A safari in Kenya is a real adventure. To ensure that you have a really great experience, please read these tips. It’s not just about the right mosquito spray! Please read these tips so that you can fully enjoy your safari.
Your behavior on safari The driver’s instructions must be followed at all times. We travel to the real wilderness, not the zoo. Getting out of the vehicles inside the parks is strictly forbidden, except in the designated places. Feeding animals: a no-go! Touch? Never not! Throw stones (and such) to wake up the lions? No comment. Shouting, screaming, climbing on the car roof… yes, we’ve had that before – NO!
When packing your bags for a safari, the most important thing is not to stumble upon extremes. Those who are used to traveling with minimal luggage can be amazed by the search for essentials in the endless expanses of the African savannah. But prudent tourists, having taken a million things with them, risk enjoying the beautiful nature by looking through a narrow slit in their pockets. Therefore, let’s remember the main safari rule: travelers move with their luggage on SUVs in the parks, unless your program starts and ends at the same hotel, then you can leave your luggage there. If there are too many bags, they will be carried on the car roof and you will lose the chance to drive with the roof open and take nice photos of animals. It mostly affects the big groups as all Land Cruisers are seven seaters. You can even take 3 pieces of luggage, but if you are 6-7 people, in this case you should prepare your luggage with some care. Despite the minimal luggage, you should not suffer from the lack of comfort. So let’s look at the list.
You will spend most of your trip in the car. So, clothes should be comfortable, made of soft natural fabrics, with a minimum of elastic, laces, tightening belts and decorative elements such as massive buttons. Note that you have to start early in the morning to see some animals. At this time the weather can be cool and warm clothing is required. Consider the time of year and weather conditions in this region.
For example, in the protected areas of the northern regions, the daytime temperature can be about +22-25 °C, and in the southern part of Tanzania and on the islands it is even +35 °C.
For the safari you will need:
Long-sleeved shirt
warm sweater or light jacket (the temperature in Ngorongoro falls to 0 degrees in the evening and in the morning)
A pair of t-shirts (preferably 1 piece for each day safari)
Light cotton pants
Shorts, bathing suit/swimming trunks (if the lodges have a pool y Headgear (a wide brimmed hat, panama hat or cap with a visor would be perfect)
Be aware that when driving off-road, dust will get into the vehicle through the open windows/roof. Therefore, do not choose blindingly white clothes, but rather inconspicuous and pale tones, such as khaki.
Light running shoes, sandals or slippers would be perfect.
Much depends on the place of accommodation and the hotel level. For example, most of the hotels in Ngorongoro are located at an altitude of 3000 m, where the temperature drops to zero at night, so warm clothing is useful. In the central part of the Serengeti, on the other hand, it can get hot in sneakers, while sandals would be more comfortable.
Assemble your mini First Aid Kit:
Painkillers and fever reducers
Medicines for stomach problems (e.g. Enterofuryl, Festal, activated charcoal)
Antiseptic (iodine, cream relieves itching and irritation after insect bites)
Plaster, bandage y Antimalarial (such as Malarone, Lariam)
Motion sickness tablets (Dramina, Dramineks)
Antihistamines for allergies (Claritin, Loratadine, Azelastine).
It is also recommended to bring mosquito spray as mosquitoes are usually active early in the morning and at sunset
Don’t forget the sunscreen! Choose a product with SPF 40 or higher where the equatorial sun won’t turn your skin all the shades of an African sunset.
Even if your itinerary includes all hotels and lodges on a full board basis, we recommend bringing non-perishable food to nibble on.
Adrenaline, emotions and fresh air can work wonders with an appetite! For example, while on safari you may have an appetite for:
Cookies, cornbread and other snacks;
Fruit (pre-washed);
Chocolate bar;
Various mixtures of nuts / dried fruits.
All cars are equipped with a safari mini fridge, so don’t worry about the freshness of the products. Important things for the safari Even if the weather forecast predicts a lack of sun, sunglasses can work wonders. They protect your eyes from wind, dust and small insects while you look out the window or through the open roof of the safari car in search of observation objects. Let’s pack your backpack together:
Cloths in front of the face to protect against dust can be important in some regions;
Spare batteries / batteries for photo, video (in our safari vehicles you will have a device to charge your battery);
Binoculars to see the details of the environment and animals (there are always binoculars in the car, so bring them at your own discretion);
You can also bring a bag for the video/photo cameras.
Paper copies (passports, visas, traveler’s cheques, tickets, insurance policies), which are better kept separately from the originals;
Dry and damp cloths;
Toiletries (shower gel, toothbrush);
Disinfectant gel/spray for hands;
Adapter for the socket (on request our company will provide this free of charge).
An ideally packed luggage for safaris must fit in a small suitcase. You can also bring a bag for the video/photo cameras.
