie Bauer Unisex-Adult Expedition Drop-Bottom Rolling Duffel
  • Best Lightweight Safari Bag: Gonex 80L Packable Travel Duffle Bag
  • Best Waterproof/Dustproof Safari Bag: North Face Base Camp Duffel
  • Best Leather Safari Bag:   Komal’s Passion Leather 24 Inch Square Duffel Travel Safari Leather Bag
  • Best Canvas Safari Bag:   Filson Medium Duffle – Waxed canvas
  • Best Soft Side Safari Bag: Mountain Warehouse 90 Cargo Bag – 3 Ways to Carry All-Season Backpack Black
  • Best Packable Safari Bag: Gonex 80L Packable Travel Duffle Bag

Best Safari Bags

What Type of Safari are You going on?

The first thing to think about when you begin delving into the vast world of safari bags is what type of safari you are actually going to be going on. Different types of bags will be more suited for different types of safari, and the season you will be traveling.

If you are traveling across Africa in the rainy season, you will want to make waterproofing a priority. If you are a wildlife photographer and have a lot of equipment, you will want to ensure that your safari bags will provide adequate protection against dust and the elements.

Luxury travelers may want to ensure they have a fashionable yet durable bag that looks the part at their remote bush camp, while backpackers opting for cheaper safaris may want to have a more practical hiking or duffel bag to cope with the stress of long-distance, overland travel.

Best Safari Bags

Practicality vs Style

Practicality vs style then is another important consideration to make. There are a lot of classic, leather-bound carry bags on the market that wouldn’t look out of place in the late Victorian era, and while they might look stylish, you might want to determine if it is the best fit for you.

Some of the most practical bags, however, won’t look the most stylish, but you can find some quality safari bags produced by outdoor companies as kit bags, that are suitable for almost anything.

Colour and aesthetics, while they may seem trivial, can be an important part of the buying process. Many bags that are specifically aimed at safari-goers may be brown, beige or green in color, to almost blend in with the classic safari environment.

Some travelers though, find it is more practical to have a brightly colored bag that they can actually find quickly amongst piles of other luggage when traveling by bus or plane.

Best Safari Bags

Size Considerations

The size of your chosen safari bags will come down to a number of factors, but the most important thing to note is that your luggage needs to be suitable for air travel.

Likely, you will arrive at your destination via air, and if you are planning on visiting remote, luxury camps in the African savannah, then getting there will generally involve flying in small, charter aircraft that are very restricted by weight and size requirements.

Don’t overpack, and make sure your luggage fits the airline requirements. If you travel light and hand luggage only, then ensure your backpack or duffel is in line with ever-changing airline restrictions.

If you are planning on traveling overland as part of your safari, or are planning it as part of a wider trip, then you may want to choose a bag that is easy to carry around, that can fit in luggage compartments, or that you can easily walk around with.

Again, the size will depend on your individual requirements, but just remember, when you are on safari, it’s always best to pack light.

Best Safari Bags

Material and Durability

The material that your safari bags are constructed from can make the difference between a terrible bag and a bag that will last you a lifetime of traveling.

You may want to invest in a waterproof bag , or at the very least be able to attach a rain cover to the outside, particularly if it is a backpack that you might be walking around with.

Luxury travelers may want to invest in specialized leather or canvas bags that not only look the part at your safari lodge in the wilderness but that will also be water-resistant and durable.

In the long run, unless this is a one-off trip, you will be better off investing money into quality products that will last. You don’t want your bag falling apart mid-flight, or on the taxi ride out of the airport, after all, you want it to last a lifetime.

Best Safari Bags

Bag straps are another important aspect that you don’t want to overlook. If you are just traveling from one point to the next then you might be fine with just a holdall that you can pick up with one handle.

If you are hiking, backpacking or walking around a lot, then you’ll want to make sure your safari bags have adequate support, be it comfortable back straps, or even waist or chest straps to take the weight off your shoulders.

Many kit bags now come with a versatile number of straps, allowing you to instantly transform your handheld duffel bag into a backpack or a single strap, shoulder-worn bag.

Best Safari Bags

You will also want to look at the number of pockets and different compartments that your bag has. If you purchase a basic duffel or kit bag, then the number of compartments is usually restricted to one open space, which can be fine if you aren’t too fussy.

If you want to separate your dirty laundry and your wet towels from your fresh, clean clothes, then this isn’t going to be an ideal situation.

As well as separate compartments you may also want safari bags that allow you space and different pockets for being organized. For instance, you may want pockets for toiletries, for your chargers and batteries, for your passport, or for your socks. The opportunities are quite endless really.

Best Safari Bags

Best Types of Safari Bags and Product Recommendations

There is a great selection of safari bags out on the market right now, catering to all budgets, styles, designs, and needs. Here are a few of the most versatile types of bags to think about selecting for your trip, and a few specific product recommendations too.

Best Safari Bags

Duffel Bags

Duffel bags and kit bags are great all-rounders that are perfect for the frugal traveler on a budget , making multiple, and varied trips each year. Modern kit bags can be incredibly versatile, with waterproofing, different outside straps that can be arranged to carry the bag how you feel is best or most appropriate for the situation, and a high level of resilience. 

Some of the best are made by outdoor companies and can come in many different capacities, from 40 liters up to 120 liters. The North Face makes excellent, quality, and great value kit bags, as do Rab , Mountain Warehouse and increasingly, many more well known outdoor brands too.

The Top Five Best Safari Duffel Bags:

  • North Face Base Camp Duffel
  • RAB Expedition Kitbag 80L Duffel Bag Blue 80L
  • Mountain Warehouse 90 Cargo Bag – 3 Ways to Carry All-Season Backpack Black
  • Osprey Packs Transporter 65 Expedition Duffel/Backpack
  • Osprey Packs Trilium 65 Duffel Bag

Best Safari Bags

Hiking Bags

Hiking bags are another fantastic, versatile choice that has long been the favored luggage-style of backpackers across the world. They can make for perfect safari bags, particularly if you are planning on hiking, or have an extended trip that will also take you on other adventures too.

Hiking bags come in many different sizes, with large capacities suitable for remote expeditions and small capacities which can make for perfect day hiking bags and carry-ons when flying.

Hiking bags have the added bonus of being designed for the outdoors, and if you pick a quality brand, you can also get lifetime warranties on your kit.

Osprey is a favorite amongst travelers, and they offer not only excellent hiking bags but also hybrid bags that cater to backpackers. Great examples are the Osprey Farpoint or the Osprey Transporter .

While you can get incredibly cheap hiking bags from sports outlets, it’s also best to invest in a quality product, with guarantees and reputation if you want it to last.

The Best Safari Hiking Bags:

  • Osprey Farpoint 40  –  Men’s Best Safari Bag For Hiking
  • Osprey Fairview 40  –  Women’s Best Safari Bag For Hiking
  • Osprey Porter 46

Best Safari Bags

Vintage Bags

Some of the most popular safari bags amongst luxury travelers or short terms holidaymakers are vintage bags. Not only do they look the part, but the best ones are made of quality leather or canvas, that is rugged, durable and able to stand up to the harsh requirements of the savannah while also looking great in the city.

Classic style safari bags are not for everyone, however, and they will be limited as to the variety and diversity of travel situations that they are handy in, but if you want a fashionable way to carry your luggage, then these are the bags for your safari.

Great vintage options include the excellent leather duffel bag by Komal , which retails at an incredibly affordable price, upwards to the canvas, bespoke designs from the likes of Ralph Lauren.

The Top Five Best Safari Vintage Bags:

  • Travel Duffel Bag Waterproof Canvas or Leather  
  • Filson Medium Duffle – Waxed canvas
  • DRAKENSBERG Kimberley Long Weekender, canvas, buffalo leather
  • Komal’s Passion Leather 24 Inch Square Duffel Travel Safari Leather Bag
  • Komal’s Passion Leather 24 Inch Duffel Travel Gym Sports Overnight Weekend Leather Bag

Other Safari Items We Can Not Live Without?

Camera Gear: 

  • Canon 6d DSLR Body
  • Canon 100-400mm L Lens
  • Canon ET-83C Lens Hood
  • Canon 2x Extender
  • OptiTech Sling Comfort Strap
  • Rain Cover Coat Dust Proof Camera Protector (THIS IS A MUST)

Camera Bag:   Vanguard Alta Sky 45D .

Monopod: VEO2 AM-234 or the VEO CM-264 Carbon Fiber

Binoculars: Nikon Monarch 7   ( If you want to be able to spot and identify wildlife and birds then a good pair of safari binoculars are a must-have.)

