Africa Safari Travel – How to Prepare & Plan

Posted at January 6, 2010

Africa is the proud home of African safaris a fact that has contributed greatly to the economic growth of most countries in this lovely continent. Thousands upon thousands are continuously flocking into Africa to have the experience of a life time and as a result spend months planning for the same. For those new to this, a few pointers are crucial to help guide you when it comes to making the decision of what to pack.

Travel documents are an essential part of your travel and should be kept in a secure place all the time as without them accessing a foreign country may prove difficult. These include Passports with appropriate visa entries, Tickets, Vaccination Certificates, and Travel Insurance documents.

It is always advisable to have extra photocopies of these documents which should be brought and packed separately with other separate copies being left at home. Most countries accept major credit cards and traveller’s cheques therefore there fore feel free to bring them along not forgetting some cash.

When it comes to visa, be sure to check which countries require entry visas and which don’t; which require prior approval. Most visas are applied through the country’s Embassy or Consulate near you. Other options include downloading application forms from the appropriate Government websites with others making it possible to get a visa on arrival at the airport.

Clothing is another requirement that deserves lots of consideration when it comes to planning your safari, a major deciding factor being climatic conditions which play an integral part in the selection of what to carry and knowing the weather patterns will help ease your decision.

The climatic conditions may vary from place to place thus the traveller should always come prepared for all conditions i.e. hot, cold, dusty and rainy. Apart from the climatic conditions, the type of safari one will be indulging in is also put into consideration that is, is it a walking safari, game driving safari, beach safari, camping safari, climbing safari etc? There are clothes designed specifically for safaris though informal, lightweight, and comfortable clothing will always do.

For walking safaris, clothing should be of neutral colour, avoiding conspicuous clothing so as not to draw attention to yourself especially in areas with dangerous wildlife, the man eating lion being an example. Those on camping safaris should bring own toiletries, sleeping bags, flashlights and mineral water, however most of this things can be purchased locally.

Good quality pair of Binoculars is essential for effective game viewing. Some formal evening wear is recommended especially if you are staying in top end accommodations where dress codes are adhered to when it comes to evening dinning.

Some countries or certain regions are pretty strict when it comes to the mode of dressing deeming it offensive for women and in some rare cases men to wear shorts, short sleeved shirts or anything showing too much skin and it is always best to seek local advice; this is especially so in Muslim dominated countries or conservative areas where any form of nudity is abhorred.

For the mountain climbers/hikers in Africa, proper climbing gear should be brought which should include strong footwear preferably hiking boots to assist in the long ascension to the peak. The African sun is known be quite hot especially during the summers and can cause severe sunburns to your skin so park protective gear which includes wide brimmed hats, sunglasses not forgetting good quality sunscreen rated SPF15 or higher.

Those planning on travelling extensively within a country or across several countries should make sure to bring appropriate suitcases and bags able to withstand plenty of handling and dusty conditions whilst utilizing as minimal space as possible.

Health is a major factor to consider when parking ensuring things like prescription glasses and an extra pair of the same are brought along; while those on medication should carry their personal Prescription drugs and also bring the generic names for these drugs in case they need to be replaced locally.

Small medical kit can be brought along and should include any basic remedies you may need, such as cold remedies, painkillers, antacids and anti-histamines. For those travelling with children carry Electrolade which is an oral rehydration and anti-diarrhea medication for adults.

Other items include first aid items such as band aids, antiseptic and dressings. A doctor’s prescription of a wide range of antibiotic, suitable for treating dysentery or severe infections is recommended.

A comprehensive health insurance cover while in Africa is advisable. All travelers should visit either their personal physician or a travel health clinic four to eight weeks before they embark on their long awaited journey.

Different countries have different requirements and recommendations when it comes to vaccinations. The most common vaccines recommended before visiting African states include: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Polio, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Meningitis, Tetanus, and Diphtheria. Yellow fever is the only required vaccine which is a requirement by international health regulations for those traveling to sub-Sahara Africa. A certificate is required for entry into, or travel between, some African countries.

The most common threat in Africa is Malaria, a disease spread by mosquitoes which have proven to be a menace causing quite a significant number of deaths thus every traveller to Africa needs reliable, up to date advice on the risks at his or her own destination.

Prevention consists of using effective protection against bites plus taking anti-malarial medication. The most suitable choice of medication depends on many individual factors, and travellers need careful, professional advice about the pros and cons of each option.

The most effective preventive drugs for travel to Africa include: Lariam, Doxycycline, Malarone, Chloroquine and Paludrine. Whichever choice you make, ensure that you take an anti malarial drug while visiting a malarial region and you must carry on the medication for the necessary period even after return whilst avoiding more insect bites.

Most people carry with them electric gargets such as mobile phones, video camera among others necessitating the need for battery chargers thus should be brought and own converter plug for those coming from countries with differences in the electricity supply and pin plugs.

Baggage allowance in local and international flights should also help guide you as into what amount of luggage to bring along as too much luggage may prove to be expensive not to mention cumbersome so always check the luggage restrictions with the assistance of your travel agent.

For those using public road transportation or trekkers, a backpack is advisable. Bring a strong, well constructed pack with orthopedic support and lockable zips and catches. A small rucksack is ideal for carrying cameras, travel documents and essential everyday items.