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The Ten Commandments Of A Super Safari
o you are going on safari? What I’m about to share with you
Well congratulations but should be extremely useful so
have you what it takes or don't discard it. You will be
do you even know how to make a glad you read it.
memorable safari no matter where
in Africa you are traveling? I call them the Ten Commandments
because I believe that these are
Count yourself lucky if you ten things that anybody going on
didn’t have a clue, and if you safari should take into account.
are one of those first time
travelers to Africa with no clue Commandment 1.Thou shall not
what to expect or even how to go forget thy camera.
about packing for that trip of a
life time, because I’m about to Sounds obvious for those who
give you a few tips. don't leave their cameras behind,
Trust me this could easily be the Or those of us who have expensive
experience of a life time, Africa cameras with all those fancy
has a lot to offer, so forget buttons that we haven't really
those media images you see of figured out how to use yet, this
poor and famine stricken Africa. would be one of those reasons why
we spent a fortune on them.
Oh and you might also want to put
away those images of Tarzan in But how about those of us who may
Africa with wild animals always not be good at taking pictures or
attacking him. The creator of have never taken any except of
Tarzan never visited Africa and course those moments when a
most of the episodes were filmed family member or a stranger asks
in southern California. you to take them or your idea of
a camera is your phone with that
2 mega pixel.
You will also soon discover that
If I was to recommended a camera when you can say a few words in
for a safari it would have to be the local language you will often
a 35mm camera with automatic get special results.
exposure and interchangeable
Lenses. For the best results in A simple guide to pronunciation:
photographing wildlife and birds, a as in father,
you should have a zoom lens. e as in bed,
Remember to bring extra batteries i as in tin,
for every camera and flash unit. o as in or,
u as in truth
Commandment 2 Learn thy
neighbor’s language. Helpful Words and Phrases in
Swahili should you be headed to
In most parts of Africa you will East Africa.
find that English or French are
the official language but General
sometimes there will be a Hello! Jambo!
national language. How are you? Habari?
Good, fine, very well Nzuri
This is simply a language that Bad Mbaya
most locals will speak. In Kenya Thank you (very much) Asante
and Tanzania for example, Swahili (sana)
is considered the national Please Tafadhali
language although most locals can Good-bye Kwaheri
speak English you will sometimes Welcome!/Nearby Karibu
encounter those that don’t. It Danger Hatari
helps if you can say a few basic Friend Rafiki
words in the local language. Sorry Samahani, Pole
Excuse me, please Samahani and evening, layering is the best
approach. Laundry service is
Commandment 3 Thou shall not available in most places so you
drink tap water. can replenish your supply of
clean clothing as you need it.
Avoid drinking water from the Much of the time on safari is
tap. You can buy bottled water in spent in a van, so lightweight
most lodges and camps. Soda, beer and comfortable walking shoes
and other beverages can also be (tennis shoes or desert boots)
purchased at lodges and camps are appropriate; hiking boots are
throughout the safari. This is not necessary. The style in
because in most places in Africa Africa is casual, even in the
tap water isn’t that safe to evening.
drink.
You will be in the sun a great
4. Mind thy clothing. deal, and at these altitudes it
is easy to sunburn very quickly.
Bring very casual summer clothes A complimentary safari hat is
that are easily laundered and dry given to each of our guests, so
quickly. you will not need to pack one. Do
pack a swimsuit and cover-up, as
Visitors on safari have some of the properties have
traditionally worn olive, tan or lovely swimming pools.
other neutral colours. These
clothes reflect the heat, don’t 5. Check thy safari checklist.
show the inevitable safari dust,
and do not stand out when you are So what is a safari check list?
trying to look inconspicuous on a
game drive. With cool These are items you will often
temperatures in the early morning find useful and you might want to
bring along on your safari. is lost or misplaced)
Sunscreen
Alarm Clock – travel size Tissues and moist towels
Converter/Adapter- electricity is Toiletries and cosmetics
220V. As outlets vary you should
travel with a set of Commandment 6 Thy credit cards
international adapters thou shall find useful
Batteries – extras, for all of
your appliances and cameras American Express, Diners Club,
Calculator – pocket size for Visa and MasterCard are widely
currency conversions accepted in most African
Camera equipment and film countries Including Kenya,
Chapstick and moisturizing cream Uganda, Tanzania and Zanzibar
Correspondence address list while you are major towns.
Hat, visor or scarf
Insect repellent with DEET (20%) Commandment 7 Thy driver shall be
Keys – extra set of luggage keys thy guide and teacher
Laundry soap
Medication – over-the-counter or Whenever you are on safari in a
prescription medicine you take on tour vehicle you will always have
a regular basis a trained driver who you should
Passport, traveler’s cheques, consider a companion and teacher,
credit cards, driver’s license, a giving briefings, answering
copy of your passport questions,
Pen and paper for notes and providing insights that will
Prescription glasses if you wear help make your journey even more
them (and a copy of your memorable. Each one is a seasoned
prescription) professional, speaking several
Reading materials languages including local
Sunglasses (two pairs in case one dialects, with an in depth
knowledge of the cultural and
natural environments you will see Travelers should have medical
along your way. insurance, as they will be
responsible for all medical
Commandment 8 Thou shall take expenses they may incur. Trip
care of your property and cancellation insurance is
valuables strongly advised. The cost of
your safari is an investment
Normal care and sensible which you will want to protect.
precautions should be taken as
you would in the United States, Finally I could call this
the UK, Europe or other parts of commandment 11 but it just
the world. Do not leave cash, wouldn’t sound right, so I’m
jewellery or travelers cheques going to refer to it as the bonus
unattended in hotel rooms. Most commandment.
Lodges or hotels have safe
deposit facilities for your Thou Shall Learn To Bargain
valuables.
Most travellers to Africa are not
Commandment 9 Remember thy really used to bargaining for
passports, visa and to keep them their goods. But in Africa unless
valid you are in a supermarket or a
mall, it is expected that you
All travelers must have current bargain especially when buying
passports valid for 60 days after curios or souvenirs. In Africa it
the expected departure date from is expected that you bargain. I
Africa. have said it time and again that
and will continue to do so until
Commandment 10 Remember thy the last one is converted. Every
insurance. time you pay that "special price"
you make it more difficult for harder to bring down inflated
others after you who will find it prices.
About the Author:
Jerry Wanga is editor of Naady.com The website that provides ideas, destination lodge and hotel reviews for African safari travelers. You can view more information on African safari and tours on naady.com.
Published At: www.Isnare.com
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