Safari 101
I've decided to go on an African safari. But what do I bring with me? What kind of clothes should I wear? Is the climate hot or cool? What about insects? What if I over pack?
These are just some of the questions that run through many people's minds once they've decided to book a safari in Africa. And while they may seem trivial at first glance, they're actually quite important. Knowing what to bring and packing accurately is pertinent since there aren't any shops out in the bush. It's always good to be well prepared ahead of time.
We at Nature Adventure Africa Safaris, Ltd. decided to create a small space on our site to give you a brief run down of what you'll need to bring. Granted, every safari is different, and there may be items you might need on one journey, that you wouldn't necessarily bring on another. However, we want to provide a comprehensive list of some of the most important necessities you'll need for any safari.
Passport
Without this crucial item, you won't be allowed into the country. We also advise that you make at least one copy in the event it were to ever get lost or stolen by a vervet monkey or a baboon (yes, that has happened).
Medications
Make sure not to leave behind any doctor prescribed or recommendation medications. We also recommend hand sanitizer and moist towelettes.
Clothing
East and Central Africa are generally either very hot and humid, or hot and dry depending on the season. There are areas of higher elevation where it can get much cooler, and even frigidly cold (hiking up the Rwenzori Mountains for example), but for the most part, plan on wearing comfortable summer attire during the bulk of your trip. We recommend light, neutral colored pants, shorts, shirts, and t-shirts, along with a sweatshirt, light jacket, or fleece for the early morning or evening game drives. You will also need a thick pair of pants and waterproof long sleeve shirt and rain jacket/poncho if you plan on tracking mountain gorillas in the rainforest (it can get very humid and prickly with thorns, so you'll want to protect your camera gear and your skin).
Footwear
You can never go wrong with bringing extra socks in case some of them get wet. Regarding shoes, aside from light sneakers and maybe sandals or flip flops for a more relaxing day, we also recommend a good pair of walking shoes or hiking boots with decent tread if you plan on a gorilla trek or nature walk.
Head-wear
Considering the power of the equatorial sun, hats and sunglasses are strongly advised. We recommend light head-wear such as a baseball cap, a boonie, or a bush hat.
Insect Repellent
In addition to your anti-malaria medication, we recommend that you bring insect repellent for added prevention. Be sure to apply enough for maximum protection.
Sunblock
The sun in East and Central Africa is very strong. In order to avoid a nasty sunburn, we recommend a sunblock that stays on for long periods of time, especially after contact with water should you decide to go swimming.
Extra Backpack
You should definitely bring an extra backpack to store your camera equipment, insect repellent, snacks, medicine, and other accessories. This is especially true when out on a game drive, gorilla trekking, or on a guided nature walk.
Camera/Gear
A safari isn't complete without a good camera. Be sure to bring one along with extra batteries, memory cards, and a charger. Sealed zip lock bags are also important to avoid water exposure.
*Please be advised that when photographing mountain gorillas, the Ugandan, Congolese, and Rwandan Wildlife Authorities require you to disable your flash. *
*Please also note that you should obtain a universal adapter for charging electronics.*
Extras
The following gear is not absolutely necessary, but still highly encouraged:
*If you believe this list needs improvement, kindly contact us with suggestions, and we'll be happy to modify it. Thanks!*
These are just some of the questions that run through many people's minds once they've decided to book a safari in Africa. And while they may seem trivial at first glance, they're actually quite important. Knowing what to bring and packing accurately is pertinent since there aren't any shops out in the bush. It's always good to be well prepared ahead of time.
We at Nature Adventure Africa Safaris, Ltd. decided to create a small space on our site to give you a brief run down of what you'll need to bring. Granted, every safari is different, and there may be items you might need on one journey, that you wouldn't necessarily bring on another. However, we want to provide a comprehensive list of some of the most important necessities you'll need for any safari.
Passport
Without this crucial item, you won't be allowed into the country. We also advise that you make at least one copy in the event it were to ever get lost or stolen by a vervet monkey or a baboon (yes, that has happened).
Medications
Make sure not to leave behind any doctor prescribed or recommendation medications. We also recommend hand sanitizer and moist towelettes.
Clothing
East and Central Africa are generally either very hot and humid, or hot and dry depending on the season. There are areas of higher elevation where it can get much cooler, and even frigidly cold (hiking up the Rwenzori Mountains for example), but for the most part, plan on wearing comfortable summer attire during the bulk of your trip. We recommend light, neutral colored pants, shorts, shirts, and t-shirts, along with a sweatshirt, light jacket, or fleece for the early morning or evening game drives. You will also need a thick pair of pants and waterproof long sleeve shirt and rain jacket/poncho if you plan on tracking mountain gorillas in the rainforest (it can get very humid and prickly with thorns, so you'll want to protect your camera gear and your skin).
Footwear
You can never go wrong with bringing extra socks in case some of them get wet. Regarding shoes, aside from light sneakers and maybe sandals or flip flops for a more relaxing day, we also recommend a good pair of walking shoes or hiking boots with decent tread if you plan on a gorilla trek or nature walk.
Head-wear
Considering the power of the equatorial sun, hats and sunglasses are strongly advised. We recommend light head-wear such as a baseball cap, a boonie, or a bush hat.
Insect Repellent
In addition to your anti-malaria medication, we recommend that you bring insect repellent for added prevention. Be sure to apply enough for maximum protection.
Sunblock
The sun in East and Central Africa is very strong. In order to avoid a nasty sunburn, we recommend a sunblock that stays on for long periods of time, especially after contact with water should you decide to go swimming.
Extra Backpack
You should definitely bring an extra backpack to store your camera equipment, insect repellent, snacks, medicine, and other accessories. This is especially true when out on a game drive, gorilla trekking, or on a guided nature walk.
Camera/Gear
A safari isn't complete without a good camera. Be sure to bring one along with extra batteries, memory cards, and a charger. Sealed zip lock bags are also important to avoid water exposure.
*Please be advised that when photographing mountain gorillas, the Ugandan, Congolese, and Rwandan Wildlife Authorities require you to disable your flash. *
*Please also note that you should obtain a universal adapter for charging electronics.*
Extras
The following gear is not absolutely necessary, but still highly encouraged:
- Binoculars (especially for bird watching)
- Cash for souvenirs
- A flashlight with batteries
- A good book to read on hot, lazy afternoons
*If you believe this list needs improvement, kindly contact us with suggestions, and we'll be happy to modify it. Thanks!*