Planning an African Safari: Key Reminders
With Africa opening up again for tourism, for many guests, the option of going on a Kruger Park safari has once again become a reality. If you are planning a safari trip in the coming months, here is a reminder about how to plan.
Planning a safari in Africa can be daunting, as what to take and what to leave is always an issue. But with some careful planning, you can take all the necessities to make your safari holiday as pleasurable as possible.
First of all, you will need to plan way in advance of your departure day. Depending on where you are from and where you going, you are probably going to need to have some vaccines. You also will need passports and visas. Currency is another issue, so be sure to plan that side of your safari as well. An African safari may require that you take out travel insurance too. See what types of accommodation are available and what will suit you best.
If you are visiting Africa, it’s good to keep in mind that even in winter the days can get warm, so pack something summery or you will need to purchase clothing along the way. Winter nights in Africa can get chilly so take along something warm too. If you will be travelling through cities and bush be sure to pack “city” clothes and “bush” clothes. A swimming costume, yes even in winter, is small enough and probably necessary on your safari. For the bush, it’s best to wear earth-toned colours. It not only helps you to blend into the bush but earth tones are normally cooler in the midday heat. Cotton is a great fabric for the heat and it is crease-resistant.
In Africa sunglasses and a full-brimmed hat are considered essentials. If you going to be walking on your safari, pack a thick rubber soled boot, preferably well walked in, for your journey. Also pack flip-flops for use in camp. While on safari, you really don’t want to have to be running around looking for toiletries. So pack sufficient shampoo, soap, toothpaste etc. Don’t skimp on sunscreen or insect repellent, you will need it in Africa, even in winter. It is advisable to bring your own reusable water bottle, although most places sell bottled water, it’s better to fill a few bottles at your overnight accommodation just in case. Pack a basic first aid kit and include pain medication as well as diarrhea and nausea meds. An anti-allergy tablet is useful and something for sunburn just in case. Never forget to see that you have an electrical outlet adapter.
Since Africa is a top photography adventure, bring the correct camera and lenses. A good zoom lens is a necessity for capturing long distance wildlife photos. While out in the bush, binoculars are necessary to view the animals or birds that are not quite visible with the naked eye. A great way to keep both your camera and binoculars free of dust on your safari is to put them in a zip plastic bag.
For more information about planning your trip to Africa, and going on a safari in particular, you should browse the rest of our website to find out more. This way you can be sure that your trip will be well worth it.
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