What follows are recommendations and observations to help you prepare for the outreach in Uganda. This information is based on Dr. Shinn's experiences during trips taken to Uganda since June 2005, along with advice from his Ugandan friends and personal guides.

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Important to know about money:

In Uganda they will only accept US currency in $100 bills!
These bills must be 2003 series or newer or they will be severely discounted.

Bring extra money for tips, souvenirs and gifts for local people

Important to know about baggage:

Weight limit is 50 pounds for check through bags. Those of you from Washington State please-- please try to limit your self to one check through and one carry on bag so we can divide up the dental equipment we have to ship amongst you to save overage fees.

Put all your valuables in your carry-on bag , ie camera, binoculars, medications, extra glasses, tickets, purse, wallet, watch, and other things you don't want to loose.

Do not bring jewelry

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Water, hydration and food

• Do not drink any water except bottled water!
  Pop and beer are also available
  • Bring powdered Gatorade or other similar rehydration electrolyte replacement products.
    We will be right on the Equator, hot and humid at 5,000 ft. elevation with very limited resources other than the supplies you bring to prevent dehydration.
    
• Bring your own personal supplies of snacks and candies, power bars etc. (consider the nutritional value when choosing)

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Personal supplies

• Bring your own toilet paper and all other personal hygiene supplies.
• Hand sanitizer is necessary; often there are no other handwashing facilities.
  

Prevention of illness

• Do not go barefooted in the African countryside;there are several diseases that enter through your bare feet. Take sandals or flip flops to wear while showering.

• Malaria carrying mosquitoes come out after dark.

  • Insect repellent ( Be sure to bring enough!)
    • Use DEET for your clothes but not on your skin.
    • Use Ultrathon or other recommended repellent directly on your skin
    • Keep your skin covered up after dark.
      
  • Mosquito netting
    If you are going to travel beyond Mweya Lodge, not all places have it in the remote areas.
    • Bring enough to cover a singe bed.
      
• Do not drink any water except bottled water! Pop and beer are also available.
  

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Clothing--day and night

Note: Pack everything inside plastic garbage bags and bring several extra bags to protect cameras etc. When it rains there, the water comes in through the car roof and every other crack, and everything gets wet.

• Extra pair of prescription glasses and safety strap to keep your glasses on your head.
• Light weight rain coat or poncho
• Broad brimmed hat and sun protection
• Bring long sleeve, light-weight shirts and pants and layers for warmth at night
• Bring light weight sweats for sleeping in
  • Also, bring a sleeping pad and light blanket for comfort in the remote areas
• Sturdy walking shoes (and hiking boots if you are going to do a gorilla trek)
• Sandals or flip flops for showering in. Do not go barefooted in the African countryside,
  there are several diseases that you don't want to get, that enter through your bare feet.
• Swim suit for the hotel pools
• One set of nice clothes for dining.
• Light weight gloves for tracking gorillas in Bwindi

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Other items

• Small back pack
• bring several extra plastic bags to protect cameras etc.
• Camera, lenses, extra batteries, film, memory cards, storage devices.
  Note: Wildlife usually stays in the shadows so bring film that works well in low light.
• good binoculars
• Power converters from 220 to 110

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In addition to above lists, all dental professional need to bring:

• You will need 3 copies each of:
  1. your passport's first page
  2. your professional license
•  Your own gloves, masks, eye-wear and scrubs.
• Hi and low speed handpieces (4-hole connection)
• Power converters from 220 to 110 for your charging units.
• A selection of favorite burrs and hand instruments.
• extra 2x2's or 4x4's
• your favorite bonding and composite and sealants
• toothbrushes
• any other dental materials you want to donate to local dentists
• Doctors: please bring basic surgical instruments and suture if possible

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See web sites for:

Hotel Africana

Mweya Safari Lodge

Uganda Wildlife authority: Bwindi National Park

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Bring an open heart ... and your sense of adventure!

 

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