Colorado College 1999 Summer Session Course: EV 141/EC 210 – Africa: Wildlife, Ecotourism and Sustainable Development June 14 – July 23, 1999 Professors Walt Hecox and Bruce Byers Frequently Asked Questions May 20, 1999

Consider either duffel bags or a backpack and extra checked bag.  Bruce Byers suggests you consider taking one suitcase that can be locked, possibly hard-sided, for breakable and/or more valuable items.

 Oswald in their original letter said: "BA will allow you to
check 2 bags, the first to measure no more than 62 inches in total
dimensions (length+width+height) and the second, no more than 55 inches
in total dimensions. Each bag can weigh no more than 70 pounds.  In
addition to your checked luggage you will also be allowed to carry-on
ONE piece of luggage not to exceed total dimensions of 45 inches and 14
pounds."

 We suggest you leave plenty of extra room in your 1 or 2 pieces
of luggage going over as you may be tempted to purchase some handicrafts
to bring back.  If you can squeeze all of your things into one bag going
and take a duffel bag inside of it, then you will have plenty of room to
expand on the return.
 

Note: We will be staying in National Park lodges, tented camps, etc.
Nowhere will you likely be sleeping directly on the ground, some
accommodations will have bedding, others not.  Some places you will need
mosquito netting that is provided (we will have some extra along).
While you will be sheltered at night, the temperature will usually be
the same as the outside, thus the need for a moderately warm bag.
 

Sleeping Bag (it may be as cool as near 35 degrees, but in other places warm)
Sleeping Pad (rollable, as small as possible, e.g. therma-rest or similar)
No Tent required (unless you will be staying on in Africa and need it for travel)
Knapsack or day pack

Note: (CC Summer Students: remember that you are arriving for a stay during the Zimbabwean "winter" so have several layers of clothing that you can combine for colder and warmer days and temperature variation throughout the day and evening. Also remember that outside of Harare there will not be sources of heat in buildings, and some sleeping situations will be at outside temperatures). WEATHER IN ZIMBABWE IN JUNE AND JULY IS A LITTLE LIKE WEATHER IN COLORADO IN APRIL )
 

Footwear: (2 pair should be sufficient: a pair of sturdy water resistant hiking shoes/boots and sneakers and/or sandals)
Windbreaker or light water repellant jacket (chance of rain is next to zero, most we will encounter is cold mist)
Warm sweater or sweatshirt
Casual pants, skirts or dresses (2 pair)
Casual shirts or blouses, some long sleeve (3-4, e.g. 1 t-shirt, 1 long-sleeve light cotton shirt/blouse, 1 short-sleeve light cotton shirt/blouse, 1 warm long-sleeve shirt <wool, flannel>)
Semi-dressy outfit (ironed shirt/nice blouse; good casual pants or skirt; nothing fancier needed)
Jeans (could be one of the pairs of pants above)
Shorts (1-2 pair)
Bathing suit
Underwear, socks
Sleeping clothes and light robe

Note: Plan on washing all your own laundry by hand in the lodges we stay in (the George Hotel does do laundry at your expense); pick clothes that are easy to hand wash; bring some woolite or laundry soap to last for a month of hand washing; there are no laundromats in Zimbabwe!

Cosmetics
Toothbrush, etc.
Shaving gear
Sun cream (consider minimum SPF 15)
Mosquito repellant (containing DEET)
Prescription medicine
MALARIA MEDICINE
Laundry soap for clothes washing
Extra eye glasses/contact lens + corrective prescription for emergency

Camera, film
Binoculars
Hat or cap for sun
Sunglasses
Flashlight and extra batteries (REQUIRED! DON’T EXPECT TO BORROW FROM OTHERS)
Water bottle(s)
Money pouch or belt to hide valuables next to skin
Travel alarm clock/watch
Personal first aid kit
Sewing/mending kit
Locks for luggage
Pocket knife with bottle opener
Games, very light sports equipment
Photos of you “at home” to show people you meet “who you are”

Note: It is best to get along WITHOUT any electrical devices (hair dryers, electric razors, etc.) – Zim electricity is 220 volts AC, plugs are VERY different so a transformer and plug adapters would be required, AND some places we will stay (e.g. Mvuradonha) has no electricity.
 
 
 

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