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useful info
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Visas
If a holder of a British, EEC, Australian, New Zealand or Canadian passport, many visas can be procured en route at the border. Please click here for further info or check our A-Z guide (available to download from the customer login section). Visa procurement remains the responsibility of the client and not that of on the go.
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Battery charging
Some people choose to bring camcorders, digital cameras, i-Pods, mobile phones & other appliances. Such equipment needs charging from time to time. It is suggested you bring along a transformer and adapter. If in doubt, check with an electrical retailer before you depart that you have the right combination for your trip. You will be able to charge your appliance from time to time at powered campsites. Sometimes, we get requests from people wishing to charge their appliance through possibly the cigarette lighter inside the truck cab. Charging of small appliances is at the discretion of expedition crew. |
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Health
Please note that the information contained in the chart below, though correct time of uploading, is subject to change. The medical information supplied is intended as guide and consultation with a medical professional is strongly recommended. It is recommended you contact a reputable travellers medical vaccination clinic, if seeking the most contemporary and up-to-date information on tropical medicine and requirements. Whilst you may not require a vaccination for perhaps one country, you may require it for a neighbouring country. Most travellers who visit and undertake a typical expedition or safari in Africa will require at least 4-5 vaccinations and need to embark on a course of Malaria prophylactics in advance of their journey.
Yellow Fever: Important Information for all travellers to Zambia, Malawi and East Africa: Please note that if you travel through a yellow fever risk area, you are required to have a yellow fever innoculation and carry the certificate to present to health officials when exiting into another country, or returning back home. South African border officials are no longer lenient regarding clients who do not carry their certificates with them and will not allow access into South Africa if you are not able to present this to them.
• Abbreviations:
* If you are entering a country from a Yellow Fever infected area you must have a valid International Yellow Fever certificate.
| R |
Recommended |
C |
COMPULSORY |
| HepA |
Hepatitis A |
HepB |
Hepatitis B |
| Rab |
Rabies |
Y/F |
Yellow Fever |
| Tet |
Tetanus |
Po |
Polio |
| Typ |
Typhoid |
Men |
Meningitis |
| Mal |
Malaria |
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Quick Reference Chart
| Country |
Tet |
Po |
HepA |
HepB |
Typ |
Men |
Rab |
Y/F |
Mal |
| Botswana |
R |
R |
R |
- |
R |
- |
R |
* |
R |
| DRCongo |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
| Kenya |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R* |
R |
| Malawi |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
- |
R |
C |
R |
| Morocco |
R |
R |
R |
- |
R |
R |
- |
- |
- |
| Namibia |
R |
R |
R |
- |
R |
- |
R |
* |
R |
| Rwanda |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
| South Africa |
R |
R |
R |
- |
R |
- |
- |
* |
R |
| Tanzania |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
C |
R |
| Uganda |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
- |
R |
C |
R |
| Zambia |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
- |
R |
C |
R |
| Zimbabwe |
R |
R |
R |
- |
R |
- |
- |
* |
R |
Vaccination procurement remains the responsibility of the client and not that of on the go.
First-aid kit aboard truck
We carry a professionally compiled expedition Medical First Aid Kit, which includes a general supply of drugs and dressings. Truck first aid kit useage is charged to all clients. The medical kit is not intended for long courses of treatment or day-to-day medical care. Indeed, if anyone has an accident or becomes ill, we insist that you visit a reputable hospital or doctor for professional opinion and treatment (at your own expense). You will be treated with basic supplies from our Medical First Aid Kit until the first opportunity arises to attend hospital, a clinic or seek the advice of a medical professional. Any further medical treatment beyond the basics supplied from our Medical First Aid Kit will be at the individual’s personal expense. Please note: no vaccinations AT ALL are carried in our onboard first-aid kit. All vaccinations require refrigeration and we don’t have this facility aboard the truck.
Personal first-aid kit
You should also pack your own first-aid kit, for treatment of common ailments such as nicks and grazes, insect bites, upset stomachs and diarrhoea. Items such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, throat lozenges, anti-diarrhoea medication such as Lomotil or Imodium, antiseptic ointment or powder, rehydration powders, multi-vitamins, Band-Aids, gauze dressings, sunscreen and any personal medicines used regularly such as oral contraceptives, Ventolin inhalators etc. should be considered for your personal first-aid kit. |
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Average max temp °C |
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Nairobi |
Capetown |
| Jan |
25 |
26 |
| Feb |
26 |
26 |
| Mar |
25 |
24 |
| Apr |
24 |
22 |
| May |
22 |
19 |
| Jun |
21 |
18 |
| Jul |
21 |
17 |
| Aug |
21 |
18 |
| Sep |
24 |
18 |
| Oct |
24 |
21 |
| Nov |
24 |
23 |
| Dec |
23 |
24 | | |
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Climate
There are two distinct seasons in East Africa - wet and dry. The dry season is the most popular time to travel because the grass is short, the water sources are fewer and far between and naturally wildlife tends to concentrate around it. In East Africa the dry season occurs roughly between December through March and again from June through October. For the rest of the year, bright and sunny days are punctuated by light showers and tropical downpours. The temperatures are warmer and the landscape is lushly regenerated. Rarely does it rain continuously day and night. Milder temps and higher humidity is experienced in Zimbabwe, Botswana and parts of Southern Africa during the rainy season which runs from January through March. Meanwhile, rain is very minimal in Namibia and also south at Cape Town with mild to very hot temperatures. From April through December, days are usually warm and sunny, with cool to very cool evenings. It will be necessary to drink plenty of water and keep the body hydrated, don a hat, apply sunscreen and gravitate towards the shade until your body becomes acclimatised. In the desert regions, the daytime temperatures can be arduous, particularly in Mauritania and Mali (on our Trans Africa expeditions only). After the sun sets in Africa, the night air can suddenly become very cool and temperatures can reduce by as much as 10 - 20degrees Celsius. It is a good idea to pack a long sleeved top and long pants to keep yourself warm during cooler evenings, when undertaking early morning or evening game drives, visiting the Ngorongoro Crater which can get very chilly and also to protect yourself from insects.
