Advice for Travel to Africa

[Biddlesby]

Hello all, it's been a good while since I've posted here! I hope you are all well.

Basically, a friend and I are planning to travel to Africa over the summer. We are applying to a number of grants, so our theme is "food." Studying news and travel advice, we provisionally intend to visit Nambia, Botswana, and Madagascar. We are thinking around three weeks, and do not want to spend more than £2000.

I am hoping the vast experience on this forum can help me out with the planning, with of course health being the biggest priority. I would therefore greatly appreciate it if you could have a scan over the list below and make any suggestions:



Health

To minimise the risks:

1. Inform ourselves with the vast array of (governmental) advice on diseases specific to our destinations, learn to recognise symptoms, obtain vaccinations where advised necessary. Priorities?
2. Consult with doctors to draw up a list of antibiotics and medicines that we will have on our persons
3. Consider the health care facilities at our destinations
4. Take time to choose good health insurance. Can anybody recommend one?
5. Practice strict hygiene routines when in the country

Other safety issues

1. Keep an eye on the news and government advice
2. Cash is a problem. It is not readily available, yet obviously we do not want to have a lot on ourselves. Suggestions?
3. Emergency plans: Suggestions?
   1. in case of illness in a remote area
   2. in case of severe illness needing immediate evacuation to South Africa or UK
   3. in case of total loss of belongings

Choice of destination(s)

I would appreciate it if you could advise as to whether these are good destinations!

Activities

1. To experience a wide array of food
2. To see the natural side of Africa / camping: this is the kicker; to see the bush, is it a daunting feat of logistics? Hire a guide?
3. Both our friend and I greatly want to see the rainforest, where is the safest destination for this?

(Lonely planet guides)




If anybody with experience in Africa lives near Oxford or Norwich, it would be fantastic if we could meet up over a pint to discuss! Let me know.

Much appreciated,

Harry

 

[wicca]

Can't help you with destinations I'm afraid but reference diseases etc: The School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in London used to be helpful at issuing guidance on what is currently prevalent and where, they may give you some useful advice, and you mention Oxford. There used to be a Faculty within the University working onTropical Diseases they may also advise you where to get the latest info. These sources may be better than the bog standard, sometimes out of date, Government leaflets that get handed out.
Just a point to ponder, your medics kit may be as attractive as any money you have, try to carry it unobtrusively. Oh! stay out of the Congo basin unless you're really good with mag changes.

My experience in that land is way out of date I'm afraid, but good luck with your plans.

 

[The Cumbrian]

I've learned the hard way, that if you're going anywhere hot where the food and water is potentially dodgy, and even if you follow all the hygiene rules, your @rse will thank you for having some wet wipes in your pack. DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT THEM!

Get in touch with Lurch and get a Lifesaver Water Purification Bottle before you go. Excellent bit of kit.

http://www.lakelandbushcraft.co.uk/acatalog/Water_Purification.html

Cheers, Michael.

 

[He' s left the building]

May I advise you start with this: http://www.nathnac.org/travel/index.htm

and this: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/

Should provide answers to most of your queries, hopefully!

 

[Biddlesby]

Thank you for the links.


I met Benedict Allen last night! He suggested the following route:


Cameroon
Flight to Uganda
Train to Kenya
End up in Madagascar (that's our addition...)


Checking out the travel advice they don't seem the safest of countries, though...


He admitted Africa wasn't his specialism, anybody have experience in these countries and can advise some good locations to visit or activities to do?

 

[Graham_S]

get all your visas sorted well in advance.
seriously.
I'm trying to get an Angolan visa at the moment and even with all the correct documentation it's difficult.

 

[HeltorChasca]

I am very fortunate in that this is part of the World where I grew up. Nambia, Botswana, and Madagascar are all safe compared to Uganda. Tourism is very much an established and thriving industry so caters extremely well for all pockets. Public transport (trains and buses) is rubbish, so fly or drive yourself.

I also used to work in the tourism industry so I will tell you that £2000 is at the entry level shall we say, but feasible if you are camping. Camping in Namibia and particulary Bots is an adrenaline fueled experience because of the game (wild life). To keep costs down you should stick to southern africa. The trip accross to Tana in Madagascar will set you back quite a bit. (probably most of your budget)

Car hire (or 4x4 with a tent top) is an afordabe option and you can camp above the ground without becomeing a midnight snack. I have been body slammed by a Hyena in Mana Pools (Zim) and it's an experience I'll be telling forever.

Botswana is an awesome wildlife sestination, but choose your seasons carefully (and be prepared for the expense). Namibia is the single most amazing place on earth I have ever had the chance to be. You really appreciate how insignificant we are when you enter this amazing country.

I have so many ideas and lots of knowlege so fire away. Flights etc from the UK: I still have contacts in Travel who could help, so I could PM a few contacts. Oh and I would reccomend Bradt guides over all the others including LP.

Have fun researching it all....b

 

[HeltorChasca]

There's so much to add, but I will just say that the food in all destinations is fantastic especially the meat and fruit.

