Preparing for Your First African Safari :: TravellersKingdom.com

Accent on
Travel Information!

Preparing for Your First African Safari.

by: Michael Russell

Going on an African Safari is a great way to spend a vacation because it exposes you to the great wonders of its land like the sights and wildlife and also to its rich culture and people. However, preparing for such an adventure can really be stressful because there are a lot of things to take into consideration, especially if you are from a cold country or aren't used to traveling. Below are a few tips to help you travel smart and light. The very first thing you should do is learn as much about African Safaris as you can. This is not to spoil the fun but to prepare you for possible problems you may encounter there. Learn about your route, the climate and other physical conditions, the current political situations and most especially the safety measures imposed. This information will be the center of your preparation.

It is very important to keep your luggage as light as possible because you will be moving around constantly. Choose clothing based on the weather conditions. Don't assume that because Africa is hot, you'll only bring short-sleeved tops and shorts. Bring a good number of protective clothing as well like long-sleeved shirts and pants to keep out the sun during the day and the cold and bugs at night. Bringing clothes with neutral colors will help you blend in with the surroundings and keep you cool which is important when you go wildlife watching. Also, when passing by the larger African cities, it is always nice to bring dressier clothes as long as they are light. Be sure to pack a solid pair of walking shoes. Most travelers will recommend broken-in shoes over brand new ones. Bring along face towels and cotton socks.

On an African Safari, or any trip to Africa, it is crucial that you are armed with sun protection. No matter what time of year, the sun is scorching during the day. Make sure you bring a broad-spectrum high SPF sunscreen for you face and body. Also bring along lip balm. Take advantage of any kind of sun protection like hats, sunglasses, scarves, bandanas and clothes with tighter weaves such as cotton shirts to block out the sun's rays.

An essential part of every African Safari, or any trip, is taking care of your health. There are certain precautions you are encouraged to take before leaving for Africa. It is always a good idea to visit your doctor and have a full medical work-up. Visit your dentist too. Remember to have prescriptions filled in with enough to last the trip and back. You can also take prophylactic medication or vaccines against any infectious diseases that are endemic in the countries you will be visiting. Also check the drinking water supply. If you are unsure of the drinking water or you have a sensitive stomach, bring a lot of bottled water or water purifying tablets. Since dehydration is almost inevitable because of the heat, make sure to bring a lot of re-hydration tablets. Plus, you can never go wrong with a first-aid kit. Have one stacked with bug repellants, analgesics, antipyretics, anti-diarrhea meds, antiseptics, gauze, cotton balls and elastic bandages. Be sure that you insurance coverage is adequate in case you become sick or injured during you trip. And finally, do not forget to bring your camera!!! If you have a digital camera, make sure you bring a lot of rechargeable batteries and the charger. Bring along extra memory cards too just in case you become shutter-happy.

Enjoy!

It's an African Safari!

About The Author
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to African Safaris
.

[ Back to top ]

'TravellersKingdom.com' is the name, - what's the game?

- welcome to TravellersKingdom.com, - an exciting new Travel information site on the internet.

Where a multitude of channels will be opening up, covering various general Travel related subjects, allowing you to gain extra, valuable exposure for your latest Travel idea, Travel web site or Travel blog, simply by having it listed here with a - factual - promotional write-up, which will be trusted widely, as all entries will be subject to human editorial scrutiny and approval before posting

[ Back to top ]

How to make your mark on Travellers Kingdom?

- all you need to do, - is to submit your own original material like an article - preferably illustrated - relating to your travelling as a hobby, line of work, general interest, your Travellers informational web site, or whatever really, as long as it's all 'Family-Friendly' and likely to be of interest to an average person . . .

- or if you're really industrious, you could apply to run a whole 'channel' on your chosen subject . . .

