IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER. 

 

1. Navigation Maps - Make sure one person per car has downloaded these navigation maps to their phone before you leave. 

 

    For andriod

    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.tracks4africa.nng.africa&hl=en

 

    For apple

    https://itunes.apple.com/za/app/tracks4africa-overland-navigator/id594481543?mt=8&ls=1

 

    There is also a Tracks 4 Africa Travel guide (free) but so far only available for apple:

    https://itunes.apple.com/za/app/tracks4africa-guide/id918481937?mt=8

 

These apps do not require bandwidth as they work off GPS. It may require an update when you arrive in Africa so please connect to WiFi once you arrive and check the app actually works before you leave Lesedi. 

 

2. Water - Always have lots of water in your car, it can get hot and dry during the day. We will be providing each person with a Dtours water bottle. It is fine to drink the tap water in quite a few of the places we stay. If you need to buy water please buy containers that the locals will reuse. 

 

3. Basic First Aid Kit - Handy to include an antibiotic cream, steroid cream, pain killers, antidiarrhea medicine and some antibiotics. Maybe motion sickness tablets and a broad band flu antibiotic.

 

4. Knife or Leatherman - Just remember not to pack this in your hand luggage. 

 

5. Maps  - Each vehicle will be provided with one copy of the the Tracks for Africa Botswana map which covers the entire route.  If you want to purchase another or the accompanying Botswana Self Drive Guide book go to https://tracks4africa.co.za/shop/ (They are currently printing a New Botswana map – we have been in coms with Tracks and I have to contact them at the end of march – they will send these to me).

 

6. Permits - Travel and vehicle permits will be provided by the vehicle hire company. 

 

7. Visas - Please check whether or not you require a visa - it will depend on your passport. 

 

8. Copies of Passport and Insurance Policy - Please take 3 certified copies of your passport with you and a copy of your travel insurance policy. When asked for your passport it is best to hand over a certified copy of your passport rather than the actual thing. Make sure you are covered by your travel insurance policy for South Africa, Botswana, Namibia Zambia (and Zimbabwe if you want to add that country on for a day trip). 

 

9. International Drivers Licence - At least one international drivers licence per car which are available to be purchased online. This is not compulsory but always good to have one JUST IN CASE!

 

CLOTHING

As space in the vehicles is tight, pack minimum clothes for expedition. If you are bringing a hard bag on the plane make sure you have a soft bag to repack your gear for in the car. If you are travelling with the main group, Lesedi can arrange to store extra bags and have them delivered to Joberg  airport for your departing flight. 

 

Remember it is winter so will be cool in the mornings and evenings.  In the night temperatures can drop below 0 degrees. LAYERS ARE THE BEST.

 

• Boots or comfortable walking shoes

• Alternative footwear for the evenings (closed shoes are best in winter)

• Thongs/flipflops for shower

• A lightweight rain coat for Victoria Falls although this can be hired at the falls. Unless you are travelling to Cape Town, you shouldn’t see rain on the trip.

• Shirts – long sleeve and short sleeve

• Shorts

• Belt

• Long pants/jeans

• Warm Jersey/puffer for the cool nights and mornings.

• Beanie and scarf

• Sleep wear – thermal leggings and top could come in handy or tracksuit.

• Sun hat

• Towel

• Swimming costume

• Underwear/socks

• Laundry Bag

 

PERSONAL

• Cash USD and credit cards. Remember to let your bank know you will be travelling to Africa so they don’t think there is any fraudulent use of cards.

• Sunglasses

• Insect repellant best to purchase in SA when you arrive

• Sunscreen and lip balm

• Toiletries

• Personal medications

• Tissues and toilet paper

• Earplugs

• Mirror

• Handwipes (Always handy for the car)

 

EQUIPMENT AND  MISCELLANEOUS 

• Camera with charging cable and spare camera cards with lots of gigabytes. Tripod if required

• Phone charger with cradle to mount the phone.

• Warm sleeping bag rated to around 0 degrees. Silk liner if you have one.

• Binoculars - buy, beg or borrow the best ones you can.  You will want at least one pair per couple. The best brands are Swarovski, Zeiss and Leica, but some other quality brands with good optics and great value for money are Vortex, Leupold, Nikon, Vanguard and Bushnell. Make sure they are nitrogen filled and ideally 42 x 10.

• Animal and Bird Guides – Having an animal and bird guide book per vehicle is very handy. Here are 2 recommendations:

       

        Roberts:https://itunes.apple.com/za/app/roberts-vii-multimedia-birds/id556554062?mt=8

 

        'https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.sabirding

 

        Sasol: https://itunes.apple.com/za/app/sasol-ebirds-southern-africa/id332205031?mt=8

 

         https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.coolideas.eproducts.ebirds&hl=en

 

         These can usually be purchased at Joberg Airport, or in South Africa or online before you go. 

 

• Head torch essential.

• Simple battery powered lantern for your table at night would come in handy. 

• Remember spare batteries for both your head torch and lantern.

• Chargers/cable for all your electronic gear to charge in car cigarette lighter. 

• Wall plug convertor. Can buy at airport. The cars are fitted with SA plugs

• Gifts for villages e.g. We will be providing each car with 200 pens and 10 deflated soccer balls. You can never have enough pens, pencils with erasers. Pads or exercise books are good as well as coloured pencils. 

• Padlocks – for the vehicles (some times easier than the key)

• Fanny pack/ Waist bag – for your items that you need to keep safe – Passports/ Cash etc

• Travel Clothes Line/Pegs – for anyone that wants to do a bit of washing.

 

SOME OTHER HANDY SUGGESTIONS

These items caused a little campsite envy on the last trip. The small items you can bring from home and larger ones can be bought in Africa and donated to a village on the return trip.

• Pillows 

• Packing organisers i.e. Small zippered soft bags with mesh fronts for breaking down packing into smaller cells.  Available at Kathmandu

• Lanyard for car keys

• Thermos for on the road

• VHS Radio sets to communicate between cars.

• USB cigarette charger with multiple outlets

• Power Bank -  compact device that stores electrical energy and allows you to connect to it as a power source for recharging phones etc

• Each car comes with a SA power socket so multi plug would be very handy.

• Shewee and or large mouthed bottle with lid for use in tricky situations.

• Items that might not be in the car kitchen. These could be purchased at the supermarket once you have inspected your car. Peeler,tongs,grater, can opener, Salad Bowl etc. There are large stores nearby, from which you can purchase these if needed. The cars are very well kitted out this time.

• Travel alarm clock