Before coming to Africa - East Africa -- Prepare yourself!

Preparation for the trip, there are the shots and most likely you will get lots of them, typhoid, yellow-fever and the like.  It is best that you get such shots at a travel clinic since they will know what shots to give you for the area of Africa you are visiting.  You will also receive your International Health Card which is a document required for entry in some countries such as Uganda, even though it is not examined, it has to be there. 

There is the selection of the right anti-malarial drug , some which have a tendency to give side effects such as mefloquine or larium.  It used to give me nightmares and more.  I use doxycycline most of the time,(you can purchase doxycycline made in India in East Africa for as little as $2.50, in the USA it would be over 25 times more expensive) while Melarone is the best but also costs the most.  Since I am claustrophobic and hate mosquito nets, at the end of the day I came down with malaria four times in 1997.  In some places like the highlands of Kenya and Rwanda the chances of contracting malaria from a mosquito are minimal, but it is best to be cautious, wear clothing that covers the skin at night and unlike me use your mosquito net.

As you get ready for your visit, there is the choice of clothing, it depends whether you are going during the rainy seasons (short and long rains) and what you are planning to do.  Modest clothing is a recommendation, if you are going to work in Africa, if you are visiting I would suggest that you do not look like some imitation Bwana type or big hunter in your safari outfits, nice touch, but they make you stand out.  Comfortable boots, shoes, clothing that reflects the sun, a hat of some type.

You do not need to bring your own mosquito netting, you can buy it inexpensively in Africa at any market.  You should bring things such as film, (film is expensive in Africa) first aid kit, Imodium (you might need it at one time or another), some gifts for people who you will meet along the journey (no chocolate, it melts).  I always had large quantities of Jolly Rancher's candy with me, and they proved to be a winner with kids of all ages and adults. Do not bring a bunch of bottled water, which you can buy in most places in Africa.

Money, you might need some and it is good to have along.  Credit cards are accepted at most major hotels, but East Africa still operates on cash.  Traveler Checks are fine, but you will have to convert them into cash at banks or hotels for a fee in many cases.  If you use Bank of America Debit card, you can access your account trough any Barclay Bank ATM machine and without a fee for the use of the service.

Now comes packing the suitcases.  Don't pack valuable things inside of them.  I have lost two Grundig Short-Wave Radios, a camera and some cd's coming into Nairobi.  That is just the reality of life and can happen anywhere, but it usually happened to me there.  Keep in mind that all suitcases and belongings not carried onto the plane are x-rayed.  I used to take a wet towel with me to wipe off the chalk mark on the suitcase, which was a signal for customs to inspect it.  Usually your suitcases are not inspected in Kenya or Uganda, but it has happened.  Uganda is better about it.  In Rwanda everyone's suitcase is gone through and inspected in a courteous and professional manner.

One of the most important parts of the preparation for your trip is the gathering of information.  I was always amazed how little westerners knew about Africa, or the country they were visiting.  The average library in the U.S.A. has outdated material regarding Africa and often is of little use.  Most bookstores are similar.  The Internet is one of your best tools.  Start out with history, how the country or countries came into being.   have found the BBC series (African History from the Dawn of Time) very helpful.  It was written by Africans and is informative and educational.  You can also get the latest news from Africa.  While in Africa, BBC gives you the best news in English.  It is the international news-service of choice for most English speaking Africans.  I would also recommend that you would start reading newspapers from the countries your will be visiting in my "African Links" page has some of them.  This way you will know what is happening, have a chance to get a feel for the country and see what the weather is like.  Africans are usually more informed about us then we are about them. 

Buy a journal and take it with you,  record your encounters, thoughts, emotions.  It certainly keeps your trip alive long after you have returned home.  Most of all enjoy the journey; the people you will meet will enrich your life as they have mine.  Africa changes you, you will never be the same...jon

If you need travel advice for Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, feel free to write to me.  If you would like to go on Safari in East Africa, feel free to write and tell me what you would like to see and do and I will attempt to be of help to you...

Last updated: 06 May 2008

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