Safari Checklist
Description for Safari Checklist
CLOTHING
- Your clothing should be lightweight, breathable, hand-washable, and quick-drying.
- Shorts, mid-thigh or longer
- Long pants (zip-off pants are very useful)
- Short-sleeved shirts
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Undergarments, socks
- Sport bras for women (roads can be bumpy)
- Rain jacket and pants or rain poncho
- Sun hat with brim and chin strap
- Bandana (for dust, washing, etc.)
- Belt
- Pajamas
- Swimsuit (and cover up for women)
- Sweater, jacket, windbreaker
- Clothes line, sink stopper, detergent
FOOTWEAR
- Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes, closed toe, preferably waterproof
- Tennis shoes, sandals, dressy shoes, and/or flip flops
- Comfortable, breathable socks
BAGGAGE
- Suitcase or duffel (20kg/44lb max for internal flights)
- Day pack for daily activities and easy access (rain cover is nice)
- Waterproof plastic bags for storing clothing and gear (ziplocs work)
- Packing cube, compression bag, clear toiletry bag for airplane
- Money belt, security pouch, document organizer
ELECTRONICS
- Store electronics in sealed water-proof bags (double bagged if possible).
Headlamp or flashlight - Camera, lenses, filters, memory disks (you will not be able to download)
- Video camera, tapes/disks
- Tripod
- Cell phone
- Batteries
- GPS (for Geocaching)
- Alarm clock
- Calculator (for currency conversion)
- Electricity adapter
SAFARI
- Strong binoculars
- Quality camera with long lens
- Wide brimmed hat with strap
- Animal and bird guide books
- On your safari, take along any items you need for the day in a separate day pack: sunglasses, camera and video (lenses, batteries, disks, tapes), binoculars, water, snacks, bandana, hat, wet-wipes, hand sanitizer, etc.
- Camping safaris: Sleeping bag
TOILETRIES
- Soap
- Shampoo, conditioner
- Shaving supplies
- Nail clippers, file, brush
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
- Deodorant
- Moist towelettes (handi-wipes)
- Hand sanitizer
- Lotion (Badger foot balm is also helpful)
- Hairbrush, comb, mirror
- Small towel and washcloth
- Toilet paper
- Facial tissue
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm with sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Q-tips
- Sewing kit
- Feminine products
- Cosmetics
FIRST AID
- You really only need one first aid kit in your travel group, so coordinate with your travel companions.
- Ibuprofin,
- Aceteminophen
- Bandaids/plasters
- Disinfectant, antiseptic cream, antibiotic ointment
- Gauze bandages and tape
- Throat losenges
- Vitamins
- Diahrea medicine
- Antihistemines
- Ace bandage
- Melatonin,
- Acetazolamide, or other sleep aid
- Malaria pills (talk to doctor)
- Antibiotics (talk to doctor)
- Prescription drugs (talk to doctor)
DOCUMENTS
- Document organizer
- Passport
- Visas for all countries as necessary
- Airline tickets, e-tickets (make sure name on ticket matches name on passport)
- Copy of Almak Tours’ travel itinerary
- Medical insurance card
- Address book
- Business cards
- Make copies of passport, visas, drivers license, airline tickets/schedule, travel itinerary, credit cards (front and back), travelers checks’ numbers, frequent flyer numbers, travel insurance, and emergency contact information. Leave a copy with someone at home and put a copy in a travel companion’s luggage and email them to yourself (or Google Docs).
- Yellow fever certificate and vaccination records
BEACH
- Swimsuit and cover-up
- Beach sandals
- Reef shoes (for sharp rocks and coral)
- SCUBA/snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit)
- Underwater camera
OTHER
- Sunglasses with straps
- Eyeglasses, contacts, solution
- Binoculars
- Pocket knife
- Notebook, pencil and pen
- Playing cards, games, crossword puzzles, books, frisbee, football, kite
- Energy bars, hard candy, snacks, and comfort foods
- Duct tape (can be wrapped around water bottle)
Matches or lighter - Cash, travelers checks, credit cards (including some small bills, U.S. dollars must be newer than 2002)
- Guide books, maps, language books
- Umbrella, particularly useful in the rainy season
Salt, pepper for bland food, flavoring for coffee - Water bottles and Camelback (useful on bumpy roads)
- Steripen, water filter, iodine or chlorine dioxide purification tablets
- Bottled water is also available for purchase at hotels and markets
KIDS
- Games, toys, books
- Swim toys
- Gifts for local children
GIFTS FOR GUIDES, LOCAL PEOPLE
- Shoes, t-shirts, hats, warm clothing
- Nerf football, frisbees
- Candy, energy bars
- Pens, school supplies
PACKING FOR THE FLIGHT
- U-shaped neck pillow (blow-up)
- Books, magazines, e-reader
- Toiletries (3 ounces/container, 1 quart clear bag)
- Snacks
- Water bottle (empty through security)
- iPod, MP3 player and headphones
- Cell phone
- Eye shades, ear plugs
- Melatonin or other sleep aid
Safari Checklist
Day by Day Itinerary
ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK
NON GAME-VIEWING TRAVEL TIME: 1 HOUR
DISTANCE: 60 KM
After breakfast you are met by our professional tour guide/driver, who will deliver a short safari info briefing, after which we travel east to the Arusha National Park. This small but beautiful Tanzanian National Park is the closest national park to both the famous Arusha “safari town” (30 km) as well as the Kilimanjaro International Airport, thus making it ideal for 1-day safaris or tours. Not only is the animal life in the park abundant, but it is also one of the most beautiful and topographically varied parks in Tanzania. The park’s three most significant features
Include the rugged Mount Meru (Tanzania’s second highest peak at 4566m), the notably different coloured Momela Lakes, and the 3km wide Ngurdoto Crater, which was formed about fifteen million years ago! We will enjoy lunch at the Momela wildlife lodge and do an exciting morning game drive and afternoon game drive, visiting both the Momela Lakes and the Ngurdoto Crater. Wildlife which could be seen include African buffalos, elephants, hippos, giraffe, warthogs, antelopes, zebras, blue monkeys and sometimes a rare leopard or hyena. Late afternoon we depart for Arusha where we will end our safari adventure. The group should tip the tours guide around $20 for the day. You will be taken to your hotel, which ends our tour package services.
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
NON GAME-VIEWING TRAVEL TIME: 4 HOURS
DISTANCE: 240 KMK
After breakfast you are met by our professional tour guide/driver, who will deliver a short safari info briefing, after which we travel east to the Tarangire National Park. The park runs along the line of the Tarangire River and is mainly made up of low-lying hills on the Great Rift Valley floor. Its natural vegetation mainly consists of Acacia woodland and giant African Baobab trees, with huge swamp areas in the south. Both the river and the swamps act like a magnet for wild animals, during Tanzania’s dry season. The Tarangire National Park is reputed to contain some of the largest elephant herds in Africa. We will enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park and do two exciting morning and afternoon game drives, along the Tarangire River. Late afternoon we depart for Moshi where we will end our safari adventure. You will be taken to your hotel, which ends our tour packages services.
DEPARTURE DATES
The departure dates for all our African safaris and trekking packages are totally flexible according to your own personal needs. Please contact us for further and more detailed info, as well as information on photographic safaris and Kilimanjaro trekking packages.