Travel Information
East Africa is a gem filled with several sights and activities. Therefore, what to pack partly depends on the activities you are going to be involved in, ranging from wildlife safaris and hiking to beach holidays and relaxing among others.
Spectacular Safaris has worked with hundreds of clients over the past years and these are some of the things that we recommend for a good parking list:
Clothing
Recommended safari clothing should be light-colored, comfortable, and long (especially in the evenings when mosquitoes are active). Try to stay away from bright colors – khaki and other neutral colors tend to work well. Tse Tse flies are attracted to blue and black colors so it is best to avoid these on a safari.
Some of the things to carry for your safari include:
- Sun hat
- Sun glasses
- Cozy jacket or jumper for cold nights
- Long sleeve shirts (light weight)
- Comfy shoes (good to wear around the lodge’s compound)
- Long trousers
- Swimwear
- Socks
- Sleepwear
- Walking/hiking boots (if your itinerary includes such activities)
- Rain gears (jacket and trousers)
- Shorts
Other things to carry
- Binoculars
- Sunscreen
- Hand sanitizer, antiseptic hand wipes and wet wipes
- Insect Repellent
- Personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, eye drops etc)
- Anti-malarial medicine
- Basic first aid kit and prescription medicines
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Medical kit including antihistamines and anti-diarrheas
- Power bank, battery charger, chargers and extra batteries for your camera, phone
- Power bank, battery charger, chargers and extra batteries for your camera, phone
- Power adapter to fit the UK style electrical socket
For those interested in trekking the Rwenzori Mountains, we will provide a separate packing list.
Travel Documents
- Valid passport
- Yellow fever vaccination records/certificate
- Vaccination card or PCR Test (depending on current guidelines of the specific country visited)
- Copy of travel and/or medical evacuation insurance
- Personal medical/dental insurance cards
- Credit card (Visa and MasterCard are most widely accepted)
- Visa approval Letter
Other Tips
It is a good habit to tuck your trousers into your boots/socks while on forest treks and walks to avoid insect bites like the painful bite of a safari ant.
A hat for very hot and sunny days is recommended as well.
Not always will you be able to charge your phones and other electronic devices, as some remotely located lodges rely on generators which are not always switched on. So, you could also carry a power bank.
We should mention that most Africans are a dyed-in-the-wool traditional people that love to keep their dressing modest. Wearing a very short dress, skirt or shorts during a walk through the community should be avoided.
Please remember to keep the weight of your luggage within the airline’s baggage limitations. This will save you extra fees.
Bring a backpack to carry all of your important items including travel documents, money, camera, medication etc. You should keep this backpack with you at all times.
Leave some space in your luggage for the all-important souvenirs that you will probably buy. There are places where you can send packages home via DHL etc, however this can sometimes be an expensive option.
