Nice Video! Jeff definitely covered all the essentials. I would also add: - Flashlight/Headlight to walk to form the room to the lodge and avoid hitting stones or stepping on venomous animals (Also useful in an emergency situation) - Bandana or ''Buff'' that can be used as a beanie, face cover against dust, lens cover etc. - Pocketknife/Multitool (Also useful in emergency situation) - Sunglasses - Bean bag for your camera (if you use heavy telephoto lenses)
Going to South Africa and doing a 4 day Safari in August and just wanted to say that your videos have been so helpful in preparing for the trip. Thank you so very much for creating such great content!
Cold is relative. I'm planning layers, certainly a windbreaker, fleece, and beanie. But, my trip is towards the end of a Minnesota winter. 50 is going to feel like a heatwave.
This was a great video. Thank you! One helpful hint on traveling with sunscreen that I have learned. There are a lot now offered in stick form. Rolls on like deodorant and is considered a solid so airlines don’t limit the amount you have on you when traveling. :)
Great tips, heading to SA in a few weeks. Have you noticed a difference drinking out of the Larq? I’ve been using it in the US but curious to hear your experience.
Great advices, thank you! I have a couple of questions. 1. How to charge the camera battery for example (I think you cannot do it with the portable charger). 2. Regarding the filter bottle, yes it is nice. But how to use it to get water to wash the teeth/cleanse the toothbrush. I still cannot find a propper bottle. Thanks again!
Hi Jeff! Great video. A quick question from a guy who has a decent point-and-shoot camera (Canon PowerShot SX130 IS) that does up to 84x zoom, which is far better than the cell phone I have. I know that's like a BB-gun compared to what you use, but would that be adequate for a safari? TIA!
@jeff_hyer thank you for your video. Can you please proved the temperature in Kenya for January….I keep seeing conflicting temperatures on diff websites. THx you!
Love this list! One thing that I learned and wanted to share with you is to look for a duffle bag that best fits your luggage and has all the wonderful features a bag can have especially in plane travel use. I'm using Nomad Lane's Bento Bag and it's a good choice.
We are going on our first safari the end of September. I've read a lot of people saying not to wear black or dark blue because it will attract the tsetse flies. Have you ever encountered this?
As a geologist with decades of bush experience, I can, with absolute certainty, tell you that, YES, dark colors attract all manners of stinging insects because their usual food sources are dark. So by wearing dark colors, you are mimicking that appearance, especially when moving around. Furthermore, your CO2 exhalations will attract the insects as well. And as stated by arob9702, dark colors retain heat. This makes you sweat and releases lactic acid and ammonia from your body that bugs zero in on. Try to stay cool, wear neutral colors, cover the top of your head and use good quality bug repellant that contains at least 30% DEET. If you can, grab 100% DEET if you can find it. One bottle of that will last you for years. Caution: DEET is a powerful insect repellent. It's oily and dissolves plastic, melts vinyl and removes paint from pencils. You can light fire to it. Apply sparingly and carefully by putting a couple drops into your palms and then smooth a thin coating of it onto your exposed skin. DO NOT spray it directly onto you skin! Avoid your lips and eyes. You will find that insects will bounce off you or hover close by but they won't land on you. If you don't sweat it off, one application can last from 4 to 8 hours. Wash the DEET off when back at camp as soon as possible. It will dry out your skin and you'll smell a lot like garlic.
Jeff, I’ve been watching your videos as we are planning a Safari in February 🤞🏻. I’m wondering what companies have you travel with that you can recommend. Love in your video here the open vehicle, not sure if it makes you feel safe but assume it enhances the experience. Appreciate any tips you could share!
Hello, thank you for your message. I invite you to send me a safari inquiry form that can be found here: lifeofhy.com/safari-inquiry-form/ Send me some basic info about your trip wishes via the form and I can help you arrange an itinerary with the safari companies I most prefer! I look forward to hearing from you.
I’ve tried twice, using different browsers. I get an error message stating “please make sure all fields are valid. You need to fix 1 error. Name required” That was the first info I filled in, for some reason the name box states “enter an email address” (wish I can upload a screenshot). Help!