[ Back to top ]

Additional African information:

SouthAfrica.info RSS feed
The Official Gateway

SA celebrates 11 years at Cannes
Posted on 16 May 2008 at 11:27am To mark the country's 11th year at Cannes, South Africa will host a special pavilion at the prestigious film festival, as well as a networking event for industry professionals across the globe and a conference dubbed "South Africa, your co-production partner of choice".
'Healthy' growth for SA's IT market
Posted on 16 May 2008 at 1:21pm South Africa's highly matured IT services market has been growing at a healthy pace, fuelled by economic growth and national development projects, with research and advisory firm IDC expecting the market to exceed US$4-billion this year.
Chester Williams back in SA rugby fold
Posted on 16 May 2008 at 10:23am Chester Williams, a Rugby World Cup winner in 1995, has been named as the new coach of the Emerging SA team to defend their IRB Nations Cup title in Romania next month. He succeeds new Springbok coach Peter de Villiers who led the team to the title in 2007.
Non-compliant listed companies targeted
Posted on 16 May 2008 at 10:07am The South African government is to embark on a drive within the next few weeks to ensure that companies listed on the JSE comply fully with employment equity legislation, with the offenders being taken to the Labour Court.
Govt slams xenophobic attacks
Posted on 16 May 2008 at 9:12am The South African government has condemned "in the strongest possible terms" this week's outbreak of attacks against foreign nationals in Johannesburg's Alexandra township and other parts of the country, calling the xenophobic violence a front for criminal looting.
SA sends condolences to China
Posted on 16 May 2008 at 9:21am South Africa has extended its condolences to the government and people of China following the devastating earthquake that struck the country's Sichuan province on Monday, leaving more than 14 000 dead and over 26 000 trapped in rubble.
Bakers: SA cricket's heartbeat
Posted on 16 May 2008 at 6:38am On Thursday, Bakers Mini Cricket established a Guinness world record for the most children playing cricket at one time in a celebration to mark the 25th anniversary of the longest developmental sport sponsorship in southern Africa.
The day Fifa gave Africa the nod
Posted on 15 May 2008 at 3:26pm When, four years ago, Fifa President Sepp Blatter opened an envelope with South Africa's name on it, many believed it signified the beginning of new things to come - not just for South Africa, but for the continent. The excitement that has gripped the country ever since has been palpable.
World Cup lessons from 2006 hosts
Posted on 15 May 2008 at 1:34pm Not for the first time, South Africa finds itself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Tensions are running high in Alexandra, Johannesburg after a series of attacks on immigrants in the township north of the city. There's no denying that South Africa faces formidable challenges in the post-apartheid era. But we're not alone.
Shell opens Cape Town call centre
Posted on 15 May 2008 at 12:34pm Oil multinational Royal Dutch Shell has opened a global call centre in Cape Town, which will be used to service the company's customers in Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg, with centre operators conversing with their clients in Flemish and Dutch.
South Africa in a world divided
Posted on 15 May 2008 at 10:31am As centre of global economic power shifts eastwards and southwards, the gulf between the rich and the poor grows ever wider. This is the world in which ANC president Jacob Zuma recently landed on a whistle-stop tour of the UK, France and Germany.
Limpopo lodge goes 100% green
Posted on 15 May 2008 at 7:26am Using decades of expertise as a chemical engineer, Dr Hans Hahn runs a Soutpansberg-based eco-tourism lodge that is detached from Eskom's grid and powered entirely by alternative, renewable and sustainable energy, from solar power to thermal gasification.
McGeechan to coach Lions in SA
Posted on 14 May 2008 at 3:05pm After winning the Rugby World Cup in 2007, it was clear that many of the Springboks viewed their next great challenge as a tour of South Africa by the British and Irish Lions in 2009. It has been 12 years since their last tour and the Lions have turned to the man who led them to a series win in 1997, Ian McGeechan, to coach them again.
Comrades moves for Fifa spectaculars
Posted on 14 May 2008 at 9:58am With South Africa set to host the Fifa Confederations Cup in 2009 and the Fifa World Cup in 2010 the dates for the running of the Comrades Marathon in those years have been changed.
IFC calls for private fixed investment
Posted on 14 May 2008 at 10:29am The International Finance Corporation has called for more private investment in South Africa's infrastructure sector, adding that it was ready to engage with stakeholders to find solutions to the country's power shortage and increase private investment in health, education and other social infrastructure.

Thank you for visiting!

[ Back to top ]

Accent on
Travel Information!