8 weeks to Zambia - List

Old Apr 4th, 2006, 07:15 PM
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We don't leave until June 15, and although I'm not ordinarily a list maker, I'm using this thread to start one for this trip. Thanks for the great ideas.
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Old Apr 4th, 2006, 07:37 PM
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I disagree about taking a lot of $1's. Staying 2-3 days at a camp, you'll use more $5's and $10's tipping, there's not many people you'd only give $1 to. (even the guy who walks you to your tent each night deserves at least a 5 for keeping you safe!) The higher the bill, the more kwacha the guides and staff get when they cash it in to their local currency (at least that's how it is in Zambia) I'd take 25-50 ones, the rest 5,10,20. Don't forget to leave some money apart from your "stash" for your layover in London and your $5.00 airport tax out of Lusaka!
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Old Apr 5th, 2006, 12:03 AM
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Since we will be going to Southern Africa in October, I've recently learned about this forum and have been following it for about a month or so. I haven't really had anything to add until now. I usually bring an extension cord which I can plug into a converter/adapter so that I have several outlets which are compatible with my U.S. plugs and so that I can recharge the many types of batteries we tend to bring these days without having to rely on the position of an outlet where I'm staying. I've found this to be convenient and have not had a problem with it. BTW, if anyone thinks that this would be unsafe, I would appreciate your feedback.
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Old Apr 5th, 2006, 01:41 AM
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All the camps will have an office or safe u can use while there....if they havent ask y not!
So not too much stress on where to keep your money
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Old Apr 5th, 2006, 04:11 AM
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Hi Cooncat,

I hate long international flights, but you have to do them to go gameviewing! I cannot imagine anyone loving money belts or bum bags, but I use a slightly bigger bum bag, that I keep all passports, tickets, wallets and cash in. Then I am not in and out of the backpack, and on the flight I have it beside me and partly under my thigh, so that if I fall asleep, I know where it is and it is not accessable to anyone else in an overhead locker. It is also handier at airports when you are forever showing passports and boarding cards to everyone.

At lodges, I always put all memory cards, used and unused film, and passports, cash, tickets in the safe in my room and I have never had trouble. The cameras are always with me. I rarely lock the door to the room unless I am in it at night.

For the beginning trips, I took every medication I could possibly need. Now I take my medication, bandages and bandaids, headache tablets, clean needles and that is it. I have never used all that other stuff, but I do seem to have a good strong stomach.

I am quite happy for you to ramble, as I have also picked up a good tip,about emailing yourself copies of your passport etc.

Kind regards,
Kaye
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Old Apr 5th, 2006, 07:15 AM
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Sharon, thanks for the question. I'm still almost 5 months from my first safari, but am gathering all the information I can and found some new tips (to me, at least) here. Here is another thread: http://tinyurl.com/ndsko that may be of some help.

Happy travels!

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Old Apr 5th, 2006, 04:50 PM
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These are all great and thanks nevermind... I had read that thread before, but it's good to have the link. Now I need to get some paper and a pencil down here and take notes!

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Old Apr 5th, 2006, 11:09 PM
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Cash - besides new version, should be "fresh" looking.
Here's another one, new to me. Make scans of your important documents and email them to yourself. Then if you need them you open your email and there it is. Of course this requires an internet connection and printer. So maybe not so useful in Zambia. Just an idea, never mind.
regards - tom
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Old Apr 6th, 2006, 05:21 AM
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Lighting seems to be a problem everywhere, so bring a portable clip type book light. Mine has a alarm clock and temp. gauge - very handy for clothes decisions. DH also had a watch with an alarm for malerone reminders and morning wake up backup.

Bring lots of extra batteries for this and everything else.
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Old Apr 6th, 2006, 05:28 AM
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p.s. Not all the camps I stayed at had safes btw. Others that did, had them in areas that weren't convenient to get to.
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Old Apr 6th, 2006, 04:12 PM
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cooncat,
Ready yet? This post has been most helpful to me, as I'm about two weeks behind you and have been procrastinating like crazy. Finally called for seat assignments today.

