Gillian

We saw plenty of animals in the 3 game parks. On the game drives wear subdued colours - beiges, browns & greens - don't want to stand out like a sore thumb!

The other people on the holiday were great & we all mixed very well - always do on Justyou hols!

I've been on Northern Cyprus, Kusidasi, Turkey, Germany last Christmas, Thailand & Cuba. Cuba was very very interesting as were all the others. Am off to the Cilento Coast, Italy on 9th Oct - supposed to be brilliant, get booked up quickly.

Helenj

Gillina

I have not done this tour but I have done Kenya and I got bitten alive, I used spray.. deet ? on my body, and took mossy wipes out with me, I had plug in room things I slept under the nets but still got attacked I think it is the luck of the draw. I had to result in taking antihistamine ? tablets before the bites got infected.

So good luck hope someone else can give you some information.

Cindy

www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk

This site was recommended to me by NHS Direct.

You need to be yery careful with deet because it will attack plastics and damage painted surfaces. You MUST NOT get it on things such as sunglasses, spectacles and watches etc.

Having said that it is perfectly safe if used carefully and is vital if you are in a malaria area.

Hi, I'm new to solo holidays and the South African Explorer on October 26 2011 is my first try, I'm nervous and excited. Can anyone give me an idea what mosquito sprays/pumps etc work best and how much to take for the 16 days? Also any other tips, tales or advice would be very welcome.

Gillian

Hi Gillian,

I'm doing the South African Explorer holiday myself but leaving on the 21st September 11 so getting very excited now.

Having read many of the posts on this forum and doing a bit of research on the internet, I have bought some mosquito defence dry insect repelling bands which can be worn on the wrists or ankles. Each band dispenses protective repellent through natural body movement. I have also bought Repel 55 travellers insect repellent which contains 55% deet for when I get into the malaria areas. In addition I also have Mosi-guard natural insect repellent which should be ok for the start of the holidays. I also got some After Bite cream in case I do get biten.

I bought all the items online from Amazon where I found the prices to be very reasonable.

I assume you have had all your jabs and of course you will need your malaria tablets. If not you need to see your travel nurse at your local GP surgery. Mine was very helpful.

Also remember you may need plug adapters for any electrical items you take and your travel socks for the long plane journey.

I don't get back until the 11th October because I'm also doing the Victoria Falls add on but if I get a chance on my return I'll post to the forum any further tips or experiences.

Mike

Having gone to Kenya last year for my 1st safari we did some extensive research in respect to repellants. I have extremely sensitive skin (I blister in the sun and am allergic to many facial products) and I tend to get bitten by anything and everything. The repellant I chose was the childrens RID from the safari store online and it was wonderful. Tested out before I went for allergic reactions first, I didn't react at all and no bites whatsoever on the holiday.

As far as I am aware South Africa itself is not a malarial area.

Enjoy your trip.

Ems

I went on this wonderful holiday in Feb 2010 - don't need mozzie spray but need Malaria tabs - see your Practice Nurse at your GP. I loved the whole thing. Table Mtn was exciting. Ask them to take you down onto the beach before you leave so that you can see Table Mtn just as you see it in photos not at weird angles. Keep a diary of where your photos were taken for when you get home.

We saw plenty of animals in the 3 game parks. On the game drives wear subdued colours - beiges, browns & greens - don't want to stand out like a sore thumb!

The other people on the holiday were great & we all mixed very well - always do on Justyou hols!

I've been on Northern Cyprus, Kusidasi, Turkey, Germany last Christmas, Thailand & Cuba. Cuba was very very interesting as were all the others. Am off to the Cilento Coast, Italy on 9th Oct - supposed to be brilliant, get booked up quickly.

Helenj

Hello Helen, thank you for your reply. Yes, my Practice Nurse has been very helpful too re jabs, malaria tablets etc. Table Mountain sounds great, I can't wait to see it. Your diary idea is good, I expect I'll take loads of pictures. Thanks for suggesting subdued colours for the game drives, it makes good sense, I don't want to frighten the animals! I've also read that long sleeves are a good idea for the evenings, what do you think?If you think of anything else I'd love to hear from you. I hope you enjoy Italy.

Kindest regards

Gillian

Gillian

Gillina

I have not done this tour but I have done Kenya and I got bitten alive, I used spray.. deet ? on my body, and took mossy wipes out with me, I had plug in room things I slept under the nets but still got attacked I think it is the luck of the draw. I had to result in taking antihistamine ? tablets before the bites got infected.

So good luck hope someone else can give you some information.

Cindy

Hello Cindy, Thanks for your reply. Sorry to hear you were bitten so much, it sounds as if you did all the right things. From what I read Deet is a must, I might try a plug in mosquito thing as well.

