Danger lurks around every corner. But the good news about heading into the wild on an African safari is that your wardrobe means nothing to fellow safari-goers. Plus, you can rest assured knowing the lions and giraffes won’t be judging your outfits as you Humvee through the Serengeti, either.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a packing list that you should closely monitor when preparing for your journey. While there are a number of important items you’ll want to remember, here are 10 essentials you shouldn’t leave home without.
- Sunscreen
With the intense heat during summertime, especially in the scorching African deserts, you’ll want to be sure to stock up on plenty of sunscreen. After all, you’ll be under a blazing African sun, and the last thing you want is your face to be the color of a baboon’s bottom. Along the same lines, investing in a wide-brimmed hat to shield yourself from the sun and sunglasses to protect your eyes while searching for zebras isn’t a bad idea, either.
- Binoculars
While the goal is to get up close and personal with wild animals in their natural habitat, there’s still a lot to gain from a good pair of binoculars. Of course, these extra pair of eyes are perfect for catching glimpses of animals that may be keeping their distance. Instead of sharing with your travel companions — and risking a missed sighting — invest in your own pair.
- First-Aid Kit
Though most safari companies will ensure you’re well-prepared in case of an emergency, it doesn’t hurt to travel with your own pack of essentials. Adhesive bandages, allergy meds, aspirin, lip balm, moisturizer, and aloe are all compact items to pack that could make a big difference.
- High-Quality Camera Phone
Capturing photos of the amazing creatures you’ll see on your safari is the best way to hold on to the memories for years to come. But while carrying a large DSLR camera through the bush may be tiresome, there are a number of cell phones that can snap quality photos with little effort. In fact, the iPhone 6s features a 12-megapixel camera that’s ideal for taking crystal-clear photos and capturing 4K video at 30 frames per second. That means you could be watching a gazelle streak across the bush, even when you’re back home sitting at your desk.
- Small Flashlight
Of course, the African desert can be an ominous place at night, which is why bringing along a flashlight is highly recommended for evening outings. Additionally, a flashlight will also be beneficial if you’re camping overnight and looking to read or journal in your cabin or tent.
- Power Strip
A lot of campsites have limited power outlets. With that in mind, you’ll want to pack a power strip so you’re able to charge all of your electronics overnight before heading out on your next adventure.
- Converters
Of course, just as important as a power strip is having the necessary converters to charge your devices. Much like you would before traveling to Europe and Asia, do your research before hopping on the plane to determine which power adapters and converters you’ll need based on your specific safari destination.
- Light-Colored Clothing
Light-, neutral-colored clothing will not make you feel comfortable in the African desert, but it will also help you avoid the dreaded tsetse flies, which are attracted to bright and dark colors, particularly the color blue.
- Reusable Water Bottles
Staying hydrated in the African heat is extremely important. Of course, you’ll no doubt want to bring along a travel water bottle or canteen that you can continuously refill on your trip.
- A Sturdy Phone Case
Bringing a smartphone into the African wilderness requires a rugged phone case that will protect it on bumpy Humvee rides as well as during unpredictable situations and weather scenarios. Protect your phone — and all the precious photos it’s holding — with a sturdy case.
These 10 tips should help you enjoy every moment of your African safari. And, most importantly, having an easy-to-pack cell phone that’s able to take high-quality photos will help you capture the moments you’ll never want to forget.
