Getting Ready

A Story like the Wind

Set near the Kalahari Desert, this coming-of-age story about 13-year old Francois and his friendship with a Bushman is illuminated by the author’s profound knowledge of African landscape, culture and life cycles. Buy now

A Far Off Place

In this gripping sequel to A Story like the Wind, Francois’ family is killed by Marxist terrorists. He and three companions (a young white girl and two Bushmen) undertake a perilous journey through a thousand miles of bush and desert to reach their only hope of safety. Buy now

Long Walk to Freedom

An unpretentious tale of an extraordinary life, Mandela's autobiography is essential reading for an understanding of South Africa. Much of it was written secretly during his years in prison – his love of country and his hunger for the freedom of his people shines through. Buy now

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

Set in Gaborone, Botswana, this book is the first in McCall Smith's delightful series about the wise and witty female detective Precious Ramotswe. As much about personalities as it is about solving mysteries, it’s rich with the cultures, customs and texture of Africa. Buy now

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, 5-Book Boxed Set

I couldn't read just one! Here are the first five books in McCall-Smith's delightful series starring Mme Ramotswe and the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. Buy now

Botswana Time

An engaging personal story as well as a travel narrative, this book chronicles Randall’s experiences as a schoolteacher in Botswana. Through his amusing and open-hearted observations, Randall gives readers a genuine appreciation for a little-known country. Buy now

Nzingha, Warrior Queen of Matamba, Angola, Africa, 1595

Written in the first person, this diary tells the story of thirteen-year-old Nzingha, daughter of the leader of the Mbundu people. Though custom dictates that her brother should be the next leader, it is Nzingha who will eventually rule, and save her people from Portuguese slave traders. Buy now

The Butterfly Lion

A moving, dreamlike story about young Bertie, growing up lonely in South Africa, who finds and raises a white lion cub. When Bertie is sent to boarding school, he reluctantly sells the lion to the circus, but reclaims it years later, during the Great War, and brings it back to England to live.
Buy now

Akimbo and the Snakes

The magnificence and dangers of Africa are brought vividly to life in this tale about Akimbo, who visits his uncle's snake farm and comes face-to-face with the deadly green mamba. Buy now

Invictus (2009)

What does Nelson Mandela do after becoming president of South Africa? He rejects revenge, forgives oppressors who jailed him 27 years for his fight against apartheid and finds hope of national unity in an unlikely place: the rugby field. Clint Eastwood directs an uplifting film about a team and a people inspired to greatness. Buy now

A Far Off Place (1993)

Based on the novel by Laurens Van Der Post, it’s the story of a teenaged boy and girl, living on a farm in Africa, who are the only survivors of a massacre. As witnesses, their lives are in danger, and to reach safety, they must cross 1200 miles of desert with the help of an African bushman.
Buy now

National Geographic Online

This video features gorgeous footage of the Okavango Delta, an oasis in northern Botswana. Instead of emptying into an ocean or lake, the Okavango River floods the savannah, attracting a wealth of animal life.

The Great Rift: Africa's Greatest Story

Visible from space, Africa’s Great Rift Valley runs four thousand miles from the Red Sea to the mouth of the Zambezi – a diverse landscape of erupting volcanoes, forest-clad mountains, spectacular valleys, rich grasslands, vast lakes and mighty rivers. Buy now

Luggage

The weight limit in aircraft is 20 kgs (44 lbs) per person. This includes camera equipment and hand luggage. Soft bags are better suited to safari and are mandatory in light aircraft. Don't take any valuables you have to worry about.

Labels

Very important to label all clothes so it is easy for staff to sort and deliver to right tent. Also label all bags, again so they can be delivered to the right tent. It is also good to have a tag for what is in each duffle bag, so it is easy to pull out what you need without unpacking the entire bag.

Clothing Guidelines

• Game-viewing wear should be neutral in color – green, khakis, browns, greys, etc. This is especially important if you are to do any walking in wildlife country.
• Pack light. Laundry is done daily in camp, including ironing. However, East African staff will not launder women's underwear. Hot water, basins and laundry powder are provided.
• Early mornings, evenings and nights are cool (Ngorongoro – cold), but midday's and afternoons can be warm (75F - 85F). Dressing in layers is recommended, peeling off layers as the day heats up.
• A good pair of lightweight shoes/boots with ankle support for walking, a second pair of comfortable shoes, and a pair of sandals. At night, we liked Ugg boots for around camp, very comfortable and great if there is mud or if you're in high grass.
• A hat and sunglasses are essential. Cords for sunglasses are helpful.
• A warm windproof jacket is also a must. A fleece jacket or sweater is recommended for Ngorongoro.
• Dress for comfort. Don't bring your best clothes, (they won't be your best). And don't bring white, (they won't come home white). Cotton clothing is the most comfortable.
• Eveningwear is casual, but it is "Colonial dining," so shower and change for a nice dinner and fireside drinks.
• Use packing plastic smush bags to store sweaters, fleece, or bulky clothing. These seal out the extra air and make sweaters more compact.

