atravelynn. As a matter of rather vague interest and more out of frivolity, do Tilley produce their smalls in the same material as their hats?
If so, OUCH.

My heart skipped a beat when I read your title, because we are also leaving soon too! (Sept 6) And I think thyroid cancer is one of the easiest to be rid of because it's a self-contained gland (I think & hope) so you have lots and lots of reasons to feel very excited and very happy!

You didn't say where in Africa you are going. Tanzania? Have you gotten the YF already? Mosquito repellent? (With lots of DEET).

I'm surprised atravelynn didn't mention lip balm. We're taking doubles because of her suggestion.

Gosh there's so much to think about! I'm going to make the same post in a couple of days...when I get the time that is.

I'll be meeting up with moneyburns in Masai Mara. So excited to be meeting her!

Have a great, great safari! Maybe we'll cross paths?

FrankS- I have to admit I got the idea our infectious disease MD also had an RN that needed practice with injections. I really didn't expect to get so many!

Any one on this forum have trouble with Malarone? Specifically hallucinations?? An MD I work with and another friend of mine said they did and wound up getting different pills (in Kenya) that their guide suggested. Their guide told them they hear about side effects quite often.

21days, 23hours,29min and some odd secs before take-off!!

Malarone is supposed to be the most side-effect free drug available. But I think some people who are sensitive to other drugs may have some. We'll be taking Malarone, DEET spray, and treating our clothing with Permethrin.

Cough drops - took two large bags and used them all -- I don't know if it was dusty roads or a cold; malarone was okay for ten days or so -- then I had some GI issues (I was advised to take immodium every day for that) and when I came home some achy muscle/weakness issues (not debilitating, just annoying). I think it is the once a week anti-malarial that has the hallucination problems (can't recall the name).

I like to read and took used mass market paperbacks and left them at the various lodges/camps after I had finished them. I like to think of my books sitting in the small "libraries" at Kirawira and Selous Safari Camp :-)

Malarone is supposed to have the least side-effects if those taking follow the protocol of taking with "dairy" products - mild, cheese, yogurt. Whichever pill, take with food. Lariam is the one known for halucinations or weird dreams. Have taken both and never a problem with either.

Traveling now in "winter" in East Africa, doubt you'll even see a mosquito, so while you should have repellent, no more than 30% Deet required... any more is poison and not something I'd want to breathe in. Nor is there any reason to spray your clothing; it's overkill... and East Africa is not the Amazon!

More important is sun protection against the Equatorial sun regardless what time of year visiting.

Thanks everyone for the info. I want to make sure all the wonderful things we are about to experience will be the real thing and not drug induced!!

Michelle, in regards to the visa you received from Kenya, I was told to get mine on arrival at the NBO airport.How long did it take for you to get one and where exactly did you get it? I leave Oct.1

Thank you,Max

Lip balm of course, Tinydancer.
DRJO, I am just imagining boat canvas undies, ha ha, ouch ouch. Wouldn't want to hike to the gorillas in those things.

Michelle, something else to consider--circulation hosiery. As I recall, the sizes are not S M L. Instead you have to measure things like knee to ankle distance and calf circumference.

Maxine, I would continue with your plan to get the visa upon arrival rather than mail your passport to the Kenyan Embassy in NYC or DC. Unless you live near a Kenyan embassy, you mail it. There is no problem getting the visa upon arrival and that way you don't part with your passport. I get mine on arrival, no problem.

thank you, will get visa at NBO

Hi all, thanks for all this info! Getting the visa took a week, Maxine19147. It was simple. I am getting in at night and was told you have to wait on an additional line and figured whatever hassle I could deal with prior to the flight, I would... since I am going to be exhausted. Atravelynn, I did get the circulation hosiery! Thanks for the tip! This forum rocks!!!!

So funny, just called the Obama floaty pen shop realizing it is just blocks from my home here in Philly. The owner cannot get over the amount of orders for these pens. I had to explain about this site. She is an adorable woman from Taiwan who is so thrilled with the increase in business!! She mentioned she also has a Obama coin... ;)

mkdude -

When you deplane in NBO, and arrive at Immigration there is only one line - either you have the Visa and stand on that one, or you have to purchase a Visa and stand on that one. So no, you do not wait on two lines. Both can be as long or short as the other.

Regardless which, you still have to wait for your luggage to come off the plane and this can take some time, so might as well have something to do... like buying y our Visa. I've never waited more than 10-15/min, often on the lower end. Just have application completed, hand over with passport and $$$ (no photos required) and you get your Visa... simple.

Thanks Sandi! Well, I am carrying my luggage and not checking it, so I wont have to wait... but good to know for next time that it wasnt a time saver! Still, I got it done... and its one less thing to worry about and have money for. Damn that Tanzania visa is pricey!!!

How much are these visas??

I think Tanzania is $100 and Kenya is $25? Cant remember exactly but I am pretty sure thats what it is.

In reading about the crisp new bills..can you advise approximately just how much cash should I have on me for an 8 day safari?

Hi,
What a great trip you will have! We are leaving on 9/11 for Zimbabwe and Botswana and struggled with luggage issues because of the small planes we will use. After trying several bags(prepacking) at home, we chose the eBags Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible at http://www.ebags.com It is now on sale for $50. We like that it can be a backpack (we have 5 hours in Frankfurt) or a carry-on. I am amazed at how much it holds, and, it is very well made.
Good luck and have fun!

Haha - I should be getting a kickback on those Obama pens! I wished I had bought twice as many. Maxine, you will need cash for tips for guides and souvenirs bought from the Masai (not shops). What is your itinerary?

Tanzania Visa - for US passport holders is USD$100 (good for 1/yr)... so you can return a few times till it expires. Most other countries is USD$50.

Kenya Visa - USD$25 till 31st Dec '10; thereafter back to USD$50. With this you can transit thru Kenya to Tanzania and back; even to Uganda and Rwanda.

Currency - USD do NOT have to be freshly minted (in your basement :) ), but should be in good condition, no older than 5/yrs so dated 2005 forward, with the new larger faces and tri-color green $20s, shades-of-tan $10s, purple 5 on rear of $5s. The $1s are still the $1s. No folds, tears, taped, stapled or recently washed in your jeans.

You can use USD most everywhere, but it's a good idea to obtain a small amount of local KSH (especially if spending anytime in Nairobi where they prefer their own currency most places) or TSH for roadside souvenirs. Local currency can be obtained at ATMs at Nairobi airport on arrival; current exchange is 70-80Ksh/USD$1. There are ATMs in/around Arusha and towns along the road to Ngorongoro; current exchange is about 1200-1300Tsh/USD$1. Personally, I've never exchanged USD to Tsh, only about $100 to Ksh.

Credit cards are accepted many places, but you should check before paying whether the establishment assesses a fee for use; can be 5% or higher. This is rare at restaurants or large shops, but lodges/camps often do. This, of course, in addition to the 3% foreign currency exchange fee many US credit cards assess, unless you have Cap 1 or another that doesn't.

Figure about $20-25/day towards tips (always at your discretion for service provided) - Guide $7-10/person; tracker (if you have) $3-5; lodge/camp staff (porters, housekeeping, waiters,chefs) $5-8; misc. $5 (if someone goes out of their way).