Clothing on Safari in Tanzania
Sep 14th, 2009, 02:31 PM
#21
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SandraJoy -
>>Will I still be most comfortable in long pants and socks during the day to avoid tse tse flies? I've heard that the bugs are not too bad in Tanzania on the Northern Circuit that time of year....Is this correct?<<
I always pack a pair or long walking shorts, but rarely wear. While the sun can be strong mid-day, if I've got on the long pants (they're light weight cotton), no need to change. Besides it's a relatively "dry" heat, so I've never been uncomfortable, such as one might be if it were humid. The temps do start to rise come October, but as Tanzania is on the Equator, daytime is much the same year-round (but to Jan/Feb... their summer months), will cool to cold mornings/nights, depending on your own internal temp controls.
As to the tse-tse, they're often found in woodland areas, regardless time of year. When you get to such an area, expect your guide to roll up the windows and just watch for these critters. Guide will show you how to get rid of them... do not squish, rather it's a special flick to get them away. If they want to get you they will, whether in long, short or no pants. And, while all should take precautions against malaria, most visitors return saying they never saw or heard a mossie buzzing around!
Go with neutral colored clothing (they won't show the dust as would deep colors), pieces that are interchangeable and most important that you feel comfortable in. Don't expect your attire to scream "fashionista" - you won't be, as no one is while on safari! But we can all manage to look presentable even if we (females) have to do everything to keep the hair from making us looking like a wild-women!
>>Will I still be most comfortable in long pants and socks during the day to avoid tse tse flies? I've heard that the bugs are not too bad in Tanzania on the Northern Circuit that time of year....Is this correct?<<
I always pack a pair or long walking shorts, but rarely wear. While the sun can be strong mid-day, if I've got on the long pants (they're light weight cotton), no need to change. Besides it's a relatively "dry" heat, so I've never been uncomfortable, such as one might be if it were humid. The temps do start to rise come October, but as Tanzania is on the Equator, daytime is much the same year-round (but to Jan/Feb... their summer months), will cool to cold mornings/nights, depending on your own internal temp controls.
As to the tse-tse, they're often found in woodland areas, regardless time of year. When you get to such an area, expect your guide to roll up the windows and just watch for these critters. Guide will show you how to get rid of them... do not squish, rather it's a special flick to get them away. If they want to get you they will, whether in long, short or no pants. And, while all should take precautions against malaria, most visitors return saying they never saw or heard a mossie buzzing around!
Go with neutral colored clothing (they won't show the dust as would deep colors), pieces that are interchangeable and most important that you feel comfortable in. Don't expect your attire to scream "fashionista" - you won't be, as no one is while on safari! But we can all manage to look presentable even if we (females) have to do everything to keep the hair from making us looking like a wild-women!
Sep 14th, 2009, 03:14 PM
#22
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SandraJoy,
I did a "standard" northern circuit: Sinya, Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti (and then Zanzibar.) We saw almost no tse-tse's and very few mossies although we sprayed ourselves daily, and particularly at night. I wore the buff for the dust, not the insects, and it was fantastic for that purpose.
One other recommended "must bring": hand sanitizer. We all used it frequently throughout the day. I prefer the foam to the gels - it's not sticky and dries faster. Lysol makes little 1 1/2 oz bottles that can be carried on. I kept one in my camera bag (which stayed with me all day) and two in my luggage. They go a long way - all three came home still partially full.
anita
I did a "standard" northern circuit: Sinya, Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti (and then Zanzibar.) We saw almost no tse-tse's and very few mossies although we sprayed ourselves daily, and particularly at night. I wore the buff for the dust, not the insects, and it was fantastic for that purpose.
One other recommended "must bring": hand sanitizer. We all used it frequently throughout the day. I prefer the foam to the gels - it's not sticky and dries faster. Lysol makes little 1 1/2 oz bottles that can be carried on. I kept one in my camera bag (which stayed with me all day) and two in my luggage. They go a long way - all three came home still partially full.
anita
Sep 14th, 2009, 06:26 PM
#23
Join Date: Jul 2009
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Thanks again....Sandi and Anita...I'm off to REI to check out the buff and will also get the Lysol spray...any other tips will be greatly appreciated.(P.S. I never wear shorts..just cropped pants or longs....my husband, with his great legs, he wears the shorts in the family)
