What five things to leave at home when going on safari

While its not necessary to become a bushman when you head onto the savannah, it makes good sense to leave some of the accoutrements of Western civilization behind. This is because they both detract from your own African experience but because they can be an irritant to your fellow travellers, who hope to revel in one of the last truly wild places on earth.

Perfume. Africa smells different than anywhere else in the world, even the open spaces of North America and Australia. It’s a dry, dusty smell with a tinge of green. Its wholesome and natural and anyone wanting to experience Africa will breath it in deeply and often. But that’s hard to do when sitting next to you is a cologne-soaked traveller. Also, if downwind the Big Five may find it a bit odd if they catch a whiff of it … making it harder to find them when tracking them through the bush.

High heels and assorted finery. Leave these at home, or at least in your bag until you return to Johannesburg or Nairobi. That is not to say you should not be clean, neat and wear a nice dress or pair of trousers to dine, but wilderness living is simple living. Bring clothes that can be washed easily and dried quickly, with as little ironing as possible. Neutral colours (no ‘red flag’ to the bull) are best!

Music blaster. Africa has a night-sound like few other places in the world, with a mixture of chirps, moans, roars, screeches, and cries. Indeed, the bush is alive at night with the sounds of the hunt. Unless you have earphones and can ensure that no one else is disturbed by your music system, leave it at home… or in your bag. Get out on the khonde (patio) and soak up the music of Africa instead.

Dietary restraints. While you may not want to eat snake, you might want to try kudu steak, elephant biltong or ostrich fillets. You will want to try mealie-pap (corn porridge), roast bananas, peanut sauce and pumpkin leaves. So be ready to experiment with your food. Few Africans understand vegetarianism – where protein is scarce due to poverty, many are often on the lookout for meat. Even fewer would understand being a vegan. So, be prepared to try new foods and to put aside some of your dietary restrictions for a short while.

Trepidation. Don’t leave your good sense at home, but be prepared for an experience that is wholly different than any you’ve had before. Good safari guides will keep you safe, while a good camp will ensure your food and shelter are more than adequate. All you have to do is put aside your fear of novelty, and grasp with two hands the unique experience of Africa – its friendly people, its untamed wilderness and its glorious animals.

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