Three weeks from today...I will be in Kenya.
I spent the weekend shopping and pulling together items for the packing list: sleep sack, hiking boots, work gloves, headlamp, bandanas, first aid kit, dry shampoo, etc. Packing for two full weeks of camping in Africa is daunting. I just know I'm going to be the person who forgets something vital, like sunscreen.
The only item I haven't purchased yet is the 30% (or higher) DEET insect repellent that is recommended. Reading the back of the bottles scares me. Anything with a high level of DEET carries warnings like "Do not spray on any synthetic materials." (ummm--like most clothing?) Or, "May damage leather." If something is strong enough to damage leather, do I really want to spray it on my skin? I'm struggling with this one. Spray really hazardous materials on my skin--or risk getting bitten by a potential malaria-carrying mosquito? I'm looking into other options...
While I am there, I will have zero access to phones, email, etc., but WLS is going to maintain a trip blog so that our friends and family back home can keep up with what we are doing. I'll post that link before we leave.
Oh, and did I mention that I AM SO STINKIN' EXCITED? Because I am. I most certainly am.
Specifically, we will be on the Shompole Ranch, which is located on the border of Kenya and Tanzania, between the Masai Mara Game Reserve and the Amboseli National Park, just north of Lake Natron.
