Top 10 tips for travelling in Africa

Well Daniel arrived back safely from South Africa on Sunday night, but without his luggage. Who knows where it went, but fortunately it arrived safely back in Dodoma yesterday. Good job, because it was full of exciting things that I had ordered. Well exciting to me!! Kiddie toothpaste and brushes, vitamin pills, shampoo and conditioner! Things that are difficult or expensive to get here.

I have been reading the news on the Internet this week about swine flu or whatever it is. I have to admit it did worry me slightly not being in the best place for good medical care. However, God gave me two verses. "God rescues and saves his people. He performs miracles in heaven and earth." Daniel 6 v 27 and "In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind" Job 12 v10. Just by way of comment on the way the world is responding to this 'pandemic', every 30 seconds a child dies of malaria. That fact makes me want to cry. Why isn't the world putting more effort into eradicating malaria? Oh yes I forgot there isn't malaria in Europe and America!!

Daniel's cousin and her husband are planning a 9-month drive from London to Cape Town. It got me thinking about what advice I would give to people travelling through Africa. Here are my top ten tips. I am putting it on our website so as not to annoy them in case they know all this already.

1. If you need accommodation, look for the nearest Catholic mission. They always have every clean, basic accommodation with safe food and at a good price.
2. Always drink bottled water unless you know you have a reliable source elsewhere. Avoid ice-cubes in restaurants.
3. Coke, despite all it other evils, is actually medicine. Excellent for dodgy stomachs. Sodas in general, although they rot your teeth are a good alternative if you are unsure about the drinking water.
4.Make sure your have appropriate clothing for all the countries you go through. You can get away with allsorts, but it is nice not to offend the locals!
5. Take insect repellent and insect cream for all those itchy bites.
6.Take malaria testing kit and treatment with you.
7.Take basic medicines you may need. You can buy medicines but they are not always of the best quality.
8. Depending on the malaria risk of where you are going it may be helpful to take your own nets.
9.Take the best camera you can!
10.Learn to use the four-wheel drive!