| Packing for your long-awaited safari to Africa | | | | drives, where you can stand in the vehicle to |
| may appear like such a little task until you begin. | | | | view wildlife. Bring supportive and comfortable |
| Then you suddenly realize you do not have | | | | shoes. You might consider light hiking boots, for |
| sufficient information to help you make good | | | | increased ankle support. |
| choices on what to carry or leave behind. Many | | | | Style Hints |
| are gripped with anxiety trying to figure out what | | | | Dress on safari is functional and casual, while being |
| to take along in order to enjoy some level of | | | | neat and presentable in the lodges. In local |
| comfort. A few commandments that might help | | | | communities, and to some extent in the lodges, |
| you in the process of packing for your African | | | | your dress should be modest and conservative. |
| Safari are given here: | | | | Although many tourists are not sensitive to this, |
| Generally, keep your bag light | | | | travelers who observe this are likely to receive a |
| You are probably restricted to approximately | | | | warmer welcome. Avoid tank tops and sleeveless |
| 30-40 kilos on your flight. That fact along should in | | | | shirts. You should usually not wear shorts in |
| some way determine how much you will take | | | | towns, and women will get better reception if |
| along from home. In any case, you are better off | | | | they wear a mid-length skirt. (A travel skirt is also |
| if you were able to tote your bags yourself for | | | | unbeatable for roadside pit stops in open country, |
| short distances in the event this becomes | | | | so you can maintain a degree of modesty without |
| necessary. | | | | hiking all the way to the horizon!). |
| Besides, you'd like to have extra room left over | | | | Recommended Clothing |
| for souvenirs at the end of the safari! Most | | | | If you are on this trip over a period of about 2 |
| travelers pack too much. Choose clothing with | | | | weeks, the following list may serve as a good |
| multiple uses. Find toiletries in sample sizes. | | | | guideline on what to bring along in terms of |
| Remove all disposable material from your gear | | | | clothing. You won't need much else, and you won't |
| before you leave home. | | | | have room for much else in your duffel any way! |
| Get a day pack or rucksack: | | | | The list: |
| For your daily necessities like water bottles, | | | | Short-sleeved cotton shirts - 5. Polo-style shirts |
| camera gear, sunscreen, etc, get a day pack or | | | | are more versatile than T-shirts |
| rucksack. Use this as your carry-on bag on your | | | | Long sleeved cotton shirts - 2. These can include |
| flights, and keep it with you during game drives | | | | light dress shirts for sun protection and flannel |
| and walking trips. A day pack keeps both hands | | | | shirts and cotton turtlenecks for layering |
| free. Store camera gear and important papers in | | | | Trousers: two pairs, comfortable and loose-fitting. |
| plastic bags within to protect them from dirt and | | | | One lighter, one a bit heavier for warmth in the |
| moisture. | | | | evening. |
| Packing your Carry-on Bag: | | | | Travel skirt, for women. Not required, but highly |
| Use your day pack/rucksack as your carry-on | | | | recommended. |
| bag for your flights. In it pack a change of | | | | Underwear - 7 to 10 changes. Due to the very |
| clothes, camera gear, all medications (especially | | | | bumpy roads, brassieres are suggested for |
| essential prescription medications), several | | | | women, even if you usually don't wear one. |
| changes of socks and underwear, and other | | | | Fleece jacket |
| irreplaceable or breakable items. | | | | Light rain jacket with a hood. A water- proof |
| Get a duffel bag or soft-side luggage: | | | | breathable jacket can double as a wind breaker. |
| A sturdy zippered duffel need not to be | | | | This should be sized to fit over your sweater or |
| expensive. Depending on how much you bring, | | | | fleece jacket |
| you'll need a duffel about 26" to 30" long and | | | | Light rain jacket with a hood. A water proof |
| about 12" to 15" in diameter. Look for heavy | | | | breathable jacket can double as a wind breaker. |
| nylon fabric, wrap-around handles and a | | | | This should be sized to fit over your sweater or |
| heavy-duty lockable zipper. You can buy a duffel | | | | fleece jacket |
| bag with built-in wheels from just about | | | | Wide brim sun hat |
| anywhere. | | | | Footwear |
| Use plastic shopping bags, nylon stuff sacks, | | | | Pack comfortable walking shoes. Look for shoes |
| smaller zipper duffels or special mesh bags to | | | | with good arch support. Sports sandals. Not |
| separate clothing and gear inside your duffel. | | | | required, but very highly recommended, especially |
| Isolate liquid toiletries in heavy duty zip-loc bags. | | | | if you are taking an extension tom the beach |
| Bring a few spare bags, including one for dirty | | | | coast. |
| laundry. | | | | Socks - 5 to 7 pairs. During May to August, one |
| What clothing for your African Safari? | | | | or two pairs should be warm hiking socks made |
| Plan to dress in layers so you can adjust to | | | | of wool, capilene or Thermax. |
| temperature changes. Be sure to bring all the | | | | Optional Clothing |
| warm clothing on your packing list. You will need | | | | Swim suit (recommended for dips in swimming |
| at least one heavy wool sweater, as well as a | | | | pools, except in June July and August, when it |
| warm fleece jacket in the season May to | | | | might be too cool to swim- East Africa speaking) |
| October - at least in the case of East Africa | | | | Walking shorts, long-cut for modesty (Not needed |
| Safari. | | | | May through August - East Africa speaking) |
| You can buy clothing designed especially for travel. | | | | The above commandments are only suggestions |
| Avoid tight-fitting jeans. If you like to hand-wash | | | | provided for your convenience. It is important to |
| your clothes, bring socks and underwear made of | | | | mention that it is often possible to do laundry |
| silk or a cotton-synthetic blend, which will dry out | | | | during the safari, although dryers might not be |
| overnight. | | | | available. |
| You may be on your feet a lot during game | | | | |