Five essentials for your safari holiday

You’ve saved for a year, you’ve got your air tickets and have read all the safari books in your local bookstore. The day has arrived. You’ve packed your khaki shorts and T- shirts, one nice outfit to wear for dinner in town, sandals and walking shoes, and your swimsuit and wrap. But what have you forgotten? What is that every experienced safari traveler never forgets to pack?

There are five bits of gear that any seasoned Africa-hand will have in the bush. They seem so obvious once you’ve seen the list…
1.    A hat, sun lotion and after-sun cream. Africa is mostly in the tropics and at any time of year it is hot somewhere. [1] Mid-summer and outside the rainy season it can easily be in the high 30s (the 90s for you North Americans).  But besides being hot, its in the tropics, directly below the sun, which makes it brighter and more likely to burn those fair northern skins. So, bring a wide-brimmed hat – with a string to hold it on when driving through the bush – and a #40 sun lotion. After-sun cream is nice for the end of the day, when your sun- and wind-burnt skin needs soothing.
2.    Mosquito repellent & itch cream. Of course you are taking malaria prophylaxis, unless you are heading to one of those malaria-free camps in the far south of the continent. Even there, and certainly everywhere else in sub-Saharan Africa there are mosquitoes. Watch out for them especially in dark places (e.g., under dining tables and in poorly lit rooms). Always sleep with a net – and bring a needle and thread to sew up one that has holes! And because you can’t dodge them all, bring itch cream … for sanity’s sake.
3.    Camera, batteries & film or battery charger & extra memory sticks. Don’t expect a local shop to have extra camera supplies of (in-date) film, batteries or memory sticks. Be sure to charge your batteries before going so far into the bush that there is no electricity. Some of you will want to carry lens filters and cleaners in order to take those award-winning shots. Ensure you have a robust camera bag to carry all your gear.
4.    Small backpack and water bottle. A small pack is invaluable for carrying the essentials (tampons, sweatshirt, sun lotion, etc) and your water. Be sure its boiled and/or filtered water, not out of the tap – even if they say its clean (it may be safe for them, but they’ve been drinking it for years). Drink plenty of water because you will become dehydrated in the hot sun.
5.    Toilet paper and Imodium. If you are lucky you won’t need these, but many people do. It takes just one tiny germ to infect the gut and then you may have the ‘runs’ for hours. Stay away from salads as a rule, and don’t eat fruit unless you can peel it (carrying a Swiss army knife is a good idea for this reason). Eat well-cooked meat, preferably not off of a market-stand! Stay away from fish unless caught locally. Enjoy the local foods, which can be luscious!

This list may be incomplete – but then you can add to it for your next safari. That is the pleasure of becoming an experienced African traveller, learning how to remain safe and well while enjoying Africa’s wonderful people, scenery and animals.

[1] Winter from Nairobi to Johannesburg can be incredibly cold though, so be sure to bring a woolly sweater if arriving then!

Link to this article!

No comment yet, leave the first one!

Name* :

Email (you will receive reactions to your comment): Your email won't be displayed, shared, nor sold

Comment* :

Are you human?

Enter the code given above: