We have started our vaccinations for our trip. Luckily we have most of them already from previous trips to Africa, China and Asia, such as Hep A, Hep B, yellow fever, tetanus, and polio. We needed a booster for typhoid as it was more than 5 years since we were vaccinated and this time it was recommended we get the rabies vaccination as we are travelling for so long and to remote locations. This is a series of 3 shots over 4 weeks. Our doctor is using an intradermal injection as you only need 0.1ml and this reduces the cost and seems to be just as effective. We will also need a meningitis vaccination and of course malaria tablets. We will take Lariam again as we have not had any side effects from it in the past.
Feb 122011
Mar 052011
Our vaccinations are complete, our arms are full of needle pricks and our wallets are several hundred dollars lighter! Thank goodness our health insurance covers some of the cost. So we now have had the following vaccinations, some we already had, some needed a booster and some are new. I think this covers us now for just about anything!
- Hep A
- Hep B
- Tetanus
- Polio
- Measles, mumps, rubella
- Meningitis
- Cholera
- Rabies
- Typhoid
- Yellow Fever
- Diphtheria
Mar 272011
We’re just a week away from starting our adventure and I am feeling nervously excited. I know we are returning to Africa, but it hasn’t quite sunk in yet that we will be there for 6 months, and on our own! Everything on our list of things to do has been checked off – the car has been paid for, vaccinations finished, documents all sorted, route planned (although no doubt that will change), electrical gear charged and organised, packing 3/4 done etc. We just need to finish packing next Saturday and we’re sorted.
Bushlore have confirmed our car is ready and fitted out with everything we requested. They recommended we change from the Land Rover to the Landcruiser a few weeks ago as they have been having reliability issues with the new Defenders. This will give us a bit more comfort and hopefully better reliability, although our fuel costs will be higher. I only hope it doesn’t give us too much trouble even though I am quite sure it will have some issues along the way! It seems everyone who does a trip such as this has vehicle trouble at some stage, even if it is minor.
I’m hoping we might run into some of the overlanders whose blogs we have been reading with great interest to see where they are going, how they are managing, what the conditions are like etc. It will be great to share experiences with others who are doing the same thing.
Roll on next Sunday – I think it is going to be a long week!
Apr 022011
As I write this we are 17 hours away from departing Australia for the wilds of Africa. We are packed (fingers crossed we haven’t forgotten something), alarm is set and we’re ready to go. As exciting as it is, it still does not feel real. I know we are returning to Africa, but it has not yet sunk in that we won’t be back for 6 months and we are going to be doing it all on our own this time. I can’t wait though until we are there, have our 4wd packed and sorted and we’re on the road.
The next time we update the site we will be in South Africa, probably on our way to Lesotho. I think we are going to be in for a serious adventure over the next 6 months!
Apr 052011
The last few days have been long travelling and admin days but we are finally out of Johannesburg and on our way. Our flight was the usual boring 14 hours, although the food was not all that appetising for some reason, but we landed safely on time.
Our first night we stayed at Country Park some distance out of Johannesburg but close to Bushlore from where we were picking up our 4wd.
Monday morning we were picked up and taken to Bushlore. Our 4wd so far seems pretty good. It has everything we asked for on it, including a brand new bullbar with winch and a twin spare wheel carrier on the rear. They also fitted 6 new all terrain tyres, so hopefully they will last us the journey. It was then off to do the initial food shopping where we managed to spend a reasonable amount just stocking up with the basics. We also bought some extra things like new pillows, a spotlight and few things to add to the cooking gear. It took us the rest of the day to pack and organise the car! I think we have organised it in a fairly efficient manner, but I guess the next week or so will test that theory.
Today was a transit day to get out of Johannesburg. It was a pretty boring 5 hour drive as the countryside looks very much like our countryside at home, complete with cows, sheep and even 2 emus. Tonight we are staying at Glen Reenen Camp in the Golden Gate National Park. The park itself is quite scenic although it was overcast as we came in, It would look stunning with the sun shining on the sandstone ridges, It is quite cool as there is a strong breeze which is pretty chilly. Hopefully tomorrow the sun comes out.
Tomorrow we will have a look around the park and then head of to Lesotho.
