Packing for Safari-Help!

[betsyv]

I had originally posted this under Africa but didn't get the first reply so I am posting it here to get moe feedback.



I know that Mary J, myself and others may be getting ready to go on their first safari. But thankfully, there is many of you that have gone before and can maybe pass wisdom on to us and help us. We only have the one bag and 20 kg allowance so we need to maximize the usage. I would love for you to suggest items to pack or maybe even your Top 5 Do Not Leave Home Without It When Going on Safari. We have gotten our shots andour International Drivers Permit but what are the essentials? Is Bug Spray a needed item? Did anyone utilize the Laundry Services? We won't be able to leave a bag stored on our last leg of the trip (we fly into Nelspruit and then take private car to Sabi Sabi but afterwards we fly back to Joburg via Fed Air and that is who has the 1 bag-20 kg limit) so if there are any other ideas, allare welcome and appreciated. I did find out that we are allowed a laptop bag/carryon bag for very small items.



Our safaris will be 3/31 - 4/3 and 4/9-13.

[shygirl724]

One of my coworkers just got back from an African Safari. He said that you need a Tilly's hat, sun screen and bug spray is a MUST, and take a small digital tape recorder to record the animal sounds.Message Edited by shygirl724 on 03-02-2009 06:26 PM

[kyshel]

your weathr will be more comfy than our end June (we had snow!)
I took light boots--old ones that I could abuse in a bag. Other walkers are fine--sneakers/trainers hardly have a use and they're bulky.
utility pants ($8 Sam's Club) one pr each
layers--silk under, lights sweater over--light jacket

I would launder when possible--all the better lodges offer laundry--several include it! South Africa is pretty cheap for everything if you need to buy at Woolworth's etc.
We took some bug towelettes and 30% deet (Big Lots) for small items. Our room had spray we could use on boots, clothes too but it was cool so we didn't need it.
I always re-use travel size bottles and label with new contents. 3 oz of liquid goes a long way for 2 persons 2 wks. Drives always have binoculars--we bought small ones and they are still in the closet--hardly take them ever!

Sunscreen (Walgreens and CVS both offer 3 oz size tube)
Hat (we had to buy beanies from Tuningi to stay warm on the drives!)
Camera w/rechargeable battery (With weight restrictions, I think the tape recorder is a luxury)
Mini Umbrella and or emergency poncho ($1 Walmart or Big Lots--use once--dispose--Wet season Cape Town area)
Deet (sprays will get wasted quickly) BTW--the wipes will dissolve nail polish so wash after
Moist Towelettes--they even have unscented ones at CVS
Walking sandals (we love Chaco's)

The Steenberg is still fairly casual, as would be most of the otehr places where you're going.
I saw some new items at Eddie Bauer--Travex pants and Adventurer (I detest the zip off shorts due to the seaming) and I prefer minimal bulk(pockets etc) so I ordered the Travex (they have tall!!)

My husband swears by his washable Propet shoes--black leather walkers work for exercise, hiking Lion's head, as well as casual wear with khaki's. The come in black and they minimize his packing. SOCKS!!

No bright colors on game drives----that includes hats scarves etc.

All said and done--lay it all out, try to pack it, take out half the clothes and leave at home. GO.

[betsyv]

Shygirl and Kyshel-Thanks so much! Can't wait to see additional responses! Great info so far. I didn't know about the bright colors so that was a big help. As far as we can tell, it will be mid 50's at night and mid 70's during the day (at least weather.com is predicting that).



I loved the last line, Kyshel- All said and done--lay it all out, try to pack it, take out half the clothes and leave at home. GO.



I do need to include a small notebook so that I can write things down to tell everyone about the trip!

[thepiranha]

Betsyv, as with all trips, I heartily recommend a good travel guide such as Lonely Planet. Even if most of all of your trip are going to be tours, a good guide book can give you a lot of information about the culture, food, history, geography, etc. of the place you're traveling to. Also, it sounds like you've done this, but contact the airline to make sure you know how much luggage each person is permitted to bring.

[kyshel]

OH betsyv--I just remembered one of the most important things to do to prepare for your trip:
My favorite historical novel is James Michener's The Covenant

It would be a good choice to take on your Asia trip (if you like to read on flgihts) My husband and I read in tandem for a few of his regular trips overeseas--I'd read until he had his break, then he'd take the book and we'd trade off (it's a thick paperback, so one was enuff).It's a wery long read but I deem it one of the top 5 books I've ever enjoyed! It follows South African history from waaaaay back, prior to settlement/colonization and flows thru post Apartheid era. Such a richly rewardingsource of history and entertainment. It will give you some amazing insight to the treks, distances, socio-politcal-cultural aspects of the country and so much more.

My husband and I recently weighed out regular carry-on rollaboards and they hit 14K w/out electronics and 16 with--way under your limit and we travel 2 wks overseas with that.

You should be in good shape!

[jashermd]

Hello,



Sorry I've been AWOL a bit recently - I'm trying to close a deal on real estate in London and the last couple of weeks have been really hectice.



