Its safari time, then you packs your bags for safari, the most important thing is not to run into extremes. Those who accustomed to travel with the minimal baggage can be confused by the search of necessary things on endless expanses of African savannah. But prudent tourists who grabbed a million of things, are running the risk of enjoying the beautiful nature looking through a narrow slit of their bags. Therefore let’s remember the main safari rule:
- Travelers move on SUVs with their baggage in the parks
- If your program begins and ends in the same hotel, then you can leave your luggage there.
If there are too many bags, they will be carried on the car’s roof and you will lose a chance to drive with open roof and take nice pictures of animals. It concerns most of all the big groups, since all Land Cruisers are seven-seater and if there are two of you, you can take even 3 bags but if you are 6-7 persons, in this case you should prepare your baggage with some trepidation. In spite of the minimal luggage you should not suffer of the lack of the comfort.
Shoes and clothes for safari
Most of your travel time you will spend sitting in the car. Therefore, clothes should be comfortable, of soft natural fabrics, with a minimum of rubbers, laces, tightening belts and decorative elements such as massive buttons.
Note that to see some animals, you have to go early in the morning, and at this time the weather can be cool and warm clothes would require. Consider the time of the year and weather conditions in this area.
For the safari you will need:
- long sleeves shirt;
- warm sweater or light jacket (the temperature in the Ngorongoro falls to 0 degrees in the evening and in the morning);
- a pair of T-shirts / T-shirts (preferably 1 pc for every day safaris);
- light cotton trousers;
- shorts;
- swimsuit / trunks (if lodges are equipped by pool);
- headwear (wide-brimmed hat, panama or cap with a visor would be perfect).
Note that during your trip off road, the dust enters inside the car through the open windows / roof, so don’t choose blindingly white clothes, it is better to choose featureless and pale tones like khaki.
Light running shoes, sandals or slippers would be perfect. Much depends on the place of lodging and the hotel level. For example,
- Ngorongoro most hotels are at an altitude of 3000 m, where at the night time the temperature falls to zero, so warm clothes will be useful.
- Serengeti, on the contrary, it can be hot in sneakers, however the journey in sandals would be more comfortable.
What medicaments you should take to safari
Staff your mini first aid kit:
- Analgesic and antipyretic;
- Drugs from stomach problems (e.g., Enterofuryl, No-Spa, Imodium, Festal, activated carbon);
- Antiseptic (iodine, cream relieves itching and irritation after insect bites);
- Bactericidal plaster, bandage;
- Antimalarial drugs (such as Malarone, Lariam);
- Tablets from motion sickness while the bad work of vestibular apparatus (Dramina, Dramineks);
- Antihistamines for allergies (Claritin, Loratadine, Azelastine).
It is also recommended to bring the repellents because mosquitoes are usually active early in the morning and at sunset, midges terrorize everybody near the water bodies and the botflies feast in the near vicinity of the animals.
Do not forget the sunscreen! Choose a product with SPF 40 protection or higher that the equatorial sun will not paint your skin in all the shades of an African sunset.
Other important tips
Even if your program includes all full board hotels and lodges, we recommend you to take nonperishable food for snacking. Adrenaline, drive, emotions and fresh air can work wonders with an appetite!
On a road you might have need:
- Biscuits, corn bread and other snacks;
- Fruit (pre-washed);
- Chocolate bars;
- Various mixtures of nuts / dried fruit.
Important stuff necessary for the safari
Even if the weather forecast guarantees the lack of sun, don’t hurry up to lay out protective glasses. They will help protect your eyes from wind, dust and small insects while you pop out of the window or through the open roof of the running speed car in search of objects for observation. Put in your backpack:
- Bandage on the face for protection against dust, it can be important in some regions;
- Spare batteries/batteries for photo, video (in our safari vehicles have a device to recharge your battery);
- Binoculars to see the details of the surroundings and animals (in the car there is always one pair of binoculars, so take extra only at your discretion);
- Paper copies (passports, visas, traveler’s cheque, tickets, insurance), which is better to keep separately from the originals;
- dry and wet wipes;
- Hygiene items (shower gel, toothbrush);
- Disinfectant gel/spray for hands;
- Adapter for the socket (when requesting, our company provides it free).
An ideal packed luggage for safaris must fit into a small suitcase. You can bring additionally a case for the video/photo cameras.
If you still have some questions about the luggage set, our managers will always tell you the right decision. Contact us!
