BootsnAll Travel Community

I know a couple that are going on holiday on African Safari probably at some point next year. I want them a gift that would be unique that they must have on their trip.

Someone had suggest an ultra violet light flashlight because some animals can't see ultra violet light. Is that true? And do you have any recommendations.

Another possibility is binoculars. What have you guys use that has worked for you. I would probably to get them a good pair.

Or what else would you suggest as a must have.

Generally on night safaris, the guide will have a light to spot game. binoculars are needed, I brought Bushnell compact 8x21. Dont get ones too strong that cannot be hand held without shaking the image. Also depending on the time of year, pants that zip off to make shorts are also good. Reading lights as many of the lodges have limited electric at night. I bought a palm pilot and was able to download many books and several hundred songs to have at night. A good back pack, that is light weight, incase they are flying the small planes. I just returned from a safari you might be able to pick up some other ideas. some safari photos

if you are staying in tents, you should have a padlock to lock the tent. This is for keeping the monkeys out. No kidding.... it happened to us. They go in there looking for food, they even stole the gummi bears my mom had sent me. I was pissed....

If staying in a tent, a head-torch is the best fashlight they can bring. The two women traveling with me were contantly borrowing mine when going to the bathroom... Imagine a hole in the ground and "human dirt" all around it... You just NEED your two hands to hold your pants...

Of course toilets aren't always like that, but they definitly are at times...

There are different types of safaris which may need different types of gifts. For example are they going on a camping (in tents) safari, an overland (long distances via truck with a group), or a luxury safari.

I second binoculars. However, I'd go for a compact higher power. The small ones with weak power don't do much.

A flashlight would be wise.

A recording device. The sounds of an Afican Night in the wild are difficult to describe. A device to capture the lion roars, hyena whoops, and the cacophony of insect and animal noise will be remembered longer.

Depending on where they go certain types of clothing may be beneficial. I suggest light weight long sleeve olive colored clothing.

Deet or Citranella


Detol

things that i couldn't have gone without on a safari, and things i would have liked to have:

- headlamp or flashlight
- wipes to get rid of all the dust built up
- scarf or bandanna to keep the dust off my face
- hat
- a nice camera, with really good zoom
- someone brought portable speakers for their ipod and everyone LOVED it

What about offering to pay for their malarial medication?

Malarone isn't cheap, Lariam is cheaper, I personally prefer it over Malarone but many don't

At least they'll be able to come home safe & sound!

Kira

I second the binoculars and a nice safari hat to shade your eyes and keep the sun off your neck.

A good pair of binoculars makes all the difference. Do not get more than 8x, because the shaking of hands will make them useless. Binoculars at 8x can vary from $5 to $400.

We had a pair at $80 and a few cheap ones for $15 or so. The difference in enormous. The quality of the glass means a lot; the differnce in the amount of light that comes and the clarity and stability for a good pair is definitely worth it.

A bit more expensive, a good digital camera is nice (Cannon S3 PowerShot with 12x zoom is what we got for the trip). This kind of zoom is critical for a safari.

As for flashlights, a $20 headlight is all you need. For night time safari, you'd want serious night-vision equipment at hundreds of dollars. I am not sure you'd see much during the night. I friend of mine tried to convince us to get night vision, but it would have served us no purpose at all. All the game drives are morning and afternoon. Except for AnimalPlanet and NationalGeographic channels, I'm not sure you'd see much night hunting live, no matter what equipment you have.

And when we were camping, walking around to the bathroom in the night, what I wanted was to see zero animals. I wanted to have as bright a light to scare the animals away as possible. I wanted a good torch. In fact, what I really wanted was our ranger with his rifle. I have a suspicion that had I seen an animal on my way to the loo with a good night-vision equipment, the bathroom would no longer be relevant, but laundry would come in handy the next day. :-)