The first step about going on an adventure is charting out your course…and the next most crucial factor is to pack the right items for that adventure! And when one goes on an adventure in the African wilderness, no amount of preparation can be enough…you DO NOT want to be caught on the wrong in the heart of the wild.
So, how do you go about packing the essentials for an African Safari?
Learn what experts have to say about packing essentials for a trip to Africa:
While there is no dearth of information on how to pack for a trip to Africa…it’s always best to learn from the experts. And experts at USA Today. Travel say:
… Most safari companies provide a full-service experience, taking care of the practicalities while you focus on fun, but you are responsible for your personal essentials, from clothing to cameras. Whether you are on a primitive camping safari or a deluxe resort-based adventure, remember to pack light. Charter planes might impose a maximum weight limit on personal luggage.
So bottom line is, while most of your needs will be fulfilled by the travel companies, YOUR personal requisites are still your own lookout! But don’t pack a whole lot of stuff just because of that, use your discretion.
In case you’re still wondering “how to go about your packing?”
Make a checklist and tick off the following…
- A duffel bag or soft sided suitcase for clothes and personal things.
- A side bag, or carryon bag for all the ‘other’ personal stuff you can’t do without: camera equipment, medicines, travel papers, passport etc.
- Check out the government travel luggage instructions.
Let us move on to the most important question: What to pack?
While you can use your discretion as to what you should pack, it never hurts to get a firmer grip on the basics…here goes:
- Clothes
Comfort clothing should be your mantra while travelling to Africa. Try lightweight easy to wash clothes, preferably cotton or new fabrics. Try to stick to polypropylene, Coolmax etc. they won’t restrict your movements and spoil your fun while you go traversing the ‘unchartered landscapes’…
Stick to shades of brown and khaki, they won’t stain easily and for effective sun protection, try long sleeved shirts and long pants. Try to avoid too revealing clothes: you might just offend locals, and have a light jacket and wide brimmed hat on you at all times!!
- Supplies
These consist of your own personal gear like
1. Flashlight
2. Swiss army knife
3. Money belt for your money, passport, visa, travel documents and the like.
4. Sleeping bag for camping excursions
5. Lightweight blankets
6. Binoculars
7. Wildlife guidebooks
8. Zip pouches for equipment protection during rain showers.
- Journals for documenting your safari trip
These are to make the best moments of your trip last you a lifetime…
1. High quality camera equipment with memory cards, extra batteries and charging stations if necessary.
2. Try a small video camera if want
3. Field journals to maintain your own personal wildlife sightings recorded
4. You can take a laptop with extra long lasting battery and chargers.
5. For a whole lot of electronic equipments try an electric convertor and plug adapters.
- Personal first aid kit!
A good first aid is indispensible. It should consist of at least:
1. Bandages and antibiotics
2. Painkillers and over the counter drugs
3. Personal medicines if any
4. Aspirins
5. Anti insect creams
6. Laxatives and diarrhea meds
- Personal kit:
Should consist of good sunscreen creams, mosquito repellents, hygienic wipes, shades and lip balms and moisturizers. Don’t forget a good sanitizer!!
Now that you know how an expert would pack the essentials for an African safari…make sure you get it right!! Enjoy!!
Checklist For Packing For An African Safari
Before leaving your house to go on your safari adventure, there are a few things that you must remember to pack. Some key essentials are your passport and visas and one other thing you should definitely do is check ahead to make sure you have all necessary visas.
International vaccination cards, traveler’s checks, two copies of your passport, passport photos, visas, and health record, driver’s license and any other ID.
Now I am sure the last thing you would want is to get sick on your trip, so prevent that by making sure you take all the necessary precautions. Malaria tablets are something you should bring along however, do remember they are not a preventative, just a pill that will suppress the harsh symptoms of malaria, so cover up at night and sleep under your mosquito netting.
Iodine tablets are another must, contaminated water is your worst enemy in Africa. If you choose to not buy the very affordable spring water, you will want to treat your water with iodine.Re-hydration salts are something that taste like hell but will make your body feel like a king after an inevitable surge of Montezuma’s revenge, better known as traveler’s diarrhea.
Chap stick is simple but you will find that it is necessary. The plains are dusty and dry so without it, your lips can look like and feel like the terrain you will cross on safari. Vitamin tablets, small first aid kit, tweezers, headache or allergy medicine for squinting, sun, and bumpy jeep rides through the plains can all contribute to a pounding headache. It is best to always come prepared.
Some things that you should bring to wear include a wide brim hat or scarf for sun protection, cotton long sleeved shirts because tsetse flies, mosquitoes, and other insects can be brutal in some game parks. Also, temperatures can plummet to very extreme cold at night.
Also pack fleece for cool evenings and it is also great as an extra pillow on planes and a butt cushion on safari drives. Urban sandals, that act as shower shoes are mandatory and cheap. You would be surprised what type of foot diseases are just lurking within public showers. That is a very comprehensive checklist for packing for an African safari, always be prepared.
