ADVENTURE
Game drives are fun. But survival needs are very different when you’re out in the jungle, often driving all through the day – and sometimes through the night – to witness that perfect kill, or to spot that elusive cheetah.
Here are things that you must include in your backpacks before leaving for a wildlife safari vacation:
Most good lodges and camps offer laundry service, so you can pack light and just concentrate on the essentials. For, say, a week long safari, pack two pairs of convertible cargo pants, four T-shirts (two short-sleeved and two long-sleeved), a fleece jacket, four pairs of socks, a sweater, a rain-proof windbreaker and waterproof pants, which can fold into a small pouch.
If you are out discovering Africa on a long safari, you will most definitely be visiting different game parks. Transfers from one game park to another will be made by small charter aircrafts with strict weight restrictions – often not more than a few kilograms. So make sure of what you are carrying. For example,you might need to leave behind the tripod and just carry the camera. Or take just cloths for a day leaving behind that heavy pair of shoes. Make your decisions well. See what you can do without and leave it behind.
Your phone, your camera, your iPad; everything will need to be kept powered up on long game drives so carry that multi-utility cigarette lighter charger. Lodges and Safari Camps have charging facilities, but we suggest you still pack a universal plug adapter.
Good rain-proof shoes are a must. However, the best of them will let rain creep inside and make your feet shrivel. So do carry a nice comfortable pair of flip-flops while your wet shoes hang outside your tent after the long drive.
You'll need a camera with powerful lenses, really powerful ones. It’s OK to not have an SLR, but whatever you have needs to be powerful, and must zoom-in well. For SLRs you'll need to shop for powerful telephoto lenses. Animals are often far out in the wild and getting those amazing close-ups can get difficult if all you have is a point-and-shoot camera - especially if you out in the night to capture a kill.
Carry a waterproof bag, especially if you are on a wildlife safari, not only to protect everything from the rain, but from dust as well. These are dry yellow grasslands with just swaths of mud and dust to drive upon.
It is very important to carry a good non-greasy sunscreen that won't smell of glue, will moisturise your face and arms well, and won't come off too easily. Use anything starting at SPF 30 and you are good to go.
A good flashlight will save you a lot of hassle. Walking between tents is going to get a lot easier and less scarier with all those weird animal sounds around.
Animals are generally far out in the fields, many a times away from the safari tracks. Off the track driving is often not permitted, so make sure that you get a good pair. We’d personally bet on one with objective lenses of 32 mm to 42 mm (and 12x to 16x zoom.)
If you have one, don’t leave it behind. You can carry a lot of reference material on it, and it’s a good way to review photographs.
A comfortable and stylish hat on a game drive is a must. You'll need a lot of protection from the sun. Get one with an under-chin tie so that the wind doesn’t blow it off all the time.
Animals are generally far out in the fields, many a times away from the safari tracks. Off the track driving is often not permitted, so make sure that you get a good pair. We’d personally bet on one with objective lenses of 32 mm to 42 mm (and 12x to 16x zoom.)
The perfect companion on those long nights when you sit waiting for the kill to happen, pillows are a must have. Use a pillow case that you can identify, for this is one thing that can be easily left behind.
You are in the jungle now. And they are crazy. While some of you might not have the slightest affinity to get bitten, others might get bitten badly. So carry a mosquito repellant cream with you.
Nobody likes crybabies wanting to go back to the camp when there is a kill happening on the next turn. So get a sense of adventure. See what it takes to withstand driving on muddy terrains, and get to know wildlife. Game drives are a great way to get in touch with your wild side. We too are animals after all. So stay on, stay put, and stay on the track like a man! Most of all, try to enjoy yourself!
Inspired to go on a jungle safari? Start planning now!
Siddharth Dehl Follow
Reluctant writer, daydreamer, TV addict, impulsive runner, obsessive musician, travel enthusiast, and mostly higher powered.
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