Bimoculars, camera, and a wide brim hat; totally important
A Uganda safari trip is no different. There are some things you just need to have.
Here’s a list of 10 things that you will need for your safari trip.
First, a good camera with telephoto lens.
Good memories need to be backed by good pictures, so you never forget. The things you are going to see are simply amazing and you will want to capture the moments. So invest in a good digital camera with a telephoto lens and take great pictures of beautiful scenery, exciting wildlife, primates, birds, mountains, and yourself amidst all this awesomeness. Be sure you have enough storage for your photographs. So no matter what storage device your camera uses, bring several so you do not run out of picture storage in the middle of your trip. There are a lot of photo opportunities, and things and places to take pictures off. You can never have enough photographs of the African wild. But try not to be so focused on getting good pictures that you forget to enjoy the safari experience.
A good pair of binoculars comes in handy when you want to get a clearer view of something but cannot get close enough. Once you see a pride of lions in a distance you will want to get a closer look, or, if you are into birding there is a variety of bird species all over; in the trees, flying in the skies, those binoculars will come in handy.
A safari journal: People who keep personal journals know how amazing it is to have precious memories documented with words and pictures. Journal entries for everyday you are on safari are precious. You cannot forget what you describe in your own words in that journal. It will be easier to tell your amazing story. Journaling when the experience is still fresh in your mind helps you describe and stay with a clear memory of what you saw experienced. So get a journal for safari, you never know what you could use those written memories for when you get back home. .
Safari guide books:
Wildlife and bird spotting guides for Uganda are very useful when you are on safari in Uganda. It very advisable to get a couple of these and read through them even before you travel. It helps you get familiar with the sights and sounds you might encounter in the African wild.
Some guide books we recommend include;
East African Wildlife (Bradt travel guide) This wildlife guide is very informative and helpful . By reading through it, you will be able to put names to the animals you see, and help you do away with any difficulty you might differentiating the different animals especially those that are very similar in appearance. For example an eland and a bushbuck which are both antelopes. It will help you identify the numerous 
animals you see. But again do not get so caught up in identifying which animals is which and forget to have fun and enjoy the experience of encountering them.
The Birds of East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi (Princeton Field Guides). If you are interested in birding, this is just the book for you. This guide will help you identify the different birds you will see, and you will even know which birds you are more likely to find in Uganda. There are over 1040 bird species that have been found in Uganda, and this book will help you identify which of those 1040 you are seeing.
The 6th Edition of Bradt Guide by Phillip Briggs: This book is just what you need to prepare you for your time in the African wild. It is quite helpful and informative for safari preparation.
Bradt Travel Guide Uganda 6TH EDITION [PB, 2010] will prepare you for your time in Uganda better than any other guide that you can buy about Uganda. It covers, towns, cities, places, park, wildlife reserves, restaurants, Hotels, the various activities you can enjoy at each location and more.
First Aid box: First aid items, medications, malaria regiments, and mosquito repellent are important. If you are on medication of any kind for any reason please remember to carry it with you. Do not forget your malaria regiment. Chances of you getting malaria are minimal but just to be safe pack your regiment. Mosquito and insect repellent is also an essential, you do not want to be kept awake at night by the buzz of mosquitoes around you or get bitten by a tsetse fly. Consult your doctor or a travel clinic for any medication you might need on safari.
The right footwear: There is nothing quite as uncomfortable as inappropriate shoes for a safari activity. Try Mountain climbing in walking shoes, and you’ll know how important it is to have the right shoes for the activity. If your safari includes gorilla trekking, chimpanzee habituation, hiking, volcano climbing, walking safaris, or foothill hikes you need a pair of well broken hiking shoes. Brad new one off the shelf and untried will be uncomfortable. You need to get used to the boots before you venture on your safari activity. Stout boots can do, but hiking boots will give you better ankle support. So get yourself a pair before your safari and remember to pack them.
A hat with a Brim: Some might thing a hat is such a small negligible thing, but in the wilderness of Africa it is not. You need a wide brim hat to protect you from the sun. It can be really hot. Baseball caps can’t shield your neck, so they will not be that helpful. A hat with a relatively wide brim will make your safari much more comfortable. It doesn’t have to be an expensive, and you can always buy one when you arrive in Uganda, but be sure to get one. You will be thankful you did.
Good company and a sense of humour are essential
Company: While you can do a solo safari and enjoy it, travel to exciting places is much more fun if you do it with a friend, or friends. Not only will you share the costs and spend less but shared memories are always the best. You will enjoy sitting around a campfire with your friends, people you know and care about, and the experience is made richer by the sentiments.
The last and most important thing or things you need to take with you on your safari in Uganda is Common Sense and a sense of humour with a dash of adventure and a sprinkle of patience!! The wilderness of Africa is not a zoo in the west where the animals are put on display and you absolutely know what to expect. It’s a whole new world with and everything is real and exciting.
Be ready to see the unexpected, the magical, and the simply beautiful. And where you might get slightly impatient or irritable just get your dose of patience out of your bag and take a pill and enjoy your experience to the fullest. Laugh, jump, cry all in excitement and enjoy your experience in the African wild.