I admire your thought process with regard to the precautions you have in mind, but I would concentrate on relaxing a bit more. Africa is in the 3rd world, but you won't need to wrap yourself in cotton wool. You will find the locals in all your destinations very hospitable and friendly (obviously watch out for the numerus conmen and petty thieves) so if you have any ussues that arise you will be assisted gladly. Saying that, if anything serious happens, SA is the best place for any major medical aid.

Cash - I always use travelers cheques. Credit cards work in some places, but check your statement when you come back. Fraud is rife in Africa.

Rainforest - Aside from traveling to central Africa (not that safe) You can get a taster from Victoria Falls. Stay in Zambia (Livingstone) though and visit the small area of rain forest on the Zimbabean side by doing a half day trip accross the famous Iron Bridge.

Have I bored anyone yet?

 

[Biddlesby]

Certainly not me, thanks for the advice.

Would I need to be have experience fixing vehicles to travel by 4x4? For I have none!

 

[He' s left the building]

Have I bored anyone yet?

No!!!

I've been to a few African countries, although not too recently as I've been working elsewhere. So it's been great hearing your experience, even though I'm not planning to go back for a wee while.

Cheers,

Boops

 

[ScarletPimpernel]

I have some experience of the health aspects of travel insurance, having worked for a medical repatriation service, both organising repats and on the flying side.

When buying a policy, consider what is actually needed; many policies offer £10m or even £20m medical expenses cover. This is unnecessary - one of three things will happen if you are ill or have an accident - 1. you will get better quickly, 2. you will be flown to UK or 3. you will die. None of these will involve bills of anywhere near the sums some policies mention, but the premium will reflect it.

Take the policy doument with you (I'd recommend a couple of copies carried in different locations on your person and in baggage, too), and leave a copy of it with someone at home. Read the policy wording carefully (most people don't until a claim has been declined). Ensure that the policy covers all the activities you intend to undertake. Make sure both of you understand what to do in the event of an emergency - most policies make it a condition that you contact their assistance service if admitted to hospital, for example. Don't assume that anyone else will do it, even if they say they will. Don't hand your passport over to hospital staff - give it to your mate.

It's worth taking a few simple non-prescription medications with you - analgesics like ibuprofen, an anti-diarrheal, and maybe an anti-spasmodic like Buscopan. I carry a small stock when travelling, and it can fit in a tobacco tin, though I keep it in a plain nylon pouch (I think it was originally sold as a cosmetics bag!). Antibiotics are best not carried; they are of no use for common travel illness, and should in any case be specifically prescribed.

I agree with the wet-wipes advice; even if you don't normally suffer, a tube of heamorrhoid ointment can come in very useful. Trying to find a chemist shop with a hoop like a japanese flag is no fun. I'd also take along some anti-fungal cream for dealing with athlete's foot or dhobi-itch.

 

[Rob]

I will be up near Norwich at some point over the Christmas break and would be more than happy to have a pint and talk about southern africa

 

[Biddlesby]

Ack, just got this message as I got back to Oxford! Hopefully you can still give me some advice over the internet?


We have basically decided on a route. It is West-to-East: Windhoek, Namibia; Botswana; Zambia; Dar, Tanzania; probably Madasgar.


Some things to do: Tusk Trust in Namibia, Ockavanga delta in Botswana, Livingstone & Vick Falls in Zambia, boat up Malawi lake, Ngororo crater in Tanzania, Kendwa rocks in Zanzibar, boat across mozambique channel.


We are having difficulty drawing up a budget, but still reckon £2000 for two months is about right.


Some questions: how easy is it to get into the ockavanga delta and ngororo crater? to make contact with maasai? any other recommended stops along the route?


Also, which are the best malaria tablets? Is a rabies shot recommended?


Thanks,


Harry

 

[Surrey Yeoman]

I'm off to Namibia myself in November this year, so I'm watching this thread with interest!

Thanks for the tips everyone - keep 'em coming!

(Wet wipes on the top of the kit list )

 

[Mooseman1]

Hi mate,

I have a lot of experiance in Africa both central and west coast with the Army and FCO.
First thing is to relax you are not off to mars. Get all your visa's and jabs taken care of then get your gear together. a comfy pair of jeans and a few pairs of shorts/traccys are fine, you dont need all the crap they try and sell you at milletts.

You want to dress as if you belong there and i dont mean as a local, but rather an aid worker or english teacher anything other than a bloody tourist.

next thing is $ U.S no more than 300 at time and in small bills. keep your cash in a money bag stuffed in your nut's area and keep as little as possible in your pockets, dont worry about muggers i am thinking of the little kids that dive through them lol, muggers will just shoot you. Use the info from the FCO web page and listen to the world service when you can. dont take a flashy camera just one that will do what you need. Also take a list of the overland companies that travel through that area, if the plan goes to soup give them a call and ask them to put you in touch with their local fixer, each company has one in each major town and at border crossings. Other than that boys enjoy yourselfs and have a castle bev for me.