I've been on a lot of safaris, and over time I've learned that the key is to pack light (laundry is done daily at the camps, so it's not necessary to pack as many clothes as you might for a city holiday) and to be prepared to layer, as temperatures can change rather drastically over the course of a day. Seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere, so while we are moving in to spring in Europe and North America Africa is moving into autumn and from there into winter. While the African winter is comparatively mild (you'll still get daytime highs in the 70sF) it will be chilly in the early morning when you leave camp for the morning drive and after the sun sets during the evening drive. The camps will have warm ponchos in the vehicles, but it's advisable to bring a warm hat, scarf, and gloves (they take up next to no space and can make you much more comfortable if you're sensitive to cold). During the day you'll probably want a safari hat with a brim as the sun can be quite intense, and adequate sunblock is a must.


Generally it's best to go with neutral colours (brown, green, grey, khaki) as they blend into the bush and are less likely to attract attention from animals or insects. Most animals can only see a limited range of colours, but they are very sensitive to contrast and patterns; as one of the main reasons for going on safari is to see animals behaving naturally in the wild, it's best to avoid clothing which attracts their attention as it may make them nervous. Another thing to avoid is perfume, cologne, and other scented products which tend to attract insects.

Many people bring their own insect repellent, though almost all camps in Southern Africa will provide a South African repellent called 'Peaceful Sleep.' Studies have shown that there needs to be a minimum of 30% DEET in the repellent for it to be effective (Peaceful Sleep is 33% DEET). There's no strong evidence to suggest that higher concentrations are more effective, though they do mean that you can go longer between applications; the main problem with them is that they irritate some people's skin. If you have sensitive skin, it's best to use the lower concentration and apply more frequently. The main time you'll need to apply repellent is around sunset as that's when the mosquitoes start coming out. You're starting your trip during the coolest part of the year, so the population of bugs is smaller risk of being bitten is at its lowest -- however, it's still important to wear repellent as there are still mossies around, and low risk is not the same as no risk. I normally bring a small tube of DEET lotion on my trips and use the camp repellent; if you have sensitive skin it's best to bring your own and to test it out beforehand so you know you won't react to it.



Don't forget to make an appointment to see a travel medicine specialist before you leave. if you are travelling in a malarial region taking anti-malarials is highly recommended, but the right one for you depends heavily on your particular medical history. You'll also want to make sure that your normal immunisations are topped up.



Enjoy your trip!



Cheers,

Julian

[betsyv]

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions. I have learned so very much. I can't wait to post my reviews and comments after the trip. Your information has been invaluable and it looks like I may have to do a little shopping!



Jashermd/Julian, I appreciate your suggestion re the travel medical side. My husband and I went ahead and got are Diptheria/Protesus/Tetanus shots, Hepatitis A shots and have the Malaria medication. We thought about skipping some and even all and then decided an ounce of precaution is worth a pound of cure. I know that only the Sabi Sabi part is in the Malaria area but I wouldn't want to be foolish and end up with something like that. I have been to Bali 3-4 times a year for the past 20 years and have caught parasites. I had a friend eat dinner with me and got bit by a mosquito and ended up with Dengue fever. Thankfully I didn't. Anyway, I think you have to be smart. My doctor even gave me a handful of syringes to take with us and said that if there was any medical need for an injection to tell them to use these and not their own! Great another thing to pack!

[mary-j]

Thank you Betsyv for asking the question about packing as I was starting to wonder whatI should pack too so now I'm much more informed thanks to Jashermd and Kyshel and others. I'm still unsure about the luggage though. We are flying with Fedair too.As I mentioned in a previous post our hand luggage is the trolley type ofcase, although is suitable as hand luggage, but will Fedair allow it on the flight? Our hold luggage is the holdall type and soft bodied so that should be fine. When you say 20kgs, that is per person, isn't it?



On the subject of clothing, I am unsure what to wear on the day we depart form Leopard Hills to go to The Saxon. I know it probably sounds silly but will I be under-dressed arriving at The Saxon to check in with my casual safari clothes? I normally would have brighter and dressier clothes if I was arriving at a hotel like The Saxon, but cannot very well go parading around the safari lodge in my heels and dressy clothes!!!LOL

I am hoping to do a walking safari so would you recommend boots that covers my ankles? I got a pair of Timberland boots for the safari, thinkng that is what everyone wears all the time at the lodges, but obviously it isn't. I hadn't thought about gloves so thanks Jashermd for telling us as I would never have brought them. Saying that, i'm bad enough with cameras, so I amagine I will get into a bit of a pickle if I see a good photo opportunity and I'm struggling to get the gloves off and work the camera. by the time i take to do the manoevre, the subject will be well gone!!!

I am really sensitive to the cold so looks like I better make sure I take warm clothing. Will it be warm enough during the day to go in the pool?



I cannot wait to hear all about your trip when you return Betsy.We had booked Sabi Sabi Earth lodge a couple of years ago but had to cancel due to family commitments. I'm sure after this trip we will be ready to plan our next safari and Earth Lodge will be one we definately would consider.



Well, soon it will all be for real and our dreams are going to be a reality.

I cannot wait.

[kyshel]

I can guess that the Saxon welcomes many a person just returned from safari--dirt and all.
I am imagining you in heels at the lodge and IF you happen to engage in a fashion photo session there, you MUST share the pics!
You go in May, yes? May be a bit chilly for the pool. Don't laugh but the reason I got the Mateya pkg was so we could go end Sept to enjoy the private pool! SInce it was reallllllly cold end June we had gloves but the beanie was so necessary.
I have very little patience with things like cameras, so I get the PHD type--"push here, dummy"Message Edited by kyshel on 03-06-2009 02:51 PM