Having previously written about the best time to go on your African Safari, now that you are going you may wonder what you need to bring on your African safari.
I
am going to assume you will be provided with basics like your camping equipment or good-quality lodge or tented camp accommodation and you have booked your holiday through a reputable safari operator.
Do I need to bring a mosquito net on my safari in Africa
The
most asked question about what to bring on your African safari is – do I
need to bring a mosquito net. The short answer is no. If you are
staying in good-quality accommodation, these will provide mosquito nets,
or air-conditioned rooms. If you are camping, your tent will have nets
built in (just keep your tent closed when you can). The only time you
would want to bring a mosquito net is if you plan to sleep in the
outdoors a lot. If you are on a camping safari and there is the option
to sleep under a tree or on top of the truck (where you are out of reach
of anything that doesn’t fly), I recommend you do it, but do sleep
under a net.
What color clothing should I bring on my African safari?
We
have all seen documentaries and movies about Africa and you will notice
many people wear Khaki clothing. But is it necessary to purchase an
entire new wardrobe just to look like you are on safari? I mean, you
ARE on safari, so do you need to look the part? The answer is “only if
you want to”. Just as long as you do not show up in bright colours, you
are OK. White is also a no-no. Think of deer and how they lift up
their tail when they are on the run. White is an alarm color and
scares animals off.
Many
people do opt to wear khaki as it is the one colour that shows the
least amount of dirt. And with laundry facilities not always at hand,
being able to wear your clothes longer is a bonus.
Camouflage colours are a no-no in many countries as you may be mistaken for military personnel.
What type of clothing should I bring on my safari in Africa?
Bring
anything that is cool, loose-fitting and comfortable. Mornings on
safari can be cool, so zip-off pants are great to wear as long pants in
the morning and as shorts in the afternoon. If you layer you can use
multiple pieces of clothing to stay warm at night, but use them as
individual garments at warmer times.
Bring a set of smarter clothes for meal times if you are staying in more upscale accommodation.
Do I need weather protection on my safari in Africa?
You
may be out for long stretches at a time, either on game drives or game
walks. Be sure to bring adequate sun protection such as a wide-brimmed
hat and sun block.
A
light rain jacket may be useful too if you travel in the green (wet) season. For cooler days and cold nights, bring a wind breaker or
pullover.
What shoes should I bring on my African safari?
If
you plan to travel during the green (wet) season, closed-toe shoes will
keep your feet dry. If your itinerary includes a lot of walks, be sure
to bring sturdy shoes – the African bush is littered with sharp thorns
that will penetrate all but the thickest soles. For game drives and
around camp, comfortable sandals are the way to go. If you like to
dress up for dinner, bring appropriate shoes.
Health
Be
sure to check with a travel health specialist about what shots you
need. Some African countries require you to have had a yellow fever
inocculation in order to enter the country.
There
are long lists of pills people will advise you to take. Ask yourself
what kind of trip you are doing. If you are staying in high-end lodges,
what are the chances of you getting traveller’s diarhea? If you are on
a walking safari, what are the chances of you getting motion sick? If
you are in the dry season, what are the chances of getting insect-borne
diseases? And finally, all those pills you bring, do you really feel
comfortable administering them yourself without medical consultation?
Consider
bringing a small kit with plasters, travel sickness tablets, antiseptic
cream, antihistamine cream, pain relievers, sunscreen, eye drops. If
you have allergies or a medical condition, pack the required medication.
Insect repellent and moisturizer are essentials.
If
you are concerned about safe drinking water, but also worry about where
your disposable plastic bottles will end up, bring water purification
drops or a filter with you.
Photography
A
good telelens is a must when you go on safari in Africa. If all you bring is a standard 50mm lens, you
will find when you come home that all your animal shots taken on your African safari will have only
tiny blips of beasts on them. Most simple digital cameras come with at
least a 12x optical zoom, which is fine for good close-ups. Try to
avoid using your digital zoom as it will often lead to pixilated shots.
Do bring wide-angle lenses as well, as some of the landscapes &
skies in Africa will really stand out when shot with a good wide-angle.
Professional photographers will bring a bean bag to keep their camera steady, but these are heavy.
Be
sure to bring enough memory cards and a recharger with
converter/adapter and enough batteries – not every overnight stop will
allow you to charge our batteries. If you have a plug that allows you
to charge batteries on the cigarette lighter of a vehicle – bring it.
If you are planning to buy a camera, check out this camera review site.
Other must-brings on your safari in Africa
Binoculars are great to study far-off wildlife and birds on your African safari.
To
learn more about the wildlife you are seeing, be sure to hire a great
guide. In the absence of one, bring a good guide book. Similarly,
books about plants or insects or a good novel set in your destination,
will give an extra dimension to your trip.
Bring swim and beach wear if your trip includes time on a beach or around a pool.
Finally, don’t forget your health and cancellation insurance policies, passport and visa, cash US$ and bank & credit cards.
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