Namibia questions
Aug 26th, 2003, 12:48 AM
#1
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Namibia questions
Our 2 week trip is just a month away!!
What sort of electrical plugs do they use? The same as Europe (the continent)?
Do we need to take hiking shoes, or will tennies (trainers, athletic shoes, etc) suffice for general stomping around? I think we'll take some guided walks but we don't have plans for any major hiking.
Thanks!
What sort of electrical plugs do they use? The same as Europe (the continent)?
Do we need to take hiking shoes, or will tennies (trainers, athletic shoes, etc) suffice for general stomping around? I think we'll take some guided walks but we don't have plans for any major hiking.
Thanks!
Aug 26th, 2003, 11:38 AM
#2
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This is just a guess - but it should be the same as used in South Africa, as they were part of SA until about 10-12 yrs. ago.
Is this for camera equipment or hairblower, curling iron?
If you have a kit of plugs there should be one marked for Africa, however, if I recall that one didn't work for me, and I don't recall which one I used. Magellan's catalog has a page of plugs for worldwide use, but the one listed for SA is grounded and I don't ever remember seeing an outlet that looked like it would accommodate the plug.
If, however, we've always found that hotels/lodges have extra plugs for guests, even a hairblower if you need, if one isn't permanently available in your room.
As far as shoes - wear what you know you'll be most comfortable in. I don't believe it's necessary to buy special hiking shoes if this isn't going to be your main activity. And you certainly don't want to break in new shoes on a vacation. Do remember to have socks and any items needed for possible blisters, scrapes, cuts, etc.
Is this for camera equipment or hairblower, curling iron?
If you have a kit of plugs there should be one marked for Africa, however, if I recall that one didn't work for me, and I don't recall which one I used. Magellan's catalog has a page of plugs for worldwide use, but the one listed for SA is grounded and I don't ever remember seeing an outlet that looked like it would accommodate the plug.
If, however, we've always found that hotels/lodges have extra plugs for guests, even a hairblower if you need, if one isn't permanently available in your room.
As far as shoes - wear what you know you'll be most comfortable in. I don't believe it's necessary to buy special hiking shoes if this isn't going to be your main activity. And you certainly don't want to break in new shoes on a vacation. Do remember to have socks and any items needed for possible blisters, scrapes, cuts, etc.
Aug 27th, 2003, 06:29 AM
#4
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Hi,
About the plugs: I typed "electrical plugs of the world" into google and this site was first on the hitlist: http://kropla.com/electric2.htm
You should be able to buy adapters in most supermarkets / travel shops (you certainly can in SA).
Hope this helps.
About the plugs: I typed "electrical plugs of the world" into google and this site was first on the hitlist: http://kropla.com/electric2.htm
You should be able to buy adapters in most supermarkets / travel shops (you certainly can in SA).
Hope this helps.
Aug 27th, 2003, 07:18 AM
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Peep
I remember the sand getting in EVERYWHERE and it's incredibly fine - much finer than regular sand. Because my shoes (a cross between hiking boots and soft trainers) were a sort of suede like finish the sand really adhered to them. I'd go for something with a smoother/ easy clean surface.
Walking in sand is also tiring on the ankles (for me anyway) so I was glad I had my higher ankle style rather than low cut trainer shoes.
But really, unless you're intending to do a lot of walking/ hiking your best bet is to take whatever is most comfortable.
You don't need to worry about looking smart for this trip, if you were, I don't know.
Kavey
I remember the sand getting in EVERYWHERE and it's incredibly fine - much finer than regular sand. Because my shoes (a cross between hiking boots and soft trainers) were a sort of suede like finish the sand really adhered to them. I'd go for something with a smoother/ easy clean surface.
Walking in sand is also tiring on the ankles (for me anyway) so I was glad I had my higher ankle style rather than low cut trainer shoes.
But really, unless you're intending to do a lot of walking/ hiking your best bet is to take whatever is most comfortable.
You don't need to worry about looking smart for this trip, if you were, I don't know.
Kavey
I think I'll leave the boots at home, take my tennies and pray that no snakes bite my ankles. ar ar ar (At least I hope it's ar ar ar!)
Aug 27th, 2003, 12:31 PM
#10
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Peep - An after-thought from a friend recently in Namibia.
While it's a good idea to at least wear high socks when doing the dunes in case any critters decide to attack - he did mention that most people found it easier to walk the dunes "barefoot"!
Guess it's because we all know how difficult it is walking in sand especially the uphill part which can take close to an hour to get to top of Big Daddy.
However, returning down the dunes he mentioned that most people tumbled alot and wound up with lots of sand in everything. Very uncomfortable on the drive back to camp as there really wasn't a good place to shakes it all out or clean yourself off properly.
These are just little asides to keep in mind - then it's up to you.
While it's a good idea to at least wear high socks when doing the dunes in case any critters decide to attack - he did mention that most people found it easier to walk the dunes "barefoot"!
Guess it's because we all know how difficult it is walking in sand especially the uphill part which can take close to an hour to get to top of Big Daddy.
However, returning down the dunes he mentioned that most people tumbled alot and wound up with lots of sand in everything. Very uncomfortable on the drive back to camp as there really wasn't a good place to shakes it all out or clean yourself off properly.
These are just little asides to keep in mind - then it's up to you.
Aug 27th, 2003, 12:46 PM
#11
As far as the electric plugs - we needed 2 of them. One (big) was a 3-prong plug/adaptor that you plugged into the wall. The second one (small) had 2 round prongs that plugged into the 3 prong adaptor and it accepted the the US flat prongs.
This type was necessary where we were in Namibia and South Africa. I only took the smaller one and couldn't use it without the other.
I bought the one I took (the smaller one) from a travel website and it said it was for SA but it was not all that was necessary. I understand you can buy the bigger one in their grocery stores but we were "in the bush" before we discovered mine didn't work.
This type was necessary where we were in Namibia and South Africa. I only took the smaller one and couldn't use it without the other.
I bought the one I took (the smaller one) from a travel website and it said it was for SA but it was not all that was necessary. I understand you can buy the bigger one in their grocery stores but we were "in the bush" before we discovered mine didn't work.
Aug 28th, 2003, 05:49 AM
#13
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Peep-
You can also charge your batteries in a car cigarette lighter with an adapter plug. The battery charger we bought came with that plug. We bought the Power-ex MH-C401FS from Thomas Distributing on the internet. It can do a slow charge, 5 hours, or fast charge in 100 minutes. We were able to find the right converter plug for the camp we are staying at, but the cigarette lighter one is a good back up in the field. Liz
You can also charge your batteries in a car cigarette lighter with an adapter plug. The battery charger we bought came with that plug. We bought the Power-ex MH-C401FS from Thomas Distributing on the internet. It can do a slow charge, 5 hours, or fast charge in 100 minutes. We were able to find the right converter plug for the camp we are staying at, but the cigarette lighter one is a good back up in the field. Liz
