If a person wants to experience a whole new world of adventure amidst nature and wants to understand the wild habitat, then the Indian tiger safari is the way to go. Spotting and tracking the Royal Bengal Tiger is an adrenaline-pumping experience that is parallel to none. The striped body blending with the wilderness around, the majestic stride down the path and interactions with other fellow tigers is unparalleled. Along the way, there are bound to be hundreds of species of other flora and fauna to spot if one has a keen eye.
However, it is to be noted that safaris expect a certain amount of sensitiveness and expectations regarding clothing, things one carries and the way one conducts themselves in the jungle. This is to ensure the safety and comfort of tourists and wild animals.
Indian Tiger Safari Packing Checklist
Pack Clothing Appropriate for the Forest
When it comes to packing for a safari in India, just wearing any outfit won’t do. Packing light on casual, comfortable and practical clothing is essential as most camps provide laundry services and the clothes can be washed and reused. Indian weather is prone to quickly shifting from being highly chilly early in the morning to hot and humid by midday. Summers and winters have their extremes too. Therefore layers in clothing are essential to protect oneself from cold and the hot sun. Here are a few necessary things that one must pack.
- Shirt, t-shirt or blouse with long sleeves and collars to protect oneself from mosquitos and the sun
- Warm jacket or fleece
- A light and compact raincoat
- A bandanna, sarong or scarf
- A hat or cap
- A pair of safari trousers
- Walking shoes or boots that are comfortable and waterproof
- Comfortable sneakers and sandals
- Napkins and towels
- A blanket
- A fan
- Sunscreen and shades
Bright colored clothing or items are a big no-no
During the safari, it is essential to avoid wearing bright colors and using bright colored objects to blend with nature as much as possible. This is to ensure that the animals don’t shy away from visitors or feel disturbed by them. For example, stripes, royal blue and black colors attract bugs. The preferred colors for clothes are green, brown or any earthy tones.
Protective Gear and Other Essentials to Pack
- The safari path can be hot and humid as the visitors are exposed to the sun for a significant amount of time. Water bottles are a must to keep yourself hydrated since you spend hours in the forest.
- While most safari package tours provide breakfast, tea and snacks, one might want to stop for an opportunity to buy souvenirs, water bottles or food at the end of the safari. Therefore, it is recommended to carry some cash for any extra expenditure that occurs along with tipping the national park or the local guide.
- Passport and identity information is critical as most National Parks require them to verify the reservations made.
- First-aid kits with general and specific medication that one requires along with small things like bandages, wet tissues, cold and flu tablets, mosquito repellents, painkillers, cough drops, eye drops, diarrhea medication could come in handy.
- Power banks and extra adapters could come in handy, especially for visitors from outside the country. This helps ensure all the equipment they own can access the plug points, and there are spare for situations where there is a limited number of power outlets.
- Guidebooks and maps can prove to be helpful for those who are visiting the jungle or taking the safari for the first time.
- Headlights and flashlights prove to be useful ways of communication in the jungle where people are expected to make minimal noise and help walk around the lodges usually perched in the middle of the jungle.
Binoculars and Other Photography Equipment
Jungle safari is a lifetime opportunity to view and click fantastic photographs of the wild in their natural habitat. The safari is a playground for extraordinary animals like giraffes, lions, tigers, leopards, bears, peacocks, deer, langurs, colourful birds and more. Sometimes, they can be perched a few hundreds of meters away and may not be visible to the naked eye. To observe their finer details without disturbing them, it helps to have a pair of binoculars. It is recommended to carry a good zoom lens camera, stabilizers, maintenance equipment and other necessary gears for photography enthusiasts.
One must follow this checklist on an Indian tiger safari tour to make it one of the most cherished experiences in one’s lifetime.
