African Safari Packing List & Tips

Considerations for Photo Gear

Keep in mind, while you may have the perfect setup for carry-on airplane travel in your home country, many of the regional and bush planes are much smaller and your carry-on size will matter. If you have to take bush planes or regional flights around Africa, you may have issues if you have more than one carry-on and/or do not want to check your camera and electronic equipment. Generally, no one likes to check their cameras but sometimes you have no choice—especially with big telephoto lenses. While there are weight restrictions with carry-on bags, I have found that they are not really enforced as long as you look like you are carrying your gear without a problem. It is the size of the carry-on that matters. If you find yourself traveling with a huge lens like a 600mm, I recommend using a hard case, then placing it into a duffle bag with some clothes or padding. This makes it less obvious that it is expensive camera gear.

Passport, itinerary, travel insurance docs and eTickets

It seems obvious, but we would be remiss if we didn’t put this at the top of the list of what you must pack for your safari. (take photos or keep a copy)

Prescription meds

Remember to put your prescription medications in your hand luggage (in case your check-in bag goes astray… it happens!)…and make sure you have enough of each type to last your entire safari.

Prescription glasses (sunglasses, hat, sunblock etc)

If you wear prescription glasses, be sure to pack more than one set (in case you lose one or they get broken). You will be outdoors for much of the time, so be prepared. Pack a hat, sunblock, long sleeves, and lip balm.

Camera, video and binoculars

Whilst most people will remember to take their camera and/or video (or will use their mobile phone), not everyone thinks they need to take binoculars!

Binoculars are ESSENTIAL for optimum wildlife viewing on safari (and a GOOD pair of binoculars will make a BIG difference to your safari). We strongly recommend a pair of binoculars on safari. Get the most expensive you can afford (at least 8x or better still 10x magnification).

Africa is a photographer’s dream. Not only does the boundless wildlife come in all shapes and sizes, but the continent is also blessed with stunning landscapes, colorful people and fabulous light! Don’t miss out. Buy a camera, if you don’t already have one.

Clothes and toiletries

Essentials to pack – closed comfortable shoes, a wide brim hat, a rain jacket, a fleece or down vest and jacket, and a scarf to keep you warm and also provide respite from dusty roads for yourself and

your camera lens. Layers work best on safari. Most mornings (any time of year) and evenings are cool and riding in an open vehicle is cold. Clothing with pockets are great because you can use them for extra camera batteries, memory cards, glasses, etc. while out in the field and not have to fumble about in your camera bag.

Don’t panic! Remember, a same-day laundry service is usually available in most safari camps and lodges. This means you DO NOT need a change of clothes for each day you are on safari! The exception will be for mobile tented safaris where it is often difficult, due the mobile nature, to offer a laundry service. It may also be possible to leave a bag with the charter company, or person meeting you, for the duration of the safari portion. When in doubt, ask us.

Casual but comfortable

Casual, comfortable clothing is suitable throughout the year when on safari. Whilst you may elect to start a completely new safari ‘wardrobe’ it is really not necessary to look like an extra on the set of Out of Africa! Apart from selecting reasonably neutral or ‘non-bright’ colored clothing, safari-wear is generally casual and practical. Be sure you take clothes that you feel comfortable in – especially when it comes to your walking/hiking boots. The newer quick-drying fabrics, shirts with ventilation and trousers that convert into shorts are all worth considering.

Layering is key

Wearing clothes in layers is the most practical way to cope with fluctuating day/night temperatures and cool evenings whilst on safari. As the day warms up you can peel off another layer. Then as it begins to cool toward evening, you can put them back on. Here’s the “must-haves” to pack for your safari:

• • T-shirt, shirt or blouse – long sleeves and collars help to protect from the sun & inects
• • Fleece or warm jacket
• • A pair of safari trousers – those that zip off at the knees are very handy
• • Comfortable walking shoes (or boots) and socks
• • Hat
• • Bandanna or cotton scarf and a sarong (kanga, pareo, kikoi)
• • Maybe a pair of open sports sandals for general daytime use in warmer months
• • Swimsuit – a number of lodges and camps have swimming pools
• • An elegantly casual outfit for dinner at the smarter hotels
• • A light, compact raincoat, it is likely you’ll encounter rain – especially at Vic Falls Rainforest

Dull and/or neutral colors are more suitable for safari, white and/or bright colours are not practical as they tend to stand out and attract the insects (Tse Tse flies are attracted to blue and black.– definitely not advisable on a walking safari. Cotton clothing is recommended although the newer synthetic safari clothing lines are quick drying and extremely comfortable.

