My wife and I are off camping on an organised trip to Uganda We are r'trd any tips on what we need to take

Answer 1

I don't know what the temps are like but I would seriously consider insect protection a major theme here...mosquitos can be deadly in some parts of the world. I would consider a pair of mosquito hammocks to get you OFF the ground. Of course these are separate quarters for you and your bride and you can't snuggle. They don't make doubles. You need trees to attach them to or very sturdy poles of some sort that you planted where needed. This not only protects you from bugs, but snakes, spiders, etc creepy crawlies on the ground. They tend to be a more lightweight shelter than tents, and some have tarps with them, or get one separately if you need protection from rain...still the whole bit is lighter than most tents. They are a lot more comfortable for all sleeping positions than you think. I used to curl up in the fetal position in mine, almost on my stomach. You sleep so well, you don't usually toss and turn like in a bed, so your bed habits don't matter much. You do want to insulate the bottom because there is no bug protection there, and mosquitoes can bite through the material...which is not rope, it is nylon, or silk (a solid fiber, not mesh). For brands, look up mosquitohammock.com, byer of maine mosquito traveller, hennessey, speer, clarke. or keyword camping hammock in a search.

Plenty of TP, plenty of water purifying gear so you don't get sick. Even if the local water is safe for the locals, it may cause you big problems and diarrhea is dangerous due to dehydration. You want common medicines we take for granted in case you do fall ill. You want immodium for sure (anti diarrhea), tylenol, ibuprofen (anti inflammatory), diphenhydramine (benadryl...essential for any severe allergy reaction)...you may be able to visit the doc in advance and get a prescription for a broad spectrum antibiotic in case you fall ill as well as an Epi-pen and anti malaria medication if you should need it. Make sure you know how to use these and what they are for, symptoms of the things you hope not to see. Get your vaccinations! All this to say that I don't know what kinds of medical technology is available there, I am assuming they are more primitive and poor (I did NOT say uncivilized, I mean less technologically advanced). And make sure you have plenty of any prescriptions that you need and proper storage for them. For instance if you are diabetic, many forms of insulin need to be refrigerated. Some don't and if you need to switch to monitor how they work for you, you need to do it early as possible. This is just an example and probably doesn't apply but you may have similar special needs to think about.

Other hygiene items:
Lots of baby wipes for sponge bath and personal cleansing after bathroom. Small hand shovel if you need to dig a hole to poo in.
Toothbrush and toothpaste, floss doubles as a sewing thread.
Camp soap. This is biodegradable, useful for any cleaning (laundry, body, teeth, dishes, hair) in any kind of water (salty, fresh, hard, soft), and concentrated. Use very little. You can wash small items in a ziplock bag with water, such as socks and underwear. You fill a third with water, a couple drops of soap and the items. Seal and squish them around in the bag to clean. It isn't heavy duty stain removal, just stench and germ removal. Rinse the same way, and squeeze out, hang up near a fire or in a breeze.

Pack a nice stack of zipper bags, they sort things, they waterproof and bugproof things, and they are cheap. Gallon and quart freezer strength are my preferences...brand name. Another misc item to carry is a few clothespins made of plastic. These I promise will get use at least once for something. A good bandanna comes in handy too, at least one apiece. Hand sanitizer gel to conserve water when you have to. Snakebite kit. Bandaids. Moleskin for blisters if you are hiking or wearing new boots or shoes...in fact, don't wear new, break them in before you go.

Avoid deodorants, they don't help in primitive conditions, and they do attract insects. Just stink...but do keep feet and any cuts as well as private areas, face and hands as clean as possible so you don't get infections or fungus problems. A good dose of BO will alert any wildlife that they should stay away because you are there.

A side note, when you set up camp, you and your group members should pee all around the perimeter of your campsites...to mark your territory. No kidding! Hey we are animals, and in their homeland, we need to communicate like they do if we expect them to understand us.

You want a good knife. A single sharp blade is perfectly fine. Spend the money on a single blade instead of a fancy tool with all kinds of other crap on it. You won't regret it. You can use a blade for food, wood, for first aid, cutting rope, as a screwdriver, as a pryer, etc. You need a knife.

Learn how to perform basic first aid using camping materials. This is standard wilderness first responder or wilderness first aid curriculum. There may be self-teaching materials for sale, which you can do. I'm pretty sure to certify you need to attend a class. It is not hard, it is quite interesting. I have WFR, it is expired but I remember the info.

