Consider this post to be some hot tips on what and why not to bring certain things on your safari.
Clothing
When preparing for the safaris, think of what gear you may need depending on the activities you are doing, and the weather. When I booked my safari I booked it for the end of the wet season. I won’t be trekking, hiking, or doing any extreme activities, but I will be camping in tents. When I looked online, I found information on what to expect to pack on safaris.
- Avoid coloured clothing- Many sites warned against black and dark blue clothing, this is because there is a specific type of fly called the tsetse fly. They can bite and create red sores called chancres which are red swollen and itchy..for more information click here.
- Wear earth tones, this is because as guests in the park, we need to attempt to blend in as much as possible with the landscape. I had previously heard stories of people wearing red which is known to animals as the colour of a wound, and so could be problematic.
- Avoid smelly perfume or colognes, this can attract animals, but in a negative way!
- Quick-dry clothing- on the safari you likely won’t be able to do much laundry, people have said that they have washed their laundry in a sink or shower, so bring clothing that dries fast.
- Footwear- when on a safari, you’ll likely want something with ankle coverage, and something you won’t mind getting dusty and dirty. Make sure they are comfortable and broken in. Many also suggested wearing closed-toed shoes.
- Layering- Although many see Africa as a hot and dry place, it actually can be cold and can be wet! Wearing layers, longer sleeves, wide-brim hats and pants are recommended. This is due to the sun during the day and colder conditions at night. Tanzania specifically can get to around 10-15 degrees at night, and up to 35+ during the day. Fleece and warm socks have been suggested by many different blogs.
- Don’t wear camouflage- that is often reserved for the military. It can give you extra attention during border crossings, and police.
Other Items
Other items to pack for the safari would be:
- camera
- headlamps (for camping options)
- toiletries
- bug spray (lots)
- day pack
- sunscreen
- binoculars
- Malaria pills / first aid kits
Links to blogs I found helpful finding this information:
