At first glance the Kalahari is harsh and hot, but once it gets under your skin it is hard to forget the beautiful scenery that was etched into your memory on your first visit.

To make a visit to the Kalahari easier and more enjoyable I am sharing a short packing list for your visit:

1.       The number one slot is filled by a good body lotion. The air is dry in the Kalahari and the water do not treat your skin gently either.  Unless you want to look like the dry riverbed of the Nossob river, pack enough of it.  You will certainly need it.

2.         And while on the lotion and potions pack the sunscreen, especially during the summer.  You will spend most of your time in your vehicle, but even then make sure you cover up with suntan lotion to protect you from the African sun.

3.         Lip balm and eye drops.  Like I said when discussing body lotion the air is dry, you do not want your lips to be cracked and your eyes red and irritated.

4.         Of course if you wear a hat a lot of the sun will not get to your face.  It is still an important item whether it is summer or winter in the Kalahari.  

5.         Pack the bug spray.  This is a malaria free area, but flying insects can be annoying and you do not want to swat them the whole time.  This might just chase away that beautiful cheetah that you were watching through your binoculars.

6.         Speaking of which – binoculars and cameras. A binocular is an important item as you can see far and wide here.  The animals are not always close to the road. And the possibilities to capture “star trails” on a cloud free night is big.

7.         Bird and animal books.  That is what you will be doing here – spotting animals.  You will be amazed at what you will learn when looking up even the ordinary animals. 

8.         Fill up your water bottles in the morning before you leave camp. There are no kiosks selling water and cold drinks as this is one of the less developed parks in South Africa.

9.         An item for the ladies: Wear a sports bra …  At times with all the vibrations on the corrugations, your bones, and more, will rattle and roll.  (Read this one with a bit of humour, please).

10.      At last something to pack for the men.  It is a good idea to fit a seed net for your vehicle especially when you plan to drive the 4×4 trial.  The grass is high and dry and the slightest of heat friction can set your vehicle alight.  Get into the habit of checking regularly underneath your car for dry grass that are stuck … and deflate your vehicle’s tyres, it makes the ride easier. To monitor the correct pressure you will obviously need a tyre pressure gauge!

I hope that this will add to you being a happy camper in the Kalahari and remember to enjoy your visit and the sunsets.

To gain some more insight into the Kalahari also read the Red Dune Route post at Kalahari Red Dune Route

The post 10 ESSENTIALS TO PACK FOR A VISIT TO KGALAGADI TRANSFRONTIER PARK appeared first on TRAVELBUCKET.

Let me, as an experienced and seasoned African traveller, give some basic do’s and don’ts when you are out there:

• Zip up your tent – no matter how hot it is in side, zip up for various reasons. It keeps out bugs, mosquitoes and slithering things like snakes.  A lion will not bother you in your tent.  They do not realise that they can rip open the canvas with a quick stroke of the paw and no, an elephant will not trip over your tent.  Elephants are amazingly gracious when they walk.
• When you go to bed stow all food (and garbage) either in your tent or vehicle. Inquisitive animals like hyenas, jackal, etcetera will come and have a look what is there to taste.
• Do not wander off in the dark and outside the light of the fire. There are creatures watching you that you do not even know of.  If  you do have to go for a nightly routine walk let somebody go with you with a torch and keep close to your tent.  Night animals have keen eyesight and spot you long before you even notice them, so take care.
• Be extremely vigilant when vervet monkeys and baboons are around. They are very quick and will grab your food before you know it.  Do not challenge a baboon, if this does happen they can be dangerous.  Rather back off.

• Mana Pools is famous for its “dagga boys” (i.e. a lone stray buffalo) that venture into camp even in day times. Be on the look out and try to avoid them totally.
• A rather difficult one to do is if you have an encounter with a lion or elephant – DO NOT RUN!   I say again – DO NOT RUN!  Your instinct will tell you to get out of the way, but stay put, stand very still .
• At rivers and dams be on the lookout for crocodiles that lurk in the muddy waters especially on the banks when you approach.  Also keep an eye out for paths that animals (i.e. hippopotamus) use that lead to the water. A hippo looks clumsy, but they are not.
• Do not misjudge the small animals as they can bite you and there is a possibility that they carry rabies. Rabies are fatal.  Wild animals that are prone to rabies are:  monkeys, mongoose, meerkat, jackals.

Remember that you are in the wild and wild animals can be unpredictable and “a lot” quicker than you think.  Do not party – alcohol impair your judgment towards wild animals and may land you in unexpected trouble.

—oOO—

“You have to look after wealth, but knowledge looks after you. — Zambian Proverb”

The post HOW TO ACT AROUND WILD ANIMALS appeared first on TRAVELBUCKET.