  • Cell Phone Binocular Adapter Mount (So you can take photos through your binoculars)

Safari Hat:  Panama Jack Men’s Mesh Safari Hat 

  • Woman’s Safari Packable Khaki Summer Hat

Buff Headwear: BUFF Unisex Lightweight Merino Wool, Forest Night or  BUFF Unisex UV Multifunctional Headwear

Travel Insurance: Things can happen before your safari, while on your safari and after your safari while traveling home. Why not be protected with Travel Insurance? We have used Allianz Travel Insurance since our first trip together back in 2003. Simply use this link to get their travel insurance.

Not finding what you are looking for? Check out our favorite places to go shopping for travel gear.

  • Shop Columbia – The industry leader in outdoor apparel and products; You can find anything from great jackets, gloves, hats, shirts, and travel pants.
  • Shop REI – They offer some of the best outdoor gear around. We love REI since they have a year Love it or hate it no questions guarantee.
  • Shop Moosejaw – Has a huge selection of outdoor gear at killer prices.

More on Travel Gear:

  • 85 Best Travel Gifts for Travelers
  • Best Sleeping Bag for Cold Weather – From Africa to Greenland
  • Best Sleeping Bag Liners
  • Best Drones For Travel From A Real Drone User
  • Ultimate Travel Photography Gear List 
  • Photography Gear Every Adventure Traveler Should Carry
  • The Best GoPro Accessories for Adventure Travel
  • 30 Best Travel Movies that Inspire Travel
  • Best Travel Rain Jacket to Stay Dry on the Go
  • A Man’s Travel Clothing Essential- Bluff Works Pants
  • How To Wear A Buff Headwear – It’s Easy!
  • Best Hiking Backpack for your Next Adventure
  • Best Compact Binoculars for Outdoors & Travel
  • Best Carry on Backpacks for Travel

Did you like this story? Share it!

Travel planning resources, about david stock.

I have always been an outdoorsman so becoming an adventure traveler was just the next natural step. I love nature, I love to get off the beaten path and I like to explore. I enjoy scuba diving and cars. And yes, Lina and I have a naked dog.

2 thoughts on “15 Best Safari Bags for your Next Adventure”

Very informative article and i get to know about types of safari bags. Thanks for sharing.

Glad you found it useful, good luck in your search for a new bag!

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Divergent Travelers- Adventure Travel Blog

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Best Duffle Bag & Luggage for African Safari Travel in 2022

Choosing what type of bag to take on your safari can depend on where you are going, what you are doing ( climbing Kilimanjaro or flying in small bush planes) and how long you are staying. Different regions have different luggage requirements and restrictions depending on what type of air transport is being used. Recently rolling duffel bags with a hard bottom frame and wheels have become quite popular. Now while this sort of bag is fine for many safaris, it won’t work on most safaris in Botswana and Zambia where the hard frame and wheels can’t be squeezed into the tiny luggage compartment in the belly of the Cessna. A traditional duffel bag or a completely soft-sided bag with wheels is appropriate in these situations (see the Swissgear bag below).

As frequent travelers to Africa, we’re sharing some of our favorite safari bags below. All of these bags qualify as carry-ons and are about the right size for keeping within the strict weight limits of most small plane flights in Africa (33 or 44 pounds per person and a maximum size of 10 inches wide, 12 inches high and 24 inches long).

For more packing recommendations, view our Safari Packing List and our Amazon Store .

Herschel Novel Duffel Bag & Herschel Supply Co. Sutton Mini

Herschel bags are favorites of our Journey Specialists. The Mini is a nice pick for travelers comfortable traveling very light, as it’s only 12.5″ wide. The Classic duffel is 20.5″ wide and holds 42.5L. The Classic duffle also has a removable padded shoulder strap, though you won’t be carrying your own bag while on safari. The Mini currently sells for $65 and the Classic is $90.

Eagle Creek Medium

Eagle Creek is another staff favorite and one of our most affordable picks, as it currently sells for $80. The medium bag is made of bi-tech fabric, making it extra durable and water-resistant, but only weighs 30 oz. There is also an extra storage pouch that you can use as an internal packing pocket for items you’d like to keep separate.

Swissgear Large Lightweight Rolling Duffel

For those looking for a wheeled duffel bag, we recommend the Swissgear Large Lightweight Rolling Duffel . Kent has bought many of these over the years for his family and himself and takes one every time he goes to Africa. This is a true rolling duffel in that it can be packed down – there’s no frame so this bag is ideal for flying safaris in Southern Africa. This bag is 24 inches wide, but the wheels and handle do add weight compared to the lighter weight duffel options above. This bag is 6.3 pounds empty, which will take away from packing weight for safaris that have luggage weight restrictions. It currently sells for $188.

Filson Medium 25″ Duffle Bag

Our top pick for a higher-end duffle is the Filson Medium 25″ Duffle Bag . This high quality bag is constructed with water resistant rugged twill and durable bridle leather. It also has two interior pockets and a removable shoulder strap. It’s currently priced at $380.

Be sure to check with your Journey Specialist about specific requirements for your safari before purchasing your bag. Also, check out our packing list so you know you’re not overpacking or forgetting something!

Want to See Our Safari Packing List?

Updated March 2022

All products featured are independently selected by the Africa Adventure Consultants team. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

  • Travel Tips

The Best Safari Luggage

By Mara Balagtas and Lale Arikoglu

Image may contain Handbag Accessories Accessory Bag Luggage and Briefcase

Choosing the right luggage for a safari can make or break the trip: One day, you might be rumbling along Botswana’s lush delta with nothing to protect your camera, and the next, you're boarding a tiny domestic aircraft that prohibits all suitcases with wheels. You'll need to pack light to adhere to strict weight limits, but still invest in something that can hold enough layers for warm days and cool nights, as well as a bag to hold all your gear while actually out on a game drive. Here, our picks of the best luggage to take on safari—from camera bags and dopp kits to backpacks and duffels.

All products featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

This image may contain Backpack and Bag

A backpack is going to be your best friend when you're out on a game drive all day. Choose one with plenty of pockets and compartments to hold everything from a change of clothes, to camera batteries, to sunscreen, and if you can, go for a roll top version that can be stashed away in your larger duffle when you don't need it.

Tumi Alpha Bravo Tyndall backpack ($495, saksfifthavenue.com ); Hobo River backpack ($298, hobobags.com ); Marni backpack ($1,090, eastdane.com ); Fjallraven Split Pack weekender bag ($175, backcountry.cocom ); Oakley roll top backpack ($93, amazon.com ); Herschel Supply Co. Heritage backpack ($65, herschel.com ).

This image may contain Handbag Accessories Accessory Bag and Briefcase

Classic Duffel Bags

"You're usually on rough terrain once outside of the international airport, so wheels are not that helpful on safari," says West Coast editor Rebecca Misner. And given that most safari camps are only accessible by small propeller planes, hard-sided luggage is a no-go. Instead, invest in a soft-sided duffle that's roomy enough to hold everything you need for the week, but still meets all the requirements of your jumper plane.

Paravel Grand Tour ($365, tourparavel.com ); Anya Hindmarch Bespoke Walton suitcase ($1,550, anyahindmarch.com ); Wool & Oak Duffel Suitcase ($425, woolandoak.com ); Hobo Zeppelin Duffel ($598, hobobags.com ); Filson Large Rugged Twill duffel bag ($425, filson.com ); Ghurka Cavalier canvas duffel bag ($1,295, ghurka.com ).

Image may contain Handbag Accessories Purse Accessory and Bag

While you still need all your beauty essentials (there's cocktail hour back at camp, after all), you don't want a dopp kit that takes up too much space. Opt for a soft one that can be squeezed easily down the side of a bag.

Prada cosmetic pouch ($525, prada.com ); Hobo cosmetic pouch ($78, hobobags.com ); Dolce & Gabbana Necessaire nylon case ($415, us.dolcegabbana.com ); Louis Vuitton Toiletry Bag 25 ($745, us.louisvuitton.com ); Bottega Veneta Intrecciato beauty case ($580, bottegaveneta.com ); Filson wash bag ($125, filson.com ).

This image may contain Bag Tote Bag Accessories Accessory and Handbag

Technical Duffel Bags

On safari, you never know what the day will bring. Find a bag that has a water-repellant shell and detachable straps that allow you to sling it over your shoulder—or even transform it into a backpack—at a moment's notice.

