A Year in the Making, But Africa is Now a Green Light

[kundalini]

Wellllllll, the flight was booked today. I saved almost $600 USD from the the fares of last week. That makes the round trip airfare to be just over $2200. OF course, you then have to add on the visas, innoculations, etc, etc. I'm still a bit concerned about the events in the Ivory Coast, which borders Ghana, but the news this morning said negotiations are in play and French attacks have severly hampered Gbagbo's defenses.

 

[CCericola]

I think you need an assistant and I will be willing to sacrifice my services. Just pack me in your suitcase!

 

[Robin Usagani]

Can you stop by Nigeria? Some random guy sent me an email and promised me $250,000.

 

[mishele]

Yay for you K!!! Have fun and I can't wait to see the pics!!!

 

[tirediron]

Thanks Hardrock and Amber. I can only hope that I get a few keepers.

......and never go anywhere without your own TP!

I'm sure you know the old saying John...... when you get to a certain age, never trust a fart. :shock: I usually keep a few folds in the camera bag. It's seldom mentioned in the "What's in your bag" threads, but a good idea anyway.

:thumbup:

 

[tirediron]

Can you stop by Nigeria? Some random guy sent me an email and promised me $250,000.

 

[FranDaMan]

Wow....congrats and enjoy the trip. Can't wait to see some shots

Hope for you you can make them look like Nick Brandt did !!


If you stop over in Amsterdam, are you staying there too for a daytrip ?

 

[RyanLilly]

Take your 70-200, and get a teleconverter. It 's small and cheap.

 

[The_Traveler]

IMO, forget the tripod and the flash; they're a waste of weight for the use you'll get.

Lew

 

[Shane Anderson]

Some non-photographic tips for Dar-Es-Salaam...
- Carry at least US$200 cash with you, when you arrive in Dar you have to pay cash for your visa, the amount varies - it's usually about $150 but can be as high as $200 (gotta love travelling in Africa).
- As soon as you exit the doors at the airport at Dar there is a small currency exchange office - they give just about the best exchange rates I've seen.
- You'll get a much better exchange rate with US$100 notes (probably about TSH1300), you'll only get about TSH1000 with anything smaller.
- Don't take any US notes printed before 2000, they generally won't be accepted.
- if you can arrange one it's better to have a driver pick you up rather than take a cab.
- There are plenty of good hotels along the northern beaches, try to pick one that has good security (the best one IMO is the Seacliff Hotel).
- You will mostly pay western prices for hotel rooms and meals.
- You can get a boat or quick flight to Zanzibar, although a lot of people don't like it as it's full of tourists and locals trying to sell you stuff.
- There are some really nice islands to the north of Zanzibar that have regular day trips by boat, with far fewer people.
- there will be some great opportunities for street photography around Dar. Tanzania is pretty safe by African standards, although like any city you can get into trouble if you aren't careful.

 

[kundalini]

sonofabitch, my arms are still hurting. I got my vaccines on Friday for yellow fever, meningitis, tdap (tetenus, diptherea, and the other thing), polio, hepatitus A & B, and scripts for malaria and travelers diareahea.

Shane, thanks and expect a PM in the not to distant future. Good info even though not all is pertinent.