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Africa Trips- TIPS???
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Jan 13, 2021 18:05:47   #
Hip Coyote
 
Merlin1300 wrote:
I will NEVER go there !! I am blood type O+ and am a mosquito magnet.
Sure - malaria prophy exists - but no prophy against yellow fever (OK - immunization exists)
And no prophy against sleeping sickness.
I have downloaded more photos of lions, tigers, bears, than I will ever need.


Keep in mind that Africa is a vast continent. That would like saying you are not going to "America" because of Zika...meanwhile you are in British Columbia and the Zika virus is in Houston. It is that big. Capetown is like Santa Monica, California. We did not take anti-malarials there. We did in Zambia. Also, keep in mind that much of the continent is more desert like. In some of the bush in S. Africa and Namibia, there was not a mosquito within 500 miles of us.

FWIIW, went into the Amazon (a trip I would not suggest to my UHH friends because it just wasn't that fun) where malaria was a concern. Sprayed clothes with permethrin and used a good deet spray. Did not come back with one bite. I now use that tactic when I go fishing in the mountains...works quite well.

Also, FWIIW, we took altitude sickness medicine in Peru...that nearly killed me. Or should I say it took me out of commission for a day. First, it makes beer taste awful...a fate worse than death for me. Then, the real side effect was extreme pain in the groin area. (Not kidding). Had to call in a doctor. Was on a diet of pedialite for a day to get the drug out of my system. Went on to hike at high altitude and no problems. Never again for that med. Wow.

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Jan 13, 2021 18:14:26   #
marilyneg
 
Appreciate your concerns about mosquitoes, but in South Africa the seasons are reversed to that of the U.S. I went in July on my first trip (winter) and September on the second (spring). I did not see a mosquito. Also was told that in the winter, early spring and late fall it is less likely to see snakes. We had been warned to watch where we were walking within the grounds around the living area, and were told that if you see a snake, go a different direction. It is advisable to be current on immunizations and check with your Doctor regarding meds for malaria, etc. Some area they are recommended and other areas they are not felt to be needed.

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Jan 13, 2021 18:15:25   #
Hip Coyote
 
marilyneg wrote:
Appreciate your concerns about mosquitoes, but in South Africa the seasons are reversed to that of the U.S. I went in July on my first trip (winter) and September on the second (spring). I did not see a mosquito. Also was told that in the winter, early spring and late fall it is less likely to see snakes. We had been warned to watch where we were walking within the grounds around the living area, and were told that if you see a snake, go a different direction. It is advisable to be current on immunizations and check with your Doctor regarding meds for malaria, etc. Some area they are recommended and other areas they are not felt to be needed.
Appreciate your concerns about mosquitoes, but in ... (show quote)


"Snakes! Why is it always snakes?"
Indiana Jones

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Jan 13, 2021 18:22:53   #
marilyneg
 
We were told there are a number of highly poisenous ones, so did watch out. I wouldn't know one type of snake from another. Someone mentioned watching for birds, there are so many amazing birds and things of interest to see. Even watched and took pictures of dung beatles. Suspect they are not on everyone's photo list! there is so much to see and learn!

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Jan 13, 2021 18:56:55   #
Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX
 
RWebb76 wrote:
1) Keep in mind that Africa is a vast continent.
2) Sprayed clothes with permethrin and used a good deet spray.
3) we took altitude sickness medicine in Peru...that nearly killed me.
1) I'm STILL not going there.
2) Excellent Recommendation
3) I wasn't aware that acetazolamide could have such significant side effects.
.....https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-6755/acetazolamide-oral/details/list-sideeffects
.....On your next High Altitude adventure - bring along a Gamow Bag !!

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Jan 13, 2021 19:16:56   #
Indlovu Loc: Greenville, NC
 
marilyneg wrote:
We were told there are a number of highly poisenous ones, so did watch out. I wouldn't know one type of snake from another. Someone mentioned watching for birds, there are so many amazing birds and things of interest to see. Even watched and took pictures of dung beatles. Suspect they are not on everyone's photo list! there is so much to see and learn!


I have had a cobra on my door step, a black mama crawl out from under my bed and almost stepped on a puff adder. My wife and I were just talking about that we cannot wait to get back. A life living completely safe is not worth living

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Jan 13, 2021 19:26:11   #
Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.
 
My law to live by no matter where you go.... Never eat the yellow snow.

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Jan 13, 2021 20:12:47   #
brian43053 Loc: Buffalo, NY
 
RWebb76 wrote:
Dear Friends: I am a huge fan of Africa. I will be headed back when Covid 19 is under control.

I am putting together a list, perhaps an article, on planning for a trip to Africa with an emphasis on photography. I am asking my fellow UHH friends to write down one (or more) tip that they learned or did that might they would like to see added to the list. The tip does not have to be photography related. For instance, our travel advisor had us arriving in Johannesburg and leaving the following morning to Zambia. My wife intervened and planned a few days in J'Burg to see the Apartheid Museum, Soweto, learn more about Mandela, etc. We stayed in a lovely B&B. It was an excellent addition to our trip.

