Special Gear

* Plan to wear long pants and long sleeve shirts. You'll appreciate being well covered under the hot sun and while it's legal to wear less (unlike some other Middle Eastern countries) you'll be treated better and have more opportunities to interact with locals if you're "decently" dressed. Some of our best experiences simply would not have happened if we hadn't dressed the part.
* We each had two pairs of quick dry pants for the trip & that worked sturdy and dried overnight. Exofficio's new Buzz-Off pants are both quick dry and repel insects (especially good if you combining your trip to Egypt with an African Safari.
o Click here for woman's buzz-off pants.
o Click here for men's buzz-off pants
* Patagonia silk-weight long sleeve shirts worked wonderfully in the heat – they breathe well and give you some sun protection. I’m not a fan of the heavier weight & more expensive Ex-officio safari shirts, but I know that some people love them.
* For women, a sports bra is generally much more comfortable in the heat than a traditional bra.
* Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen
* Mosquito protection - talk to your doctor or local travel medicine clinic about whether you need anti-malarials. You'll also want plenty of mosquito repellant to avoid getting bitten in the first place.
* Cheap bottled water is available everywhere - you do not need a water purifier unless you're really going off the beaten path
* You absolutely need a wide brimmed hat
* Take several handkerchiefs or bandanas. The cheap ones from REI work great. You can put one over your mouth to keep dust out (bandit style) or soak one in water & tie it around your neck or head to keep cool.
* Camera. I recommend at least a 200mm telephoto lens. You'll get great shots without toting around a big heavy lens. A 300mm lens is even better, if you don't mind the extra weight. Camera film is expensive and it may be old or not stored properly, so bring your own. If you take a digital camera, make sure you have a big memory card (or buy a digital wallet) -- you'll take more pictures than you think.
* A video camera (or digital camera that can record video clips) is a great way to share your experiences with friends and family at home. The smaller the better. Bring extra batteries and a charger.
* A day pack to carry bottled water. It's hot!
* One dressy outfit for a night out on the town or to dress up on your cruise
* If you’re staying in budget places, a silk sleep-sack is a really nice thing to have. It keeps you warm and shields you from the not-so-clean sheets. It's also really pleasant in the hot weather.

First Aid Kit and Health

* A squirt-top bottle is a nice thing to have. It takes a little while to get used to brushing your teeth w/water from a bottle.
* Bring some oral rehydration salts (ORS) and some mixes for Gatorade or other "sports drink". If you’re not careful or are very active, it can be easy to get dehydrated. It's often easy and cheap to get these in Africa, but it's a good idea to take some with you too.
* If you have an Aquis quick dry towel, it’s worth bringing, even if it’s the small size.
* Bring a couple of energy or breakfast bars (or whatever you like that doesn’t melt). They’re wonderful to have in a bind.
* Ginger tea is great to settle your stomach. Tums are another alternative. You should have one of the two ;)