(101 things to know when you go) ON SAFARI IN AFRICA. Patrick Brakspear
WiFi, is certainly becoming more widespread throughout Africa – although not in some of the more remote safari destinations (thankfully).
A tip before you leave home: check with your service provider that your phone is registered for international roaming (and check that the phone you have is compatible with the networks in Africa - almost all of which operate GSM digital networks running at a frequency of 900 MHz (and some 3G/4G networks too)). If your phone is a dual or tri-band GSM phone it is likely this will work just fine.
More and more we are seeing WiFi being offered at safari camps/lodges * – some as an extension of that countries communications grid, and some connected via satellite. Check with your travel agent before you leave home about which camps/lodges have WiFi as this can be a real boon for sending/receiving email whilst on safari (and accessing the internet if speeds allow), including Skype, rather than using your mobile phone to text and call at exorbitant international roaming charges!
Please note: Not all conventional communication options (phone, fax, internet and email) are available at the more remote safari camps (and mobile camps particularly). Communications may sometimes be via HF radio only.
* The provision of WiFi in the safari industry is still a contentious issue, with some more traditionally-minded operators refusing to offer WiFi on the grounds of not wanting to 'interrupt' their guests appreciation of the 'wilderness' experience. Some camps/lodges provide WiFi only in the common areas (lounge/dining), whilst others have chosen to make WiFi available only in the rooms or have settled on providing a WiFi 'hub' at a suitable (low impact) location within the camp grounds.
“There is no wi-fi in the forest, but I promise you will find a better connection” – author unknown.
Check-in luggage
There is such a great selection of luggage styles to choose from these days that I hesitate to make any strong recommendations other than to say that it is IMPORTANT that you use only soft-sided bags if you are making use of light aircraft charters for your inter-camp transfers. This means no hard suitcases or cases with frames (this includes soft bags with wheels if they have a frame for the retractable handle). In this situation you will also be restricted to as little as 15kgs (35lbs) – including your hand luggage and camera equipment *. Check with your travel agent to confirm the actual allowance as this will vary from country to country and from one air charter company to another. The pilot needs to squeeze your luggage into compartments only 25cms high. There is of course the safety issue (overall weight) and it is important that he/she gets it right. Such weight restrictions will present quite a challenge. Start packing well in advance of your departure date and use your bathroom scales to be sure to keep within the limit. Having to repack on arrival only causes embarrassment, is unfair on the pilot and results in delays. When you see your pilot trying to stuff the luggage into every available nook and cranny you will see why the need for restrictions!? Do try to work with them on this.
Please keep in mind that most safari camps/lodges provide basic toilet amenities - shampoo, conditioner, bug spray and even suntan lotion; that laundry can generally be done on a daily basis (and many camps provide this service free of charge); and finally, that only casual clothing is required.
One other thing to mention as regards inter-camp charter flights: if you weigh more than 100kgs you must advise your travel agent in advance as this may affect the overall carrying capacity of the aircraft, and its safety, and require that an additional seat be assigned.
If you are not making use of light aircraft on safari then I would strongly recommend that your luggage choice has wheels! Not that you will be required to lug your bags on safari, but more because the international airports seem to be getting bigger and the distances you need to walk longer and longer!
With regard to securing your luggage, I would strongly suggest using one or more combination locks to secure zips together if your suitcase does not have its own locking mechanism. I also swear by luggage ties! These are invaluable for those small outside pouches. Luggage tampering in airports does occur, unfortunately. Luggage straps that wrap around your suitcase can also deter, whilst shrink-wrapping facilities are available at some airports.
* Please note that should you NOT strictly adhere to the luggage restrictions on air charters you can incur additional charges arising out of the transportation of any excess luggage. One possibility is to leave any extra bags at the airport with the charter company and collect these on the way back through. This assumes that your itinerary routing is such that you return to the same airport – if in doubt, check with your travel agent.
Hand luggage
Firstly, try to restrict your hand luggage to one item only - for no other reason than more than one item makes travel that much harder (and yes, a handbag qualifies as a second item!). Secondly, that one item should be of a size acceptable as carry-on luggage by the airlines.
If you are a photographer then this will mean having sufficient space in your camera bag for travel documents, your prescription medication and/or glasses, binoculars and (possibly) even a change of clothes.
For overnight flights (and long flights - over 8 hours) I highly recommend a neck pillow, ear plugs and eye mask, and something comfy to change into - along with warm socks. Noise cancelling headphones are brilliant too (be sure you take the adaptor to allow you to plug into the inflight entertainment system).
Bear in mind that restrictions on what can and cannot be taken on board an aircraft are still in place – including liquids, flammables and sharp objects. The rules change frequently – so please double check and take heed.
Jewellery
Do not take any expensive personal jewellery on safari – be minimalist or take only those everyday items that you normally wear, like your wedding band, inexpensive earrings (or perhaps consider leaving these at home too). You will be on the go most of the time and there will likely be little opportunity to ‘dress up’. On the other hand, you might like to wear some jewellery at dinner when staying at some of the more up-market safari camps and lodges. Of course I am referring mostly to the women folk - for the guys, less is more!
Drinking water
Drink bottled water. You are always safe drinking the bottled water that is readily available at all the camps and lodges. Carry a bottle of water with you at all times – including on transfers between camps. Make it a practice to always have a bottle of water with you - period. If you are at all apprehensive about the quality of water where you are staying, check with the staff, and if the water is not treated or bottled then avoid ice in your drinks or cleaning your teeth with the tap water (use the bottled variety). Take water purification tablets for emergency use if you think bottled water will not be available (unlikely).
THE SAFARI INDUSTRY IS MAKING A CONCERTED EFFORT TO REDUCE THE USE OF PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES - TRY TO WORK WITH THEM.
A number of safari operators are making sterilized water bottles (mostly stainless steel) available for you to fill with purified water at their camps and lodges. This is an initiative that you should adopt wherever possible as this will have a significant and positive environmental impact. By doing away with the factory-filled (sealed) plastic water bottles you will not only save fuel in transporting these bottles to remote regions (by their thousands) but also solve the problem of the enormous pollution to roadsides and towns that these plastic bottles foster. Do your bit (please).
CAUTION: Dehydration is a real danger on safari and you should be careful to drink at regular intervals and have water at hand at all times.
Heat
At certain times of the year, especially late October/November before the rains arrive in southern Africa, the heat can build through the days (and nights too). It is not uncommon for temperatures to reach over 40 degrees Celsius (over 100°F) during the early afternoon in Botswana, Kruger and the Zambezi Valley at this time of year. For visitors from Europe and elsewhere, who are not accustomed