Clothing List

Basic list for everyone
1 very light fleece
1 medium fleece
1 heavy fleece
1 raincoat
1 Khaki Polyester anorak
4 pr shoes - good closed toe shoes (we like Merrills), sneakers, flip-flops, Uggs
4 short sleeve shirts
4 long sleeve shirts
3 shorts
4 pants with zip off pant bottoms
6 pr socks
6 underwear
3 pjs and 1 pair of long john in case nights are cold
2 hats, must have string underneath so don't blow off in jeep and a wide brim for sun protecton
1 thin nylon Laundry bag

Additional Clothing for Adults
1 belt
3 bras
1 light scarf/shawl for nights
1-2 thin longer skirts/sarongs
1 long sleeve shirt for nights

Toiletries

Separate bag for each individual
Small shampoo + conditioner
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
Small Fluoride rinse
Sunblock + stick
Soap
Brush + hairbands
Q-Tips

Extra Toiletries for Adults
Cotton pads
Q-tips
Nailbrush
Lip Balm
Moisturizer with sunblock
Shaving kit

Art supplies – one kit

Put in 1 duffle with snacks and meds. Kids will do crafts or need to nap after lunch for a couple of hours before the afternoon safari. Leave these behind.

4 - 5 packs of paper
Watercolors
Watercolor pencils
Colored pencils
3 boxes of oil pastels
2 boxes markers
Tape
Scissors
String
Small stapler
Pencil sharpeners

Games

Small scrabble
Yahtzee
Backgammon/chess
Cards

Books

3 - 5 paperbacks per person
Sheets from Mad Minutes from Amazon. Good for kids and lighter to carry.

Medical Kit

This may look daunting, but assume if you have it, you won't need it. Also it is good to have brands on hand that you know. All tour guides have medical training and kits. You can leave yours behind with the head guide when you leave and he can distribute to whoever needs it. This gives you a spare bag for souvenirs!

Eye drops
Antibiotic for pink eye
Moistening drops
Ibuprofen
Tylenol
Gatorade/pedialyte - electrolyte replacement
Bacrim/ Cipro
Bandaids
Neosporin/Polysporin
Bactine
Wet wipes – lots of small packets in individual Ziplocs
Cortaid – more hydrocortisone – prescription strength for insect bites
Benadryl or anti-histamine pills for adults and Claritin chewables and allergy meds for kids
Tweezers for splinters
Abreva for cold sores
Epi-pens
Zithromax for all
Malarone
Vaseline for lips
Anti-diarrhea – Imodium and Pepto Bismol pills
Bug repellant and coils
Fever suppositories
Cotton pads, Q-tips
Pens/pencils
Nailbrush
Purell – small containers and wet wipes (anti-bacterial)
Midol
Sanitary needs
Tums
Melatonin
Ear plugs
Ice bag
Hot water bottle

Cameras & Binoculars

Reliable digital camera for each child
Polaroid camera with lots of film
Digital SLR with 18 -70mm zoom, 70 - 200 or 300mm zoom, 400mm fixed focal length lens. Extra cards and batteries. Bag. Lightweight monpod or tripod.
1 pair of good binoculars per adult member of group. Manual focus. 7x - 10x.
Binoculars for each child

Other Supplies

1 very small swiss army knife for each child
1 cheap unbreakable flashlight for each child
1 or 2 big maglites for camp
4 or 5 maglites with head attachment
Petzel headlamps to use and give to staff
1 daypack for each child

Day Packs

Kids' day packs
Small binoculars
Small digital camera
Hat
Sunblock

My day pack
Purell
Neosporin/Polysporin
Bandaids
Sunblock
Binoculars
Digital camera
Candy and Trail Mix

Food from home

The food at the camps is wonderful. And you can make special requests. But if you feel your kids might want some comfort food, you can bring a few things from home. Here's our list.

S'more ingredients (marshmallows, graham crackers and Hersey bars)
Tea – Kusmi
Coffee – Peet's
Chocolate Syrup (Made it easy to give kids their Malarone in the morning)
Maple Syrup
Instant Oatmeal
Jiff Peanut butter
Jam
Salad dressing packets
Cup of Noodles
Processed cheese (if kids particular about kind and color of cheese. Mine are).
Extra Ziplock bags
Sharpie permanent marker
Extra luggage tags to change labeling

Food Request to send ahead to Safari group

This is just in case the kids want some comfort foods or in case we are served something exotic that they don't want to try. Also you can request that the kids eat early, so they can go off to bed early. Safaris usually have early morning starts and you don't want the kids to be tired.

Lunch meat
Turkey + cheese sandwiches
Egg salad sandwiches
5 Avocados
Spaghetti with tomato sauce + meat sauce
Chicken tenders
Hamburgers + buns
Hot dogs + buns
Maple Syrup or bring from US
Salads w/ salad dressing, Balsalmic vinigrette
Yellow mustard
Fresh fruit
Quaker oatmeal in round cylinder
Granola
Trail Mix, chips, pretzels for afternoon snacks
Energy bars

Gifts for Staff

Headlamps
Flashlights
Unisex Swatches
15 Baseball caps

Gifts for Guides

GPS

Tips

Bring US$7-$10 per day per person. Give to head guide to distribute to staff at camp on last day.