Travel essentials to take on your next self-drive safari

A self-drive safari is beneficial for various reasons as you get to go at your own pace and see as much as you would like to see without being dictated to by someone else’s schedule. It also gives one the option of going to unexplored parts of the country in which you are visiting. So why not get some friends together and get out there in a 4×4 or campervan and explore the world on a self-drive safari. Here are five must pack items when going on a self-drive safari.

Getting around

Doing a self-drive safari of this magnitude will probably mean you will have to have a look at 4×4 hire or campervan hire as a normal wheel drive won’t suffice. If your trip starts in from the Cape Town International Airport will be your best bet of achieving this.

Mini first aid kit

Image taken from – http://www.worldpoint.com/en/Products/CPR-Training-SuppliesEquipment/Other-CPR/Mini-First-Aid-Kit_-_FAK100/#.WGZmtJN97IE

This is a very important item if you plan on going where few have been before, as you could find yourself in areas where towns and people are very far away. This could very well be a life or death item and out there in the wilderness it will be of vital importance that you have one of these on hand.

Insect Repellent

Photo is taken from – http://npic.orst.edu/ingred/ptype/repel.html

Unfortunately, many destinations around Africa are still malaria heavy zones so if you are planning on going to more remote areas insect repellent is as important as clean running water. It’s also advised to consider taking insect repellent depending on the severity of the area.

Camera Equipment

Image was taken from – https://www.amazon.com/gp/search?tag=violinist-20&ie=UTF8&keywords=Camera+Equipment

You will really kick yourself if you’re out there in the wilderness and you happen to see a rare sighting of a pride of lions out on the kill and your batteries run out and you have no spares. You are on a self-drive so the likelihood of you having someone with any spare batteries or camera equipment might not be possible.

Hats, sunscreen, sunglasses

Photo is taken from – http://www.zoharafricansafaris.com/safari-packing-list/

Another item that might seem pointless if you are used to the weather patterns of Europe, however, Africa is a continent of extreme weather patterns and a lot of sunshine this is definitely something to consider when wishing to travel through an African self-drive safari. Sunburn can be a lot more uncomfortable than expected.

Good walking shoes

Image was taken from – http://africageographic.com/blog/packing-tips-for-your-botswana-safari/

This is extremely important, the last thing you want to get is blisters on your feet whilst exploring. If you have space it’s also advised to pack a spare pair if possible as shoes can become rather sweaty and smelly. Also, there will be little opportunity for washing shoes so also make sure you pack lots of spare socks.

Neutral clothing

Image was taken from – http://www.safariguideafrica.com/wear-safari/

There are many reasons for wearing neutral clothing whilst on a self-driving safari, firstly if you wear white, there is a good chance of that your clothes will become increasingly dirty and this will attract unwanted attention from wildlife. It’s also believed that certain types of colors can actually deter certain types of animals and insects.