Travel Info
What to bring
Accessories
- Good binoculars
- Camera equipment
- Flashlight - optional (provided in all Ker & Downey camps, only necessary if you go to other camps or camping)
- Reading materials
- Pen and paper, or writing journal/diary
- Locks for luggage
Travel documents
- Passport with appropriate Visas
- Health Certificates as recommended by your physician for your specific destination(s)
- Airline tickets (always reconfirm reservations 72 hours in advance)
- Traveller's cheques, credit card or cash (amount depending on your itinerary, please discuss with your consultant if you are unsure - please note that although commonly accepted, not all places in Africa have access to credit card machines so it is recommended to carry a back up of traveller's cheques or cash in addition).
- Customs registration (cameras, videos, binoculars and expensive watches)
Suggested photo equipment
- 35mm camera with flash (standard or digital)
- Standard lens, 35-50mm range
- Wide angle lens, 24-35mm range
- Zoom lens, 70-200 or 100-300mm range
- Long lens, 200-400mm range, with f3.5 or f4 speed if possible
- Cigarette lighter battery charger
Additional points:
- A tripod may be useful when photographing outside the vehicle: otherwise a small beanbag will stabilize your camera on the side arm rails on safari vehicles.
- Spare batteries for cameras flash and motor drive.
- Camera cleaning equipment (dust can be a problem)
- Pack your equipment in a good, soft-sided case, and carry it on the plane with you. Africa can be dusty and you should protect your equipment well. Plastic 'ziplock' bags or cloth pillowcases are ideal means of covering and storing your photographic equipment during your safari.
Packing Checklist
Suggestion/guide only suited to a 7-14 day safari, please note that there is a laundry facility provided free of charge in all Ker & Downey Camps which alleviates the need to bring too many clothes. Due to the generally warm and dry climate you will find that most washing has same day return.
Clothing
- 6 Shirts-3 long and 3 short sleeved
- 2 Pairs of shorts
- 1 Pair of lightweight slacks or jeans (women may prefer skirts or culottes)
- 1 Wind-breaker or bush jacket
- 1 Warm sweater for evenings and early mornings
- 1 Pair pyjamas or sweat suit for sleeping
- Swimsuit
- Sun protective hat
- Sunglasses
- 1 Pair of comfortable walking shoes, tennis shoes or lightweight hiking boots
- 1 Pair flip flops
- 1 Pair of light shoes for evenings
- 5 Pair socks
- Underclothing, for the ladies a sports bra is recommended for bumpy roads!
- 1 Lightweight rain jacket (November - April) OR a warm/windproof jacket and warm gloves/hat/scarf (May - August)
Toiletries
- Aspirin
- Antiseptic cream
- Chapstick or lip balm
- Sunscreen
- Band Aids
- Extra pair or prescription glasses or contact lenses
- Anti-diarrhoea medicine
- Skin moisturizer
- Eye and nose drops/moisturizer
- Antihistamine if you suffer from allergies/hay fever as the grass and dust levels can be quite high
- Shaving kit (not electric unless the battery is long lasting)
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Hairbrush
- Deodorant
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Nail clippers
- Insect repellent (containing DEET)
Excess baggage be may subject to additional baggage/charter charges and please note it is optional to store your excess baggage in our Maun office at no extra charge until the end of your safari (this option is only available if your safari starts and ends in Maun, otherwise alternate arrangements will need to be made).