Africa for first time
 

I am traveling to Africa for the first time with Akexander and Roberts travel group. Including Rwanda to see Gorillas, Tanzania, snd Kenya.
traveling in November, so the rainy season.
Advice on what to take, not to take, mistakes you may have made in choosing what to take.
will be in Africa for 17 days
any guidance is welcomed

Try to learn a bit of swahili language which is widely spoken by locals in those countries. I found a book called "EASY SWAHILI FOR YOUR SAFARI" just google it or get it in amazon, you will thank me.

thank you
 

This is a great suggestion. I have been looking up some basic words, but this will be much more beneficial

Who knows about the weather these days. We were in Kenya and Uganda (for gorillas) in late November into December of 2020. I posted a long trip report. I read somewhere that they call this time “the time of the short rains.” In about 4 weeks I remember only 3 rains. And fewer people. Otherwise mild and pleasant weather. We had rain jackets…scarcely used. Cool enough for light jacket when you go out in early am. Quickly warms up…. Safari vehicles usually have removable tops. We took lots of great pix just using iPhones. Trekking to see gorillas was much easier than I had imagined…. But again…it’s nature. Happy to answer any specific questions. You’ll have a wonderful time and see so much… easily.

Thank you
 

Thanks for responding. This is great info. I had a friend who did the trek but insisted on going to the top, and she said that was a hard trek. Videos I have watched have s similar not as hard as expected observations. I live in Denver Colorado so am doing some high elevation hiking in preparation

Completely disagree. OP is going on a group safari tour. S/he isn't going to have a single interaction with a local who isn't in the tourist industry, and everyone in the tourist industry speaks at least some English. Knowing how to say a few words of Swahili isn't going to help OP a darn. If OP likes learning languages and thinks it'd be fun to learn how to good morning and thank you in Swahili, sure, go ahead and learn.

But I wouldn't want anyone reading this thread to get the impression that you need to know a word of Swahili to travel on a group safari tour in East Africa.

Bring a small backpack/duffel to keep with you in the safari jeep. It's really dusty. And bring layers for the safari. It may be very cold in the morning, and then it will warm up quickly, and then get cold at night. Get stuff easy to take on and off and just throw in your backpack.

If you're an actual photog (i.e., dSLR user), read up on photography tips. If you're just an iPhone person, don't get a fancy camera because you won't know what you're doing with it.

Thanks
 

Thank you for your suggestions
I believe the suggestion to learn Swahili was not one to be conversant, but out of respect for the people and culture of the area.
Far too often English speaking individuals expect the locals must accede to speaking English, which shows disrespect to their native language and culture.
I did order the book and look forward to learning the basics.

As you’ve probably read, the level of difficulty of the trek to see the gorillas all depends on where they happen to be on the morning you go out. Assuming the procedure is the same in Rwanda, rangers go out earlier in the am and return with some sense of where the different gorilla families are in the forest. Then each small group of tourists is assigned a particular gorilla family to locate and view. There were 5 of us 60/70 year old tourists in our group, along with guide, ranger, guard.
We reached our assigned group of gorillas within 45 minutes or less of walking both days we went out. I always imagined that, because of our age, we were assigned to trek a group known to be closer, though no one ever said that was the case. Though I regularly walk long distances and am in good condition, I was somewhat apprehensive after reading some stories of much more arduous hikes But it sounds like you are prepared either way!

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b301ba455.jpeg
Ironically this pic from our Uganda trip popped up on my iPad this am!

Thanks, i am 72 so good info. I did read somewhere that they tailor the treks based on the person in the group with the lowest skill level. Another amazing example of their concern for all

Thanks, i am 72 so good info. I did read somewhere that they tailor the treks based on the person in the group with the lowest skill level. Another amazing example of their concern for all

Find out of your lodges will do your laundry....that's a pretty common perk in the south, not sure of east Africa.'

Thick-ish pants were helpful for gorilla trekking in Rwanda because of the stinging nettles. I think I also brought gloves, but didn't end up using them. I've only been in June and July, so not sure of weather in November.

Most camps/lodges in East Africa will certainly do your laundry.

I'm one of those types who enjoys trying to learn stuff before a trip, so I studied Swahili with a friend for awhile. Tough language, but it sounds really pretty. I also took a photography class in the evenings at a local community center before gorilla trekking. That was fun too.

Thanks for the info., we are kindred spirits. I did get a book on Swahili basic terms, and am taking a course on photographing with my cell phone. My sister in law lent me her camera and gave me a quick lesson on how to use. All this info is great, Thank you

Thanks I was wondering about laundry since all information says pack lightly