Congratulations and good choice in choosing Acacia Africa! As we are approaching our 4th week of overlanding, sitting on the back of the truck with average and not a great selection of reads left, we’ve decided to take the time to help you prepare for your adventure of a life time. While some of these may seem a little bit excessive, trust us – there will be a time and place when you will thank us!
Essentials:
- 40-page first aid kit including a gastro kit, plus a utility belt to hold the emergency items in: Just come up with a credible excuse as to why you’re so geared up to avoid questioning.
- Head torch, hand torch, lantern, and a lifetime supply of batteries: A head torch is probably more than enough. You can even wear it as a necklace and have the light strategically illuminating your cleavage/pectorals.
- Interesting books preferably in English: You’ll go through at least 4. Bring 2 along to read and then donate it to the truck library for others to enjoy.
- iPod: Each truck is equipped with an mp3 dock for you to put yourself and your music out there and let everyone silently judge you.
- SLR camera, point and shoot camera and head camera: One of the first two – depending on what type of photos you’re after – is sufficient. For those heavy into adventure sport, pack the third.
- Hat, 30+ sunscreen, chapstick and aloe vera cream: You will get sunburnt (malaria tablets make skin extra sensitive to light).
- Travel-size pillow and blanket: Theft of your airline’s sleeping kit has proven ideal. Desperate times, call for desperate measures.
- Sleeping bag fit for weather: Sleeping bags fit for sub-zero temperatures in spring or summer would displease even the Dalai Lama himself.
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate and visas: Depends on where you’re going this could be a MUST. Immigration borders are not “mzunga” (white person) friendly at the best of times.
- Clothes to cover shoulders and knees if you are female: Respecting religious custom in countries such as Tanzania with a high Muslim population.
- Mosquito spray, mosquito net, electronic repellant gadget and repellant wristband: Bring them ALL. Mosquitos are not your friends. As our driver Paul “Paulina” Snow would say, “malaria is veeery , veeery serious my friends”.
- Walking shoes: Unless you want hippo poo between your toes.
- Worn-in flip-flops: The worn-in part is very important. A few of us are sporting some much unwanted weeping foot sores.
- Bargain underwear: Any place you can buy 6 for a $1.50, do it.
- Adaptor: The trucks take both South-African and English plugs.
- Wipes: The toilets and showers have been very, very interesting. These prove very helpful for “bush toilet” stops.
Optionals:
- Friend of the same size and preferably gender: Twice the wardrobe.
- Body bag: Handy for when you need to write down the rules of ‘King’s Cup’ drinking game of course.
- Bulk buy cheap pens to give to village kids: It’s all they ask for!
- Binoculars and swimming goggles: A little too enthusiastic but they have been mentioned here and there throughout the trip.
- Multi-vitamins: Boost that immune system.
- Swahili phrase book: T.I.A (This is Africa) man, T.I.A.
- Things you can give away: Handy bargaining tools for sellers such as Mr Vegemite (especially at beautiful Kande Beach!).
- Usb: If you want to take some funky African beats back home.
Written by: Catherine Pham – Travelled on our East African Explorer (EAE29) tour that departed on the 30th August 2012