What to pack for an African safari: Packing for a safari in Africa isn’t an ordinary thing like it is done with other trips. Usually, first time safari goers face challenges packing for an African safari. When packing for an African safari, adequate preparation is required and essentials need to be considered first. This article bring you a detailed list of items you should consider packing for a successful African safari holiday.
Documents
Passports: For visitors planning to visit the Sub-Saharan Africa, a valid passport is usually a must have. Passports must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of travel and you will be required to present them before authorities.
Visas: Valid visas feature among the essentials you should consider on your packing list for an African safari. Visas are required if you have entry into a country you plan to spend your African safari holiday. Others include Yellow Fever Card/Certificate plus any other essential travel document.
Cash: Unlike other developed destinations, cash is required in most of the African destinations. Safaris in Africa are carried out from the bush and never will you find credit card machines. It is important that when you travel to Africa, have your US Dollars or Euros exchanged into local currencies like Tanzania shilling, Kenya shilling or Uganda shilling depending on the destination you plan to spend your African holiday safari. This will ease your local transactions in the local markets or tipping while at the destination.
Items worth packing for game drives: The essentials you should expect to pack for an African game viewing safari include soft sided bags, 2 pairs of pants, 1-2 long sleeved shirts, 3 layering t-shirts/tanks, light scarf, wide brimmed safari hats, sunscreen, utility jackets, closed toe shoes, waterproof dry bag, toiletries, insect repellents, USB flash drive, plug adapters, first aid/medical kit.
Luggage
When packing, consider packing lightly because the weight of luggage is strictly limited especially for small aircrafts which fly in Africa. About 44 Ibs per pax in soft duffel for the case of Southern Africa, 33 Ibs per pax in case of East Africa.
If you are traveling mainly for gorilla trekking in Africa, a waterproof daypack is recommended. A soft sided luggage is recommended in case you plan to connect by flight to prime destinations like Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya or Murchison Falls National Park/Kidepo Valley National Park in Uganda.
There are some airlines that provide luggage storage for instance Air Kenya, Safari Link and they charge a small amount. It can even be more convenient alternative for travelers who plan to flight back to the same airport. Note: do not come with plastic bags if you are visiting Kenya or Tanzania for a safari.
Safari clothes
Don’t pack anything for an African safari. Your comfort while on an African safari matters a lot and try as much as possible to pack lightly for your bush experience. The key clothes we can recommend include environmentally friendly attire-get long sleeved shirt-avoid bright colored clothes; waterproof hiking boots (for visitors traveling to Uganda, Rwanda or D.R. Congo for gorilla trekking), gardening gloves, rain jackets, socks, trousers, long sleeved shirts.
First aid/medical kit & toiletries
There are several key items you should consider packing in your first aid kit including malaria tablets, anti-nausea tablets, basic medical items like antiseptic, band aids, aspirin, anti-histamine cream; moisturizer, hair brush, nail scissor, pep to-bismol, tissues, insect repellents etc.
Medication
Carry enough of daily vitamins and should be prescribed medicine that can last for you for a good time. However, make sure that you have them kept/stored in good conditions/bag. Some of the medications you may need while on an African safari depending on your health conditions include pain relievers, allergy remedy, antiseptic cream, Re-hydration salts, heartburn remedy, cold or flu tablets, anti-diarrhea medicine etc.
Gear
Apart from the usual electronics, essential gear you should include into your pack for an African safari range from pair of binoculars, camera, batteries, memory cards, chargers, waterproof cover for the camera, sunglasses of good quality etc.
Plug converters
Plug converters should be part of your pack for an African safari. Most African safari destinations use 220 to 240 volt electricity though the plug type may vary from destination to destination. Carry a plug that does matches the rest of the world and other items you shouldn’t forget include camera chargers, cell phone chargers, laptop charges and you can have plug adapter to ensure that you plug all of them.
Hygiene items
Though most accommodation facilities offer basic toilet amenities like shampoo, body soap, conditioners, there is need to carry additional hygiene items. These include dental care like travel toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo & conditioner; shaving accessories like men’s/women’s shave cream, men’s/women’s travel razor. Sanitary requirements, face moisturizers, sunblock, insect repellents, lip balm with SPF, toner etc.
Photography items
Photography on an African safari is a must do and shouldn’t be missed. The essentials to guarantee you remarkable photography experience on an African safari include lens pen, extra lens cap, carry Nikon camera or better one, bean bag, lens cleaner etc.
Gorilla trekking-essential items
Gorilla trekking often comes second after game drives as the most looked for wildlife experiences on an African safari. But, you must pack well for this life changing adventure starting with long sleeved shirts, gardening gloves, strong waterproof hiking boots, socks/gaiters, rain coat, sweater, snacks, water, insect repellent, camera with no flashlight, valid gorilla permits-book one if you are visiting Uganda, Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), visas, passports.
Insect repellent with DEET is without doubt the preferred insect repellent you should have if you are heading to Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda for an African safari. DEET is noted for its activeness or carry an all natural citronella repellent in case you aren’t comfortable with the DEET.
Things to avoid packing for an African safari
Bright clothes-include military like clothes.
Plastic bags
Drones etc
