We are often asked what binoculars to bring on safari we recommend the following: - a power x7 or higher. Look for any of the following: 7x42, 8x42, 10x42, 8x50, 10x50. It is the second number that is critical. Less than 30 and image quality is seriously compromised. Higher than 50 and you will have a hard job holding them steady. If you can afford Zeiss, Leica or Swarovski, all the better, but Canon, Nikon and Opticron do very good reasonably priced glasses.
[Recommendations for Binocular: - Magnification: 8 x 42 - Field of View: At least 330 ft at 1000 yards. - Exit pupil size: 5.25 mm or more Eye relief: 18 or more - Prism and Coating: BAK-4 prism and Fully Multi-Coated surfaces, Weight: Not more than 30.1 oz. Lbs]
MAKE A PLAN AND STICK TO IT! creating a list - like an architect planning a building, so must you plan the contents of your suitcase. Set aside the pieces you intend to bring and ensure that they are clean and ready to be packed
Jeweler – don’t take what you don’t want to lose, and leave behind the flashy pieces that could attract thieves. Keep makeup to a minimum to save space, and leave the perfume behind when scented lotions will work just as well. When it comes to toiletries - travel kits are always the answer. Having a travel kit perpetually stocked in a waterproof case will save in packing time before the trip and aggravation [and mess] after arrival.
A Kenyan I know is an expert packer - he will spend time packing using every space possible in you soft bag. He ensures everything is clean and ironed. Once folded he irons them flat - sometimes rolling but if they are ironed and folded correctly rolling is not always necessary.
Clothing To Pack for a Safari:
2 pairs khaki cotton pants (jeans are hot and uncomfortable)
2 pairs sturdy shorts
2 long sleeved light coloured shirts (for evenings help to keep the mosquitoes at bay).
1 light sweater or sweatshirt
1 lightweight, waterproof windbreaker
1 or 2 pair sturdy walking or hiking boots or running shoes [thick soles are essential as when walking in the bush there will many long sharp thorns]
3-5 short-sleeved shirts or T-shirts
5 changes underwear and socks
1 hat with a brim (baseball caps might cover your nose but not your ears and neck).
Please travel light. You should also bring a day pack to carry any essentials you might need whilst on safari. On safari most people wear shorts and a T-shirt during the day and put on long sleeved shirts and long pants in the evening for warmth as well as protection from mosquitoes.
Khaki, brown, olive and beige colours are best for and safaris and game walks.
White is not a suitable colour for these activities; they will get dirty with red/brown dust within minutes.
Fleece or sweater and a windbreaker for game drives, because it is highly possible that you may go out on a hot day, but be faced with a chill evening on your return. Some areas have a steep temperature gradient, i.e. Very hot days and very cool nights.
Remember that layering your clothing will keep you warmer than relying on one thick item.
This information is taken from the Juma Page web site and this site is dedicated to providing fee information on Tanzania and safaris http://www.thejumapage.co.uk More info can be seen at form do it your self - to work experience and volunteering - to no expense spared this site is a must before you plan and pay for your trip to Tanzania
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Hypothermia or exposure: this is life threatening condition with a lowering of body temperature and can occur with a temperature as high as 10 ac [50 f]. Usually caused by cold wet clothing or simply poorly clothed for the conditions. The signs/symptoms include clumsiness, stumbling, apathy, lethargy, confusion, disorientation, and eventually unconsciousness. Treatment for this is to immediate warm the patient in a warm dry environment - a sleeping bag is ideal with one or even two people inside the sleeping bag with the patient. Warm energy rich drinks help as does rest with a return to camp as quickly as possible.
When on a walking safari, mountain climbing or walking round the camp, it is advisable to be aware of the following guidelines on health and safety in the African Bush.
Altitude related Illness: These illnesses can kill you and every year tourists die from altitude related illnesses. Higher altitudes are colder even in Africa; there is less oxygen and to walk slowly is essential especially for hikes or climbs above 1,500 to 3,000 meters above sea level. You should be breathing easily with no panting and no extreme physical excursion. Drink water regularly and eat a light diet with lots of carbohydrates. It is essential to keep warm.
