When planning to travel abroad, particularly to the African continent, remember the little things that can make a meaningful difference. For example, bring small items that can be distributed for the simple pleasure of offering a gift to a new friend or, on occasion, be used for direct exchange/barter. In addition, bring picture books about your home state. We brought along multiple copies of Vermont Scenes and Seasons and Vermont Impressions as well as fifty 1-1/2 ounce bottles of Vermont maple syrup. Another important item to consider is a Polaroid camera. This technology provides an excellent opportunity to provide a precious gift to local peoples who seldom, if ever, have seen a photograph of themselves. Some cultures think that photography steals the soul so why not take a picture and leave it with them. If your trip includes school visits take school supplies of all kinds. We discovered that pens are coveted over pencils. On this trip school visits were planned but unfortunately schools were not in session. We left the supplies with our safari leader for later distribution.
Thinking ahead pays off, particularly if you have connections with research/educational institutions. Denny Dvergsten, one of our traveling mates, is connected with the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota. He was able to make arrangements for us to meet with Craig Packer who is researching lion populations in Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. Dr. Packer met with us later in the trip at the Ngorongoro Farm House for a lecture and dinner. He shared some of his current projects including the inoculation of canine populations against rabies and distemper in order to slow the spread of those diseases in wild animal populations. His work on lions is documented at the Lion Research Center.
