Recharging camera batteries
 

Hi,
We are looking to do a camping safari through Kenya & Tanzaniz (approx 15 days) but have a digital SLR that does not take AA batteries. The camera takes its own battery that has to be charged on a special charger. I was wondering if anyone can let me know if there is power at most of the camp sites? Or would it better to purchase another camera?
Thanks
Amie

A couple of batteries would be cheaper than a new camera

ditto....

You can go to batterybarn.com and they are very competitive and a good retailer or the easiest is to get a car charger.

All auto/car chargers are universal. You are going to be in a van/car/land rover/land cruiser each and every day. They all have multiple charging areas. Charge while you are game viewing and then you don't have to worry when you get to your accommodations.

We were in Kenya and Tanzania in Oct. 2005 and used an Olympus digital camera with a lithium battery. It came with a charger unit. We recharged the battery in-between game drives and every night in the shaver outlet in the bathroom (we stayed at lodges) and had no problems. Also recharged our electric toothbrush.

Be aware that the electricity is often on only during certain hours -- I got faked out a couple of times when I plugged my charger in before bed, and couldn't figure out why the batteries weren't charged in the morning. There was no power from midnight to 6 am! But each lodge/camp is different, and it also depends on how long a charging cycle you need.

Buy 3 or so of the rechargeable batteries. It's not that much $ given the value of your photos. Then if you go for a few days without being able to charge them, you will have back-ups. Just be sure to check on the power set-up at each place you go to, and recharge whenever an outlet is available. (Best bet is to charge them while you eat dinner, when you know the power is on!)

Just to add to this, I know that Tanzania is 240. What are the prongs like 2 or 3 round or are they rectangle. Tks. We are going next Feb. Tks.

The plugs in Tanzania and Kenya are the 3 pin square type, the same as UK plugs.

I was camping at the beginning of the year and took 5 batteries with me for my camera so that I didn't have the worry of running out. However, if you have an adapter which will plug into the cigarette lighter in the jeep they are usually quite happy to charge the batteries for you while you are on the move. Just hope that not everyone else in the car has the same idea!