Help for someone on a very tiny budget going to Zimbabwe

Jackalynann

I have the wonderful chance to go to Zimbabwe to a church conference.

The church paid for the ticket but I really don't want to over load church finances and live on a budget that really barely covers what I need week to week when in the UK...and of course you still have to pay for most of that if you are away as electricity, water and council tax don't give you a holiday. I will stay with people so that is ok and hopefully someone has realised that I need the conference fee!

1. I will be there for a week or so after the conference and need to get to Heathrow in the first place.

Can I check with others in the know as the only thread I found with the info I wanted degenerated a bit as it got onto drinks and smoking on planes? Neither of which I may want to do

1. Firstly I have to get from Oxford to Heathrow.

Am I right that it will be possible to go from Oxford to London Victoria using the megabus (this I know as I often do.) then go to Piccadilly and use the normal tube service to get to Heathrow using an Oyster card I already have with money on? I think it is possible but just want to check. (Yes a long way round but this is the cheapest way I think I can do it.)

Of course someone from the church may yet pay for the coach but it would be useful to know anyway.

Return is useful but not the end of the world as I will get someone to pick me up or rescue me on return!

2. Flying Egyptair

It looks like the Airbus Industrie is the older planes they have and the service and comfort not as great. Any comments? Anything I should take? I thought I might add the bath pillow into my handbag.

Food

I am flying Egypt air and looking at the reviews this will be basic economy and possibly inedible food.

Can I take sandwiches I make myself on the plane or other food bought outside the airport? (Obviously sealed.) I know I cannot take drink unless I buy it after security.

Any tips on cheap food this side of the world - at the airport etc? It is a long haul so I might need to eat and drink! I will take a flask of coffee but know to empty it before I go through the check in.

Might help others

Insurance

Insurance I have sorted for £13.50 - made sense to do basic given I cannot even reach the maximum amount of money insured at that level and am healthy. I used the finder on moneyfindingexpert.com

Suncream (highest factor)

I've used the pound shop to stock up on suncream as I already had some - be careful as I first picked up medium rather than high strength. This is fine but the tubes are small and I was supplementing what I already had.

Origins Goody bag-not sure if these are still on offer but you sign up for their email or whatever

and Origins just opened in Oxford and so I signed on and got a goody bag I can save the shampoo and conditioner sachets from that plus moisturiser, conditioner and small tube of handcream. :j

Injections
I got the free injections. Can't remember what but anyway just remembered I have to walk up to the doc and get the card telling me...nurse said I did not need malaria but I am sort of panicking on that.

From the £ shop in Oxford

Got passport cover, first aid kit and toothpaste etc from £ shop. I may go back and get a rucksack and luggage scales but tend to prefer travelling light so may just use what I have.

Insect repellent

I also got insect repellent in the £ shop and they had bands as well and all sorts, but am thinking I may go and get some deet as well....in Boots the lady pointed out that the cheaper insect repellent is the same as the more expensive but just a different brand - It was about £5-6

Mosquito net

Harare is apparently not a mosquito zone but people (from Zimbabwe) are saying to take a net. Has anyone seen such a thing in a £ shop or anywhere? I got cream and stuff from the £ shop so that is ok for insect bites.

Sudden panic about malaria jab

Bit worried I have not had a malaria jab but not in a malaria zone unless I go to victoria falls -not sure though if anyone can tell me how the cheapest way and fastest to get that is now as going on Tuesday!

Sunglasses

Yes, have sunglasses £5 on sale at Millets in Oxford. They were down from £15- There were not a lot but they might have more..really quite nice ones.

Is there anything I forgot and where can I get it for well, next to nothing.

If anyone has been to Zimbabwe other tips on cheap places to visit etc would be nice. I would love to go to Victoria falls but guess that will take another miracle as not really got the funds for that - who knows?

The cat is sorted courtesy of the £ shop as she won't eat the same stuff 2 days running and so has to have different foods!): just got to pack and search the house for any useful bits and pieces.