Patagonia duffel ($129, patagonia.com ); Best Made Co. SWS 100L roll top duffle ($198, bestmadeco.com ); Herschel Supply Co. Outfitter luggage ($140, herschel.com ); Cotopaxi Chumpi travel duffel ($110, cotopaxi.com ); Burton Backhill duffel ($109, amazon.com ); Eastpak Perce duffel ($77, selfridges.com ).

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Fanny Packs

Given that you've traveled thousands of miles to catch a glimpse of wildlife roaming free, you'll want your hands free to grab your camera at any given moment. Luckily, fanny packs are in vogue again—perfect for holding all your essentials.

VereVerto Convertible Mini Mox bag ($295, shopbop.com ); Patagonia Ultralight hip pack ($29, patagonia.com ); Clare V. belt bag ($345, nordstrom.com ); Marc Jacobs belt bag ($315, marcjacobs.com ); Paravel belt bag ($35, tourparavel.com ); Herschel Supply Co. 17 hip pack ($45, herschel.com ).

This image may contain Bag Accessories Accessory Handbag and Purse

Camera Bags

You'll want a compact, sturdy bag to protect that new camera you splurged on. We love the Palma camera bag from ONA, which comes with a handy compartment to store your spare memory cards or lenses in.

Madewell camera cross body bag ($128, madewell.com ); Lo & Sons Claremont leather camera bag ($368, loandsons.com ); Ganni tech bag ($135, ganni.com ); Yeezy Season 6 crossbody bag ($119, endclothing.com ); ONA The Palma camera bag ($329, amazon.com ); Tumi Luanda Flight bag ($295, tumi.com ).

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Africa , Kenya , South Africa

The best luggage for safari holidays.

Safari duffel bag

Wherever you’re heading on your wildlife travels, picking the best luggage for safari is essential. 

Most safari companies specify a number of rules your safari luggage should follow, regarding the weight, material and features, in order to help it squeeze into cramped places in luggage compartments and your tent. 

But you also need to make sure it holds all your stuff… so what are we to do?! 

Never fear! I’ve done the research on the best bags to take with you, that not only fit your entire packing list but also meet all the requirements of the airlines AND look stylish too!

And remember, if you buy anything after clicking on a link in this post, you’re supporting my blog to keep bringing you unbiased safari luggage reviews like this one! 

Best safari holdalls and duffel bags

Most safari companies recommend a soft holdall case without wheels, as they’re easily squished into planes and onto the back of jeeps. 

If that’s what you’re after, read all about my favourite safari duffel bags right here:

Rufiji Canvas Duffel Bag

A traditional canvas holdall , available in two colour ways and holding an impressive 72 litres of stuff. 

Available exclusively from The Safari Store for £179. Use my code reallywildlife to get an awesome 5% off. 

This is a really stylish holdall in traditional safari colours, and there’ll be no mistaking your bag for another once it appears on the luggage carousel. 

It’s comfortable to carry (as long as you’ve kept within the weight limits!) using the short grab handles, as well as the longer over-the-shoulder strap. 

The zipper opens up really wide, allowing you to see all your belongings quickly and easily.

These bags can be pricey once you’ve already shelled out for the safari itself, but if you go on safaris fairly often, it’s a great investment for the future. 

There are no internal pockets at all, meaning everything is in the same main area when you open it. This isn’t necessarily a problem for everyone, but if you like to be organised and STAY organised, consider a few packing cubes to help. 

>> Click here to buy !

Rab Kit Bag II 80L

One of the largest options on our list of the best safari luggage, this rugged bag has plenty of room for up to 80L of your stuff.

Find it online at Cotswold Outdoor (UK) from £80.  

Despite the amount of stuff it can carry, the Rab kit bag is really easy to transport. Its detachable shoulder straps allow you to wear it like a backpack, while the 4 other handles give you the option of carrying it in many other ways too. 

It’s made from a very hard-wearing and water-resistant fabric, making sure your belongings stay safe and dry no matter how they’re squeezed into luggage compartments or thrown around by luggage handlers!

It’s a matter of personal preference, but I don’t find this bag to be particularly stylish. It’s a bog-standard style only available in a couple of muted colourways, so it doesn’t spark joy as much for me as other brightly coloured choices!

North Face Base Camp Duffel Bag

This medium-sized duffel bag is an iconic choice, offering 71L of space and a classic design.

You can find this holdall in lots of other colourways and sizes at Cotswold Outdoor (UK) for £120. 

The classic North Face holdall is hard-wearing and durable, while also being made from water-resistant, recycled materials. This makes it a sustainable and practical choice too. 

The large interior with a mesh pocket offers plenty of space for your clothes, while a separate compartment on the end can be used to store shoes or dirty laundry while travelling. 

It’s very easy to carry thanks to its flexible and adjustable straps, meaning you can wear it comfortably like a backpack or use the padded side handles to carry as a holdall. 

It’s genuinely difficult to find a con for this one; there are plenty of reasons to choose it as your next safari holdall, which may make it difficult to spot yours on the luggage carousel amongst many lookalike bags. It’s a very popular choice! 

Best wheelie cases for taking on safari 

Though bags with wheels aren’t always recommended, they do make carrying your luggage a whole lot easier! 

My favourite safari suitcases are right here: 

Craghoppers 28” Wheelie Bag

A soft wheelie case , bursting with features and 70 litres of space for all your safari essentials. 

Buy direct from Craghoppers , where two of the colours are currently on sale for £136.50. 

This wheelie bag has tons of space in the main compartment, as well as a number of internal pockets to keep you organised when travelling. If you manage to fill the cavernous 70-litre interior, the wheels on this bag will make navigating through airports and the bush a breeze. 

The soft fabric is made from 19 recycled plastic bottles, so it boasts eco-credentials too. But that doesn’t make it any less secure:  it’s been designed to be slash-resistant for extra security! 

Yes, I’ve already listed the fact this bag has wheels as a pro. However, not all safari companies or airlines recommend bags with wheels as they can be more difficult to fit into the hold on small aeroplanes. That said I have seen wheelie cases being used widely across Africa – just make sure you do your research first.

Osprey Sojourn 60 Travel Pack 

The most suitcase-like bag on our list is packed with features and flexibility, from one of travel’s most widely recognised brands.

Choose between two different colourways from Cotswold Outdoor (UK) for £275.

This bag is incredibly flexible. Thanks to its wheeled chassis, walking through airports will be a breeze. And when you don’t have the option to use the wheels, pick the bag up and carry it like a backpack with its shoulder straps. 

At 60L, it’s not the largest bag on our list, but various compartments and mesh pockets will keep your clothes, toiletries and accessories safe and secure. Even if you overpack, the compression straps help you maximise capacity and meet any limits on dimensions. 

This bag is the most expensive bag reviewed so, naturally, the price will count against it. But if you’re after a well-made bag from a well-known brand, the Osprey Sojourn 60 is a great option. 

Despite the bag’s soft material, it is one of the most structured bags, particularly due to the plastic high road chassis that holds the wheels. That means it won’t be as flexible or as easy to squeeze into luggage compartments and you may get some disapproving looks from the pilot when loading. But the bag’s manoeuvrability is a worthy trade-off if your airline will allow it.

Cabin-friendly safari bags

Many safari-goers swear by keeping their luggage small and going with hand luggage only. This makes travel incredibly efficient, so consider these bags for your next trip:

Craghoppers 40L Holdall

A small but mighty backpack that’s compact enough to fit in the cabin but large enough to fit in plenty of stuff for a short break. 

Buy from the official Craghoppers site from £105. 

The small size means you’ll struggle to go over the weight limits imposed by small aeroplanes. It’s also incredibly comfortable to wear with adjustable straps that can be worn as a backpack or across your shoulder.

Despite its size, the holdall boasts lots of compartments to keep your laptop and tablet secure, as well as smaller internal organiser pockets so you won’t lose your essentials. 

The 40L interior won’t be big enough for long trips but is ideal if you’re committed to travelling with hand luggage only. Plus, many safari lodges offer laundry facilities so you can afford to take less with you.

——–

Whatever you’re looking for in a safari bag, whether it’s space, security or style, our unbiased reviews are designed to help you find it!

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Anna is the founder of Really Wildlife. She's a 30-something lover of wildlife travel, vegetables and listening to the Lion King soundtrack on full blast.

Minimalist Focus

  • Entertainment

Minimalist Focus

Choosing the Perfect Safari Trolley Bag: A Buyer’s Guide

Dawn

Going on a safari is an exciting adventure, and having the right safari trolley bag can make all the difference. A good safari trolley bag should be your reliable travel companion, accommodating all your belongings while enduring the rough safari terrain. In this guide, we’ll provide you with some tips and recommendations to help you choose the perfect safari trolley bag, considering size, durability, and essential features.