Kindest regards

Gillian

If there is a risk of malaria you need a repellent with 50% deet. You can get advice about malaria and other travel health here

www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk

This site was recommended to me by NHS Direct.

You need to be yery careful with deet because it will attack plastics and damage painted surfaces. You MUST NOT get it on things such as sunglasses, spectacles and watches etc.

Having said that it is perfectly safe if used carefully and is vital if you are in a malaria area.

Hello David, thanks for your reply. Thanks too for the good advice and the web link, I've had a look at it and it's full of useful information.

It's also good to know the effect deet has on things before I ruin my glasses. I'll be very careful with it.

Again, many thanks for the advice,

Kindest regards

Gillian

Hi, I'm new to solo holidays and the South African Explorer on October 26 2011 is my first try, I'm nervous and excited. Can anyone give me an idea what mosquito sprays/pumps etc work best and how much to take for the 16 days? Also any other tips, tales or advice would be very welcome.

Gillian

Hi Gillian,

I'm doing the South African Explorer holiday myself but leaving on the 21st September 11 so getting very excited now.

Having read many of the posts on this forum and doing a bit of research on the internet, I have bought some mosquito defence dry insect repelling bands which can be worn on the wrists or ankles. Each band dispenses protective repellent through natural body movement. I have also bought Repel 55 travellers insect repellent which contains 55% deet for when I get into the malaria areas. In addition I also have Mosi-guard natural insect repellent which should be ok for the start of the holidays. I also got some After Bite cream in case I do get biten.

I bought all the items online from Amazon where I found the prices to be very reasonable.

I assume you have had all your jabs and of course you will need your malaria tablets. If not you need to see your travel nurse at your local GP surgery. Mine was very helpful.

Also remember you may need plug adapters for any electrical items you take and your travel socks for the long plane journey.

I don't get back until the 11th October because I'm also doing the Victoria Falls add on but if I get a chance on my return I'll post to the forum any further tips or experiences.

Mike

Hello Mike, Thanks for your reply. Yes, your holiday is very near now, I can understand how excited you must be. I'm excited but a bit nervous too.

I've taken your advice and looked at Amazon they look like the best bet. The insect repellent bands are a good idea, it seems that deet is a must.

Yes, my Practice Nurse has been helpful, she has made sure all my jabs are up to date. From what I read the best place to get the malaria tablets with a private prescription is Superdrug.

Thanks again for such good advice. I hope you have a really good holiday. I look forward to reading your posts.

Kindest regards,

Gillian

One good tip is to start taking garlic tablets for a few weeks before you go away and during your time away. The mozzies can smell the garlic in your blood and it may keep them away. Worth trying anyway. Enjoy!

Hello Anne Marie, Thanks for your reply. That sounds easy, I might give it a try along with a few other things.

Kindest regards

Gillian

Kindest regards

Gillian

I went on this wonderful holiday in Feb 2010 - don't need mozzie spray but need Malaria tabs - see your Practice Nurse at your GP. I loved the whole thing. Table Mtn was exciting. Ask them to take you down onto the beach before you leave so that you can see Table Mtn just as you see it in photos not at weird angles. Keep a diary of where your photos were taken for when you get home.

We saw plenty of animals in the 3 game parks. On the game drives wear subdued colours - beiges, browns & greens - don't want to stand out like a sore thumb!

The other people on the holiday were great & we all mixed very well - always do on Justyou hols!

I've been on Northern Cyprus, Kusidasi, Turkey, Germany last Christmas, Thailand & Cuba. Cuba was very very interesting as were all the others. Am off to the Cilento Coast, Italy on 9th Oct - supposed to be brilliant, get booked up quickly.

Helenj

Hi, I'm new to solo holidays and the South African Explorer on October 26 2011 is my first try, I'm nervous and excited. Can anyone give me an idea what mosquito sprays/pumps etc work best and how much to take for the 16 days? Also any other tips, tales or advice would be very welcome.

Gillian

I can higly recommend MOSQUITO MILK available by Chemist Direct online. £8 per bottle and remains potent for 18 months after opening. I used this in Cuba and we were the only ones not to get eaten alive at a crocodile farm. I was the only one in India not to get bitten too! It's odourless and clear and you use it like a roll on deodorant - what's more it doesn't strip paint like so many of the others and you only need reapply every 8 hours. You, like me will continue using it year after year!

Kindest regards

Gillian

Hope that helps.

Happy Holiday

Hoops

Avons skins so soft [green] is brill for mosie bites. Also don't eat banana's, they like the taste of them.

Hope that helps.

Happy Holiday

Hoops

Avons skins so soft is also a good mossie repellent.

Dawn