An African Safari Nightmare?

Friday, September 4th, 2009 at 2:56 pm

Dean Caporella asked:

An African safari can be one of the most rewarding holidays you can have; wild animals, jungle, sweeping plains and just plain old adventure. But if you are not properly prepared then it could become your worst nightmare.

Preparation for an african safari holiday is not complicated. If you book through a reputable travel agency then a lot of what you need to know would be covered in their terms of service. However, in this article, I want to briefly highlight some things you may not be aware of.

Kruger National Park

Let's use the magnificent Kruger National Park as out destination point. Kruger is situated in southern Africa and covers and area spanning over 200 miles. It's a lot of park to cover in one trip. You are obviously excited about the trip but just to make sure you have everything covered, here is a checklist of some of the things you may have overlooked.

A Simple Checklist! – comfortable shoes and sandals… Believe it or not, you'll more than likely be doing a lot of hiking. Make sure your footwear is appropriate. – clothing… You'll need cool clothing during the day but the trap unsuspecting african safari first timers fall into is thinking the nights are warm. You'll need both long pants and a warm jacket. – sunglasses and lotion…Makes sense. The hot African sun can be merciless. A wide brimmed hat, correct suntan lotion and good sunglasses are a must. – camera and binoculars… You are in mighty Africa. You're there to see wildlife in their natural environment. Have you packed your camera? It's also a good idea to pack a pair of binoculars. Most tour operators can supply them but it's not always guarenteed. I am happiest carrying my own pair! – travel light… this seems to be the "catch cry" among many seasoned african safari trekkers. I agree. One large bag or two mid sized bags should be sufficient.

Is Malaria A Problem?

This is a common question from first time african safari travellers drugstore and it is a difficult one to answer. Yes, malaria is a risk but it gets down to being properly educated about the risk. Anti-malaria medication should be on your "to take" list but don't dwell too much on it.

Insect repellant is a must have. Many a foreign traveller has forgotten this essential requirement of a holiday in the wilds of Africa and "paid the price."

It's a simple checklist of things to take on safari in Africa but if you follow some of the above guidance, then you will go a long way to enjoying your holiday even more. It's also a good idea to go over such a checklist with your travel agent. It's an even better idea to request references from your tour operator from previous satisfied african safari seekers!