A
safari in Africa is a very specific kind of trip, you cannot wear just
anything. It is very easy to look out of place and feel uncomfortable
with the wrong clothing, wrong material and wrong colour. So it is
important to make sure you pack the right wardrobe for your trip
depending on your destination. Keep the colours simple and neutral,
bright colours will not only make you stand out in an otherwise subtle
and neutral environment, but may draw attention to you and scare the
animals. Khakis, browns and tans should work just fine. Scared animals
are usually dangerous animals. Stay away from camouflage clothing
though, those could get you arrested.
When making any trip you will always want to travel as light as you possibly can. An Africa safari trip is one where you do not have any choice but to only pack what you need and travel light. So when the safari is booked and the shopping is done, the next fun and challenging thing to do is pack.
We have put together a few tips to make packing for your safari less challenging and more fun. The goal is to travel light because you do not want luggage weighing you down during the trip. You will also want to blend in with the communities or at least try not to stand out, so casual clothes are the thing to pack. If you find yourself totally undecided and confused, you can always give your tour operator a call and ask for a bit of guidance on what to pack or not to pack. Here are a few things to consider when packing for your safari to Uganda, Tanzania or whichever African country you have chosen to visit.
Safari Clothing
There are some items that should have a place in your suitcase; hats, khaki pants and shorts, safari jackets, short and long sleeved shirts, all in good material such as cotton which absorbs heat. Africa can get very hot, so you will want to be prepared to stand the heat. A few warm clothes are also necessary especially for the early morning game drives and the chilly evenings.
Weather and Footwear
Weather in Africa is very unpredictable so whether you’re travelling in the rainy season or dry season, we recommend that you carry a few warm clothes and some rain gear so you will not be caught unaware by the rain. A waterproof rain jacket is a must-have during the rainy season.The right footwear is equally important. Footwear could make or break your safari adventure. To safely and comfortably explore the wilderness of Africa, you will need proper footwear, preferably hiking boots or shoes that give ankle support. These will make it easy for you to traverse the rugged African terrain. Light walking shoes can only be worn around the vicinity of the lodge.
Rain gear and the perfect footwear might be just what you need to enjoy a gorilla trekking expedition or a hike up Mount Kilimanjaro.
First Aid Kit and Toiletries
One very important thing that people on safari often forget to pack is a first aid kit. One of the most exciting and equally scary things about safaris in Africa is that you do not know what to expect. Anything could happen and it would be best if you were well equipped to deal with emergency situations. Accidents can happen, skin irritations could break out, or you could get a migraine or react to the food. In such cases it would be nice to have a first aid kit and your own medicine and antibiotic drugs.The same applies to toiletries, carry your toiletries such as towels, wet wipes, skin creams etc. you might find yourself in a very remote area with no supermarket or clinic to get these supplies.
What Luggage to Carry?
We again emphasize that you need to keep your luggage light. This is because chances are that you will be shifting from lodge to lodge as you progress with your safari. If you pay attention to the information provided on what to wear and what accessories to carry, travelling light will be quite easy because you will pack only what you need. You will also be more comfortable if you do not have so much to carry with you everywhere you go. One other important reason to keep your luggage light is that you do not want it to exceed the required weight otherwise you will be forced to leave some of your luggage at the airportSafari Accessories and Information
A good pair of binoculars, a camera and enough camera batteries, a travel pillow, sleeping bag and safari jacket are some of the travel accessories you cannot afford to travel without. You will need the good views provided by the binoculars, the memories captured by the camera the warmth from the jacket and the sleeping bag and the comfort offered by the travel pillow. All these accessories are necessary.
A small bag in which to carry your documents and keep them close is also important. Travel documents such as visas, passports, and vaccination certificates should be kept close to your person so that they are easily accessible and safe. Try to get information from your tour operator on how to acquire a visa, other travel requirements that you might need to enter your chosen Africa safari destination. Make sure you do not forget your travel documents; otherwise your trip might not even begin.
Bon Voyage and enjoy you Africa safari experience!
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