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Security
The biggest problem seems to be petty theft - including the usual pick pocketing and bag snatching. Unfortunately, perceived as wealthy, tourists do stand out in their bright clothing with matching rucksacks. The trick is to carry just a small amount of cash and leave anything of value in the on board truck safe. Cameras are an obvious exception. You can’t go on an expedition without your camera. We do suggest you carry your passport on your person for official identification, or better still a photocopy of the data pages. The truck features an onboard safe for valuables such as money, passport, and air tickets. We also recommend that you use a money belt.
Valuables should not be left in your tent, particularly when unattended. At times, it is a requirement the vehicle be guarded. On a roster basis, 2 or 3 people may need to remain with the truck when it stops at some points en route – i.e. – in townships or cities for usually short periods of time prior to the truck being parked up somewhere more secure for the evening. The crew will advise participants. |
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Money
How much you spend depends largely on individual tastes and often how much you eat, drink or shop. We currently recommend an average of USD$160 - 210 per week on top of optional excursions. We can’t specify every sundry cost however you need to allow for expenses such as drinks, snacks, small entry fees, border visas, occasional meals out, postage, the odd souvenir and accommodation and meals when you’re away from the truck - for example on Zanzibar (on expeditions that visit this island). Some days, you may spend very little. Other times, you may spend more.
Budget for optional excursions separately. Most have to be paid for in US Dollars cash. You’ll also need to pay the local payment in US Dollar cash. Credit cards are virtually useless outside main cities.
PLEASE DO NOT RELY ON DEBIT CARDS - ATM'S IN AFRICA TEND TO BE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN AND DO NOT ALWAYS ACCEPT DEBIT CARDS.
CASH IS KING in Africa.
Bring your funds in clean, unmarked US Dollars in a variety of denominations. If travelling in East Africa, please ensure that US Dollar notes are minted post-2003, as it will be difficult to change US bills that were minted prior to 2003. Possibly also carry some of your funds in US Dollar traveller cheques. There are some optional activities you will need to budget for, click here for details. Some are inexpensive, some are more expensive and appropriately priced for the level of inclusions. Details for all popular activities are given, in order that you correctly budget for those optional activities that suit you. Not everyone fancies the idea of bungying off Victoria Falls! |
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Food, glorious food
We have a cook in charge of group meal preparation but even with this bonus in place, we ask that everyone partakes in the preparation on a rota basis. The truck is stocked with basic staples before departure. Further provisions including fruit and vegetables, bread, meat and fish are purchased en route from provincial markets and shops. Whilst camping and with the truck, 1-3 meals a day are prepared. In larger towns, for example, Nairobi, Victoria Falls and Swakopmund, owing to the constraints of meal preparation and the understanding that people will be out and about enjoying themselves, preparation may be limited to 1 meal. In other words, why pay for a meal you’re not likely to eat?! Included meals are clearly detailed on respective expedition go guides. Dependent upon geographical location, meals and menus will vary to some extent, however the quality of food is usually very good, with an accent on tasty and healthy dishes. The BBQ grill is used for informal braais or barbecues, although we use gas for convenience and also to lessen the environmental impact. Where possible, we endeavour to eat a variety of local foods and gain introduction to dishes famed in the region we happen to be. From time to time, there’ll be a group meal, which is paid for individually. Additionally, it may sometimes prove tempting and convenient for you to have a snack-attack in the form of purchases from shops, markets and gas stations en route. Naturally, snack-attacks are a personal expense!
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Water
Whilst the truck carries drinking water supplies in large tanks, this measure is for emergency use or for when running water isn’t available. You’ll need to pack your own personal water bottle and buy or source perhaps at the campsite your own personal daily drinking water supply. Clean water is a luxury to many in Africa, but is readily available in most towns. If headed to an area where there are few shops or supplies, the crew will advise if it’s necessary for the group to purchase additional personal supplies. A brand called ‘Platypus’ make a durable personal water-bottle that folds flat when empty - ideal for slipping into your pack. These are available from good outdoor adventure stores.
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What to bring
This list is intended as rough guide for when packing. Aim to travel light! Remember to make room for local purchases.
• Rucksack
• Sleeping bag & roll mat - essential
• Inner sheet
• Wash bag inc. toiletries, sanitation
• Day pack rucksack
• Personal water bottle
• Foam/inflatable sleep mat
• Personal medical kit
• Money belt
• Pocket knife - don’t pack it in hand luggage when flying
• 1 pair sturdy walking boots
• Torch
• 1 pair sandals/trainers
• DEET based insect repellent
• Socks and underwear
• High factor sunscreen & lip balm
• 2 pair shorts
• Laundry bag for soiled clothes
• 1 warm sweater/fleece
• Small sewing kit
• 3 or more tee shirts
• Writing material or travel diary
• 2 long sleeved tops
• Binoculars
• 1 pair long pants/jeans
• Camera, plenty of film, spare batteries
• Towel and swimwear
• Waterproof anorak/windbreaker
• Hat and sunglasses
• gloves if doing the gorilla trek.
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