I have a canon rebel 7i.. right now I have a 70-300 mm 4.5-6. I have about $1500 I can spend on another lense to bring to Africa: would you recommend a 70-200 2.8 or a 500mm 4.5…. Orrrrr what would u recommend??
Tough one. A 500mm will allow you to get a shot from what with the naked eye is only a far off pixel. But once you go long, you always want to get closer. And on long shots, the light has to be really good and you have to hold really still to get good shots. It means you’ll aleays going to tell the driver or other companions to wait for you to frame shots. We visit game parks a lot, the last time I had a 150-600, and in the end I had most keepers from a 85mm 1.8 lens. I had much more fun making the most of the close sightings, and appreciating the far sightings through a binoculars. I didn’t “experience” those far sightings anyway. So if you are split between those, I’d go for the 70-200 2.8. It does the same thing as the 85mm I had, plus you’ve got a bit of reach for in case.
Early mornings and at night in the South African winter in reserves, temperatures go to between 5 C (40 F) and 10 C (50 F). This is an issue on guided trips on open vehicles, so something warm to see you through that period is advised. On night and morning drives they will supply blankets. Even self catering, you’ll find a lot of the accommodation is geared towards outside living. In the Kruger for example, the bulk of the park’s own accommodation only has outside kitchens and seating areas. So again just something to be comfortable. There is usually little to no wind, and no dampness, so it sometimes feels a little bit warmer. This is obviously nothing compared to what you mention as an example, but many North Americans and Europeans are caught off guard if they expect all of Africa to be tropical. Also note these mildly chilly evenings are more often followed by daytime temperatures comfortably above 20C (70 F). During winter school holidays, you’ll find children in the pools.
Nice Video!
Jeff definitely covered all the essentials. I would also add:
- Flashlight/Headlight to walk to form the room to the lodge and avoid hitting stones or stepping on venomous animals (Also useful in an emergency situation)
- Bandana or ''Buff'' that can be used as a beanie, face cover against dust, lens cover etc.
- Pocketknife/Multitool (Also useful in emergency situation)
- Sunglasses
- Bean bag for your camera (if you use heavy telephoto lenses)
Great tips! Thanks
So helpful. First time on Safari. Feel very well prepared with your tipps!
Going to South Africa and doing a 4 day Safari in August and just wanted to say that your videos have been so helpful in preparing for the trip. Thank you so very much for creating such great content!
Very glad to hear that! Thank you for the positive feedback, I'm glad I could help you prepare for your safari. Enjoy and safe travels!
Cold is relative. I'm planning layers, certainly a windbreaker, fleece, and beanie. But, my trip is towards the end of a Minnesota winter. 50 is going to feel like a heatwave.
Informative video. Thanks, man!
Thank YOU for watching, I’m glad you found it informative 😄
This was a great video. Thank you! One helpful hint on traveling with sunscreen that I have learned. There are a lot now offered in stick form. Rolls on like deodorant and is considered a solid so airlines don’t limit the amount you have on you when traveling. :)
Lovely video tks 😊
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you for watching !
Great tips, heading to SA in a few weeks. Have you noticed a difference drinking out of the Larq? I’ve been using it in the US but curious to hear your experience.
Hello Jeff what kind food they do they serve you on your Safari trips over camp trip
Great advices, thank you! I have a couple of questions. 1. How to charge the camera battery for example (I think you cannot do it with the portable charger). 2. Regarding the filter bottle, yes it is nice. But how to use it to get water to wash the teeth/cleanse the toothbrush. I still cannot find a propper bottle. Thanks again!
Take me there
Hi Jeff! Great video. A quick question from a guy who has a decent point-and-shoot camera (Canon PowerShot SX130 IS) that does up to 84x zoom, which is far better than the cell phone I have. I know that's like a BB-gun compared to what you use, but would that be adequate for a safari? TIA!
@jeff_hyer thank you for your video. Can you please proved the temperature in Kenya for January….I keep seeing conflicting temperatures on diff websites. THx you!
what month are shawls required...all which month did u go to masai mara in case u went thr?
Love this list! One thing that I learned and wanted to share with you is to look for a duffle bag that best fits your luggage and has all the wonderful features a bag can have especially in plane travel use. I'm using Nomad Lane's Bento Bag and it's a good choice.
