| The last thing you want on an African safari is to | | | | - Plastic bags (wet washing/muddy shoes |
| realise that you have left any important safari | | | | organise clothes in suitcase) |
| gear behind. | | | | - Book to read between game viewing and other |
| Because of the nature of safari there are some | | | | leisure time |
| things that are essential to take with and others | | | | - String/rope (washing line, tying sleeping bag, |
| that you can do without because they are only | | | | multitude of uses!!) |
| going to add to your luggage weight. | | | | - Cold/flu tablets |
| This is a listing of some of the "must have" safari | | | | - Allergy remedy |
| gear you need to pack to take along which forms | | | | - Some people take a basic antibiotic in case |
| a part of the full safari packing list that you can | | | | - Prescribed medicine (enough to last your trip) |
| print out to tick off each item as you go along. | | | | SAFARI LUGGAGE |
| This safari packing list is based on the packing | | | | The thing to remember when choosing safari |
| advice and recommendations from a collection of | | | | luggage is mobility. You might be moving between |
| safari trip reports and my own experience in | | | | several different modes of transport (airplanes, |
| packing for the dozens of safaris that I have | | | | cars, light aircraft, trucks, boats) so plan |
| been on... | | | | accordingly. |
| SAFARI CLOTHES | | | | Suitcases with wheels don't work very well in the |
| If you are going on a walking safari it's essential | | | | African bush but they are adequate if you don't |
| that you get the safari clothing right. Bright colours | | | | mind carrying them. (A good safari company will |
| are definitely to be avoided. | | | | probably have someone on hand to carry your |
| My wife and I went on a walking safari in | | | | luggage for you). |
| Botswana and we came across a group of | | | | A daypack is very handy to transport the safari |
| elephant that the tracker wanted to take us | | | | gear you need while driving around in the safari |
| closer to but because my wife was wearing a red | | | | vehicle or walking through the bush |
| shirt she had to wait further away for fear of | | | | GENERAL |
| the elephants noticing us. So remember to pack | | | | There is one item of safari gear that you should |
| the following safari gear... | | | | never be without on your trip and that is |
| Clothing in neutral colours: khaki, light brown/green, | | | | binoculars. |
| tan. Avoid bright colours and white for improved | | | | The frustration of seeing an animal in the distance |
| game viewing. | | | | and not being able to take a closer look because |
| Comfortable non-synthetic short- and long sleeved | | | | you don't have a good pair of binocs is intense. |
| safari shirts (2 or 3 of each) | | | | Many safari companies do supply them for you |
| Comfortable non-synthetic shorts and long | | | | but they might be a little battered and bent with |
| trousers (2 or 3 of each) | | | | use and you will also have to share them with |
| TOILETRIES & FIRST AID | | | | other members of the group which will mean less |
| Every safari company worth its salt should have | | | | viewing time for you. |
| a first aid kit available for use by its clients so it | | | | - Binoculars (essential safari gear) |
| might be a good idea to check with them first if | | | | - Torch |
| they do and what it contains. | | | | - Camera and film (can be expensive and/or |
| But if you have specific medicine requirements | | | | difficult to obtain) and extra flash batteries and |
| then take it with as it might not be available in the | | | | lens cleaner |
| areas you are going on safari in. | | | | - If taking a digital camera: memory stick(s)/data |
| - Sun block and after sun | | | | card(s), charger and extra batteries |
| - Towel - travel towel is light and takes very little | | | | - Small bean bag to substitute a tripod |
| space | | | | - Sleeping bag (may be supplied by safari |
| - Skin cream | | | | company so check first) |
| - Insect repellent/mosquito coils (do not use coils | | | | - Travel pillow, or you can use your polar fleece |
| in tent) | | | | windbreaker |
| - Anti-malaria medication | | | | - Small calculator (or if you're taking your mobile |
| - Citronella or other body soap/shower gel | | | | phone) for currency calculations |
| - Wet wipes/hand sanitizer or no-water | | | | - Money belt |
| antibacterial soap - very handy in the Landrover | | | | DOCUMENTS |
| etc. | | | | Visa requirements are an important consideration |
| - Band aids and moleskin | | | | especially if you are going on safari in multiple |
| - Pocket knife (Swiss/Leatherman type) | | | | African countries as some of them have different |
| - Small scissors, if not on your Leatherman/Swiss | | | | visa terms. Your travel agent or safari operator |
| knife | | | | should be able to help you with this so make sure |
| - Small unbreakable mirror | | | | you check with them... |