What to Pack for your Safari/Tour holiday in Uganda.


What am I supposed to bring?

The first item on your packing list to consider is the country's, climate, cultural norms and the planned activities for your vacation to Uganda. Pack everything in a travel bag that is steady and long-lasting, with seals to ensure that you survive the rough roads to the game reserves and rural areas.  In order to prevent theft, locks are a good idea not only for flights but also for hotel rooms, upscale safaris, and lodges.

It is often advised to wash and wear casual, comfy clothing. Please be aware that viewing games is best done in subdued colors, cultural and nature walks done in light clothes. Early morning and late afternoon, when game drives are held, can be extremely cold, particularly during the winter so heavy clothes would be necessary.

 

The most useful things to bring on a safari are:

There are basic guidelines to follow when choosing what to bring on a safari vacation in Uganda, like documents for travel, and the travel gears especially if you want to utilize public transportation: pack as little as possible and include anything that might not be easily accessible when you need it.

  • Walking shoes that are comfortable
  • Steady, water-resistant walking boots that are suitable for climbing high slopes. When trekking, pants should be tucked into boots and socks.
  • Essentials include lip salve, moisturizer, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
  • Potent insect repellant.
  • Equipment for cameras and binoculars
  • A little backpack to hold a packed lunch and water 

 

Clothing packing list: what clothes to pack

Family packing list with suitcase ready for Uganda trip.

  • You should, if you have room, bring at least one shirt and a change of underwear for each day of your safari or other event. A daily change of clothes will be literally required due to the dusty circumstances, and organizing washing along the route is a pain in the neck when traveling, and the dusty surroundings will essentially require changing clothes every day. One pair of sturdy walking shoes or boots, and one pair of sandals, thongs, or another lightweight footwear would be very crucial.

Safari shirtdress for women

Like trousers, these are best made of light natural fabric such as cotton. It is advisable to wear skirts that go below the knee for reasons of protocol: short skirts will cause needless offense to many Ugandan traditions and religions (especially Muslims). 

 

Shirts 

Packing list for men's safari shirts

Canyon Pro Long Sleeve Shirt

Lightweight, Dre-fitting safari t-shirt with UV protection

Safari Women's Short-Sleeved Sun Protection T-Shirt

Because they are lighter and less cumbersome than button-up shirts, t-shirts may be preferable. 

 

Sleeping Bag 

Even if you don't plan to camp, the majority of backpackers bring a sleeping bag. In the majority of places in Uganda, a lightweight sleeping bag will be more than sufficient; in this climate, it would be even better to bring a sleeping bag. If you are on a scheduled tour, you do not need a sleeping bag, and the only situation in which you will undoubtedly require an all-weather sleeping bag is when you are on high mountains.

 

Binoculars

I wouldn't leave a pair of binoculars off my packing list for my Uganda safari. But really, if you're interested in natural history, it's hard to think of anything that will provide you with as much entertainment value for your money as a pair of lightweight, portable binoculars, which don't have to be any bulkier or heavier these days. If you want to observe faraway mammals in game reserves or birds (Africa has an exceptionally colorful avifauna, even if you don't want to name everything that flaps), binoculars are a must. 

Although some people may prefer 7×35 traditional binoculars due to their greater field of vision, 7×21 compact binoculars will work well for most uses. A 10x magnification will be more beneficial for serious birdwatchers. Bring it with you to Uganda for your vacation.

Gear and laptop Daypack

I prefer a sturdy 35L daypack over either of the aforementioned options when I'm traveling with a laptop and bulky photography gear. There are numerous benefits to packing as light as small as possible. In order to avoid issues like additional fees for luggage on domestic flights, and you might first place it on your lap when traveling by bus. 

  • More mobility is also made possible with a small bag, whether you're hiking, going on a day trip, or searching for a hotel in the area. Even with binoculars, a bird field guide, and novels, manage to maintain a weight of about 8 kg.
  • If you're going on a safari vacation and you need to bring photographic equipment. Store everything you're not utilizing. Those who are traveling with a lot of valuables should choose a bag that is simple to lock.

 

Camping Gear

A complete camping Gear Packing List for hiking and trekking in Uganda

  • If you are going on a scheduled safari excursion in Uganda, you will not need to take camping equipment. In the parks where your safari operator will have made your reservation, there are well-established safari camps.
  • There is a compelling argument for bringing a tent to Uganda, especially if money is short. The majority of Uganda's towns, forest reserves, and national parks include campsites. When there are no other options for lodging, travelers who plan to hike some off-the-beaten-path will find a tent to be a helpful backup.
  • Selecting the lightest camping equipment is essential if you choose to bring it. Nowadays, you can get a lightweight tent that weighs just over 2 kg, but be sure to choose one that is fairly mosquito-proof. 
  • Electronics such as smartphones with cameras, power banks, and portable chargers; other items include munchies, earplugs, local currency, and reusable items.

Padlock

Some tourists prefer to travel with their own locks. This would be helpful if you have a lockable bag, and it might be required for rooms without a lock in more distant areas of the nation. You might choose to use your own lock in addition to or instead of the one on your door if you are concerned about security in a specific guesthouse. 

Some lodges offer domestic safes, which are typically placed in your locker, closet, or next to your bed with usage instructions, despite the fact that combination locks are allegedly easier to crack than traditional padlocks. It can be applied to your most prized possessions.

 

Toilet Bag

At the very least, your toilet bag should have toothpaste, shampoo, and soap (sealed in a plastic bag or soap holder unless you like your toothbrush soapy!). There is no need to bring family-sized packs because this type of equipment is simple to replace as you go along. 

It's likely that men will want a razor. Since sanitary pads and/or tampons may not always be readily available, women should always have enough on hand to last them through at least one heavy period. 

Despite being commonly available at stores and kiosks, no one should forget to pack a towel (unless they are traveling in luxury) or to have a roll of toilet paper on hand.

 

Gorilla Trekking Packing List

  • A torch, a penknife (or perhaps a more practical Leatherman-style tool), and a small alarm clock for those early morning starts are other necessities for your Uganda safari vacation packing list. 
  • To keep yourself entertained, download a few fun apps to your phone, such as games, your audiobook playlist, and music for trekking. Some tourists bring games with them, usually a deck of cards, but occasionally chess, draughts more so consider bringing your own universal bath plug because many older motels have bathtubs but no plugs. 
  • In addition, A mosquito netting and bug repellant, a small medical kit is included in your packing list for the trip. Surgical gloves, a N85 surgical facemask, and hand sanitizer must be included in your medical kit. 
  • If you wear contact lenses, pack all the fluids you'll need because they're not readily available in Uganda. You should also pack a pair of glasses for long drives and safari drives because many people who wear lenses have eye irritation from dust, the sun, and the dry climate. You might want to switch back to glasses.

 

Remember to check with your mode of travel for any travel requirements before your trip to Uganda and to book with Ossicones Safaris for the unveiled experience in Uganda.

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