Safari Prep 101 – Snapping The Globe

So you want to go on a safari? How long does it take to prepare?

Weeks? Months? A Year?

For someone accustomed to planning vacations a few days prior, paying a deposit and booking flights seven months ahead of time is so out of the ordinary for me!

For as long as I can remember, a safari has been on the top of my bucket list. Since my husband always professed that Africa was not a priority for him, I assumed that I would be doing the trip for my 50th birthday on my own. Surprisingly, however, when the subject was broached, he was on board!

Deciding which country we were going to embark from was the first order of business. South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania? Each country offers unique opportunities and natural treasures.

Though our first inclination was to visit South Africa and combine a visit to Kruger National Park with Cape Town, we soon decided on a Tanzanian Road Safari offered by a friend and co-worker’s safari company, Safari Express.

Paying our deposit, we eagerly anticipated what was to come. Time flies slowly, however, and I was like a child waiting for Christmas morning. Would it never arrive? Well, I would utilize my time wisely and spend the next few months preparing for our journey.

Airfare

For our Tanzanian safari, we opted to purchase airfare rather than attempting to fly on a standby basis on my airline and its affiliates. Using credit card points, we were able to obtain airfare from JFK via Istanbul to Nairobi, Kenya. From Nairobi, we purchased travel on one of the many shuttles that travel between Nairobi and Arusha, Tanzania…about a six hour journey. I later learned that it might have been possible to travel more efficiently from JFK to Kilimanjaro airport, via Istanbul or Amsterdam and from Kilimanjaro, transportation would have been arranged to Arusha (1 hour) from our safari company. Since we arrived into Kenya, we were required to purchase Kenyan visas as well as Tanzanian visas at the Namanga border crossing adding to the cost of the overall journey.

Land Travel

There are a few shuttles that travel between Kenya and Tanzania, stopping for the Namanga border crossing and a restroom stop on Kenya side of border. Travel time is approximately six hours, depending on traffic and wait time at the border. Some of these shuttles can be booked for private transportation at $250 each way. We used Riverside, as it was recommended by friends. The buses were basic and took 5 1/2 hours from Nairobi Airport to Arusha and 6 1/2 hours for the return trip from Arusha to Nairobi City Center.
Riverside Shuttle- $35 per person each way. http://riverside-shuttle.com/
Impala Shuttle-$30 per person each way. http://www.impalashuttles.com/
Marangu Shuttle-$25 per person each way. https://www.marangushuttles.com/

Visa Requirements

Entry into Tanzania for U.S. citizens requires a passport valid for six months, two recent passport-sized photos and $100. It can be obtained at the airport upon entry, at the Namanga border crossing if traveling from Nairobi or at the Tanzanian embassies in New York City or Washington, D.C. http://tanzaniaembassy-us.org/?page_id=76#visaDescrition
A Kenyan visa may be obtained online or at the embassies located in New York City or Washington, D.C., online, at the airport upon arrival or at the Namanga border crossing if traveling from Tanzania. Cost of the visa is $50 for U.S. citizens and requires a passport valid for six months, two passport-sized photos and $50. If entry into Kenya, and return for departing flights (even after travel to Tanzania) within a certain period of time, a single entry visa will suffice. http://kenyaembassy.com/

Immunizations

When traveling from Kenya into Tanzania, proof of the yellow fever vaccination is required. The shot may be obtained from your local travel clinic or Walgreen’s clinics. Approximate cost is $169. Though I had been vaccinated in the past for yellow fever, my card had expired in February, however, my company was not requiring a new immunization. Not willing to risk entering a country without a valid immunization card, I was reimmunized.
Other immunizations that I received or had received in the past, during my travels were Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B and can only viewed as good to have though not required. My Tetnus vaccination was also updated.

In addition to booking airfare and arranging for passport photos and any necessary visas, I took a box and labeled it “Safari” and began adding things I thought I might need.

Over the next few months, many things were placed in the box…

Binoculars

A good set of binoculars were important in seeing the animals up close. My husband and I each invested in our own pair.

Travel underwear

During my last few long trips to Asia, I learned the art of cleaning out my underwear drawer and bringing old and worn out pairs, which could be washed as I traveled and then left behind. After some research, I found inexpensive disposable underwear, each individually packaged, that are to be thrown out after wearing. Though not the most comfortable that I have ever worn, they did the trick. I found that a combination of the two worked quite well with the disposable underwear being the best solution during long travel periods (i.e. changing during the flights).

Scott E Vest

If you read about my trip to Cambodia and Thailand a couple of years ago, you’ll find that I sung the praises of the Scott E Vest, a fabulous invention that offers various models with numerous pockets for storage of iphones, ipads, ereaders, sunglasses, cameras, water bottles, passports, money…you name it! Taking these items out of your tote bag lightens your load and allows to keep items secure and also helps you to meet the luggage weight requirements that some airlines impose. Since we were not checking luggage and given a 8 kg limit on our carry-on items, ny new Scott E Vest allowed me to load it up and keep my heavier camera equipment in my carry-ons. An additional perk is that while out and about in a foreign city, you can keep your wallets and phones right on you and don’t have to carry a purse and attract unwanted attention. https://www.scottevest.com/

Compression Socks and a Portable Travel Footrest/Sling

During my trip to Cambodia and Thailand a couple of years ago, I learned that despite being accustomed to long flights as a flight attendant, when you are seated in economy class, there’s not much room to spread out and put your feet up. Finding that my feet were prone to swelling, I looked to find some relief. Everyone is aware that compression socks help to alleviate swelling, but I found another product that I was anxious to try; a portable travel footrest. Hanging this contraption from the tray table, it gives short people like me (whose feet do not sit solidly on the floor) a place to rest your feet. I found that this really helped and I experienced no swelling at all after a 10 hour flight from New York to Istanbul and then another 6 hours from Kenya to Nairobi.

