What to Pack for a Uganda Safari Holiday
What to pack for a Uganda safari holiday is among the many aspects that tourists after a Uganda safari holiday do look at. This they do usually during the planning process with their Uganda safari planner. Packing for a Uganda safari is basically taking along with you the essentials that would make your safari any easier, items that you would need during your Uganda safari. A Uganda safari holiday usually includes one enjoying the best destination Uganda has to offer including game drives, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, nature walks, among so many other activities that the East African country has to offer.
While considering what to pack for a Uganda safari holiday, you should consider the actual size of your luggage, especially if your itinerary involves flights in a charter plane where passengers are advised to carry extra light luggage given that the travel restrictions during such flights is 10-20kgs. Note that some lodges and hotels do offer laundry services, most of them at a cost, so you may consider carrying fewer clothes. What to pack for a Uganda safari holiday could be guided by the list below, and you just shall be rewarded with a comfortable and memorable Uganda safari holiday.
Safari Clothing
Packing the right safari clothing for a Uganda safari holiday is important. Some of the most recommended to pack for a Uganda safari holiday include;
Hiking shoes
Given the terrain in Uganda national parks and most destinations and attractions, as well as dirt roads which tend to be muddy on a rainy day, carrying a sturdy pair of hiking shoes should make exploring and taking part in most activities more exciting and not much of work. Activities like gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, walking safaris, nature walks and the like especially require one having good hiking shoes, waterproof if possible for the rainy days.
Raincoat/Poncho
The tropical climate of Uganda has the country experiencing rain in even the most unexpected days, say during a dry season, rains can still fall. To go through those kind of days, carrying a raincoat or poncho is necessary. Carrying a waterproof cover for your backpack in which you put valuables like cameras and important documents is advised.
Sandals
After a long exciting nature walk, chimpanzee tracking or gorilla trek, it would be so good to get off those study hiking shoes to put on sandals, preferably open to have your feet relax and breathe a bit.
Socks
Given that there are a lot of hiking activities in Uganda, depending on the activities you have included on your itinerary, having a number of socks you can wear on a daily is important. The nights too tend to be very cold sometimes, especially when out on a camp fire and covering your feet from mosquito bites, socks do come in handy.
Change of clothes
Packing the right clothes is a very important aspect when wondering what to pack for a Uganda safari holiday. First off on your list should be white coloured clothes which tend to become re-like and dusty given the red soil that is literally everywhere. The mud too on a rainy day could be hard to remove from your white clothes. Pack neutral colours which do fit-in with the bush, loose-fitting and lightweight clothes that would keep you cool and can easily dry when washed. Long sleeved shirts and trousers are advised for they prevent mosquitoes and insects biting you say during gorilla trekking. Given the cold nights, these long sleeved shirts and trousers do come in handy. Shorts could do for game drives.
Hat/Cap
The scorching sun during the dry season in most parts of the country, say in Kidepo Valley National Park in the Karamjong region can be too much to take in sometimes. Carrying a hat or cap is advised for they shall shield you from the scorching sun.
Sunglasses
For the same reasons as for a cap or hat, sunglasses ought to be carried. Sighting Essentials to carry for a Uganda safari holiday;
Binoculars
Binoculars are an important tem to carry especially for bird watchers, as well as travellers after sighting a variety of wild game even if they are at a far distance.
Long-range camera
To relive your memories later and when you do return home, having a long range camera that would capture most of your memories is advised. Remember to carry spare batteries and memory cards for when the one you have is filled up.
Sunscreen
With the scorching sun during the dry season, sunscreen to safe guard your skin is advised to be carried and applied once out in the sun.
Insect repellent
Insect repellent creams and sprays do protect your from bites of insects say mosquitoes, and others especially while in the jungles of Uganda say Bwindi Impenetrable Rainforest, Kibale Forest National Park among so many others.
Swimsuits
Most lodging options, especially high-end ones do have swimming pools which you could wish to dip in on a hot day. Carry a swimsuit for this very occasion.
Personal toiletries
Whereas most lodges and hotels do provide basic items like soap and towel, it is advised that you could your own personalised toiletries like toothbrush, toothpaste mouthwash, deodorants, shower gel, tampons for the ladies and all items of the kind. You may also purchase them in some shopping malls in Uganda, but if you do need a specific brand which might not be in Uganda, carry it from home.
Electronic devices
Carry your electronic devices, if you shall need them. Most lodges and hotels do have internet connection for their guests, or if not you may liaise with your tour operator to help you purchase a Mi-Fi that you can use during your time of stay. There are charging systems available so you shall be able to keep them powered.
Flashlight
While most hotels and lodges do have electricity supply, some especially in Uganda national parks are eco-friendly and lighting is limited most a times. Carrying a torch would help you get by in those times when the light is put off.
Ziploc bags
These do come in handy when you need to separate your dirty clothes from the clean ones until when you do clean them too.
Antiseptic gel
For times when you cannot access a water point to wash your hands, an antiseptic gel would come in handy to keep your hands clean.
Medication
Travellers are advised to carry their prescribed drugs and any over the counter medication you may require for the availability of specific drugs is uncertain in drug shops. In your safari vehicle and some lodges, there shall be basic first aid kits only. Some of the medication you may consider carrying include antimalarial drugs, painkillers, cold and flu medicines, diarrhoea medication, antihistamines for allergies and bug bites. Band aids are also important to have. Be sure to talk to your personal doctor about your upcoming Uganda safari holiday and get advised correctly, as well as get all the necessary vaccinations.
The above are the most common items one ought to have and pack just in case they were wondering on what to pack for a Uganda safari holiday.
As you prepare to set off for your much anticipated Uganda safari holiday, be sure that you have all the necessary documentation in place say visas, comprehensive travel insurance, a valid passport and all the necessary vaccinations especially for Yellow Fever.
