It is the season for planning amazing trips and we are all excited. But aren’t you bored of conventional trips and tours? Well, if that is the case, we have an intriguing option for you to explore.
African Safaris are a great option if you want to relish nature and wildlife closely. These are quite different from ordinary trips owing to the fact that such expeditions take you deep into nature among the wild realms. Therefore, everything might not be accessible at hand which calls for a packing spree that makes sure you have everything in place before leaving.
If that has gotten the hoarder in you worried, we have you sorted. For an African Safari, your packing list should entail some necessities that keep you covered considering the factors of climate, environment, and availability of resources.
Thus, we have curated a comprehensive list of some packing essentials for you to enjoy a wonderful African Safari.
Everything you need for your first safari—or your tenth African Safari
Must-Have Documents for a Seamless Travel
Documents are essentials that you should never miss. Make sure you have the following documents at hand when you are travelling abroad for an African Safari:
- Original passport
- Credit or debit cards
- Travel insurance documents
- Directional maps or itineraries
- Medical and vaccination certificates
- Valid visa
- Copies of essential documents like the photo identification card, first four pages of the passport, and so on
Backpacks to stuff all things Essentials
Backpacks will come in handy when you are out on dusty safari expeditions since they can help you carry all your essentials. Invest in a lightweight, compact, and compressible backpack that is easy for you to take with you throughout the day. Another option is duffel bags with detachable straps that can be easily accommodated in small spaces.
Shoo Away the Critters with Insect Repellents
Jungle safaris call for carrying some good insect repellents that can protect your skin from insects and critters. Make sure that you carry one that suits your skin type to avoid any allergic reactions on your trip. Also, eco-friendly insect repellent lotions or body mists are impeccable options since they are gentle to the environment as well as your skin.
Cover yourself in layers of comfortable clothing
When you are out on a wildlife safari, staying comfortable is a priority. Thus, you should pack clothing items that keep you comfortable yet stylish.
Wear a t-shirt or a tank top and layer it with a sweater or a collared long-sleeved top. Add a jacket in case the weather is too cold. Wear long pants made from breathable fabric like cotton and linen. Don’t forget to wear a sunhat too!
Shades of khaki, green, and brown work well with the natural realms of Africa. Go for light colours if you’re stepping out for an evening meal. And ladies, if you want to spruce it up for a romantic sundowner or a bush meal, wear a cute and casual dress with a scarf so that you feel comfortable and look stylish too! Plus, you can pack in some cute swimwear and comfy dresses when you want to lounge around the pool area of your hotel.
Comfortable Footwear for a Walk in the Woods
While on an African Safari, you will probably be taking long walks amidst bushes and wet jungle patches. Thus, comfortable footwear is an essential item to travel with. You can opt for lightweight, easy-to-clean and comfortable ankle length boots.
If the hike isn’t difficult, you can opt for casual, slip-ons and footwear that are easy to take on and off for a hassle-free expedition. These will also be helpful when you are casually strolling in the camp area or when you’re chilling in the room.
Medicines and First-Aid, your Health Saviours
This one is a point that can’t be emphasized enough. Pack all your necessary medicines and prescriptions that you might need on the trip. However, private safari vehicles are equipped with first-aid kits, so you can also skip this part if you want.
If you don’t want to carry along a full-fledged first-aid kit, you can opt for some specific medical items. First-aid elements like paracetamol, anti-nausea tablets, allergy medications, rubbing alcohol, bandaids, gauze, anti-malaria tablets, painkillers, pre-prescribed medication, diarrhea medication, antiseptic spray, insect repellent, rehydration sachets, bite cream, are some must-haves on an African Safari.
Spirits and Devices – Charge them both
You don’t want to roam around looking for charging devices and electronic essentials while out on a safari. To avoid such incidents, make sure you pack electronic items such as power cables, portable chargers, global adapters, and extra batteries.
Laptops, phones, and cameras might require separate charging devices. Ensure that you carry the ones that fit your purpose. Also, don’t miss out on a global adapter to avoid any hassles while charging your devices.
You would want to capture the scenic views that you witness while out on the jungle expeditions. Hence, carry along a camera and some extra storage space for that purpose.
Explore the Breathtaking beauty with Binoculars
You don’t want to miss out on any amazing wildlife activities only because you don’t have a pair of good binoculars to yourself. Hence don’t forget to carry a pair that will help you observe some breathtaking scenes closely.
Some Additional Tips that can come in handy while packing for an African Safari
Don’t Overpack
While the excitement of going on a jungle safari might make you want to pack anything and everything, make sure you don’t overpack. Keep the baggage limit in mind while packing for both domestic and international flights. Usually, in bush planes in Kenya, the limit is 15 kgs while in Tanzania the limit is 20 kgs.
Don’t carry Expensive Items such as jewellery Pieces
You don’t want to lose out on precious and expensive belongings during the trip. Therefore, avoid carrying items such as jewelry pieces to avoid any such incidents.
Carry the Necessary Vaccination Certificates
Before you fly to East African Countries, make sure that you carry all the necessary vaccination certificates that you might require. These could include certificates pertaining to Yellow Fever vaccination, TF vaccination, routine vaccinations like MMR (measles-mumps-rubella), polio, hepatitis and DPT (diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus), and so on.
Always keep the Camera handy
The African Safaris will offer you exemplary views of the natural realms. Therefore, always keep the camera handy so that you can capture all the beauty that pleases your eyes.
Wet bags work best for Toiletries
While packing the toiletries, you should always carry wet bags so that the moisture does not seep inside the rest of your luggage. Also, don’t forget to keep essentials such as scarves and wet wipes to keep yourself covered for the dusty tours.
Pack wisely and efficiently….
With all these checklists in mind, you will be nicely prepared for an African Safari. Just make sure you do not miss out on any essentials so that you don’t have to roam around looking out for them. Pack in all these items and don’t forget to bring along an adventurous spirit to put together the experience of a lifetime for yourself.]
FAQs: African Safari
Which are some must-have documents for an African Safari?
Following are some must-have documents for an African Safari:
- Passport
- Valid visa
- Credit or debit cards
- Travel Insurance documents
- Directional maps or itineraries
- Medical and vaccination certificates
- Copies of essential documents ike the photo identification card, first four pages of the passport, and so on
What toiletries should you carry before leaving for an African Safari?
Travel-size toiletries, sunscreens, and items such as sanitary napkins and tampons, should be carried while travelling for an African Safari.
Can I carry expensive jewellery on African Safaris?
You don’t want to lose out on precious and expensive belongings during the trip. Therefore, avoid carrying items such as jewellery pieces to avoid any such incidents.
What footwear works the best for African Safaris?
You can opt for lightweight, easy-to-clean and comfortable hiking boots. In case you want to dress up while chilling in the hotel room, a pair of good-quality sneakers would be great to carry along.
What electronic devices should I take along for an African Safari?
Before leaving for an African Safari, make sure you pack electronic items such as power cables, portable chargers, global adapters, and extra batteries.
