A wildlife safari is an adventure and vacation of a lifetime! But in order to enjoy the experience, it’s very important to have the right gear on you. You need to be prepared for anything at all, so have a look at the following and tick them off your packing checklist.

Clothing:
Comfort and convenience are the keywords here. You’re going to be moving around a lot and this isn’t the place to make a fashion statement. When you’re in the mud, everything looks the same. Cotton is the best thing to carry—light trousers, shorts and shirts(short and longsleeved) of the same would be apt. For winter, carry woollens, scarves and gloves. Be prepared for the rains too—a shower-proof rain jacket or a windcheater would be your best friend in that case. Don’t forget your bathing suit in the event of a lake or river along the trail!

Footwear:
High heels and boots are definitely not a good idea when on a safari. What you need is sturdy and strong. Walking shoes or sneakers, along with a pair of sandals or floaters should be enough. Cotton socks (and woollens in winter) are a must-have.

Protection from the sun:
You may not realise it at that moment, but you get a far greater dose of the sun than normal when on a safari. Be sure to carry a sun-hat, sunglasses and sunblock lotion, so that your skin and eyes are well-protected and preserved. Drink lots of water too (don’t worry about loos, they’re in natural abundance!)

Accessories:
• A small first-aid kit is a must-have, along with any special medication that you take—do carry anti-malaria medicine and mosquito-repellent creams especially for the Indian terrain.
• A sleeping bag for the chilly nights.
• A water bottle.
• A small torch to get around at night, in case nature calls.
• Binoculars to spot the small details.
• A camera to capture all the magical moments. Don’t forget to carry extra film/digital memory—there’s a rule somewhere against flash photography in the wild, so be prepared!

Checklist:
1. Clothing: Light cotton trousers, shirts and shorts, warm clothing for winter, rain-wear, bathing suit.
2. Footwear: Comfortable and sturdy walking shoes/ sneakers and a pair of sandals/floaters, along with cotton socks.
3. Accessories: Sunblock lotion, hat/cap, sunglasses.
4. Medicines: Regulars plus mosquito repellent and antimalaria medicine.
5. First-aid kit.
6. Binoculars.
7. Camera and extra film/digital memory.
8. Water bottle.
9. Sleeping bag.