An African safari had been at the top of my personal bucket list for years before I finally got the chance to go. Even as an intrepid traveler who had been wishing for this experience for years, I was a little intimidated by the idea of actually going. What would I pack? Would this trip really tick all of the boxes for me? What did I need to know before going?
Here’s what I learned along the way.
Choose the Right Safari Company
There are many. Some offer canned itineraries. Others, like Capture Kenya Expeditions, the tour company I used, are fully custom. (Here’s where to read the full review of my Capture Kenya Safari.)
Know What Kind of Safari You Want
There are safaris aimed at birders. Safaris for people who like history. People who like elephants. Or lions. Or giraffes. Think about what you most want out of your time in Africa before you plan the trip.
Pack Light
You’ll be moving around if you want to see all this enchanting country has to offer. Bring clothes that can easily be washed in the sink and drip dry overnight. Many of the lodges offer laundry service, but it can put a dent in your budget. I paid $10 to have one pair of sweatpants laundered so I would have clean clothes for the plane ride home.
Budget for Purchases
I am not a big shopper. I rarely buy more than a pair of earrings on a trip. They are light, easy to pack, and a reminder of a magical trip every time I wear them. But the offerings in Africa are unique. I even bought a few small pieces of art that I will hang on the walls when I get home – a daily reminder of this enchanting country.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Start looking in the gift shop of the hotel where you stay on your first night in Nairobi. It will give you an idea of the price and quality of the jewelry, carvings and other products that you will see during your trip.
Bring Wipes and Masks
The Covid pandemic might be over, but the dust in Africa is real. I was happy to have a mask to cover my nose and mouth and wipes to freshen up after a particularly dusty stretch on a game drive.
Investigate the Safari Vehicle
We saw all kinds – some were small VW-like vans with small windows – don’t take those if you want a real view of the animals. Others were open-air, offering the best views, but the ride could be chilly and very dusty. Our modified Toyota Land Cruiser had 7 comfortable passenger seats so we each got a window. And it had a top that raised, allowing us to stand for a 360-degree views.
Bring Binoculars
If you’re lucky, the wildlife will come to you. But when they don’t, pull out the binoculars so you can go to them.
Understand that You Won’t Get Much Exercise
We spent hours in the Land Cruiser driving from one lodge to the next or diving around the national parks looking for lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, wildebeest and scores of other species. While I wouldn’t trade a minute of it, my hips were not happy with all that sitting. A few days, I woke extra early to get a few minutes for yoga before we headed out.
Bring Small Bills
In Kenya at least, US dollars are widely accepted. Bring singles and fives to tip the bellhops, housekeepers, waitresses and bartenders. Don’t expect to add the tip to the credit card bill – that money may not make it to the servers. Leave cash instead.
And understand that a small tip is plenty. We took some Kenyan friends to dinner in Nairobi and, after much discussion, left a $20 tip on the $125 bill. They thought it was far too generous and we thought it was far too skimpy. Generally, a 10 percent tip is considered reasonable in Kenya.
Plan for Motion Sickness
Even the “highways” in Africa can be bumpy and the gravel and dirt roads in the game areas are filled with potholes. It’s technically not off-roading since you’ll be driving on the “roads,” but it certainly feels like off-roading. If you have motion sickness, bring the treatment you need – don’t expect to find it once you arrive. The same goes for back or neck challenges. Sitting in the front of the safari vehicle vs. the back can help, but there’s only one front seat.
Free Up Space on Your Phone
You’ll be taking A LOT of photos. There is wonder everywhere. You won’t want to miss the shot of that elusive leopard because you’ve used up all of the space on your phone!
Leave a Reply