Pack for the trip with a good sense. Tourists who take the minimum baggage risk spending a lot of time looking for the right things in African countries. And travelers who have packed large bags will not feel comfortable traveling around national parks and reserves.
Usually, on safari tourists move through the parks in a car with their belongings. If there is too much luggage, you can fix it on the roof of the vehicle, thereby depriving of the opportunity to open the hatch and take many beautiful photos of wild animals. An exception happens when a safari tour begins and ends with the same hotel, while you can leave unnecessary things in there.
It mainly applies to large groups (6-7 people), since almost all cars are seven-seaters. In this case, if everyone takes a large bag, you should not expect a comfortable trip. In the case when the group (2-3 people), even a large number of things does not constrain in any case. Therefore, choose baggage very carefully to take all the necessary stuff, and not experience a lack of comfort.
List of things you need to take with you on safari to Africa:
- Clothes and shoes
- Headgear (cap, hat, etc.).
- Several T-shirts or T-shirts.
- Shirt with long sleeves.
- Light jacket or sweater (the temperature at night can go up to 32° F).
- Lightweight cotton pants.
- Flipflops or sandals.
- Swimming trunks for swimming, swimsuit (many lodges have swimming pools).
Tourists spend most of the time on trains on safari sitting, so clothing should first of all be comfortable, preferably with a minimal amount of decorative elements (big buttons, etc.), strings, elastic bands, and big belts. Jeans are not always suitable for safari tours; in most cases, they will not be too comfortable. For hiking safari instead of sneakers, it is better to take boots with high soles. When moving through parks, cars are getting dirty, so it is preferable to choose clothes with soft and easy-care fabrics (for example, khaki).
Usually, the safari starts early in the morning to see some wild animals. At this time of day in some areas of parks and reserves can be cool, so you need to bring warm clothes. When planning a trip on a safari, first take a look at weather conditions of the selected area for the current season.
Medicines
- Bandages and antiseptic band-aid
- Preparations against malaria (for example: Lariam, Malarone, etc.)
- Antiseptics (for example iodine, cream to relieve irritation and itching at the site of the bite by insects, etc.)
- Antipyretic and analgesic
- Allergy remedies (for example Loratadine, Claritin, etc.)
- Travel sickness pills (for example Dramenex, etc.)
- Preparations for stomach problems (for example activated carbon, No-spa, Imodium, etc.)
Food
- Chocolates or chocolate bars
- Fruits (necessarily washed)
- Water or lemonade
- Mixtures of dried fruit or nuts
- Snacks, cookies, products
Even if the terms of the safari tour in the lodges and hotels provide three meals a day, it is recommended to take with you during the trip through the parks some of the food mentioned above, for use on the road.
Most cars designed for safari are equipped with mini-refrigerators so that the products will always be fresh.
Among other useful items are:
- Photo and video equipment with flash drives and spare batteries (there are devices for recharging them in some cars for safari)
- Binoculars for a more detailed examination of nature and animals (in each car on safari there is one binocular, so if you do not want to wait for your turn to use it, take your own)
- Insect repellents (mosquitoes are most active at sunset and early in the morning, midges – near water bodies, gadflies – near animals)
- Goggles (protect the eyes from dust and small insects while the vehicle is moving)
- Wipes (wet and dry)
- Bactericidal hand gel
- Hygiene supplies (toothpaste and brush, shower gel, etc.)
- Face bandage (useful for dust protection in some regions of Africa)
- Notepad and pen
- Bag for documents
Therefore, we reviewed a complete list of things to take with you on a safari. Ideally, selected and packed items for safari should fit in a sports bag or backpack, the size of which is not more than 65×46 cm (weighing no more than 12 kg.).
Enjoy your safari!
About the author: Melisa Marzett is fond of nature. She is an animal rightist who has worked on many articles dedicated to the rights of animals and traveled a lot. Melissa is currently working as a freelance writer for Royal Editor – Online Paper Editing Service, which gives her an opportunity to travel and enjoy the beauty of the world and its living creatures.
