Jan
17
2010
0

Walking Safari in Selous Game Reserve

Many of the safari camps in and around Selous Game Reserve offer their guests the opportunity to take part in a walking safari.

Selous Riverside Camp on the banks of the Rufigi river are no different. The walks are relatively short lasting around 1-2 hours and covering no more than a mile or two. Walking safaris are particularly challenging and you can wear trainers or similar comfortable shoes.

But don’t forget to cover your legs and arms and put some insect repellant cream or other mosquito prevention treatment to stop the pesky mites making a meal of you!

You’ll find some tips on mosquito bite prevention here –> Click here

The walking safaris at Selous Riverside start early. We were given a 5am wake up call.30am for a 6am start. Before boarding of safari vehicles there was just time for a quick cup of tea. As Selous Riverside is located outside the Selous National Park, we were also going to walk outside the park. Our destination was around 10-15 minutes away and we were soon on our way, heading through a nearby village and down one of the many side roads where we pulled over.

There was fairly thick vegetation all round us but paths that had been cleared by passing elephants and hippo were clearly visible so we followed these. Our group of 6 walkers was accompanied by an armed ranger and a local tracker. Once the short briefing had finished, we commenced on our walk. The ranger led the way and we all followed in single file with the tracker falling in behind.

Although it was fairly unlikely that we would come across any larger wildlife such as elephants or leopards mainly due to the noise we made, our ranger did tell us that he has seen a large selection of such animals during walks. Insects, plants and birds are the focal point of this type of walking safari. The first item of interest we came across was a termite mound that stood at least 2 metres tall. The ranger explained that although the termite mound looked quite large, two-thirds of the system was underground. When you consider the size of the little creatures who built it, the termite mound is quite an impressive sight.

The one inescapable sound was the almost deafening sound of cicadas which were all around us. Cicada are similar to locusts and if you look carefully, you can see them on the branches of the trees. They go through a 17 year life cycle and are preyed upon by pretty much everything in the wild. We were also shown plants like the Sausage Tree which takes its name from the sausage shaped fruit it produces. However, the fruit is much large than the traditional English breakfast sausage as it grows up to a metre in length and can weigh over 10kg.

The walk lasted for an hour and although it was all too easy to get the feeling it wasn’t much different to a walk in a wood back in England, the occasional tracks we came across gave us a reminder that we were very much in Africa. Once back at the safari vehicle, we were soon on our way to camp for breakfast before heading out on another day on safari in the Selous Game Reserve.

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Jan
08
2010
0

Guide to Backpack Dimensions

When looking for the right backpack size, you should consider on what season you’re going to go on your trip. More than anything else, these two factors should decide what the dimensions of your backpack should be.

Backpack for Hiking in The Summer

For day hiking you will need a backpack capable of carrying 1,500-2,000 cubic inches or 25 to 35 liters. Iincrease this total to 2,500 or 3,000 cubic inches (40 to 50 liters) if the trip lasts for two nights.

For hiking that takes three to five nights maximum, the backpack should be able to carry 3,000-4,000 cubic in (50 to 65 liters). The capacity should be 4,000 to 5,000 cubic inches or 50 to 65 liters at the minimum if it is for at least five night.

Spring and Fall / Autumn Hiking Backpack

For a day hike, the capacity should be 2,000-2,500 cubic inches (equal to 35-40 liters). If you’ll be camping out for two evenings, the backpack size / capacity should be 3,000 to 3,5000 cubic inches or 50 to 55 liters.

The capacity should be 4,000 to 5,000 cubic inches (65 to 80 liters) if you’ll be hiking for a minimum of three nights (maximum five nights). The capacity should be 5,000 cubic ft minimum for a hiking trip that lasts at least five days.

Backpack for Hiking in The Winter

Winter hiking requirements are a bit different. The backpack size of 2,500-3,500 cubic inches (40 to 55 liters) will be ideal for day hiking. If the trip lasts for two nights, increase this total to 4,000 to 5,000 cubic inches (65 to 80 liters).

For a 3 to 5 night trip, the size should be 5,000 cubic inches or 80 to 90 liters. The capacity should be 5,000 cubic feet, that’s equal to 50 to 65 liters if the trip lasts for five days minimum.

Types of Backpack

Daypacks are very popular among summer hikers. These are basically small backpacks. Their small size makes them ideal to carry during hot days. When shopping for daypacks, think of the trip duration.

If you’ll be hiking for at least a couple of days, make sure the backpack has enough room for extra clothing. The backpack size for winter hiking needs to be a little bigger. You’ll need thicker clothes.

Backpacks use internal or external frames. The internal frames are more popular nowadays because it provides mobility and balance. This is most suitable for hiking and mountain climbing. However the external backpack is preferred by some as there is space between the backpack and one’s back.

What to Carry

Food, water and clothing are the bare necessities. Make sure to carry the amount of clothing needed; you don’t want to run short, but don’t fill your backpack with stuff you won’t use. Don’t forget to carry medical kits, including nets, creams or lotions to prevent insect bites such as from mosquitos

Having a compass with you is also a good idea. A flashlight, batteries and a cell phone are also essential especially for new hikers.

While manufacturers may use the same backpack size measurements, each has its own nuances. Spend some time trying them to see which one you’re most comfortable with.

looking for some extreme mountain hiking? check this out:
How High is Mount Everest?
How High is Mount Kilimanjaro?

related reading: Travel Bag Dimensions

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