  • Size Matters – When selecting a safari trolley bag, size is a critical factor. You want a bag that’s spacious enough to fit all your essentials without being too bulky or oversized. Consider the duration of your safari and the number of items you plan to carry. A medium-sized safari trolley bag, with a capacity of around 60-80 liters, is often a good choice. This size can hold your clothing, toiletries, and other necessities while maintaining a manageable size for travel.
  • Focus on Durability – Safari adventures can be rugged, with bumpy rides and varying weather conditions. Durability is key when it comes to your safari trolley bag. Look for a bag made from high-quality, tough materials like ballistic nylon or reinforced polyester. Ensure the bag has sturdy zippers, robust stitching, and reliable handles. A durable safari trolley bag will withstand the challenges of the safari and last for multiple trips.
  • Check the Wheels and Handles – A trolley bag’s wheels and handles are often overlooked, but they are crucial for smooth travel. Opt for a safari trolley bag with sturdy, all-terrain wheels that can maneuver through sand, gravel, and uneven terrain. The wheels should be able to swivel for easy navigation. Additionally, telescopic handles made of durable materials will allow you to pull the bag comfortably without strain.
  • Compartments and Pockets – The ideal safari trolley bag should have well-designed compartments and pockets. These help in organizing your belongings efficiently, making it easier to access what you need during your safari. Look for a bag with separate compartments for clothing, toiletries, electronics, and other items. Exterior pockets can be handy for quick access to essentials like water bottles, maps, or a camera.
  • Security Features – When you’re in the wild, it’s essential to keep your belongings secure. Choose a safari trolley bag with robust security features, such as lockable zippers or built-in TSA-approved locks. These features add an extra layer of protection to your valuables and give you peace of mind during your safari.
  • Weight Considerations – While durability is crucial, you don’t want your safari trolley bag to be unnecessarily heavy. Remember that you’ll need to lift and maneuver it. Opt for a bag that strikes a balance between sturdiness and weight. Lightweight materials that still offer durability are a good choice, as they won’t weigh you down during your adventures.

In conclusion, choosing the ideal safari trolley bag involves careful consideration of size, durability, and other security features. By keeping these tips in mind and prioritizing your specific needs, you can find the perfect bag to accompany you on your safari adventure. With the right safari trolley bag by your side, you’ll be well-prepared to explore the wonders of the wild with comfort and convenience. Remember , your safari trolley bag is more than just luggage, it’s your dependable partner in your thrilling safari journey. So, choose wisely, and let it be your reliable companion in the heart of the wilderness.

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Safari Nomad

Best safari Duffel bags

Are you looking for the best safari Duffel bags ? Are you planning to go on an exciting adventure, like a safari? Then you need to be well prepared for it. One of the most important items that you will need for going on an African safari is the safari duffel bag. On it you will be carrying all the materials and personal things that you will need to bring with you during the adventure. It is important to know that you will be holding your bag for long periods of time. This is why your safari duffel bag should be comfortable and easy to carry around.

Some safari duffel bags will be better for you than others. This will depend on how long you will be traveling. It can also depend on how many safaris you will be doing. Other important things to consider are your personal preferences when traveling. This can be, for example, whether you usually carry a lot of luggage or not so much stuff.

Read more: Best safari camera for beginners

Key features of the best safari duffel bags

There are some key features that every safari duffel bag should have to be perfect for your adventure. These are being waterproof, being lightweight and meeting the safari luggage requirements of weight and size for air transportation.

Depending on the type of safari that you will be doing, the luggage restrictions will be different. It is important to know this if you will be boarding a small aircraft during your journey. Moreover, it is important to be aware of the specifications of the different airlines. Once you have these essential aspects covered, you will find that there are many different safari duffel bags to choose from.

The best duffel bags for safari adventures

As we have mentioned above, there is a wide variety of safari duffel bags to choose from. Depending on your own needs and preferences, there will be some that are better for you than others. Considering the key features that every safari duffel bag should have, we will introduce you to some of the best options. Any of these bags will make your safari adventure an unforgettable journey.

1. Travel Weekender duffel bag

Best safari duffel bags

This safari duffel bag is a classic model. It has all of the key features that are essential for an amazing safari experience. Some aspects to highlight from this model are the strong zippers and durable, solid material with which it is made. Moreover, it is very lightweight. It also has many pockets of different sizes. They are distributed throughout the bag. This makes it a very practical option.

This model also has the special feature of being a 3 in 1 bag. It is designed for being used as either a backpack, a shoulder bag or a handbag. When considering its size, it is a standard model. Because of this, it usually fits the requirements of most airlines. It can be suitable for almost every safari experience.

The bag has a capacity of about 40L. It can easily fit everything you need to carry for the adventure. Moreover, it can also be a very practical option to use for other purposes. This is why you can also use it as a gym bag, as an overnight bag or as a holiday bag for a weekend out.

2. Eagle Creek medium duffel bag

Eagle Creek medium duffel bag

The Eagle Creek medium-sized duffel bag is one of the most versatile options. This is because it has a very convenient price. It has also a great quality. It is made of bi-tech fabric. And it is also highly resistant and waterproof. Moreover, it is very light weighted and comfortable to carry around.

This bag has a separate storage compartment. It gives you extra space for storing all the things you need. The dimensions are suitable for every situation. This is why this bag is a very versatile option.

You can find this bag in a wide variety of colors. There are even some options which are a bit bigger. Thus, it is very convenient for those who require extra space in their bags.

3. WOWBOX Duffel bag

WOWBOX Duffel bag

The beautiful WOWBOX Duffel bag is one of the best options available in the market. This is mainly because of the great design. This bag is an elegant, pretty and harmonic model. It is also made of resistant materials. These are mainly genuine leather and water-resistant fabric. If you are looking for a top design bag, this option is a great choice.

Another key feature of the WOWBOX Duffel bag is the waterproof shoe compartment. It is located on the side of the bag. Here you can also fit any dirty clothes or other items that you need to keep separate from the rest of your luggage. It also has several pockets of different sizes. This makes the bag very convenient for many purposes.

It comes with an adjustable and detachable shoulder strap. This way, you can have 2 different ways of carrying the bag. Depending on what you prefer and on the different situations that you will encounter, you can choose one or the other.

4. Swissgear Large Lightweight Rolling Duffel

Swissgear Large Lightweight Rolling Duffel

Not all duffel bags need to be carried on the shoulders. There are many different options of safari duffel bags that also have wheels. These are great for those who prefer to avoid carrying too much weight on their backs. If this is your case, a great option for you can be the Swissgear Large Lightweight Rolling Duffel.

This bag has premium Swiss quality. It can be carried both as a handbag and as a rolling bag. Depending on your preferences and on the possibilities of your safari destination, you can choose one way or the other. Its retractable handle makes it possible for you to choose the option that you want, when you want it. The Swissgear Large Lightweight Rolling Duffel has many different compartments. They come in a wide variety of sizes. In them you can fit everything you will need in your adventure.

It has a very compact design. Because of this, the bag is convenient for all occasions. It may be a bit heavier than other duffel bags. But it still has a weight that is perfect for almost all safari situations. The fabric that it is made of is very resistant and solid.

5. Herschel Novel Duffel Bag

Herschel Novel Duffel Bag

The Herschel bags are definitely some of the preferred ones for adventurers. They have a minimalistic and beautiful design. The material they are made of is top quality. Any Herschel duffel bag will make your experience an amazing adventure.

The Herschel Novel is a duffel bag that can fit the needs of almost every safari adventurer. It has a compact design and a very comfortable small size. This makes it one of the best options for those who choose to travel light and simple.

It is made of resistant polyester. It also has an adjustable shoulder strap that you can also remove. This allows you to have two different options for carrying your bag. Depending on the situation and on your preference, you can choose one or the other.

6. S-ZONE 60L Large Canvas

S-ZONE 60L Large Canvas

The S-ZONE 60L Large Canvas is a duffel bag with a classic and elegant design. This is why it never goes out of fashion. It has a capacity of 60L. It is a great option for those who prefer to carry more things in their adventures.

The bag is made of resistant and solid materials. For this reason, it can last for a long period of time. It also makes it perfect for almost all types of safari adventures. It has two additional pockets of very easy access. They give you more storage space.

The S-ZONE 60L Large Canvas has an adjustable shoulder strap that can also be removed. This is why you can carry this amazing bag either on your hands or on your shoulders. It is a bit bigger than other models. But it still has a compact design. This makes it perfect for every kind of safari and for almost every aircraft. You will not have any issues when carrying this great duffel bag on different transportations.