Lynn, great idea about the envelopes.
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Old Apr 6th, 2006, 06:04 PM
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OK. I wasn't going to post this but I guess we are all friends here, right? I had the STRANGEST dream last night. It was in bits and pieces, as dreams can be, so follow as best you can.

I was in Zambia. First, I was being driven to a camp by a Zambian. Only it was in MY car. Fast forward, and I am in Lusaka I think. (I've never been there, so I can't say for sure.) I have some sort of a long layover there for some reason. As time goes on we realize that I haven't packed everything. It's like this long, drawn out drama... first I realize I don't have my dop kit - no meds, no nothing. Then I realize that I don't have my sandals and that my main bag is only partially packed. Finally, horror of all horrors, I have failed to bring my photo gear. So I am being helped to get a note to a postal station or Fed Ex type place because people are telling me that if I get a note to my mother in the states, I can get ALL my stuff Fed-Exed to me overnight. So I am fretting, trying to figure out how to explain to my mom what I need sent over.

Ultimately I come to realize that the bag I've brought over is the one I "practice packed" at home and therefore was not fully packed. And true to my form with dreams, the two couples trying to help me through it all? Reese Witherspoon and her husband, Ryan Phillipe and Jude Law and Sienna Miller, who, at least in my dream were very much still together. (Actors, in case you all have more of a life than me.)

So you can all see that I really would not do well with Larium.
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Old Apr 6th, 2006, 06:09 PM
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Sharon, that sounds like the kind of dream I would have.
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Old Apr 6th, 2006, 06:12 PM
  #34  
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Sharon:
OK, that was a total hoot and we don't need Freud to interpret it!

My not-so-learned-opinion about dream interpretation is that since you worked out your "worst nightmare" in a, hmm, what should we call it --oh, yeah, a NIGHTMARE--that there is NO chance that you will forget any of your important stuff.



Leely:
Yay! Calling for seat assignments is a major getting-close-to-the-trip moment. Congrats.
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Old Apr 6th, 2006, 06:18 PM
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Bat - from your mouth to the gods' ears!!!!
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Old Apr 6th, 2006, 08:07 PM
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just wait til you start dreaming of talking elephants! That should come when you are two weeks out from your departure. Make sure your dream packing doesn't come true as there is no such thing as FedEX overnight to Lusaka! How many times have you practiced packing so far? Isn't it fun. I went back and forth on those "suck the air out of the clothes" bags (as seen on TV) I can't count the number of times I put them in the bags, sucked them out, packed them without the bag and on and on. Turns out you can cram more stuff in the nooks and crannies without the bag.
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Old Apr 6th, 2006, 09:37 PM
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I agree that you need smaller bills, but, given the length of stay at the camps, I would also agree that the $5 and $10 bills will be handier. Still, I take about 50 $1 bills. I usually sit down and calculate what I plan to spend and what size bills I'll need...(okay, so I'm an accountant!)

The other thing you'll need to check on is to not only take the newer style bills, but make sure that they are not torn or marked in any way. Overseas banks must process these types of bills differently to get them back into the US, so they won't accept them. Hence, the people you're tipping or buying from know this and also won't accept them.

Moneybelts...I always use one, but wear it in the back and hardly notice it being on. I also have a small billfold for any money that I might need for the day. That way, I don't have to "undress" to get at my funds.
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Old Apr 7th, 2006, 04:06 AM
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Cooncat,
bats right, you don't need an expert to interpret those dreams - packing dilemma dreams. Your dream did offer solutions though - point being, if you forget something, you can always count on fedex - although it may take awhile.
Also, at least your cohorts were attractive young and entertaining.
Really though, remember your camera, the malerone and your undies. All the rest is gravy .
Sherry
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Old Apr 7th, 2006, 07:01 AM
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Between the strange dreams and those air sucking bags, I'll be laughing through lunch!
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Old Apr 7th, 2006, 07:16 AM
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Then I read the dream sequence that was accidentally posted in the wrong thread, on Southern Tanzania, and it was even funnier!
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