Hypothermia or exposure: this is life threatening condition with a lowering of body temperature and can occur with a temperature as high as 10 c [50 f]. Usually caused by cold wet clothing or simply poorly clothed for the conditions. The signs/symptoms include clumsiness, stumbling, apathy, lethargy, confusion, disorientation, and eventually unconsciousness. Treatment for this is to immediate warm the patient in a warm dry environment - a sleeping bag is ideal with one or even two people inside the sleeping bag with the patient. Warm energy rich drinks help as does rest with a return to camp as quickly as possible.
Acute Mountain sickness: This affects many people above 2,050 meters [or 10,000 ft] signs/symptoms include headache nausea fatigue, malaise, loss of appetite, restless or no sleep. The treatment is to slow down, remain in camp, drink water, and rest your body. It is important to adjust to altitude slowly. In case of severe headaches, loss of coordination, breathing difficulties evacuate immediately for medical attention. This condition kills tourists every year in Tanzania!
Hiking in hot or sunny weather often causes heat exhaustion the signs/symptoms are weakness/fatigue, headache, vertigo, thirst nausea/vomiting faintness high body temperature. The treatment is to lay flat in shade, remove clothing to cool the patient, soak the body with cold water, re-hydrate patient and monitor body temperature
Heat stroke is more serious with the signs/symptoms being delirium, coma, rapid pulse, rapid breathing; skin hot and dry, body temperature above 40c [104 f]. Treat as for heat exhaustion but this condition can be fatal so seek medical assistance quickly – evacuate if possible.
Wildlife; try to avoid interaction; normally the wildlife will try to avoid you. Buffalo or elephant may attack if surprised or provoked. When hike in forest or dense bush clap often or call out if met by an aggressive animal; at all times follow the instructions of your armed guide. Never feed wild animals with baboons and monkeys being highly dangerous and they can steel by force as they have learnt to get food from the tourists.
Weather in Tanzania has a rainy season November through to May with sometimes a dryer season January to March dividing the season into short and long rains. It never rains all the time. The dry season June to October, the coldest month being July with high altitudes reaching temperatures bellow freezing.
If you get lost remain where you are; your guide will look for you and find you quicker if are on the trail – this sometimes happens in fog or dense forest. A day pack should include instant body shelter, warm clothing and a water proof jacket, matches or lighter, a mirror or whistle for signaling, food and drink [esp. water] basic first aid, torch and a compass.
Some areas have stinging nettles, no shorts in these areas with stings causing temporary but painful irritations
Safari ants are small shiny brown ants move rapid in columns across trails – they are common and carnivorous, they crawl up your trouser legs and start to chew. Tuck trouser into socks and watch where you step and especially where you stand.
Acacia thorns “cat claws” of the wait-a-bit thorn tree rip skin and clothing – the thorn is long and straight and can pierce soft soled shoes and even car tires so take care and try not to wear sandals.
Ticks may be found long grass, to remove a tick grasp head and jerk out of skin.
Snakes will usually avoid humans; one exception is the puff adder. This snake is sluggish and slow to move. When moving around in the dark use a torch to avoid a most unwelcome encounter with the puff adder.
Scorpions lurk in the dry country under rocks, behind bark and sometimes climb into boots, clothing or equipment left out at night. The sting from a scorpion can cause severe pain for several hours.
In conclusion to protect yourself – dress right and drink right. Climbing in mountains or highland prepare for extremes. Watch your self day time temperatures can reach 35 c with little shade and may well be freezing at night at higher altitudes. Fine weather can turn into fog or rain quickly. Always carry a waterproof and dry clothing in a plastic bag to keep warm wool and synthetics are better than cotton or down – to keep cool cotton is the better option. Protect yourself from the sun with a hat, sunglasses, skin protection also drink plenty of water and eat a diet high in carbohydrates for energy. Avoid alcohol at high altitudes.
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