The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to Southern Africa.
Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.
Tetanus-Diphtheria: The disease is caused by a neurotoxin produced by anaerobic tetanus bacilli growing in contaminated wounds. Lesions that are considered "tetanus prone" are wounds contaminated with dirt, feces or saliva, deep wounds, burns, crush injuries or those with necrotic tissue.
Malaria: your risk of malaria may be high in all countries in Southern Africa, including cities. See your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to Southern Africa.
Typhoid vaccine: Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors
Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
Hepatitis B, especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not receive the series as infants.
Rabies, if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.
Measles: The risk of exposure to measles outside the United States can be high. Measles remains a common disease in many countries of the world, including some developed countries in Europe and Asia. International patterns of transmission of measles vary widely; CDC does not attempt to track levels of risk of exposure to measles in other countries. CDC recommends that all travelers leaving the United States should be immune to measles.
Polio: A booster shot may be recommended.
Check with the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) occasionally for updates and revisions to this list.
Travel Preparation
Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications
Passport
Passport Services and Information from the U.S. State Department
Passport Information from Independent Traveler.com
Visa
All travelers going into Zimbabwe and Zambia need a visa. Costs for visas were previously $45 for a single-entry visa and $55 for a double-entry.
Note: All visas that we need will be obtained at the Zimbabwian and Zambian border posts upon entry...some visas may be avoided though our group itinerary.
Passport and Visa Information
Everyone on the trip will be REQUIRED to purchase travel and evacuation insurance!!!
1145 Clark Street
Stevens Point, WI 54481
1 (800) 826-4919 (U.S.) Toll Free
1.715.345.0505 (International Collect)
Email: inquire@travelguard.com
PO Box 641070
Omaha, NE 68164-7070
1 (800) 228-9792
Insurance coverage is determined by the length of your trip and the different components you add to your policy. Travel and Evacuation Insurance for 3 weeks should cost about: $100
Travel Insurance
Meeting Schedule
A few informational and planning meetings will be scheduled throughout 2007 to answer questions, give trip updates and help you better prepare for your journey.
First Meeting: March 7, 2012
Second Meeting: April 22, 2012
Third Meeting: June 23, 2012
Proposed Agenda Items:
- Why Africa? What to expect!
- Service Projects
- Travel Insurance
- Passport and shots update
- Health & Release Forms
- Zimbabwe's current political climate
- Vaccination Roll Call
- Review of Customs, Culture, Expectations
- Personal Gear...review of personal items you need to bring
- Group Gear...review of group gear you'll be expected to carry
Rafting Training Trips
TBA
A few big water trips in California will be planned for Spring and Summer of 2009 to give the guides and group a chance to bond and become accustomed to big water!
What to Bring on the Zambezi
Pack the same as you would for a summertime expedition trip on the Grand Canyon. (See proposed list below)
Group Gear. You'll be asked to carry a few items (i.e. helmet, pfd) in your personal baggage, to help transport group gear and service project supplies.
(Proposed) Personal Gear List:
ON-RIVER GEAR
PFD
Tee Shirt
Swim trunks or Hydro Skin Shorts
River Booties or Tevas
Bathing Suit
H2O Bottles
Hat w/brim
Sun Shades w/ Croakies
Sun Screen
Lip balm w/sunblock
Dry Bag (Expedition Size)
CAMPING GEAR
Tarp
Tent
Sleeping pad
Sleeping Bag (30 degree or higher)
Sheet insert for Sleeping Bag (cotton)
Travel Pillow
Bug Spray (w/ Deet)
Toiletries Kit
Towel
Headlamp, batteries, bulbs
Folding chair
CLOTHING
Fleece Jacket
Tee Shirts short sleeve
Tee Shirts long sleeve
Shorts - camping & hiking
Cotton Button Down Shirt - long sleeve
Pants - long (Convertible to shorts best)
Underwear (synthetic)
Socks (synthetic)
Hiking boots or sturdy tennis shoes
MISCELLANEOUS
Day pack
Camera, film, extra chips, batteries and recharger
Electricity Adapter
Bandana
Journal & waterproof ballpoint pen
Reading materials
Traveler's Checks
Money belt
2-way Radios w/spare batteries (optional)
Group Rafting Gear List:
10 helmets
10 pfds
10 paddles
4 guide paddles
5 expedition dry bags
throw bags
water filters
first aid kit
duct tape
Group Service Project Gear List:
TBD
Trip Roles and Jobs
Trip Leader
Boat Captains
Guides
Highsiders
Kayakers
Photographer
Video Photographer
Medics
Cook Crews
Cleaning Crews
Travel Insurance Czar
Flight Itinerary Czar
Inoculation Czar
Menu Cooridnators
Drivers
Service Project Coordinators
School Visit Cooridnators
USA Games and Song Specialist
Conflict Mediators
Yoga Instructors
Massage Therapist
