As I am making final preparations to depart for Uganda tomorrow, I thought I would add a quick post to let you know what is involved in preparing to travel to Uganda. Our preparations started in December when timing and duration of the current trip was being negotiated. Here are a few things that took place between December and now to plan our trip to Uganda.
-Obtain entrance Visa from
-Obtain vaccinations (keep documentation for entry into Uganda): Yellow Fever, Meningococcus, Typhoid, Polio, MMR, Hepatitis A & B, Tetanus-diphtheria.
-Obtain and fill prescriptions for traveler’s diarrhea and anti-malaria medication.
-Renew passport if needed.
-Book flights (our route is Toronto – Amsterdam – Entebbe), transportation and accommodations.
-Obtain travel and health insurance.
-Register travel itinerary online with the Canadian Government office.
-Anticipate financial needs and obtain local currency. (USD is the best currency to use in Uganda. Recent, large and new/crisp US bills will get the best exchange rates).
-Get documentation to verify that any medical supplies being brought into the country are solely for donation and not for resale.
-Obtain letter of permission from our hosts in Uganda outlining the purpose of our visit.
-Make careful choice of clothing that is culturally sensitive and also appropriate for warm weather, sun, prevention of mosquito bites, and functional enough for very full and active days of work.
-Gathering of information: I have reserved almost every book from the Hamilton Public Library on Uganda and Africa. One favorite is a Lonely Planet publication called The Africa Book. While it only gives a high level synopsis of each country (and I am not sure if it the authors are African), it is a large hard cover book that shows amazing pictures and provides a taste of the varied cultures, regions and landscapes in Africa. http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/Primary/Product/General_Travel/Pictorials/PRD_PRD_1996/The+Africa+Book+Pictorial.jsp I’m sure there are plenty of other great books too! And tons of great websites too.
-And finally, create blog and learn how to ‘blog’!
Along with the usual packing list for any international trip, here are a few of the additional items that are recommended:
-Mosquito net (depending on accommodations and nature of travel)
-Scarves to wear as shawls
-Flashlight in case power goes out briefly
-Towel Tabs (These little beauties look like Rolaids, but when you run them under water, they conveniently turn into a cloth for wiping hands and face! Available at Shopper’s Drug Mart).
-Plenty of antibacterial hand wipes and hand wash
-Malarone
-Rehydration salts
-Ciprofloxacin
-Multivitamins as we might possibly be eating fewer fresh fruits and vegetables
-Immodium
For someone like myself who comes from a long line of list makers, double checkers and over packers, preparation for this trip has been no small task! :) But worth every second spent planning!
Now back to the suitcases! Have a great long weekend and thanks for checking in!
Please note that the views expressed in this blog are those of the author and not necessarily those of the St. Joseph’s Health System or the St. Joseph’s Health System International Outreach Program.
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