Africa Safari and Vacation Travel Checklist

A complete checklist for the Trip to Africa -

Travel Documents for your Trip to Africa

Passport & correct Visas or Visa application forms
Traveler’s cheques/checks, credit cards, driver’s license,
Emergency Phone Numbers on your destination
Your Travel Insurance policy
A journal or travel dairy book
A guide book covering the area you're visiting – it should include animals/birds pages for easy identification
Pen and paper for notes
Your final travel itinerary and flight tickets
Addresses and Mobile numbers of contact persons back home
Any vaccinations certificates as per Requirements of Your destination(s)
Phone card and international access numbers
Extra passport-sized photos
Photo Copy of Your passport, kept in a separate place from your original passport
Photo Copy of Marriage Certificate, if applicable especially if you recently tied the knot
Your Medical History & Copies of medical prescriptions
Reading materials

Safari and Travel Luggage Weight

While international flights from North America, Europe and most other parts allow the transport and handling of two large pieces of luggage per person, clients are strongly advised to travel with one medium-sized piece of checked in luggage, and a carry-on bag or camera bag if desired. The same applies to regional flights within Africa.

On light aircraft flights within most African counties, the baggage allowance is limited to a maximum of 33 pounds, excluding camera and video equipment. Any additional luggage can be stored at the city/ town hotel until your return. Luggage and personal effects are carried at owner’s risk throughout the tour. Baggage is therefore insurance is recommended.

It is advisable to choose luggage which provides easy mobility when you have to change your modes of transport – from airplanes to cars or to boats etc.

Consider taking a day-pack/hand bag that you will use for items that you need while driving around.

Recommended Clothing for African Travel

If you are on this trip to Africa over a period of about 2 weeks, the following list may serve as a good guideline on what to bring along in terms of clothing. You won't need much else, and you won't have room for much else in your duffel any way!

5 Short-sleeved cotton shirts. Polo-style shirts are more versatile than T-shirts
2 Long sleeved cotton shirts. These can include light dress shirts for sun protection and flannel shirts and cotton turtlenecks for layering
2 Pairs of Trousers: Comfortable and loose-fitting. One lighter, one a bit heavier for warmth in the evening.
Travel skirt, for women. Not required, but highly recommended.
Underwear - 7 to 10 changes. Due to the very bumpy roads, brassieres are suggested for women, even if you usually don't wear one.
Fleece jacket.
Light rain jacket with a hood. A water- proof breathable jacket can double as a wind breaker. This should be sized to fit over your sweater or fleece jacket.
Wide brim sun hat.

Footwear
Pack comfortable walking shoes. Look for shoes with good arch support. Sports sandals. Not required, but very highly recommended, especially if you are taking an extension tom the beach/coast.

Socks - 5 to 7 pairs. During May to August, one or two pairs should be warm hiking socks made of wool, capilene or Thermax.

Optional Clothing
Swim suit (recommended for dips in swimming pools, except in June July and August, when it might be too cool to swim- East Africa speaking)

Walking shorts, long-cut for modesty (Not needed May through August – East Africa speaking)

The above commandments are only suggestions provided for your convenience. It is important to mention that it is often possible to do laundry during the safari, although dryers might not be available.

Safari and Travel Equipment - Especially for Adventure Travel

Mobile Phone: Local SIM cards are readily available in most African destinations
Alarm Clock – travel size
Binoculars – very important for wildlife and bird-watching safaris
Converter/ plug adapter- electricity is 220V. As outlets vary you should travel with a set of international adapters
Flashlight , Pocket Knife (Swiss/Leatherman type)
Small Beanbags to substitute a camera tripod while on game viewing drives
Batteries – extras, for all of your electronic appliances and cameras
Calculator – pocket size for currency conversions
Camera equipment and film
Keys – extra set of luggage keys / or better stll combination locks
Travel pillow, or you can use your polar fleece/windbreaker
Washing powder/travel soap for laundry
Lighter/waterproof matches
Mini sewing kit & Small compass

Essentials For Basic Camping and Self-Drive Safari in Africa
Sleeping Bag & Mosquito Netting & String / Rope

Personal Travel items and Safari supplies

Swimming suit
Laundry soap
Moisturizing cream and sun block lotion
Prescribed medicine (enough to last your trip)
Medication – over-the-counter or prescription medicine you take on a regular basis
Prescription glasses if you wear them (and a copy of your prescription)
Sunglasses (two pairs in case one is lost or misplaced) & Sunscreen
Tissues and anti-bacterial moist towels and soaps
Toiletries, cosmetics, and Sanitary Towels for ladies
Hat, visor or scarf
Insect repellent/ Mosquito Coil (do not use coils in a tent)
A travel towel is light and takes very little space
Skin care cream
Malaria tablets (very important)
Citronella or other body soap/shower gel & Band aids & moleskin
Vitamins & Painkiller & Antiseptic cream & Motion sickness tablets & Heartburn remedy
Anti-diarrhoea medicine & Re-hydration salts
Small unbreakable mirror
Plastic bags (wet washing/muddy shoes/organise clothes in suitcase)
Biological Water Filtration Bottle or you can stick to the bottled water
Toothbrush/toothpaste/dental floss
Shampoo and Conditioner
Tweezers & Lip balm & Q-tips & cotton balls
Razor & shaving cream/gel
Birth control / Contraceptives
Contact lens solution & extra set of disposable lenses
Deck of cards/travel size game
Cold/flu tablets & Allergy remedy
Sterile needles (in case you need an injection and don’t trust the hygiene conditions)