This duffel bag is also perfect for using it for other purposes. If you choose it, you will end up with a great bag for multiple uses. You will be able to carry it for all types of adventures and experiences.

A duffel bag for every safari adventure

To sum up, as you can see there is a great variety of bags that you can choose from when going on a safari. Each of the options that we have introduced here are some of the best safari duffel bags that you will find on the market. Depending on your own preferences and on what your safari experience will be like, you might prefer to go for one of these options or another. Whichever bag you choose in the end, be certain that all of these amazing safari duffel bags will not let you down. They will make your safari journey an amazing adventure.

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I am a digital marketer who loves helping others succeed. In addition, traveling is another of my passions so this site is the best place to share all what I know and have experienced.

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What luggage for safari?

luggage for safari

Luggage weights on safari

Luxury safaris normally include light aircraft flights to minimise travel times and maximise enjoyment. You’ll get a great bird’s eye view of the scenery below, but your luggage will have to meet strict weight limits.

Typically on safari your baggage weight limit will be:

  • 20kg (44lbs) in Southern Africa
  • 15kg (33lbs) in East Africa

These limits are a total and include hand baggage as well as your main bag.

You shouldn’t need more than these limits since:

  • Safari camps and lodges provide toiletries and towels
  • Laundry can be done daily
  • Dress on safari is casual throughout the day and into the evening

Bags have to fit into the luggage pod on a light aircraft

Bags have to fit into the luggage pod on a light aircraft. If you do need a higher luggage limit – generally something only really required by photographers with multiple camera bodies and long lenses – you can buy an extra seat on the light aircraft to make things more flexible.

Main bags for safari

The key restriction is that, on safari, bags must be strictly soft sided bags only, no wheels or frames (don’t worry about not having wheels as there are trolleys at airports and someone to carry your bag to your room or tent in the safari camp).

Bags have to fit into the luggage pod on a light aircraft flying between safari camps and lodges. When the flight is full, bags often require a shove to squeeze them in.

long-weekender-2-sandstorm-bag leather safari luggage

‘Weekender’ leather safari luggage by Sandstorm Kenya 57 x 19 x 39 cm (22.4 x 7.5 x 15.4 inches)

Size restrictions are seldom explicitly defined, since the weight restriction generally means you only need a ‘medium bag’, but aim at something no bigger than the following:

  • 62cm (24 inches) long
  • 30cm (12 inches) high
  • 25cm (10 inches) wide

In terms of ‘capacity’ this size is likely to be around 70 litres.

Day pack for safari

For many people on safari, their hand luggage on the international flights becomes their day pack to take out on a safari vehicle or when walking. Obviously, if you are going to walk with it, a small rucksack is easier than a tote bag.

Wayo Fly Camp walking safari

Wayo Fly Camp walking safari with backpacks

Ideally your day pack is big enough to carry your camera and accessories (if you don’t have a big DSLR and a separate camera bag), a water bottle, sun cream, tissues and a portable battery charger.

Packing help

We’ve produced an interactive safari packing list, which asks three questions before tailoring a personal list for you based on destination, time of year and safari activities you’re undertaking. Click the link to try it out: Interactive Safari Packing List

Any questions?

If you’ve got this far and not found an answer to a question you have that we should have included, please ask in the comments section below, or pop us an email. We’ll be sure to reply and may amend the article to include our answer.

We would be delighted to help you plan a holiday, or answer any questions if you’re at an earlier stage. Our team of experts have travelled widely throughout Africa. They can offer expert advice on every type of safari from family and beach holidays to riding and primate safaris.  If you would like to talk to someone who has been there and done it, please just  send us an email  or  give us a call .

17 responses to “What luggage for safari?”

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I’m going on a 7 day safari and then to a beach hotel for 7 days. What happens to my luggage for beach holiday whilst on safari?

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Thanks for the question. Unless you have particularly heavy or bulky watersports equipment it would be normal to take it with you.

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Can you please suggest some makes and models of duffle bags that match 62x30x25 as I am struggling to find this size?

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Hi Adursh, thanks for your message. One of the team will be back in touch soon to try and help you with this.

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I am struggling with fitting camera equipment and clothing for 14 days safari in a bag that weighs less than or equal to 33 pounds. Seems that bags either do one or the other. Camera bags that leave zero room for any clothing or a travel bag that has zero padding or dividers for equipment. Does anybody have a recommendation for a good bag that fills camera and clothing needs and is no larger than 28″X18″X10″?

I’ve asked around the office and got a quick reply from a couple of friendly photographers. Noone uses a single bag to achieve safety for their camera kit (they aren’t ever checking it in) and the rest of their luggage. Unless they only have a single day’s worth of clothes, they use two bags/cases/packs.

Hope you find a solution. Have a great trip.

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Hi I would also like to get some recommendations on makes and models of bags measuring 62x30x25 as nothing I’ve seen matches this size. Thank you

Eva – bear in mind that luggage is fine if it can be ‘squashed’ to the sizes mentioned. The luggage pods of many light aircraft are an awkward shape. As long as the pilot can make your bag fit, your fine. Either a small bag absolutely full, or a bigger bag that’s half full and can be squashed to fit.

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Travelling to South Africa this Oct 2023 . What do we do with our large cases . Staying in the Commodore Hotel first for a few days then on to Franschhoek for a few days then Whale watching. Before flying to Karegi for safari for 4 days then back to Belmond Mount Hotel . The cases are the problem. As the flight to safari is small . So any suggestions on what we do with cases please.

Dear Leslie We would offer our clients two options: (i) Pack less. Hopefully this doesn’t sound too obvious, but most people pack too much when they holiday. South Africa isn’t generally formal for meals and you can get laundry done everywhere. In most cases there is little reason to have more luggage than can go to a safari camp with you. (ii) Arrange for the cases you don’t need on safari to go direct to the next hotel. There would be a cost for them to be transported but most hotels have a storage area where they can look after them until you arrive. If you choose the second option, I hope your tour operator can make the arrangements for you.

Thank you Richard. Much appreciated

No problem at all Eva.

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Might I presume that a Cotopaxi Allpa 35L travel pack, 22 x 10 x 12 inches would fit into the described baggage pod?

It sounds like an Osprey Porter 46 at 22 x 14 x 10 inches might be a bit too wide.

Good morning Alan, I will ask one of the team to get back in touch and they can help advise. Thanks Katy

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Can I take a medium suitcase with wheels

Can it be a medium suit case for 8 days

Hi Katrina, thanks for getting in touch. It depends on where you are travelling to and whether or not you are taking internal flights. We would be more than happy to advise if you e-mail us direct – [email protected] . Thansk Katy

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  • SAFARI LUGGAGE PACKING ADVICE: What Luggage Should I Take On Safari?

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SAFARI LUGGAGE PACKING ADVICE: What luggage should I take on safari?

We answer your safari luggage questions on what to pack your safari clothing and gear into for your safari. You will learn why 'soft' and 'squashable' are the keys to ensuring that your luggage is safari-suitable.

The majority of safari lodges are located in remote areas, with access only by light aircraft and not by airliners. This, in part, dictates the luggage to pack for your safari.

Top 7 tips for selecting the best safari luggage.

Follow our safari luggage advice to find out what luggage - large and small - you will need for your safari.

1. For your main large duffel or holdall, choose safari luggage which is soft and squashable and which has no frame : This is especially true for safari travel to Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, and Kenya. The reason for this is rather a practical one. The majority of safari lodges and camps within these countries are accessible only by light aircraft - such as the Cessna 210 shown on this page. As a result, in order for your pilot to fit your luggage into the small, cramped hold, your luggage must not have hard sides, nor rigid frames or structure, and should rather be soft-sided so that the pilot is able to fit (squash) your bag into the plane. The same is true for some overland and expedition-style safaris where there will be limited space for luggage in the safari 4x4.

2. Check on safari luggage limitations : Please check with the safari company you have booked with about luggage limitations for your safari, as the requirements may vary from safari to safari. Where luggage weight limitations are specified, please note that - as the maximum take-off weight in any aircraft has to be strictly adhered to by pilots to maximise your safety on each flight - you may find that your pilot will not be able to take any luggage over the maximum allowed weight per passenger. In this instance, you may have to pay for your luggage to be flown separately.

3. The ideal size for main safari luggage : We recommend that your main safari luggage holdall or duffel should measure 70 x 30 x 30cm in size when full.

4. Carry-on safari luggage : Also take one one smaller carry-on type safari bag to use when you travel - and to take your binoculars and accessories on game drives and walks.

