Uganda safaris are best enjoyable especially when you have packed appropriately based on your safari needs. Some items are a must to have for instance your passport, airline ticket, immunization cards and some money (cash) to use. Whereas some of these items may seem obvious to some people, to others it is vital to keep reminding them whether you are first time traveler of repeat visitor anything can go wrong and you forget what exactly is expected of you while on safari. Packing for mountain gorilla trekking is different from packing list for picnic tour. Just in case you are planning your safari in Uganda’s most magnificent protected areas, and you are confused about which clothing to bring or what should you come along on your safari. Besides considering the destination’s culture, the whole idea lies in ensuring comfort.
Below is a list of what you should pack for safari in Uganda
Clothing
This is a neutral item which means that you should avoid bright colored or white clothing that distract wildlife species in the destination. Usually, it is advisable to dress in accordance to the environment especially green color is the best. You will need pair of shorts, long sleeved shirts, sleeved T-shirts to protect you from thorns, vines, insects, falling branches; trousers which favorable for nature walks, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, hikes as it safe guards you from dirt and scratches or shorts to be put while at the lodge, sweater for cold weather in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park, pants, socks, skirt for women, rain jackets whether dry or wet season expect rains in Kibale National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon a rain jacket is best for to get protected from the rain and many more.
Accessories
Among the accessories to pack include the back pack for you to pack your small item and documents-it should be light weight for hikes, gorilla trekking, nature walks, chimpanzee trekking, game drives; the comfortable hiking boots for gorilla trekking or walking shoes, glasses for safari as well as sun hat and sun glasses to safe guard your head and eyes from the sun raise.
Equipment
Anything can happen and your camera will run out of power and the best thing for you to do is to have extra batteries for camera as a replacement to the one that dies off, binoculars for bird watching, chargers for your cell phone, camera and laptop, headphones for watching in-flight movies, iPod reusable water bottle, small compass and video. Do not leave a camera from behind as photo taking as is mostly everyone’s interest on safari.
Health and beauty items
While planning your safari, bear in mind that you are only one who knows yourself better. Before traveling, make sure that you consult your doctor who will advise you based on the new environment that you intend to visit. Among other items to pack include antibacterial wipes, body lotion, comb and brush, contact lens solution if they are necessary, deodorant, face cleanser, insect repellent given that fact you might be in forest or even savanna areas you may not avoid mosquitoes, tsetse flies and other biting insects in the bush and that is why insect repellents are very important. For mosquitoes, RID is the best for you, get malaria tablets as prescribed by your doctor or copy the prescription as per your doctor and use it for accessing it in Uganda when shortage occurs. You will also need citronella soap which equally works like insect repellent. It is anti bacterial soap. Personal hygiene items, toothbrush, toothpaste as well as first aid kit including the gas relief tablets antacid, rehydration sachets, cold medicine, anti-diarrhea medicine, antihistamine for allergies, mild laxative, non aspirin pain reliever and many others.
Miscellaneous
You will need to have your credit cards and makes sure that your bank knows that you will be traveling with your card abroad, bird and animal guidebooks, contact information, driver’s lice sense, soap, health insurance card and cross check if your health care provider has overseas partners, healthy snacks, local guidebooks, money belt to keep your cash-the money belt should be cotton made and when worn shouldn’t make you to sweat; maps, photocopies of your passport, travel journal, vaccination certificate.
Duffel bag
While planning your safari, consider appropriate suitcase with wheels to help you accommodate all that you require to use. It also offers the best mobility on safari and it can be kept and makes packing simpler and hence no need for you to keeping the luggage in the vehicle.
In conclusion, if you are planning your guided or self drive safari in Uganda, make sure that you prepare adequately. With the above items, we believe they will guide while you pack based on your desired safari activities.
