We tried to pack for this trip adhering to the recommendations of several more experienced travelers by consulting sites such as GoAfrica and Uyaphi and Ehow. We purchased space saving compression bags, located long sleeve khaki colored shirts embedded with sunscreen, and even received a pair of binoculars as an early wedding present!
We had also heard from several friends that the mosquitos could be a problem. Given the FAA's liquid restrictions, we each packed a 3 oz bottle of bug repellent (with Deet). In spite of our best efforts, no one properly warned us about the challenges of tsetse flies. Matt almost had a heart attack when Mohammed told us that without the proper treatment, a bite from one of these flies could be fatal.
For instance, Mohammed related a story to us about a friend who was hired by the Government of Tanzania to clear roads through a part of the Serengeti National Park that had caved in due to flooding. To accomplish this task, the friend had to work through the rainy season, high time for the Tsetses, and on account of the multiple bites he received, he had to be airlifted via a "flying doctor" to a better hospital in Europe to be treated. Crisis averted, but this did not quell our anxiety!
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