COVID-19
If you are planning to travel, please check with the authorities of the countries you intend to visit for the latest travel regulations and any requirements which may apply to you.
Also bear in mind that some information may have been updated since you made your travel arrangements.
Before you leave your home consider to bring the following items
The first thing to say is that everyone always takes too much clothes with them on a safari to Africa so try to be different!
South Africa with children
When you travel to South Africa with your children or with someone else their children check the link below to make sure you bring the right documents.
Often we receive questions about rules and safety when people travel to the beautiful country of South Africa. We have pointed out the most important things you should know in a leaflet which can be downloaded via this link.
Zambia (Kafue National Park)
We advice you to wear a double layer of clothing during the game drives.
In some areas in the reserve the TseTse flies bother you a lot. The flies bite you trough 1 layer of clothing without any problem.
Good to know is that the bite is harmless to humans
Kenya
Any Foreign eligible individual that is planning to visit Kenya is totally able to complete a short and easy online e-Visa application form for visiting Kenya for tourism or business purposes.
This online process for e-Visa for Kenya was implemented towards the end of 2016 by the Government of Kenya, with the goal of enabling any of the future travelers and visitors to apply for an e-Visa to Kenya.
The Kenya e-Visa is an electronic authorisation from the Government issued in electronic PDF format. It is the equivalent to a visa. The e-Visa is an entry requirement to travel to and within Kenya for touristic purposes.
You apply for a Kenya e-Visa via this link
You can buy one upon arrival at the airport as well.
Tanzania
When you arrive in Tanzania you can buy your visa. It costs $ 50,- per person to be paid in cash (USD).
PLASTIC BAGS BAN. For all travellers its imperative to note the information below to avoid delays on arrival at any one of our airports. Share this information with your fellow agents, operators, clients, colleagues, guests and friends so the transition is seamless.
Effective 1st June 2019: All passengers arriving at any Tanzania airport including tourists can possibly face very heavy fines for using plastic bags in any way, shape or form. Using, manufacture or importation of plastic bags, including garbage bags and shopping bags is illegal. Offenders, including tourists, could face very heavy fines.
Visitors/Citizens and Residents alike are advised to avoid packing any plastic bags in their suitcases or in carry-on hand luggage before flying to Tanzania. Items purchased at the airport before boarding the aircraft should be removed from plastic bags. Check hand luggage before disembarking at entry points and any plastic bags should be left in the plane.
Similarly the transparent “zip-lock” plastic bags that some airlines require passengers to use for keeping liquids, cosmetics, toiletries etc separately in hand luggage are also not permitted to be brought and should be removed and left on the plane before disembarking.”
Binoculars
We think these are the single most important element of your packing. Bring the best pair you can afford and (most definitely) try to take a pair each. Try lots of different pairs when you buy binoculars. Don’t be tempted to buy anything too small and avoid gadgets like zooms.
Roof prism binoculars with internal mechanisms (Leica 8 x 32 my personal choice) are likely to give you the best quality.
Photography and video
Bring lots of extra camera memory – you will undoubtedly use it.
If you’re still that way inclined, bring plenty of film. Best not to assume that you can buy it out there although the reality is its probably available in any decent sized town or major lodge. 100 – 200 asa is perfect for most places but pack a couple of faster films for use in any thickly forested areas. The ideal all round lens for a trip such as this is probably a 28 – 300 mm zoom. A small bean bag is often very useful to rest the camera on to stop camera shake. If you bring the bag with you beans can be supplied locally. An old sock works as well.
You can charge your video batteries can at most camps. You need a UK type 3 pin plug and electricity is generally 220 V AC. Give your charger and batteries to the camp manager or your guide and they organise charging for you. Bring plenty of spare batteries so some can be left charging during the day whilst you’re out and about. The peace and quiet of smaller camps can be shattered by having to run generators into the evening solely to recharge peoples camera batteries. If you can find a 12V charger for use with a vehicle cigarette lighter, bring that too as a back up.
Mosquito repellent
Many areas in Africa do have mosquitos. Not all of them can give you malaria but some can. Bring a good mosquito repellent with you with a high concentration of deet in it.
Baggage
The baggage allowance on light aircraft is usually 15kg (32lbs) per person, to be packed in soft bags, not hard suitcases. It is often helpful to have two or more small bags rather than one large one – and an easy way to make bush pilots happy.
For clothing during safaris
The first thing to say is that everyone always takes too much clothes so try to be different. Most of the smaller camps have excellent and often complimentary laundry services. They are able to return clothes the same day (weather dependant). Very few camps require anything too smart and as a rule layers is the name of the game. Consider to bring some warm clothing with you. During winter time some destinations in Africa do have cold nights so the evening and morning game drives are cold.
Check the weather before you go to your destination because its not always warm in Africa!!!
Clothing for game drives
Shorts and a long sleeved shirt are perfect (long sleeved so you have the option of rolling up or down). In many parks it gets quite cold in the mornings and evenings so you need a light jersey and warm (probably sleeveless) fleece at these times. A light rain jacket (easily stuffed in the bottom of your bag) could just save the day if you travel in the green season.
Nature walks clothing
We usually wear shorts and a long sleeved shirt, though some people prefer to walk in long trousers to keep grass seeds and ticks away.
A good compromise is those trousers that zip apart at the knee to become shorts. Unless you climb mountains you won’t need heavy boots; the most important thing is that they are comfortable.
Lightweight goretex boots or something similar with a bit of ankle support works well. Light & comfortable slip on shoes are also useful in and around camp.
Consider to bring yourself a light weight jacket for rainy days or walks on a higher altitude.
Colours of your clothing on safari
Khakis and natural colours are probably best, but people can get carried away here. The most important thing is not to wear bright colours or white on safari, although around camp on the beach everything goes.
Make sure you take hats with a tie as a last resort so you don’t lose them from cars or boats, and plenty of sunscreen / block.
If you have even remotely sensitive eyes, after a few days of glare and dust you almost certain be thankful for eye drops or eye wash of some sort.
Game driving vehicles in Africa are either totally open or have large open roof hatches so you are often in direct sunlight. As it’s often quite a pleasant temperature or even fairly cool in the mornings so you easily forget how strong the sun is.
Take swimming/beach things for anywhere on the coast (or any of the camps with swimming pools). Sarongs and scarves have a multitude of uses.
If you’ve got long journeys or waits, it’s an ideal time to listen to music. We recommend an ipod for these moments.