Tips for First Timers
 

Now that I am an old hand (OK - 1 safari) I thought I would start a thread for useful tips for those going on their first safari - the little things that really helped.

I hope everyone has something else to add.

Things I learned:

-Bring the best binoculars you can - it really makes a difference.

-Buy your camera at least a month before you leave and read the manual.

-If you can - buy a camera that also takes video (i got amazing movies of a lioness killing a wildebeast). I did not even realize my camera (Canon A700 Sure Shot) had that capability when I baught it - but I read the manual!!! What a bonus. Mine was the backup camera, but it was great.

For women - In addition to carrying tissues or toilet paper with you on drives, also take along a plastic bag (sandwich bags worked great for me)so you don't have to leave your used toilet tissues behind. I also had baby wipes with me. I left all my unused packages of baby wipes with our last driver, for his car supplies and he was really grateful.

Anything else?

Yes, binoculars are important. I think just about any pair you bring will be better than the ones available as loaners. They all looked like they'd been dropped at least a dozen times each.

I am so happy I took a small film back up camera. Even though it was my second-best camera, I still managed to get some pretty good shots after my digital died.

It helps to carry a little spare cash with you, say $5 in the local currency in small denominations. I would leave my bag in the car or wherever, and then wish I had that change for a tip, etc.

Good idea Csuss.

Plan on having laundry done routinely if you're staying at lodges. The cost is comparatively low, and this helps manage the weight of your bags. Plus, it leaves room for memorabilia when you're coming home!

Be careful if you are wearing synthetics when you have your laundry done at the camps. Everyone I ran into had one mishap - the khaki colored shirts you buy at the sporting goods store are meant to dry easily and be lightweight. But the Botswana irons stick very easily - they are used to ironing pure heavyweight cotton which can take higher heat.

Good reminder, Clem! I was aware of this issue from having had laundry done in India so I always left instructions for our clothes NOT to be ironed - they were all low-crease stuff anyway and this worked out fine for us.

Take plenty of memory cards for your digital cameras or buy a portable storage device. Friends of ours, thinking this trip would be like their visit to Italy brought only 2 512 mg cards. They ended up deleting many photos to make way for new ones.. Also bring enough batteries, as you may not find them out in the bush. When we did they cost 25 US dollars, for 2 AA!

A couple of bandanas! Great for putting over your mouth and nose on game drives when it gets really dusty. Once, when we came on a pride of lions eating an elephant, we wet the bandanas to tie over our mouth and nose to cut down the stench and keep out the bugs.

Also, bring a lens cleaning kit for your camera. The lens can get very dusty, and you can scratch it if you try to wipe it off with a tissue or cloth. The kit consists of a camel hair brush with a blower, a small plastic vial of cleaner, and some soft lens tissue.

Finally, if you've ever considered shooting video, this is the place! Good, small digital camcorders are not expensive anymore and are very easy to use. You will capture some memories that will last a lifetime, and I guarantee you will watch them over and over.

I agree about the videos. We had Canon S2s and took many short clips/scenes of animal action. Then you make a DVD show of still pics mixed in with short, 10-30 sec, videos (must have sound), and it is really nice. I used a program "ProShow Gold" by Photodex. Very easy to use and it has fun putting it together, plays about 23 minutes, DVD on your TV. The digital world is here just waiting for you.
regards - tom