More dope ...... GPS works just fine in Africa. Disable WAAS or your error will be much bigger. (We don't have WAAS but EGNOS is being tested ..... still not OK'ed)
On map capable units (Garmin only), visit
www.tracks4africa.com Real GPS tracks from around 400 contributors (so no map derived errors), including some info on camp sites (requires Mapsource to read and upload to Garmin) Pro version broken into blocks and very detailed ... buy the ones you need (I am not in any way associated with T4A but I have bought their product and I have submitted data before)
Before you drag a Sat phone (good idea if going solo), make sure of coverage. Iridium spotty, Thuraya not over southern part of Africa. Mini-M seems best option for that. Let me know as I can put you in touch with local rental company.
There is a HF courtesy monitoring facility but unlikely you will be able to rent a rig with a HF radio installed. Monitored daily by at least 4 seasoned overland members in SA every day at a set time. (Let me knopw to set up times and freq's) Help will be dispatched depending on needs as a courtesy extended to all travelling in Africa. No charges for time or usage of equipment but expected to pay for supplied spares and fuel/delivery charges to get it to you.
Animals in Africa is food (50%) and other 50% view you as food. Most snakes you encounter are poisonous. Black Mamba is extremely aggresive and is known for unprovoked attacks and will continue so running shoes not a bad idea :bowdown:
Walkin in bush ..... make sure you have boots that cover your ankle. Puffadder is a lazy snake that loves lying just under sand on footpaths. It will not move away but if stepped on, will strike and normally on ankle or below. 6 inch high boots a good idea. Don't waste time on these snake bite kits ...you need medical treatment and fast. Invest in a good medical insurance, that will take you back to SA if needed by plane/chopper. If the illness does not kill you, African hospitals will.
Wear long pants as bush is full of ticks and Tick bite fever is not fun and fatal if not treated. Northern part of Botswana , Zimbabwe, Mozambque ..... all malaria areas. For SA, have a look here at is is distributed ....
http://www.malaria.co.za/
First aid kit .... good idea as mentioned. AIDS now between 50-70% in reality so don't accept blood transfussion outside SA ...even better if not in SA as well. Take you own syringes and intravenous needles if you can ...... Africans are known to recycle. Bring a broad spectrum of antibiotic with. Consider a tube of anti-histamine for those mozzi bites. Good anti-sepctic ointment (I like Bactroban) and dysinfecting wash. I use Dettol or Savlon here. Immodium is a very valuable item. Rets is just std. First Aid kit items needed.
Consider local advise based on where you got it. Following the advice on what is safe to eat/drink could make you very sick. Make sure bottled water is sealed (remember the recycle bit
) and don't add ice to the water (where do you think they get the water for the ice from?) Coke available everywhere and safe to drink. Beer safe everywhere :beer: ....... rules I follow on food ...... if you cannot peel it, don't eat it ...... including salad as they washed it with tap water. If not peeled, must be boiled or baked. :chowtime:
Make certified copies of all cc and passports. Hide the originals on the vehicle and use certified copies (if they won't hand them back ...old African trick, no loss so multiple copies are even better) You will need originals to cross borders.
Forex ...in Africa forget about cc's (OK for hotels, lodges and main areas only) and travellers checks. US$ bills no larger than 20's accepted everywhere. ATM's (if around) will allow VISA/MC cash withdrawals but don't count on it. Be carefull of black market forex agents ....99% are thieves and will steal your money and it is illegal.
Jewelery ..... less is better. No fancy diamonds, chains or watches. (Not just Mr T that liked gold :ar15: ) Camera and video ...take good care of them as they are prime targets.
AC ...... as mentioned before, we use 240V 50Hz so you will need a voltage transformer to 110V or some units work 110-250V. However, we have numerous small variations in power plugs. I find the cheapest option is to buy one of those small 150W 12V DC-AC inverters. You only need to charge laptop, video and Ni-Cd batteries and if you are mobile often, all easy and simple. Buy in USA as the ones you buy here are all 240V again with wrong plug.
Always carry at least 10l of drinking water in the car at all times.
Drugs ..... bring only your own perscription drugs for own use in original container. Make sure you have your docters tel # handy in case you need more meds and the local doc needs a heads up. Hard drugs are found everywhere but if caught, long jail term. Cannabis ..... frequently encountered and will lead to long jail term. Don't touch, buy or use.
One thing not mentioned ....scuba diving. I have dived from Med, Hawaii, Mauritius, Seychelles, Algavre ......best diving is Sodwana Bay (SA) or Ponta do Ouro (Southern Mozambique). Must be at least Padi Open Water with 15 dives (Advanced Open Water recoomended) Bring only PADI or NAAUI card ....rest can be rented. Snorkelling on both are very good. For Sodwana ...book here for accom .....
http://www.kznwildlife.com/
Contact me for more info on where to arrange dives but typical costs for staying in a lodge (South Moz), 5 dives of a boat, all fill and meals .... work on around US$ 300 pp. Add US$ 50 for kit rental. Price is 60% for non-divers. Still need to get there and back but lovely drive .... 6-8 hours.
Big game fishing at Sodwana is worlds class. Can always find a local skipper to take you out. Barracuda, Sail fish and Marlin. Cost for a 21ft with skipper and all tackle (6 people) will be around US$ 500 for the day and you keep your catch. Big game such as Marlin will be double that. Be warned, we do surf launches so we race right into breaking waves and come out at high speed and run up on the beach. The craft is designed for this. One of my US friends freaked out when we did it before (Yip, I also am Deep Sea Skipper ... crap one I guess based on his comments afterwards) We do the same with scuba trips so be warned.
All info given based on personal experience. Your experience may or may not be similar. I am not a tour guide or operator but love Africa with a passion.