Tip

I always do travel with plate and plastic cutlery and cup and napkins..saves a fortune and is just nicer than fingers. I now not to eat food from street vendors and local water and things like that.

Boswells in Oxford sale

If you are in Oxford Boswells sale has some amazing things for gifts. I got a lovely photo holder for £4 reduced from £10 or maybe more. Just right for a gift to the person who paid for most of my ticket! I really have that tight a budget so not being mean.

Definitely a no no for a plane journey, but they have paperweights I really liked that would work for Christmas presents for £1 ..crystal cut and very heavy. Also things like pegs and writing books cheaply- and of course, candles.

I may go back to get some presents for hosts etc.

Thanks

Pollycat

Jackalynann wrote: »

I am flying Egypt air and looking at the reviews this will be basic economy and possibly inedible food. Can I take sandwiches I make myself on the plane or other food bought outside the airport. (Obviously sealed.) I know I cannot take drink unless I buy it after security.

I've used the pound shop to stock up on suncream as I already had some and Origins just opened in Oxford and so I signed on and got a goody bag I can save the shampoo and conditioner sachets from. :j and I got the free injections.

Also got passport cover, first aid kit and toothpaste etc from £ shop. I may go back and get a rucksack and luggage scales but tend to prefer travelling light.

Harare is apparently not a mosquito zone but people are saying to take a net. Has anyone seen such a thing in a £ shop or anywhere? I got cream and stuff from the £ shop so that is ok for insect bites.

Bit worried I have not had a malaria jab but not in a malaria zone unless I go to victoria falls -not sure though if anyone can tell me how the cheapest way and fastest to get that is now as going on Tuesday!

Yes, have sunglasses £5 on sale at Millets in Oxford. They were down from £15

Is there anything I forgot and where can I get it for well, next to nothing.

If anyone has been to Zimbabwe other tips on cheap places to visit etc would be nice. I would love to go to Victoria falls but guess that will take another miracle as not really got the funds for that - who knows?

The cat is sorted just got to pack and search the house for any useful bits and pieces. I always do travel with plate and plastic cutlery and cup..saves a fortune and is just nicer than fingers. I now not to eat food from street vendors and local water and things like that.

Thanks

I can't answer all your questions but here's a few answers:

Yes, you can take your own sandwiches, I often do and just wrap them in clingfilm so you can make your own.

Suncream - you say you're travelling light. If you are only taking hand luggage your suncream needs to be 100ml or less.

There is no such thing as a malaria jab.
You can take medication as a precaution.
Didn't your GP give you malaria advice when you got your free jabs?
Do you seriously plan to visit Victoria Falls? That is, as you say, in a high malarial risk area.

ETA:
Have you budgeted for your visa?
I think it is available at point of entry and costs US$55 single entry and US$70 for double entry.

Jackalynann

Thank you,

Yes, I budgeted for the visa. I found out you need to take the exact amount and they won't take visa etc. I heard this is so they can claim they have no change and keep it! So taking the exact amount.

Ah yes, forgot about suncream allowance, thank you. I don't actually have much as yet but will need to use it.

Booked to see the nurse again (unfortunately one who advised me I did not need malaria tablets before, but only way to get the prescription.) Kind of panicking on that one.

Jackalynann

The malaria advice was low risk in Harare but now I read quite a few people saying definitely needed and the Zims themselves not really giving me the same advice person to person so a bit perplexed. I think if there is a chance of going to Victoria falls I would take it so best to be safe.

Voyager2002

Heathrow is actually close to Oxford...

If you can find a cheap way to get to Slough, there is a public bus that goes from there to the airport and you can pay using your Oyster card. I remember that it is cheap, but can't remember details.

Do you have contact details for your hosts in Zimbabwe? If so, ask them about a mosquito net: they might have one for your use and are likely to know where to buy one locally. They will certainly know about travel to Victoria Falls using local public transport, which is likely to be very affordable. Don't forget that Great Zimbabwe is also spectacularly interesting, and local people are likely to be pleased that you want to visit a site of such cultural importance to them.

