The deadline for votes may be drawing nearer, but we’re not slowing down. It’s #traveltuesday over on Twitter and our travel appetites are more voracious than ever!
As always, Tuesday is the day for the Packing Advice Column, when we show you what to expect when you’re on the road. And now, in the last week of voting, what could be more appropriate than previewing the last stage of your journey? Today we’ll look at what you’ll need to keep in mind when visiting Africa.
The African leg of the prize is a 57-day expedition that starts in Kenya and winds all the way down to South Africa’s ‘Mother City’, Cape Town. You’ll be spotting the big five, tracking mountain gorilla, exploring the oldest desert on the planet and soaking up the sun on the white sands of Zanzibar. So let’s take a look at some of the practical considerations...
You may need a generator of some kind in order to charge your video equipment; though you will have access to power at certain campsites. If you ask nicely, you should be able to charge up using the truck’s power supply. Although the truck is equipped with first aid equipment, you should also pack your own first aid kit for nicks, cuts and grazes that you may pick up along the way. You’re in the wild! These things happen...
The weather in Africa is – as you might expect – hot most of the time. But over 57 days, you’ll need to be prepared for pretty much everything from blazing hot sunshine to very cool night-time conditions and period rain showers. It can get very cool on early morning and late evening game drives, so bring warm gear too!
This list is intended as rough guide for when packing. Aim to travel light! Remember to make room for local purchases.
• Rucksack, Sleeping bat & roll mat - essential, wash bag inc. toiletries, sanitation, day pack rucksack, foam/inflatable sleep mat
• Water bottle, medical kit, money belt, pocket knife (don’t pack it in hand luggage when flying), torch, high factor sunscreen & lip balm, DEET based insect repellent, small sewing kit
• 1 pair sturdy walking boots, 1 pair sandals/trainers
• 2 pair shorts, Laundry bag for soiled clothes, 1 warm sweater/fleece, , 3 or more tee shirts, 2 long sleeved tops, 1 pair long trousers/jeans, towel and swimwear, waterproof anorak/windbreaker
• Writing material or travel diary
• Binoculars, camera, plenty of film, spare batteries
• Hat and sunglasses
• Gloves if doing the gorilla trek.
Wow, what an exciting thought: 57 days in Africa, tracking the most spectacular animals on the planet.
Winding up in Cape Town, you’ll look back on 6 glorious months of travel, having seen some of the most incredible sights on earth. But that’s a long way off. In the meantime, you need to get those votes in! Keep going everyone... you’ve only got till the 30th of September!
Team GROM