Might be a fun and enlightening conversation.
Dear Friends: I am a huge fan of Africa. I will ... (show quote)


My wife and I went to S Africa and loved. We went thru a tour company called Gate One. Very reasonable and we had a great time

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Jan 13, 2021 21:25:48   #
NormanTheGr8 Loc: Racine, Wisconsin
 
Never been but wish to some day but I am a big fan of "The wildlife photography podcast " really great Africa photographic info

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Jan 13, 2021 22:12:09   #
Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX
 
Hal81 wrote:
My law to live by no matter where you go.... Never eat the yellow snow.
I will heed your sage advice.
??? I didn't think there was snow in Africa though ???

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Jan 13, 2021 22:31:37   #
Indlovu Loc: Greenville, NC
 
Merlin1300 wrote:
I will heed your sage advice.
??? I didn't think there was snow in Africa though ???


Mt kilamanjoro

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Jan 13, 2021 23:06:32   #
Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX
 
Indlovu wrote:
Mt kilamanjoro
OK - - I'm not going there either <LOL>

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Jan 13, 2021 23:10:17   #
Wallen Loc: Middle Earth
 
AFPhoto wrote:
I am sorry, but I just spent the last two days reviewing more than 7000 pictures that I took on an African safari two years ago, and if I had read the quoted response I would never have gone. I have traveled over most of the world - Antarctica the only continent I have yet to visit- and I felt perfectly safe in Africa. The people, both in the cities and in the country were friendly and very helpful. Never did I feel threatened. I carried two expensive Olympus cameras and did not feel that the equipment was in danger. Of course, I took the same safety precautions that I would any where in the world (including many US cities). COVID and the possibility of getting sick in Africa is an altogether different issue. You will NOT get the same level of medical attention in the African outback that you would in the US or even Europe. So that may be the over arching consideration in your planning. Bottom line is that I would love to go back. It was by far one of the most enjoyable trips that we made.
I am sorry, but I just spent the last two days rev... (show quote)



Until one gets hurt, safe is always a matter of perspective, of time and place. I'm sure even in your own local area there are places folks are weary of visiting or even just passing by.
The post was just about being ready for possible problems & keeping safe while having fun and not inconveniencing others.
Take for example the eye glasses. Breaking one or worse losing it on the road is going to be a bummer. So bring an extra.
A persons medicine may not be available in the visited country, and that can even be a fatal problem.
Some places may have local health issues that is rare in other places. In Africa; malaria, tuberculosis, Elephantiasis and diarrhea can be easier to acquire.

But often, the bigger issue is being an a-hole to others. Many tourist seek their own fun but forget to respect others and the place they visit. Their culture, actions/expectations may be abrasive to the locals (or to other tourists around them) who are only being lenient because they are guests.
There are plenty of videos in Youtube showing these stupidities of touring people deliberately putting themselves & sometimes others in danger to pursue their own objectives.

People should live by the motto: Have fun, but keep safe and dont be a bother so others have fun too.

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Jan 13, 2021 23:52:16   #
Wallen Loc: Middle Earth
 
Julian wrote:
Are you talking about the same Africa?


LOL, its a big place and a lot of time so yours and mine would surely vary.
Even some those who were with me at the time of my visit did not see the same views that i saw. Particularly the Chinese ladies who got themselves drunk and my managers son who walks head down in a hoodie and headphones blasting. A train can hit that kid from the side and he would would be totally unaware.

We arrived at the hotel at around 6pm and we were told not to go out, much less to go out alone as the tension then was so great i could breath it.
Never the less the ladies all disappeared into the night looking for fun. Come morning we heard the news that they got drunk and one got her phone stolen.
A colleague and I woke up early and went for a walk. That is where i noticed the many electrified fences.
We visited the local market so we got to see some back streets both of us are unwilling to enter.
Others joined us and a a large group we visited several establishments.

Some months after, militias took over the place. One of the establishment we visited became a barricaded/hostage building. One report says 59 dead, 175 injured.

So yes probably not the same Africa or could be the same, just a different more peaceful time.

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Jan 14, 2021 00:38:14   #
Wallen Loc: Middle Earth
 
via the lens wrote:
Are you a high school teacher? Sure sounds like it. I flew into Joh.. on a 10-day Africa trip to Kruger and some other private parks. Had a great time, got some really nice shots and never had a problem. I did not, however, do stupid things and did take care and watch my surroundings. The people I met were lovely and I was impressed by the young children all in school uniforms heading to school in the morning. Kruger was wonderful. I had more issues with the people on the tour than I did with the people I met in Africa. All travel is risky.
Are you a high school teacher? Sure sounds like i... (show quote)



Yes for a little while...but not highschool.
Maybe all school ha ha

I was a Self-defense Instructor from 1994 to 2002. Taught a varied group from 12yo kids to private security contractors in the middle east.
I had also been a Volunteer Instructor of FCC. A computer club under the auspices of the Philippine Embassy in United Arab Emirates. There i taught underprivileged overseas workers; Photoshop for Web, Advance Illustrator, Basic HTML & Powerpoint to help upgrade their skills and qualify for better jobs.
Had a stint in college too, handling Helicopter Principles, Airline Safety, Drawing 2 & Theory of flight.
On and off I still teach and give seminars on Drawing and Art, particularly on sketching, painting, animation & clay sculptures.

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