Check the weather

Check online and find out what the weather will be like where you are going. You may not need any serious cold weather gear at all (and that will really help with the luggage limit!). Alternatively, if you are going anywhere in winter where the temperature drops dramatically when the sun goes down, you may need gloves, a scarf, a thick jacket and a beanie! Places like Hwange, Okavango, Linyanti and even Kruger are freezing in the early morning and late evening during the winter months (June through August). And this is magnified by a significant wind-chill factor that you’ll feel when on the back of an open game-drive vehicle.

Phone, music, tablet or laptop

What you must pack for your safari are your phone, music, tablet or laptop – and their respective chargers, country-specific adaptor plugs.

Preventative pharmaceuticals

This is just a fancy way of saying ‘meds’ – stuff you need, just in case the worst happens: diarrhoea, headaches, heartburn, insect repellent, hand sanitizer, bites (antihistamine), indigestion, sore throat (lozenges), eye drops, and most important – anti-malarial tablets.

Odds & ends

A good torch (flashlight) is a must. It can be pitch black in the bush or in your tent in the middle of the night. A rechargeable torch is ideal but a small battery-powered torch is sufficient. The new LED miner’s lights that fit on your head (and leave your hands free) are also a good option. A smaller (pencil) torch for emergencies or looking at star maps is also worth considering. Most camps will provide a torch, or will walk you back to your tent as required, but being self-sufficient is always a good idea.

A good book. It never hurts to have an interesting book when travelling. You never know when you are going to be delayed at the airport or fall victim to Africa time!

A travel diary or journal is something we recommend. You will see and experience so much in such a short period of time on safari, that the only way to maintain a good record of it will be to write it down. It does require discipline but will serve as an invaluable record of your safari adventure.

Luggage

• Check you are you within the weight restrictions below. Most international airlines will restrict your check-in luggage to around 20 – 30kgs (55lbs). However, if your safari itinerary includes any light aircraft flights, then this can mean as little as 12 – 15 kgs (sometimes including your hand luggage!).
• Firstly, try to restrict your hand luggage to one item only, if for no other reason than more than one item makes travel that much harder. And, yes, a handbag qualifies as a second item! Obviously, that one item should be of a size that is acceptable as carry-on luggage by the airlines.
• If you are a photographer, then this will mean you must have sufficient space in your camera bag for travel documents, your prescription medication and/or glasses, binoculars and even a change of clothes.
• The smaller charter aircraft, used between camps, have physical space restrictions. Some important issues must please be noted for air transfers: – Luggage, including camera equipment and hand luggage, is restricted per person travelling on seat rates to 20kg (44lbs). – Only soft bags will be accepted – no wheels, frames or rigid structures can be transported as they physically cannot fit into the aircraft.
• The maximum dimensions of the soft bags that can be accommodated are as follows: 25cm (10 inches) wide x 30cm (12 inches) high and 62cm (24 inches) long. Please keep in mind that the baggage compartments on light aircraft are only 25cm high (10 inches), so the pilots must have the ability to manipulate the bag into the compartment. – A collapsible soft duffel is recommended.
• An additional seat can be booked for extra luggage, subject to availability.
• Bear in mind that restrictions on what can and cannot be taken on board an aircraft are still in place – including for liquids, flammables and sharp objects. The rules change frequently, so please double check with your airline and take heed.
• For loading purposes, we also require the weight of each individual, so the pilot can plan accordingly. Persons over 120kg (265 lbs) may be required to purchase an additional seat. Please notify us

1Money and credit cards

You will want to have some cash on you. U.S. dollars are widely accepted throughout Africa. Counterfeiting is common and most camps, lodges, and tented camps require U.S. dollars that are fairly new—post 2013. On my most recent trip, there were problems accepting $20 bills printed prior to 2013. If you are traveling from the United States, ask you bank to order you the newest bills available in 20s, 10s and 5s. Do not wait to do this because banks often will have to order new currency and that can take a few days to a week. Larger bills are more difficult to use—not to mention you will likely not be getting change back in U.S. dollars. Tented camps and Wi-Fi can be tricky and there are offline times when the camp is unable to process a credit-card purchase.