I think that you are paying excessive attention to sun-screen: just stay out of the sun! I do suggest that you get a broad-brimmed hat (either here or there) and wear light long-sleeved shirts. And don't forget to pack something warm: African conference centres are usually air-conditioned and kept at horribly low temperatures, so be prepared.

Take the risk of malaria very seriously. If you don't have time and/or money to get anti-malarial pills don't panic, but be sure that you know what the symptoms are and get to a proper doctor if you start to fall ill. Above all, if you feel ill after returning (even with just vague, 'flu-like symptoms) then insist that your doctor checks for malaria. And that goes even if you do take the pills: they are not magic and often fail to give complete protection. Don't worry: malaria can be cured completely so long as treatment starts in time. (I lived in a malaria-infested region of West Africa for two years and did not take the pills: I fell ill with malaria just once, and was completely cured with no long-term problems.)

As for your flight, I think that you will be pleasantly surprised by the food on board. However, be prepared for possible long delays in the airport at Cairo (where you have to change): that could be the time when you need your sandwiches. Have some way of paying for snacks and drinks there (card, cash dollars or something) and be aware of costs. And it is possible that food and facilities will be a lot worse on the second leg of your journey (Cairo to Harare) so if possible save something for then.

Jackalynann

Stupid question, but what does double entry mean? If you went to say Zambia for the day? So should I get the higher amount. It is difficult as I will be hosted and have no idea with who or what as yet!

Voyager2002

Jackalynann wrote: »

Booked to see the nurse again (unfortunately one who advised me I did not need malaria tablets before, but only way to get the prescription.) Kind of panicking on that one.

Check the CDC web site (Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta USA) for good information about malaria risk in different places. Print off the relevant pages to show to the nurse. Don't try saying "you are wrong" to her, but simply say "I found this but I don't understand it: can you explain please?".

Remember that Malarone is far more expensive than other anti-malarial prophylactics, so if the nurse recommends it then ask her to double-check whether another drug would be suitable at lower cost.

Jackalynann

Thanks for the sunscreen advice. I probably am being over cautious as I went to New York once and it was hotter here and I do have several hats and wear them in the sun so they are coming.

I kind of was expecting the Cairo bit to be a bit chancy as I have visited before albeit a long long time ago and it was then from what I remember. I think I will take a reasonable supply of food just to be sure.

I did read I can buy anti malaria tablets when I am there so will see what the afternoon brings..

I am asking around about mosquito nets as thinking about it people there probably have them as a matter of course.

Voyager2002

Jackalynann wrote: »

Stupid question, but what does double entry mean? If you went to say Zambia for the day? So should I get the higher amount. It is difficult as I will be hosted and have no idea with who or what as yet!

Yes, that is what double-entry means.

Since Zambia is a long way away (just past Victoria Falls) I don't think it likely that a conference in Harare would include any international day-trips. If such a trip is suggested, just explain that you don't have a visa and so politely decline.

Crossing African borders generally involves a lot of waiting in the hot sun and bureaucracy, so is not something that your hosts would undertake lightly. A possible exception is the border at Victoria Falls, where the best views are on the Zimbabwean side and so they make it easy (and expensive) for tourists from Zambia to pop over, but that is unlikely to concern you.

Jackalynann

Thanks for the advice about the CDC website..actually that is where I started to panic. Think I am going to ask for the cheaper tablets as they suited years ago....(went to Iraq.)


Gosh why am I so worried now....When I went to Iraq
SH was in power, the building I stayed in was bugged when in Baghdad and we lived for 3 months in a mud brick house in the desert with only basic food and the villagers in the middle of a blood feud and also saying every time a plane went over that war had started! That was without the very basic washing and toilet facilites aka guide camp circa 1960. LOl and took rucksack, sleeping bag and a spare pair of jeans and a skirt.

Jackalynann

Oh good so that means not needing to worry about double entry.