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