Best Of

You may need a magnifying glass, but all power modules (wall worts) for phones, tablets, etc.) have their rating stamped or printed on them. As Mike said, most are dual voltage and will accept any voltage between 100 - 240 volts AC and still produce the necessary 5 volts DC that almost all small electronics devices use. Hair curlers, irons, cup heaters, big camera battery chargers, etc. will not work properly (unless rated so)- a 120 volt curling iron will burn up if you try to use it with rest of the world 220 volts. If you have one of those and hope to use it you will need a heavy duty (and heavy) high power transformer (converter) so don't bother. Just buy a travel version of that appliance that will work on the higher voltage.

The type of plug adapter you will need to plug a two flat blade US plug into a foreign outlet depends on the country- there are exceptions, but the two main types of foreign outlets accept three fat rectangular pins used in the UK and a few other former colonies (Type G) or those that have two smaller diameter round pins used in most other places (Type C). For Botswana there are two associated plug types, types D and G. As Mike says you can Google it: https://www.mec.ca/en/explore/how-to-choose-a-travel-adapter

Other things you can do is buy a multi-country adapter- Amazon sells bajillion adapters. Also, as many of us do, if you have a lot of small devices, is instead of buying an adapter for each module, buy the correct adapter for a small travel power strip that has multiple US receptacles as well as a few 5 Volts DC USB(A) and now USB(C) receptacles.

This is a good source for adaptors. https://www.lightningbugelectric.com/about-us/blog/2021/april/what-plugs-are-used-in-different-countries-/ Just remember apple chargers can be used on both 110 and 220 current so all you need is an adaptor. Most of their chargers allows for the adaptor part to be removed and replaced and they have a great brick that allows for two cords to be plugged in. any other sort of electrical appliance would need a convertor. I believe Doha uses a G and Botswanna uses a G or a D plugs

You can get by with a minimum amount of clothing because most of the places we stayed at offered laundry services & they did a great job. Tauck gave us free laundry services throughout much of the tour. I’m not sure what they’re offering now, but it’s worth checking out. They’re strict about the luggage weight during the domestic flights.
They have very warm blankets in the vehicles, but I would highly recommend gloves. This was one of my favorite trips ever!

Mary, you are going to love this trip, one of my Top Five Favorites. I traveled in September as well and did COO - backpack and small carry on roller bag held everything I needed. Upon leaving Zambia, Tauck stored my roller bag and replaced it with a duffel which is necessary for the internal flights on small Cessnas that service the camps in Botswana. I was reunited with my roller bag at the airport in Maun en route to Cape Town. I was never cold enough for gloves, but I was happy to have two hooded jackets (one was a puffer that I slept in under the stars in the Kalahari - Tauck provided a hot water bottle that stayed warm all night). In my experience, it was cool but never cold in the early mornings and late evenings. Wishing you the best time!

Also, yes you do need a puffer vest for the Botswana trip, and a lightweight jacket with hood, I didn't need gloves. They provide blankets, which I did use.

Lma01, you are in for a fabulous adventure! My safari packing list: 3 convertible shirts, 3 pair long pants ( Columbia brand is great for wash and wear care ), one long sleeved and one short sleeved tee shirt in an easy care fabric, Tilley hat ( I like a hat that ties under the chin ), a closed toe shoe, a pair of Tevas, pjs, a puffy jacket that comes in a small pouch, a rain jacket with hood, a swimsuit ( the pool at the Royal Livingston is wonderful ) and there are other swimming opportunities at the lodges and the One and Only ),one “city smart”outfit ( I like black with scarves for pops of color, and you will want to be free of safari clothes in Cape Town, esoecially the night of the dinner in a lovely private home ). Always take an antibiotic and other otc meds to accommodate your personal health needs. I like laundry sheets for washing my “smalls”. The lodges provide free laundry service. I managed to fit this all into my carryon roller bag and backpack. Tauck gave us the duffel once we were in country. Tauck stored our suitcases for us, and we retrieved them in Maun before flying to CT. Heading home, I found the duffel to be helpful for packing dirty clothes and things I didn’t fear losing to a checked luggage snafu, and I used my carry ons for the “treasures” I purchased to remind me of a fabulous experience.. Leave your good jewelry at home, learn a few basic words in the local language, pack a smile and relax into the beauty, magic and adventure that is Africa. Have a great trip!

Lma01
read my report about your upcoming trip.

I dream of Africa ..(my experience)