South Africa

[abbyjt]

We are booked on the South African Adventure for June 21, 09. Any others? We are a family of 5, mom, dad, daughters 11 and 15, son 12.

 

[wdwsos]

We are booked on the South African Adventure for June 21, 09. Any others? We are a family of 5, mom, dad, daughters 11 and 15, son 12.

I'm not on it (wish I was!) but I believe I know who one of your guides will be and she's fabulous! If I'm right, please tell Tina that Dotti said hi!

Dotti

 

[kidcoos3]

We are also booked for this trip. Our sons are 14 and 15 and our daughter will turn 18 on the trip.

 

[abbyjt]

We are looking forward to meeting you. Our little one will turn 11 on the trip too. This will be our 4th ABD.

 

[kidcoos3]

This will be our first ABD. We went on the DCL Mediterranean cruise 2 summers ago. Before and after that trip, we spent time in Barcelona, Paris and Amsterdam. Before this trip, we will be spending time in London. June will be here in no time!

 

[Traveling Tinkerbell]

Dear Abbyjt,

We are scheduled for the July 6 South African adventure. Maybe, you can give us a quick trip report and feedback about the weather, the guides' names, the right clothes to pack that worked well with the trip, and any other information. We hope that you will have a wonderful time on your adventure!! We are counting down the days!

 

[abbyjt]

Hi Tinkerbell,
We'll be back July 3, so I will try to get you whatever info I can by then. I am planning on it being winter in South Africa. We're bringing some fleece jackets and layers to take off in the afternoon. Have you made your travel medicine appointments yet. You need some vaccines and prescriptions to fill before you go. We already went.

 

[Traveling Tinkerbell]

abbyjt,

We have made a dr appointment for April 22. How early do you have to start taking the meds before your trip? Besides jackets, I was thinking we should take gloves too. Did you make a pre or post hotel reservation?

 

[abbyjt]

We are going one day in advance, but we arrive at 9 at night. So we will only be there the first day while others are arriving. That wasn't the original plan, but that's how it worked out.
Yes, we are bringing gloves and hats too. My kids make fun of me for always being cold, so I will have a few layers. They will most likely be wearing t shirts and sweatshirts even though we will bring more.
For travel meds, there is a lot of different stuff. Your doctor may tell you different, so listen to him/her. We had Hepatitis A shots. We have oral meds to take 2 weeks before for typhoid. We have malaria drugs to be taken just before the safari part and during and after. We have prescriptions (that I will fill before we go) for antibiotics to bring just in case.
That's all I can think of.

 

[kidcoos3]

For travel meds, there is a lot of different stuff. Your doctor may tell you different, so listen to him/her. We had Hepatitis A shots. We have oral meds to take 2 weeks before for typhoid. We have malaria drugs to be taken just before the safari part and during and after. We have prescriptions (that I will fill before we go) for antibiotics to bring just in case.
That's all I can think of.

Did your doctor say anything about HepB?

 

[abbyjt]

I think we were all up to date on that, but I am not sure. (The kids definitely had that as routine immunitations)

 

[TEH]

Tinkerbell
We are also booked for South Africa trip leaving on July 6th!

 

[Traveling Tinkerbell]

Hi TEH,
Glad to hear we aren't the only ones on this trip! Who all is coming with you? We have 2 DDs - they are 15 and 13. Have you booked a pre or post stay? We are so excited about this trip - it will be awesome!

 

[HappyGrumpy]

It would be so awesome when you guys come back to see very detailed reports! This trip really has my attention especially the Signature trip but OH MY LORD I need to get some feedback before I drop that kind of cash

I am really looking forward to seeing what you all come back with!

 

[abbyjt]

Did your doctor say anything about HepB?

I spoke to the doctor about hep B. He said I did not need it. He said that all health care workers need it and that all children get it now, basically so that any who grow up to abuse needles are protected. If you were going to Africa for an extended stay, it would be recommended. Ask your doctor. His recommendation may be different.

 

[kidcoos3]

Thanks abbyjt! My kids have both hep A and hep B. It's my husband and I who don't. He and I have appointments next week.

 

[kidcoos3]

Well, my husband and I had our shots on Thursday. We go back in a month for another one. We also picked up the typhoid meds. We will pick up the malaria prescription next week. We planned this trip last summer but now that we have a live typhoid vaccine in our refrigerator, it must be happening soon!!

 

[abbyjt]

We've got the typhoid med in the fridge too. My husband is buying all sorts of travel aids (sleep masks and seat cushions and headphones). We have never been on such an incredibly long flight before.

 

[kidcoos3]

We are stopping in London for several days beforehand, so our flight to South Africa won't be as bad - but will be bad enough! I don't have trouble sleeping on planes but my husband can't. The kids are usually too busy watching movies on their iPods to sleep much. They pay for it later!

 

[Beth]

As far as guides, Dusty - who did China last year, and Italy the year before - is doing South Africa this year. His first trip is starting in a day, or so, I believe....