What to Pack for an African Safari – The Packing List
What to pack for an African safari is a question you must address properly to avoid regrets and achieve your safari pleasure. Embarking on a safari in Africa needs effective planning with what to put on the packing list being top on the agenda.
Packing for the very first African safari is a somehow challenge. Most safari goers have weight limitations by their flight providers. Based on restrictions based on weights to carry are the basis for proper arrangement on what to carry and those to leave behind. You plan depending on the type of tour activities in your African safari itinerary. Different tour activities have their own specific requirements. Look through your trip itinerary and decide what you really need for what. There are general necessities and specific requirements. Activities like mountain climbing, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, boat cruise, game drive safari, nature walk, community and cultural tour and many more have their own items on the pack list. Your tour organizer should give enough information to you on what to bring for what. But short of that, check out on this extensive list of items that must not miss on your trip plan.
Get to know which are the right clothing and shoes for bush walks. Friends that have been on a tour in Africa can as well propose to you what to carry based on importance. As you pack for a trip, the weight adds up quickly as you try meet the challenge of weight limitation that one must not exceed.
What to Omit
Wonderfully, you will always dozens of people inappropriately dressed for a safari. With an improper dressing, you will stand out negatively to other travelers. Bringing on a safari your favorite jeans or the black shirt could make you prone to tsetse flies that can bite through your clothing. Your yellow neon trainers may perhaps scare off the animals during your bush walk or a game drive. In that respect, our recommended African safari packing list will help you be ready for your safari holiday and carry it out smoothly.
What to Pack for an African Safari – The List is Comprehensive but you have to choose out what to carry based on the nature and activities during the trip.
Natural-Colored Clothing for Safaris and Trekking
- Two pairs of light weight trousers which can dry speedily while on hikes
- A Pair of shorts
- 2 or 1 long-sleeved lighter shirts that can dry quickly
- 2 – 3 short-sleeved shirts – preferably moisture wicking material
Casual clothes for evenings
- 2 pairs of light weight trousers
- 3 sports shirts with long sleeves or blouse
- 1 dress or skirt for women
Exterior clothing
- 1 Lightweight windproof / waterproof / breathable coat.
- 1 Fleece, sweater or sweatshirt
- Well-made / lightweight water-resistant walking boots for tucking in pants /trousers into the socks and boots during trekking. Strong soled gaiters or rain boots are ideal also.
- One Pair of shoes for wearing in the evening
- One Pair of sports sandals are vital
- Swimsuit plus a plastic bag for stuffing in
- A bush hat with an overflow for protecting against sunshine
- Lightweight fabric socks
- Underclothing
- Gloves – gardening gloves or anything similar for specifically gorilla tracking
- Towel – most hotels and lodges offer such items but if desirable we recommend taking trek towels. They of lightweight nature and dry quickly, a bigger one is also good.
- Gaiters
- Moisturizer cream and Sunscreen
- Sunglasses that have a neck strap
- Insect repellent
- Day pack and small rucksack
- A pair of Binoculars
- Alarm clock – but accommodation will always wake you up
- Ear plugs
- Pack extra camera and phone batteries
- Don’t forget power charger for your electronic gadgets
- Carry a Camera plus extra lenses
- Film – predominantly fast film for the primates (400 – 1600 ASA)
- Personal toiletries
- Prescription medicines
- Wet-wipes or tissues
- Back-up glasses exclusively if you put on contact lenses
- Plastic bag and Wash cloth if needed
- Dry bags and plastic bags for keeping treasures dry or storage of wet clothes
- Torch – LED models are lighter with a good battery duration
- Sewing kit with needles, threads and safety pins
- A Minor notebook
- First Aid Kit – this should have anti-diarrhea medication, rehydration sachet, tablets cold medication, antiseptic cream, Band-Aids, sickness pills, lip ointment, eye drops and personal medication among others.
- Carry with you photocopies of your visas, passport, credit cards and airline tickets. We recommend you to keep 2 sets in separate storage.
- Water proof bags
- Toiletries – shampoo, soaps, tooth-brush, tooth paste and many more.
- Yellow fever health card
- Sports bra
- Moisturizer and conditioner
- Enough Cash – though trip is fully paid for, you need some extra cash for personal extra items. Carry your foreign currency note and exchange from local forex bureaus.
Note: You cannot come with all the items as mentioned, instead choose out those that you indeed need for you safari activities. Your itinerary should guide you on what to carry and leave behind. Follow our recommendation and enjoy your African safari.
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