I’m glad you enjoyed this video. Thank you for sharing your duffle bag pick !
We are going on our first safari the end of September. I've read a lot of people saying not to wear black or dark blue because it will attract the tsetse flies. Have you ever encountered this?
My two cents-no but those colors do keep the heat in so that’s why you might want to avoid it
As a geologist with decades of bush experience, I can, with absolute certainty, tell you that, YES, dark colors attract all manners of stinging insects because their usual food sources are dark. So by wearing dark colors, you are mimicking that appearance, especially when moving around. Furthermore, your CO2 exhalations will attract the insects as well.
And as stated by arob9702, dark colors retain heat. This makes you sweat and releases lactic acid and ammonia from your body that bugs zero in on. Try to stay cool, wear neutral colors, cover the top of your head and use good quality bug repellant that contains at least 30% DEET. If you can, grab 100% DEET if you can find it. One bottle of that will last you for years.
Caution: DEET is a powerful insect repellent. It's oily and dissolves plastic, melts vinyl and removes paint from pencils. You can light fire to it. Apply sparingly and carefully by putting a couple drops into your palms and then smooth a thin coating of it onto your exposed skin. DO NOT spray it directly onto you skin! Avoid your lips and eyes. You will find that insects will bounce off you or hover close by but they won't land on you. If you don't sweat it off, one application can last from 4 to 8 hours. Wash the DEET off when back at camp as soon as possible. It will dry out your skin and you'll smell a lot like garlic.
Jeff, I’ve been watching your videos as we are planning a Safari in February 🤞🏻. I’m wondering what companies have you travel with that you can recommend.
Love in your video here the open vehicle, not sure if it makes you feel safe but assume it enhances the experience. Appreciate any tips you could share!
Hello, thank you for your message. I invite you to send me a safari inquiry form that can be found here: lifeofhy.com/safari-inquiry-form/
Send me some basic info about your trip wishes via the form and I can help you arrange an itinerary with the safari companies I most prefer! I look forward to hearing from you.
I’ve tried twice, using different browsers. I get an error message stating “please make sure all fields are valid. You need to fix 1 error. Name required”
That was the first info I filled in, for some reason the name box states “enter an email address” (wish I can upload a screenshot).
Help!
I have a canon rebel 7i.. right now I have a 70-300 mm 4.5-6. I have about $1500 I can spend on another lense to bring to Africa: would you recommend a 70-200 2.8 or a 500mm 4.5…. Orrrrr what would u recommend??
Tough one. A 500mm will allow you to get a shot from what with the naked eye is only a far off pixel. But once you go long, you always want to get closer. And on long shots, the light has to be really good and you have to hold really still to get good shots. It means you’ll aleays going to tell the driver or other companions to wait for you to frame shots.
We visit game parks a lot, the last time I had a 150-600, and in the end I had most keepers from a 85mm 1.8 lens. I had much more fun making the most of the close sightings, and appreciating the far sightings through a binoculars. I didn’t “experience” those far sightings anyway.
So if you are split between those, I’d go for the 70-200 2.8. It does the same thing as the 85mm I had, plus you’ve got a bit of reach for in case.
You should give me temperatures it’s not gonna be like a Michigan winter time
Early mornings and at night in the South African winter in reserves, temperatures go to between 5 C (40 F) and 10 C (50 F).
This is an issue on guided trips on open vehicles, so something warm to see you through that period is advised. On night and morning drives they will supply blankets.
Even self catering, you’ll find a lot of the accommodation is geared towards outside living. In the Kruger for example, the bulk of the park’s own accommodation only has outside kitchens and seating areas. So again just something to be comfortable. There is usually little to no wind, and no dampness, so it sometimes feels a little bit warmer.
This is obviously nothing compared to what you mention as an example, but many North Americans and Europeans are caught off guard if they expect all of Africa to be tropical.
Also note these mildly chilly evenings are more often followed by daytime temperatures comfortably above 20C (70 F). During winter school holidays, you’ll find children in the pools.
Where is the link to buy the water bottle?
I’ve got it in the description and also here for you :) glnk.io/q2v4/hyer