Converter or Transformer?
 

Is there anything that would need a full-blown transformer for travel in Africa? The electrical appliances I plan on bringing are a battery charger, an iPod charger, and a laptop.

Thanks in advance.

See if they are rated something like 110 - 240 V ... if so all you need is an adapter plug.

Most recent devices have these dual voltage power supplies but some older items may not ... we have one older Quantum external flash battery pack (110-120V only) that needs a separate transformer for example, but the other six or seven devices we take are all fine with just adapter plugs.

Bill

Unless you have a camera whose batteries only charge from mains (Eos 1 etc) then no . Most camps will charge batteries, you could also investigate the possiblity of car chargers, but first make sure the vehicles have cigarette lighters that are in use.

As Bill indicated, look for dual voltage.

Although most new items are dual, not all are. We did not check our new JBL speakers for the iPod and fried them on first use.

Or inverter?