"rest stops" in the Serengeti
 

Well this is rather an indelicate question, but if you are out on 'safari' what do you do if you need to use a restroom??? Since I am getting older it can be a concern!

I'll be watching this thread closely myself! ;)

Just tell your guide you need to stop and "mark your territory" or something like that.
They will scope out a safe area-gotta make sure there are no lions or other dangerous critters lurking about.

If you aren't used to doing this you may actually wanna find a private spot near home to practice! It takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, using the great outdoors is actually better than some of the real "pit stops" you may encounter.

It will help your balance if you have something in front of you to hold onto.

In one area our guide told us to just go to the back of the vehicle right behind the bumper.

There is a disposable cardboard funnel type thing that allows a women to stand and "pee like a man". It's a great idea if there are trash cans around, but I certainly don't wanna carry it around with me!

There are a few places, such as a small airport and in another place a visitor's center in the Serengeti, where there are actual facilities. Also a rest stop in the Crater. Otherwise, you simply let your guide/driver know and he will stop in suitable place for a "bush loo" visit. Sometimes this means directly behind the vehicle because no one inside can see you. And your driver will stop when there are no other vehicles around. Our vehicle even came equipped with rolls of tp - although probably best to have some along with a little zip lock baggie in your pocket. So worry not!

If using the vehicle, they usually direct men use the front and women the rear... why? Beats me.
If not steady, you can always lean against the bumper (handiwipes god to wipe off an area).

As to "la funnelle" - I suggest the use of Melita-type coffee filters (rather than purchase those you find in travel mags)... an item we all seem to have in our pantry. Just snip on angle the sealed bottom, place a handful in a ziplock bag and use as needed. Also have baggies to dispose of this and any TP or tissues used, which items are not to be left in the bush, then trashed once back at lodge/camp.

Wearing a skirt also makes this easier and avoid drinking too much liquid when out on game drives. Happy potty stops!

No formal rest stops (other than a very few hotels, I suppose) - a friend gave me this ingenious product to assist women!

http://www.femalefreedom.ca/

I can attest to their value!

shannon57,

This is one of the many reasons why safari packing lists always include tissues and hand sanitizer. Both will be used for other purposes but are awfully nice to have for those off-road pit stops!

Tell the guide you need to "check the tires".

Use the rest room before you leave and avoid coffee and alcohol while on drives. Depends work, too. :)

Thanks all for the giggles.....and I'm updating my packing list! ( Just wasnt sure that we were allowed out of the jeep for that)

ummm wouldn't the coffee filter get wet & soft losing it's shape? Will have to try this in the shower one day.

I suppose the women are at the back of the vehicle as the passengers inside would be facing the opposite way. It's easier for men to be up front, turn their back to the vehicle and still be discreet.

Well as discreet as you can be in these situations. ;)

christabir - "Depends work, too."

This option did cross my mind but with a baggage allowance of 33lbs who wants to lug a honking big bag of depends around??! lolol

So now I'm scoping out incontinence pads to see if there's any out there absorbant enough.

We just drove across the Serengeti recently. I had some P-mates with me:
http://www.pmate.co.uk/index.html

Sometimes I used one, sometimes just the old fashioned way. Handy to also have a plastic bag to pack it up and take it with you instead of leaving it. You can also rinse it quickly with some bottled water just to be 'neater' before getting back into the vehicle.

Otherwise, there are toilets at most picnic areas and some landing strips, but they can be sometimes clean and sometimes not so. It's not like you'll be in the wilderness all day long. Cutting back on morning coffee was a good suggestion too.

I was glad I had them with me. They are a great invention. You can use it if there is only a squat toilet, which is common in Africa, even in big airports.

Also, if you do get these, a test run at home before leaving is not a bad idea.

Both products as the links provided are the same.

Why I feel the filters work well and don't cost much, if anything, as we all have them. And, no they don't get wet as the liquid drains right out of the angle cut you've made on the sealed bottom.

Have used only once with no problem, but then I don't drink anything when out on game drives. If thirty or have dry mouth, I just swig the water and spit out.... no swallowing!

Gee !! I just learned something.... pmates, hmmm :)

Oops !! they are for women only.!
Percy, get to bed , don't be such an SA!!

Good Night I-)

As Aknards notes, tissues, hand sanitizer, and I'll add a sandwich-sized ziplock bag to carry your used tissues in. You don't want to leave them out in the bush.

Does anyone else remember an absolutely hilarious thread on this topic a few years(I think) ago? For the life of me I can't find it, but it was one of the best threads ever on this forum just based on the fun factor. I think we all bonded on that one thread alone!

We asked for a "bush break". Depending on the safety of the area, I would either go behind a bush (after it was secured by our guide) our just behind the vehicle. To be blunt: (1) Do make sure you hitch you trousers up good and high from around your ankles. (2) Spread your feet rather wide apart so you don't end up standing in a puddle. (3) You don't need to squat too low to get the job done. (4) Aiming into a grassy area rather than dirt avoids splash. (5) The tips on tissue, hand wipes and zip lock bag are all good. (6) Thin panty shields can eliminate the need for tissue & zip locks if you prefer.

TC very practical advise, thanks for that!

And then there's this item available @ REI

http://www.rei.com/product/407267

KathBC, I saw so many things like this one prior to our trip, but when you have one hand holding on to a tree or bush so as not to "touch down", and the other hand holding your trousers so they aren't "in the way" - I don't know how one would actually be able to use one of these. It all sounds well enough, I just don't think its truly practical. Really....try this at home. Its not a very easy position to get one's self into.

Why a skirt works.
Or as a "guy" friend suggested, clean off a section of rear bumper (another reason for handiwipes) and position your butt against and let it flow. Of course, this isn't suggested if it's very cold outside, as skin on metal... not a pretty picture... ugh! :)

Necessity is always the "mother of............

Ok TC you definitely have a point...a third hand would be needed with all these gadgets! So will scrap that idea.

Now sandi, I like the rear bumper idea...alot!! Just have to make sure the emergency brake was on! And no I won't be practising this one! :)

Aaaaahhhh... nothing like taking a leak under the inqusitive eyes of a few giraffes :D

<i>Of course, this isn't suggested if it's very cold outside, as skin on metal... not a pretty picture... ugh!</i>

Well, no worries about cold in Africa. Its actually a great system, though. I use it often in Mexico when we emerge on a deserted beach after long snorkels. Open the car door to act as a privacy shield, and do the "fanny lean" on the edge of the door step. Works like a charm.

The door step is also good.

Generally I'd say that cold wouldn't be an issue in Africa except if you're at Ngorongoro at 7,000' or other areas at high altitude! :) It's been known to freeze that high up!

We just have to cover all basis and likelihoods for such an important function!

I don't know the elevation of Botswana, but it fell to less than 40F while we were there. That's pretty cold. Kruger in S Africa wasn't much warmer.