Travel Safety and Preparation
Use this guide to prepare with confidence. Each checklist is verified and family friendly. Complete these steps before departure.
Health, Vaccines, and Medications
Update routine vaccines and complete travel immunizations six to eight weeks before departure. The CDC recommends Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and a Polio booster for all trip countries. A Yellow Fever certificate is required for Ghana and for travelers who arrive from or transit Yellow Fever areas.
Malaria risk is present in Ghana, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, and moderate in Kruger Park, South Africa. Your doctor may prescribe atovaquone proguanil or doxycycline. Egypt has no malaria risk.
Pack a compact family medical kit and keep prescriptions in original bottles with a doctor’s note.
- Prescription medications and a doctor note
- Pain relief and fever reducer
- Motion sickness and antidiarrheal
- Rehydration salts and electrolyte packets
- Insect repellent and sunscreen
- Small first aid kit with bandages and antiseptic
- Mosquito bed nets for Ghana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe
Money, Phones, and Internet Access
Use a primary credit card with no foreign fees and carry small USD bills for tips and emergencies. Withdraw cash at ATMs inside banks or hotels.
Buy a local SIM at the airport or install an eSIM before travel. Egypt and South Africa have strong networks such as Vodafone, Orange, MTN, and Vodacom. Wi Fi is common in hotels and limited in safari areas.
Power is 220 volts with Type C and Type F plugs. Bring a universal adapter and a power bank for load shedding in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
- Notify your bank and card companies
- Carry small USD bills
- Use ATMs at banks or malls
- Buy eSIM or local SIM at the airport
- Download offline maps before you fly
- Bring a universal adapter and a power bank
Emergency Contacts and Safety Plan
Save these numbers and print the family contact card for every traveler. If a passport is lost or a serious event occurs, contact the nearest United States Embassy.
Country Emergency Numbers
Egypt – Police 122, Ambulance 123, Fire 180, Tourist Police 126
Ghana – Police 191, Ambulance 193
South Africa – Police 10111, Ambulance 10177, Fire 112
Zimbabwe – Police 995, Ambulance 994, Fire 993
Tanzania – Police, Ambulance, Fire 112
United States Embassies
Cairo +20 2 2797 3300
Accra +233 302 770700
Pretoria +27 12 421 4000
Harare +263 867 701 1000
Dar es Salaam +255 22 229 4000
- Print and carry emergency contact cards
- Choose a regroup point in each city
- Use licensed guides and licensed taxis
- Share daily WhatsApp check ins
- Carry a small flashlight during load shedding
Final Preparation Steps
- Apply for visas at least three months before travel
- Schedule travel clinic six to eight weeks before departure
- Confirm insurance with medical evacuation
- Order some local currency and notify banks
- Start malaria medication as prescribed
- Download offline maps and translation apps
- Print visa approvals and boarding passes
- Pack emergency contact cards and travel wallets