5. Walking safaris : For safaris with a daily walking element, we recommend that you take the large safari holdall as above plus a small safari satchel or safari backpack .This may be the same bag as your carry-on safari bag also.

6. Luggage accessories : Your holdall and daypack are important - but don't forget the ever-important supporting role of smaller luggage items too. Complement your canvas and leather safari duffel bag with a classic, safari-styled toiletry bag in a range of practical designs. As you travel, our African-made canvas and leather Safari Travel Wallet keeps your passport and documents close at hand in style. It's also handy to get a travel lock in advance of your departure and to pack a luggage scale to ensure your bags are within weight limits.

7. Let a travel trolley carry the load : As you are not meant to take safari luggage with a frame, using a travel trolley which is collapsible is a good idea. Simply remove from your safari luggage when you do not need to wheel your safari luggage.

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Mortgage Rates Rise, but Home Sellers Gear Up To Sell Anyway as Listing Growth Hits 3-Year High

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Mortgage Rates Rise, but Home Sellers Gear Up To Sell Anyway as Listing Growth Hits 3-Year High

Mortgage rates jumped this week, giving homebuyers in the midst of the busy spring housing market cause for concern.

The average rate for a 30-year fixed home loan rose from 6.82% to 6.88% for the week ending April 11, according to Freddie Mac.

“Mortgage rates have been drifting higher for most of the year due to sustained inflation and the reevaluation of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy path,” Sam Khater , Freddie Mac’s chief economist, said in a statement.

Despite mortgage rates continuing their ongoing bumpy ride, home sellers were plowing ahead for the week ending April 6. 

“This spring, many sellers are actively listing their homes, with the number of newly listed homes up by 30.1% from a year ago,” says Realtor.com® economist  Jiaya Xu in her most recent  analysis . 

Here’s what else homebuyers and sellers need to know about the latest real estate data in this latest installment of “ How’s the Housing Market This Week? ”

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Mortgage rates and ‘sticky inflation’

Mortgage rates have moved very little over the past few months, remaining in the 6.6% to 7% range. Rates are predicted to remain elevated until inflation shows progress toward the Federal Reserve’s goal of 2%. (The inflation rate hovers at 3.5% in April.)

“Sticky inflation and robust labor markets suggest that a Federal Reserve rate cut is unlikely to occur soon,” says Xu.

High mortgage rates aren’t good news for anyone hoping to make moves in the housing market this spring.

“Eager buyers and sellers are hoping to see more favorable housing conditions as the spring selling season kicks off,” says Realtor.com senior economic research analyst Hannah Jones . “However, mortgage rates have offered little relief.”

As a result, some home shoppers may hold off, playing a wait-and-see game and banking on lower mortgage rates in the future. 

To lure wary buyers, sellers are already slashing home prices as the housing supply swells, with the share of price reductions reaching 15% in March, tied with 2019 for the highest March share of price reductions since Realtor.com began tracking this data in 2017.

“Many sellers adjusted their expectations and proceeded with their selling plans, especially with the approach of the Best Time To Sell Week ,” says Xu. This week, April 14–20, is “anticipated to provide the ideal balance of housing market conditions that favor home sellers more so than any other week in the year.”  

Home prices dip slightly

The median list price dropped by just 0.1% for the week ending April 6 compared with the same period last year. The drop is not much, but any data that shows affordability improving in the current housing market is good news for homebuyers. (Nationally, home prices hovered at a median of $424,900 in March.)

This small decline in home prices also hints at a larger trend.

“This is the second week in a row where we saw negative annual price changes, and the third week of year-over-year price decline since July 2023,” Xu explains. 

In another dose of affordability good news, homes priced between $200,000 and $350,000 jumped 30.5% annually in March, with the highest number of listings appearing in the South. 

The housing inventory surge

Buyers saw not only a boon of fresh listings for the week ending April 6, but also active inventory (a combination of new and old listings) up 30.4% above year-ago levels. The uptick marks 22 weeks where active listings registered above the same week a year ago. 

“Buyers will find a broader selection of options available compared to last year,” says Xu. “However, even with recent improvements, the number of new homes for sale remains historically small.”

Indeed, the overall number of homes for sale for the week ending April 6 was down 37.9% compared with typical levels in 2017 to 2019.

Homebuyers are picking up the pace

Despite unforgiving mortgage rates, buyers are perusing listing pages, hitting open houses—and making offers.

For the week ending April 6, homes spent one day less on the market than the same time last year. In March, homes spent a median of 50 days on the market.

“While inventory has grown notably compared to last year, homes are still selling relatively quickly, likely because inventory levels are still significantly lower than pre-pandemic times,” says Xu. “More home options mean more buyers are finding what they are looking for, so homes continue to move relatively quickly.”

Margaret Heidenry is a writer living in Brooklyn, NY. Her work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, and Boston Magazine.

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Association between Resting Heart Rate and Machine Learning-Based Brain Age in Middle- and Older-Age

  • Original Research
  • Open access
  • Published: 19 April 2024

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  • J. Wang 1   na1 ,
  • H. Huang 2   na1 ,
  • W. Yang 2 ,
  • A. Dove 3 ,
  • Xiangyu Ma 1 &
  • Weili Xu 2 , 3  

Resting heart rate (RHR), has been related to increased risk of dementia, but the relationship between RHR and brain age is unclear.

We aimed to investigate the association of RHR with brain age and brain age gap (BAG, the difference between predicted brain age and chronological age) assessed by multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in mid- and old-aged adults.

A longitudinal study from the UK Biobank neuroimaging project where participants underwent brain MRI scans 9+ years after baseline.

A population-based study.

Participants

A total of 33,381 individuals (mean age 54.74 ± 7.49 years; 53.44% female).

Measurements

Baseline RHR was assessed by blood pressure monitor and categorized as <60, 60–69 (reference), 70–79, or ≥80 beats per minute (bpm). Brain age was predicted using LASSO through 1,079 phenotypes in six MRI modalities (including T1-weighted MRI, T2-FLAIR, T2*, diffusion-MRI, task fMRI, and resting-state fMRI). Data were analyzed using linear regression models.

As a continuous variable, higher RHR was associated with older brain age (β for per 1-SD increase: 0.331, 95% [95% confidence interval, CI]: 0.265, 0.398) and larger BAG (β: 0.263, 95% CI: 0.202, 0.324). As a categorical variable, RHR 70–79 bpm and RHR ≥80 bpm were associated with older brain age (β [95% CI]: 0.361 [0.196, 0.526] / 0.737 [0.517, 0.957]) and larger BAG (0.256 [0.105, 0.407] / 0.638 [0.436, 0.839]), but RHR< 60 bpm with younger brain age (−0.324 [−0.500, −0.147]) and smaller BAG (−0.230 [−0.392, −0.067]), compared to the reference group. These associations between elevated RHR and brain age were similar in both middle-aged (<60) and older (≥60) adults, whereas the association of RHR< 60 bpm with younger brain age and larger BAG was only significant among middle-aged adults. In stratification analysis, the association between RHR ≥80 bpm and older brain age was present in people with and without CVDs, while the relation of RHR 70–79 bpm to brain age present only in people with CVD.

Higher RHR (>80 bpm) is associated with older brain age, even among middle-aged adults, but RHR< 60 bpm is associated with younger brain age. Greater RHR could be an indicator for accelerated brain aging.

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Introduction

R esting heart rate (RHR) is used to describe the frequency of the cardiac cycle, which is a major determinant of cardiovascular performance and an indicator of autonomic nervous system activity and metabolic rate ( 1 , 2 ). During the aging process, abnormal changes in RHR may occur due to decreased cardiovascular fitness and autonomic tone or sinus node dysfunction ( 2 – 4 ). An elevated RHR has been linked to an increased risk of mortality and morbidity among older adults ( 1 , 5 ), as well as faster cognitive decline and a higher risk of dementia ( 6 – 11 ).

Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important tool for understanding brain health, offering an opportunity to evaluate the possible mechanisms underlying brain aging ( 12 , 13 ). Several studies have investigated the association of elevated RHR with structural or functional brain MRI measures, with inconsistent findings ( 7 , 8 , 14 – 18 ). Meanwhile, machine learning methods based on multimodal MRI measurements provide the possibility to assess age-related changes in the brain in a more comprehensive manner ( 19 ). For example, predicted brain age combines several individual MRI measures (regional brain volume, cortical thickness, fractional anisotropy, functional connection, etc.).