3D Sleep Mask

Having owned one of these for years, it was a given that it was traveling with me. As a contact lens wearer, I am bothered by anything pressing against my eyes, so traditional sleep masks do not offer any relief when attempting to get some in-flight shut-eye. The bubble-eye covers give my eyes room to move without restriction and rest.

Turtl Pillow-Neck Support Travel Pillow

Over the years, I have used a traditional blow up neck pillow. Mine always seemed to loose air halfway during my journey and didn’t quite offer the support that I needed to get adequate rest. Recently, I came across this travel pillow and noticed that it had been given many favorable reviews. Opting to give it a try, I packed it for my long journey. Though it takes up more room than my old blow-up pillow, I found that it offered more support for my neck and I actually slept like a baby. https://trtltravel.com/

SD Cards

Packing a sufficient number of SD cards for my camera was extremely important. Though I knew that a 32G card would provide enough storage for the entire trip, I had another 32G and two 16G cards on standby in case of SD failure or if I decided that more than 10,000 pictures needed to be taken.

Camera Bean Bag

Since I would be taking a large 600 mm camera lens and a tripod would not be practical in a safari vehicle, I need something to rest my heavy lens on. Taking this empty bean bag with me, I filled it with rice, purchased from the local market, when I arrived at my destination. This beanbag, gave me something to rest my lens on and not scratch it or the vehicle.

GoPro Camera

My job on our vacations is photographer. Being a lover of photography, I am always eager to capture our journeys, but as good as I am with my trusty Canon, I am the exact opposite with video. Deciding that we needed to capture some of our safari moments on film, my husband was designated to be the official videographer. A new GoPro was in order, complete with a stabilizing harness for the bumpy roads.

Safari Hat

Though many opt for traditional safari-style hats, my husband and I prefer baseball style hats. Finding a great khaki-colored, moisture-wicking style, we discovered that it’s unique design allows it’s bill to fold for better packing flexibility. You can even put it in your pocket! Just google “folding brim hats”.

Lightweight Neck Gaiter or Bandana

For those cool mornings and to protect our faces from the dusty areas of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

Moisture-Wicking and Quick Dry Pants and Shorts

There are many manufacturers of moisture-wicking/quick dry pants and shorts and those that have zip-off legs. Because of my height and pear-shaped body, the zip-off leg style does nothing to flatter my body type. Finding a couple of pairs that were on the expensive side, I was pleased to find that Costco offered a travel pant that worked just as well for the whopping price of $13.99. And…they fit well too! Doing our own laundry in some of the lodges, these pants ensured drying overnight.

Lush Products

A couple of years ago, I learned about Lush Cosmetics shampoo and conditioner bars. They lather up just like regular shampoo and conditioner, smell fantastic, clean your hair and more importantly free up room in your TSA liquids bag. After I sent my husband to pick up his own shampoo, he returned with a sample of their charcoal toothpaste tabs. Since I had seen a similar product elsewhere, but was afraid to try it, I immediately went upstairs, brushed my teeth and went back to the Lush Store to purchase my own. Again, they take up no room in your TSA liquids bag and I found them useful to place inside my travel toothbrush case when I needed a pick-me-up throughout my travels! https://www.lushusa.com/

Sturdy, Flexible Suitcases, Bags and Locks

When traveling on safari, there is usually a weight and size limit for baggage. Ours was 17 kg and this was due to the fact that we would be taking a plane from Arusha to the Serengeti. We were also strongly discouraged against bringing roll-aboard-type bags, instead opting for flexible, duffel bags for both the airplane and safari vehicles. This past spring, I found an amazing backpack-type from Ebags which worked wonders for me…The Mother Lode Weekender Convertible Junior. It holds a ton of clothing items, is expandable and lightweight. My husband and I each purchased and packed small, lightweight, foldable bags which we could check, packed with our souvenirs for our return trip home. We also packed small, combination locks to keep our checked luggage free from sticky fingers. https://www.ebags.com/

Clothes to Leave Behind

Everyone has that pile of clothes or shoes that need to go to Goodwill or other charities. In many cases, these items are still in good shape, you just might be a bit tired of them or they are just not the most current style. I have learned to bring a few of these items with me, wear them during the trip and leave them with someone who may need them. Ask at the front desk or in our case, one of our guides was happy to take them to his church for distribution to those in need. I also donated an old pair of tennis shoes that were still in good condition, just not the best fit for my foot and left behind an inexpensive pair of flip flops from the dollar store that I used for pool time.

Other Ideas

Make sure to have lots of reading material, videos and music loaded on Ipods, Ipads and e-readers for passing the time during layovers and in the event that entertainment is not working on the flight.

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