You also want to learn some knots, how to use them and when to use them. Carry some extra cord as well as all that you know you need, and each have an extra piece of fabric, something that is versatile to use as a shelter, you might choose a remnant of nylon from walmart fabric department, or a neat sheet, or a piece of waterproofing plastic. I personally carried a nylon backpacker size poncho, it was longer. I could sit on it, cover up with it as a piece of bedding, wear it in the rain, stretch it out as a wind block, sun block, or rain block, add to my shelter with it, carry things in it. I use the heck out of that thing. It is sturdy, cheap, and cleans up easy, dries almost instantly in a breeze.

Another very good skill to know is how to create, manage, and use fire safely in your conditions. As well as basic camp cooking. You may not build fires regularly but it is essential to know how to do this in an emergency for heat, signalling with smoke if lost, and cooking if you can't eat raw or need to sanitize your water.

In addition to these skills, know how every single piece of your gear works. Practice setting it up and using it. Know how to modify it for different uses. If you are backpacking, have your packs adjusted with the gear you use, not free weights or sandbags, these aren't accurate because they don't fill the bag the same way your gear does.

Stuff to bring with you for fun? Don't know what spare time you will have. A deck of cards goes a LONG way, so does a set of dominos, also skipbo, uno, etc. I would however, suggest that each pack a journal and reliable pens, take digital cameras with about a GIG of storage. That will be plenty to click away. Batteries for the cameras. I am assuming you have guides, otherwise you need maps and compasses. Might not hurt to study that before you go. You might enjoy a pocket guide to birds, animal tracks, or flora...you would have to research this to find small ones for that area.

If you are going on a church mission by any chance, want a Bible with you, there are plenty of very small ones with nice readable print. The difference is the paper used so they can get all 66 books in nicely, mine is about the size of an ordinary trade paperback. Look up compact Bible, backpacker Bible. You can also make musical instruments if you use your imagination, and your trusty knife...this is where the dental floss might come in.

One thing that each of you wants for sure is a HAT, and other lightweight cool but full body sun protection clothing. They make UV repellant clothing now, it is like fabric sunscreen. You want to cover everything if you spend any time in the hot sun...this is a lot closer to the equator than any place in the states so the sun will be hotter there, and maybe less shade. If you are in a desert climate though, it gets cold in deserts at night so pack to stay warm too.

This is about all I can think of immediately, I didn't offer food suggestions because that is so involved, you can email me personally for the info and I would be glad to jot some things down if you want...otherwise I will advise to study the local flora where you will be, note what it can do for you, if it can hurt you. Some plants when burned for instance, provide mosquito repellance, others attract bugs or lead you to edible bugs or indicate water nearby, etc, some grasses can be dried and woven into baskets for a neat souvenir. Some woods are not sturdy enough to build anything, others are very lightweight and sturdy too. Find out if any plants are edible, which are the best firewood, etc. So you get the point there.

Primarily my focus is on safety and being away from the things that we take for granted.

I really hope you enjoy your trip...it sounds like the chance of a lifetime.

Answer 2

Besides the normal toiletries, lots of bug spray, mosquito netting, if possible, light colored, cotton hats with good brims. Water pills to disinfect the drinking water. Breathable cotton clothing, (whites and kakis detour mosquitos) Sunscreen, waterproof matches, white cotton socks, with silk liner socks, if youre going to be around waters. Rubber flip flops.... First aid kit....chapstick, (helps protect from sun)....batteries for flashlights or lanterns....ziplock baggies.... trash bags.

Are the organizers supplying your group with the essentials? Did they give you a list of guidelines?

Sorry Zilber, but it is a fact that dark colored clothing actually will attract more mosquitos, no matter how dirty they get. If one sweats alot, it may not matter, as much, what color you wear, as that will attract as well. But light clothing , especially cottons are also more breathable, and will help detour sweating a bit more as well.

Answer 3

Good, if Gazoo is already bringing the condoms it makes it redundant for me to do so. So, i guess i'm going to deliver the lube, barbeque sauce, and, of path, a wi-fi web connection to carrier my addiction to Y!A R&S. Edit: i'd most like to look Techtonic French Toast. She amuses me oh so much. We would have a lot to talk about over the babby-que.

Answer 4

do not forget you hats at home. the sun is a killer.
also light rain coats. it is raining from time to time.
do not take whit cloth. it will become very dirty and it will ATTRACT the mozies. (not as the other lady advised, dark once are better)
buy water bottles and drink a lot. bring a bit of washing powder.

Answer 5

How about a snake bite kit and plenty of bug repellent. Don't forget a roll of toilet paper. LOL I am not kidding !
Happy trails.