In contrast to individual MRI measures, predicted brain age integrates information on multiple MRI measures into a single metric, factoring in the complex patterns of subtle brain structural changes and the interactions between different brain regions, thus yielding a more sensitive measure of brain aging ( 20 ). The difference between predicted brain age and an individual’s actual chronological age, the brain age gap (BAG), is thought to reflect neuroanatomical abnormalities and may be a marker of overall brain health ( 21 ). To date, no studies have addressed the association between RHR and brain age in middle-aged and older adults, and it is unclear whether the RHR-brain age relationship varies according to cardiovascular disease (CVD) status.

In the present study, using data from middle-aged (<60) and older (≥60) adults in the UK Biobank, we aimed to: (1) assess the association of RHR with brain age and BAG and (2) explore the role of CVD in these associations.

Study design and population

This study used data from the UK Biobank, a large-scale population-based cohort of 502,412 UK residents aged from 37 to 73 years ( 22 ). The UK Biobank study received ethical approval from the National Health Services (NHS) National Research Ethics Service (Ref 11/NW/0382) and all enrolled participants provided informed and written consent.

The baseline survey started in 2006 and a sub-sample of 42,806 participants underwent MRI assessment beginning in 2014. Of them, 34,296 participants with complete brain MRI data were included in the brain age construct. Then, three subsets were defined, including a training set (for training the brain age model, n= 3,484), a validation set (for validating model performance, n= 871), and a testing set (n= 29,941). The training and validation data (in a ratio of 8:2) included people who met health criteria at the time of the scan (n= 4,355), thus excluding people with an ICD-10 diagnosis (field ID 41270), self-reported long-term illness disability or frailty (field ID 2188), diabetes (field ID 2443), history of stroke (field ID 4056), and self-reported fair or poor health status (field ID 2178).

After further excluding 915 participants with prevalent chronic brain disorders (n=864; Table S1), missing information on RHR (n=17), and RHR <40 (n=35), 33,381 participants were included in the RHR-brain aging analysis (Figure 1 ).

figure 1

Flowchart of participants included in the study

Abbreviation: MRI = magnetic resonance imaging; RHR = resting heart rate; MAE = mean absolute error.

Data collection

Participants underwent a comprehensive physical examination and clinical evaluation at baseline. In addition, information on demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle factors was collected through a computerized touchscreen questionnaire (Method S1, Table S2, and Table S3).

Assessment of RHR

The protocol RHR measurement at the baseline assessment is described in detail in a dedicated document ( 23 ). Participants were asked to loosen or remove any restrictive clothing and sit with their feet parallel to each other, toes pointing forward, and soles of the feet resting flat on the floor. RHR was then measured on the participant’s left arm (or right arm if the left side was affected by amputation, shunt, mastectomy, or axillary clearance) with the Omron 705 IT electronic blood pressure monitor (OMRON Healthcare Europe B.V. Kruisweg 577 2132 NA Hoofddorp). Two readings were recorded for each participant and the average of the two measurements was used in our analysis. When considered as a categorical variable, RHR was classified as <60, 60–70 (reference), 70–79, and ≥80 beats per minute (bpm) according to previous studies ( 6 , 10 ).

MRI data acquisition and pre-processing

Details on the UK Biobank brain MRI data acquisition and processing are available on the UK Biobank website in the brain scan protocol and brain imaging documentation (Method S2) ( 24 , 25 ). Summary measures of imaging-derived phenotypes were generated with an image-processing pipeline developed and run on behalf of the UK Biobank, using publicly available image processing tools FSL (the FMRIB Software Library, version 5.0.10, http://fsl.fmrib.ox.ac.uk/fsl ) and FreeSurfer (version 6.0) ( 26 ). Finally, 1,079 neuroimaging phenotypes were generated from five modalities, including T1-weighted (n=165), T2-FLAIR (n=1; total volume of white-matter hyperintensities), SWI (n=14), diffusion-MRI (n=675), task fMRI (n=14), and resting-state fMRI (n=210) (Table S4). All MRI phenotypes were Z-transformed before analysis.

Statistical analysis

RHR was operationalized as both a continuous and a categorical variable. Baseline characteristics of the study population by RHR category were analyzed using chi-square tests for categorical variables and one-way ANOVA for continuous variables. Alpha was set at 0.05 for all analyses and results were corrected for multiple comparisons using the false discovery rate (FDR). All statistical analyses were performed using Python (version 3.8.0 with sklearn), Stata SE 16.0 (Stata Corp, College Station, Texas), and R (version 4.1.1).

Assessment of brain age and BAG

Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression was trained in the training dataset. The performance of the model was evaluated using mean absolute error (MAE) on a standardized validation dataset (with mean absolute error =3.232, R2 = 0.690, and Pearson’s r = 0.830). Next, the model was used to predict brain age in the entire population (the phenotypes and the corresponding coefficients are list in Table S5). Moreover, we corrected the age bias in brain age prediction as the corrected brain age=(original brain age-β)/α (where coefficients a and β are the slope and intercept of the linear regression model used to estimate the brain age in the training set: brain age_(training set)=α*chronological age_(training set)+β) ( 27 ). BAG was defined as corrected brain age minus chronological age. A positive BAG means that the predicted brain age is higher than chronological age (i.e., accelerated aging); a negative BAG means that the predicted brain age is lower (i.e., delayed aging) ( 21 ).

Association between RHR and Brain age

Linear regression models were used to estimate the β-coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between RHR and brain age or BAG among middle-aged (<60 year) and older (≥60 years) participants. The basic models were adjusted for age, sex, and education. Multivariable-adjusted models were further adjusted for race, socioeconomic status, BMI, alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity, social contact, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, medications that reduce RHR (beta blockers and calcium blockers), and apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4. Stratified analyses were performed to explore the role of CVD in the association of RHR with brain age and BAG. Statistical interaction was examined by creating an indicator variable with the cross-product of two variables.

In sensitivity analysis, we repeated the analyses after 1) stratifying by APOE ε4, physical activity, and polygenic risk score for AD (PRSAD); 2) further adjusting for DASH diet score and PRSAD; and 3) performing multiple imputation for missing values of covariates using Fully Conditional Specification (FCS) method.

Baseline characteristics

The mean age at baseline was 54.74 ± 7.49, and 53.44% of participants were female. Of the participants, the mean RHR was 67.79 ± 10.43 bpm. Compared to participants with lower RHR, those with higher RHR were more likely to be older and female; to have, BMI and social contact, lower education level, socioeconomic status (SES), and physical activity; and to be non-drinkers and current smokers. In addition, they tended to have a history of hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, and higher usage of calcium channel blockers but lower usage of beta-blockers (Table 1 ).

Association of resting heart rate with brain age and BAG

Among all participants, the time interval between study entry and MRI assessment was 8.94 ± 1.78 years. Higher RHR was associated with older brain age (β for per 1-SD increase: 0.331, 95% CI: 0.265, 0.398) and larger BAG (β: 0.263, 95% CI: 0.202, 0.324) when RHR was analyzed as a continuous variable (Table 2 ). Furthermore, when RHR was categorized, RHR 70–79 bpm and RHR ≥80 bpm were related to older brain age (β [95% CI]: 0.361 [0.196, 0.526] / 0.737 [0.517, 0.957]) and larger BAG (β [95% CI]: 0.256 [0.105, 0.407] / 0.638 [0.436, 0.839]) compared to RHR 60–69 bpm (Table 2 ). In addition, RHR <60 bpm was associated with younger brain age (β: −0.324, 95% CI: −0.500, −0.147) and smaller BAG (β: −0.230, 95% CI: −0.392, −0.067). The results of basic-adjusted models were similar to the multi-adjusted models (Table 2 ). Regression coefficients for the covariates in relation to brain volumes were shown in Supplementary Table 7.

In age-stratified analyses, the association of RHR ≥80 bpm with older brain age and larger BAG was strongest among middle-aged participants, but was also present among older participants (Table 2 ). In contrast, the association between RHR <60 bpm and younger brain age and smaller BAG was only significant among middle-aged participants (Table 2 ). There was a significant multiplicative interaction between RHR and age group for brain age and BAG (P-interaction= 0.001 and 0.031).

Role of CVD

In CVD-stratified analyses (Figure 2 and Table S6), RHR ≥80 bpm was associated with older brain age and larger BAG compared to RHR 60–69 bpm among both CVD and CVD-free participants, regardless of age group. However, the association between RHR 70–79 bpm and older brain age was only present in participants with CVD. There was no statistical interaction between RHR and CVD on brain age or BAG in the multi-variable adjusted models (all P-interactions>0.05).

figure 2

Association of RHR with brain age and BAG: stratified by CVD

The figure represents the association between RHR (reference: 60–69 bpm) and brain age and BAG among CVD and CVD-free participants: (A/B) RHR-brain age/BAG association among middle-aged adults; (C/D) RHR-brain age/BAG association among older-aged adults. Model adjusted for age, sex, education, race, Socioeconomic status, body mass index, alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity, social contact, diabetes, beta-blockers, calcium blockers, and APOE ε4. The height of each bar in the plot represents the point estimate of β, while the error bars represent the 95% confidence intervals of β. * FDR P< 0.05.

