Packing list for a safari in Nyerere National Park
Packing list for a safari in Nyerere National Park: Nyerere National Park formerly known as Selous Game Reserve located in the northern part of Tanzania, this national park is the largest national park in Tanzania and also one also of the world’s largest wildlife-protected area and national parks. The park was gazetted in 2019 and overs an area of approximately 30,893 square kilometers (11,928 sq mi) and covers a big part of Liwale District in western Lindi Region, southwest Pwani region, northeastern Ruvuma Region, and a big part of the eastern Morogoro Region. The part of Selous game reserve is now running hydroelectric power. The park has a great river known as Rufiji River. Rufiji is Tanzania’s largest river and is home to many crocodiles and hippopotamuses. It is also one of largest mangrove forests in the world located at its delta.
Nyerere National Park to a remarkable wildlife species including buffaloes, Masai giraffes, lions, leopards, wild dogs, black rhinos, Thomson’s gazelle, spotted hyenas, wildebeest, plain zebras, impalas, as well as many reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates among others. A large number of hippos and Nile crocodiles inhabit the waters of the Rufiji River. Most notably, the park is known for its prolific population of endangered African wild dogs.
What are the best packing essentials for a safari in Nyerere National Park?
Clothing
The clothes that you pack will depend on the time that you are going to visit Selous. The National Park experiences two major seasons, the dry season and the wet season and each season has different activities that are carried out. The dry season is experienced in the months of June to October and the wet season is experienced in the months of November to December. These seasons and the activities that are carried out within this period are some of the determinants of what you should pack for your safari in the Nyerere National Park.
Travel Documents
Before thinking of anything else to carry along, these are the essentials to have with you throughout your Nyerere National Park and time in Tanzania. Make sure you have a stamped visa and a passport that is valid for six months and ready for inspection by concerned authorities to avoid any embarrassing scenes and inconveniences. You might also need to come with emergency contact documents of your next of kin, travel insurance, travel directories, detailed contacts of your tour operators and medical documents showing vaccination records.
Comfortable Clothes
The clothes that you will need for your safari to Nyerere National Park include long-sleeved shirts and pants, light clothes, a hat, a scarf, and hike boots and at night you will need some warm clothes since it tends to get cold. During the wet season, you will need a raincoat, a jacket, some pajamas, and any heavy clothing that will keep you warm.
Sturdy Shoes
You will need good hiking boots and shoes in both the dry and wet season if you plan on taking a walk through the park. Flip flops are good if you are at the beach or swimming pool and don’t forget you need to be as casual as possible in whatever you choose to bring on your safari.
Insect repellent
Mosquitoes and tsetse flies are not only known for their disease-causing ability but are also irritating and have nasty stings. Sprays applied both on skin, clothes, and in restrooms regularly help keep away these blood-hungry insects. Insecticide nets are also recommended to supplement on these repellents guaranteeing your safety from Malaria and other insect-transmitted diseases.
Toiletries
These are personal items that are needed for your day-to-day safari in the Nyerere National Park. You will need to carry your own toiletries like toilet paper, toothpaste, deodorants, bathing soap, toothpaste, a hair brush, shampoo (small size), lotions, sunscreen, insect repellent, underwear, and many more. When packing the toiletries, you need to make sure that you do not exceed the weight limit set by Tanzania.
Pocket tip
It’s also advisable to carry hard cash with you especially when in remote areas where at one point or another, you will have to transact, pay fees, or give tips. The US dollar is preferred but it’s also wise to change to the local Tanzania shillings. Acquire a money belt that you can fasten around the waist.
Medication
Personal medication especially if it is recommended by your doctor is a must if you are to travel to Nyerere National Park for a safari. Since you will be practically living in the bush there are tabs that are a must and these include the anti-malarial tabs and diarrhea tabs plus the ones that are recommended by your physician.
First Aid kit
This is important for emergency response to minor and major injuries you or friends may get while on your safari to Nyerere National Park. A basic kit should at least have rubbed alcohol, scissors, bandages, tweezers and scissors. It’s also important you include medications such as Imodium for diarrhea, throat lozenges, aspirin, and cold medicine. Include sunscreen and antihistamine for reactions to insect bites.
Gadgets
Gadgets will be part of your day-to-day activities while on a safari to Nyerere National Park. Some of the important gadgets you should go with include binoculars, cameras, a travel adapter plug and extra batteries for your camera, a laptop, and many others. Selous has type G and type D plugs which you should take into consideration when carrying a travel adapter plug. The binoculars will help with viewing the animals and birds that are far away and the cameras will help with capturing the moments forever.
Rechargeable Flashlights
Rechargeable Flashlights are a must-carry as you prepare your Nyerere National Park packing list. The park and many of the lodges and camps surrounding it are located in a rural area. Power may not be as constant as it is in the urban centers. Most lodges usually supplement hydropower by the use of solar and generators that are turned off late at midnight leaving you in a corridor of blackness. Therefore, to have a constant supply of light in tents and lodges one needs a strong torch and lantern with solar rechargeable batteries.
Carry interesting books
Carrying an interesting novel, journals, magazines, and biography books can help keep you in a great mood.