• As USD Cash is the preferred currency for any curio shopping and tips, we recommend you bring sufficient small dollar bills for this purpose. Banks and foreign exchange bureaus are available at all international airports and main towns; however, ATMs do not dispense USD notes.
• Please be aware USD Cash is in short supply in Zimbabwe.
• Properties with gift shops have credit card facilities, but tips cannot be accepted via credit card.
• Please note that it is required to travel with the 2013 series and newer, crisp bills – flimsy old bills aren’t accepted. We recommend bringing at least USD 50 Cash per day for your safari.

Flights and activities

Check-in is 1.5 hours prior for domestic and 3 hours prior for international departures.

Scheduled regional and inter-lodge flights may involve multiple stops before reaching destination.

Flights are operated as “shuttle transfers” and therefore departure times and scheduling are only confirmed the day before travel and may vary up to 1 hour. Times are subject to change without notice. Flight scheduling will be communicated to camp managers or hotel guest relations.

In the event of bad weather airlines reserve the right to drop guests off at the nearest serviceable airstrip which may mean a road transfer for guests to get to their destination. Any costs resulting from such diversions would be for your own account. Some shuttle inter-lodge flights may depart very early in the morning which means you will miss your morning activity. Regrettably, this is beyond our control as flights are scheduled to meet onward flight transfers and connecting flights out of the various international airports. If a specific departure time is required, a private charter would need to be booked and paid for.

Climate in Zimbabwe – Botswana – Zambia

The climate in this region is mainly temperate. Summer – October to April – can be very hot, but

daytime temperatures typically average around 30ºC (86ºF). The rainy season lasts from January to March.

Winter (May to September) – brings cooler weather with an average temperature of 25ºC (77ºF); early mornings and evenings may be very cold.

Wifi and Electricity

Most camps and lodges do not offer WiFi or internet connection. We encourage you to enjoy the opportunity to “switch off” and enjoy a Digital Detox.

Most properties will have a charging station in the communal area where you can charge your cameras etc, and only some will have electricity available in the rooms / tents. Some properties may supply converters; however, we recommend bringing your own.

• Botswana: Electric plug M, or G (rare) 230V, 50Hz.
• Zambia: Electric plugs C, D & G 230V 50Hz.
• Zimbabwe: Electrical plug D & G. 220V and 50Hz

Dietary

Most dietary requirements can be catered for. Please advise us of any specific dietary requirements and these will be communicated to all properties in advance of your stay.

Gratuity Guideline

Gratuities are not compulsory. However, if you want to tip because you are happy with the service provided, then please do. A general guideline is detailed below, depending on how much you enjoyed the service:

• Driver Guides at the end of each stay – US$15-20 per person
• Tracker Guides – US$15 cash per person per day
• General Staff – US$20 cash per person per day
• Host – US$10 cash per person per day Guided tour
• Finally, don’t forget your sense of humor, patience and some common sense!

A word (or two) of warning: It is not advisable to wear any form of clothing that may be construed as “camouflage”. By this we mean any form of brown/green “combat” style coloring. Even if it is the latest fashion statement – and even if it is your 14 year old wearing it – and even if it is just a cap. Many African authorities have a disproportionate phobia about such garments and this could conceivably result in you being questioned or harassed by the police. It has the potential to cause you grief, so don’t do it.

Do not take expensive personal jewellery on safari. Be minimalist or take only those everyday items that you normally wear, like your wedding band, inexpensive earrings.

With regard to securing your luggage, we would strongly suggest using one or more combination locks to secure zips together if your suitcase does not have its own locking mechanism. Luggage tampering in airports does occur, unfortunately. Luggage straps that wrap around your suitcase can also deter, whilst shrink-wrapping facilities are available at some airports.

Time to pack for your safari !