Supplementary analysis

Largely similar results were obtained after we conducted the following sensitivity analyses: 1) stratifying by APOE ε4 (Table S8), physical activity level (Table S9), and PRSAD (Table S10); 2) further adjusting for DASH diet score and PRSAD (Table S11 and S12); and 3) performing multiple imputation for missing values of covariates (Table S13).

In this large neuroimaging study with multimodal MRI measures, we constructed a brain age prediction model based on LASSO regression and found that 1) RHR 70–79 bpm and RHR≥80 bpm was associated with older brain age and larger BAG among both middle-aged and older adults; 2) RHR <60 bpm was associated with younger brain age and smaller BAG only among middle-aged participants; and 3) the association of RHR 70–79 with older brain age was only present among people with CVDs.

RHR and brain aging

Several previous studies have linked RHR to individual MRI measures ( 7 , 8 , 14 – 18 ). Some studies have reported associations between elevated RHR and more severe brain lesions including white matter hyperintensity ( 8 , 14 , 16 ), brain infarction ( 16 ), and ischemic lesions ( 8 ), while others related higher RHR to smaller brain volumes including total brain ( 17 ) and some subfields of the hippocampus ( 7 ), but with some inconsistent findings ( 8 ). Limited studies evaluated the association between elevated RHR and poor brain functional connectivity ( 15 , 18 ). However, these studies offer limited support for the association between RHR and brain aging as they solely examined separate MRI metrics that may not adequately capture the extent of brain aging in individuals. By ‘learning’ the correspondence between patterns in structural or functional multimodal neuroimaging data and an age ‘label’, machine-learning algorithms can formulate massively high-dimensional regression models, fitting large neuroimaging datasets as independent variables to predict chronological age as the dependent variable. Predicted brain age and derived BAG provide a more comprehensive description of brain aging ( 20 ). In the present study, we found that elevated RHR was associated with unhealthy brain aging, including older brain age and larger BAG. Our findings provide further evidence that elevated RHR may play a role in the process of brain aging. Further, after stratification by age, the association of elevated RHR with older brain age and larger BAG remains significant among middle-aged and older adults. These results add a growing body of evidence that the effect of RHR on brain aging may begin as early as middle age. To our knowledge, this is the first study to address the association of RHR with brain age and BAG, supported by multimodal brain MRI data.

Role of CVD in RHR-brain age association

RHR is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events including hypertension, myocardial infarction, angina, congestive heart failure, and atrial fibrillation ( 28 , 29 ). Moreover, these non-stroke CVDs are associated with brain aging ( 30 – 32 ). However, to date, the comprehensive differences in the RHR-brain aging association across different CVD states have not been well known. In the current study, we found that the association between RHR ≥80 bpm and brain aging was present not only in the CVD population but also in the non-CVD population, with no significant interaction between RHR and CVD on brain aging. Our findings suggest that monitoring RHR is beneficial for indicating brain aging among individuals both with and without CVD.

Potential mechanisms underlying RHR-brain age association

There are several mechanisms whereby elevated RHR may link to brain aging. First, increased RHR may lead to decreased cerebral blood flow, aggravating ischemia or white matter lesions, and lacunar infarction in some brain regions ( 33 , 34 ). In addition, high RHR can lead to cerebral hypoxia, which causes vascular endothelial dysfunction and enhanced coagulation activity, bringing vascular and neurodegenerative damage in the brain ( 35 , 36 ). Second, elevated RHR may also be a marker of autonomic dysfunction, which may drive the development of cognitive decline and dementia by activating inflammatory pathways and increasing the levels of inflammatory markers such as hs-CRP, IL-6, and fibrinogen ( 37 , 38 ). Third, brain aging and CVDs may share similar pathogenic processes ( 39 , 40 ). However, the association of elevated RHR with older brain age and larger BAG remained significant among CVD-free people and after controlling for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, which may indicate an independent effect of RHR on brain aging. Future studies are warranted to better understand the mechanisms underlying the influence of RHR on brain health.

Strength and limitations

Strengths of this study include the large-scale community-based design with a comprehensive data collection procedure. Additionally, the UK Biobank provides image-derived phenotypes of various brain measures, offering an opportunity to calculate multimodal brain age using machine learning models. Nonetheless, some limitations should be acknowledged. First, the UK Biobank participants were volunteers and generally healthier and more highly educated than the general population ( 41 ). We noted that all participants who underwent MRI scans had high economic status, and the differences in SES between the different RHR groups may be due to the large sample. Moreover, our analytical sample consisted of participants who underwent brain MRI scans and were free from chronic brain disorders, which is a relatively healthier subset in the overall UK Biobank population. This might have contributed to a misestimating of the magnitude of the association between elevated RHR and brain aging. Furthermore, our findings may only be generalizable to demographically similar cohorts, and this limitation precludes the generalization of these findings to the general population. Second, although the direction of the associations of RHR with brain age and BAG may indicate the potential effect of RHR itself on brain aging, these results cannot draw causal inferences. However, a subgroup of approximately 10,000 participants from UKB is currently undergoing repeat brain MRI scans ( 42 ), providing an opportunity for future studies to explore the longitudinal association between RHR and brain aging. Third, selection bias might have occurred due to missing data. However, the results were not much altered after repeating the analysis using multiple imputations for missing variables.

In conclusion, our study provides new evidence that elevated RHR may associated with brain aging across middle- and older-age and decreased RHR (<60 bpm) was related to younger brain age among middle-aged adults. CVD may play a role in the association of RHR 70–79 bpm with older brain age and larger BAG. The RHR is a very commonly used parameter in clinical settings and can be obtained more easily and quickly than complex cognitive assessments. Moreover, there are a number of drugs (such as beta-blockers) that can be used to control RHR, and if a longitudinal or causal association between RHR and brain aging can be identified, it may open up new possibilities for intervention and treatment of cognitive impairment and dementia. Thus, future longitudinal studies or Mendelian randomization are needed to explore the longitudinal effects of RHR on brain aging.

Data Availability: The datasets generated and analysed during the current study are available in the UK Biobank repository, http://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk .

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank all participants of the UK Biobank study who have dedicated their valuable time toward this project and the UK Biobank team for collecting, preparing, and providing data used in this work. The research has been done using the UK Biobank resource as a part of the approved Research Application 67048.

Funding: Weili Xu received grants from the Swedish Research Council (No. 2021-01647), the Swedish Council for Health Working Life and Welfare (2021-01826), the Lindhés Advokatbyrå AB (2021-0134), and Stiftelsen för Gamla Tjänarinnor (2021-2022). Xiangyu Ma received grants from Chongqing Talents: Exceptional Young Talents Project (CQYC202005003), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82373643), and the Outstanding Youth Science Fund of Chongqing (cstc2020jcyjjqX0014). The sponsors had no role in the design and conduct of the study; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the preparation of the manuscript; or in the review or approval of the manuscript. Open access funding provided by Karolinska Institute.

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Authors and Affiliations

Department of Epidemiology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Gaotanyan Street 30, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400038, China

J. Wang & Xiangyu Ma

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China

H. Huang, W. Yang & Weili Xu

Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 18A Floor 10, Stockholm, 17165, Sweden

A. Dove & Weili Xu

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Contributions

Author Contribution: W.X. and J.W. contributed to the conception and design of the study. J.W. conducted the statistical analyses with support from H.H., performed the literature search, and drafted the manuscript. H.H., W.Y., A.D., X.M., and W.X. reviewed and edited the manuscript. All authors critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors made a significant contribution to finalizing the manuscript and approved the final version for publication.

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Correspondence to Xiangyu Ma or Weili Xu .

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Ethical Standards: The authors assert that all procedures contributing to this work comply with the ethical standards of the relevant national and institutional committees on human experimentation and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2008.

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Wang, J., Huang, H., Yang, W. et al. Association between Resting Heart Rate and Machine Learning-Based Brain Age in Middle- and Older-Age. J Prev Alzheimers Dis (2024). https://doi.org/10.14283/jpad.2024.76

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Received : 03 February 2024

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Published : 19 April 2024

DOI : https://doi.org/10.14283/jpad.2024.76

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