Please see details below on what to bring.

Sleeping Quarters

  • Towels for bathing, swimming and camping
  • Coat-hangers

Laundry

  • Laundry bag
  • Pegs
  • Hand-wash powder ( 2kg for occasional usage)

Personal Toiletries

  • Shampoo, conditioner and soap
  • Deodorant
  • Toothpaste, floss and toothbrush
  • Nail and hair brush
  • Shaving kit
  • Mosquito and tick repellent
  • Sun block
  • Lip Ice/Vaseline

Personal First Aid Kit

While Quest is equipped with First Aid kits and trained personnel, participants are encouraged to attend to smaller health problems themselves and should bring a personal first aid kit which should include:

  • Antiseptic solution/ointment e.g. Bactroban
  • Antihistamine cream
  • Anti-inflammatory cream/deep heat
  • Darolyte Tablets (or other rehydration salt tabs/sachets)
  • Analgesics and anti-inflammatory tabs.
  • Anti-diarrheal medication
  • Flu and cold remedies
  • Eye and ear drops
  • Paraffin gauze, bandages, plasters, strapping (if necessary)
  • Repeated prescription drugs to be accompanied with a letter from the doctor

General Personal Items

  • Camera (optional but recommended)
  • Laptop (optional but recommended)
  • GPS (optional)
  • Binoculars
  • Cell-phone and Charger – very limited cell signal at the Kaba, but access to land lines if required
  • Sun-hat and sunglasses
  • Head-light torch and spare batteries
  • Maglite torch or similar.
  • Pocket- knife
  • Lockable trunk and keys to keep under bed (max height 25cm) (optional)
  • Laundry marker or permanent marking pen
  • Sewing kit with needles, pins, safety pins, cotton and scissors

Clothing

  • Underwear, sleepwear and swimming costume
  • Socks for hiking, cycling, running and casual wear
  • Shirts and T-shirts – formal, casual, physical training/running/cycling etc.
  • Chinos, jeans and shorts – formal, casual, physical training/ running/cycling/ horse-riding etc.
  • Track suit – suitable for evenings and camping
  • Sweaters and jackets
  • Formal evening outfit - at least blazer or jacket, tie and chinos
  • Shoes for all occasions - formal, casual, outdoor/hiking and sport
  • Protective overalls – preferably 2-piece work suit
  • Raincoat or poncho

Camping

  • Light-weight hiking tent
  • High-density field mattress
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Protective bag or bivvy to sleep in during bad weather
  • Camp cooker and suitable container to boil water
  • Melamine camping crockery - mug, plate and bowl (as unbreakable as possible)
  • Camping cutlery - knife, fork and spoon
  • Waterproof lighter

Hiking Back Packs

  • Two back packs are necessary, one for day use (+/- 15lb) and one for multiple day hikes (+/- 50lb). It is important to have the proper fit and the ratio to your size and build, compared with the size of the backpack. This is essential in order to enjoy hikes.
  • Back packs should not exceed 15% of your body weight when fully loaded, to make for a comfortable hike.
  • Camelbak, or similar, with bladder for hiking and cycling or Water-bottles (2x750ml) – the larger Camelbaks are good for day packs.

Mountain-Bike Gear

  • A good, reliable mountain-bike, front suspension recommended but not essential.
  • Helmet (IMPERATIVE)
  • Bike pump
  • Puncture repair-kit
  • Extra inner tubes, liners, slime –WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TUBELESS SYSTEMS WITH SUITABLE SEALANT, FOR THE KABA CAMPUS. Most modern rims can take a tubeless conversion, and most bike shops can provide the kits and do the conversions.
  • 2 x water bottle cages
  • Odometer (optional)

(Quest can facilitate the purchase of good mountain-bikes and equipment if required, but please give us time before the course to arrange for this. Preferable to size the bike with an expert and test run everything before coming on the course!!)

Sports Gear and Clothing

  • Swimming costume
  • Running shoes - try to get the best you can afford as you will be exercising on a regular basis. Cross-trainers are also good to opt for, as most runs are off-road and they can double up for a climbing or cycling trip.
  • Hiking boots - These should be bought well in advance and worn in before embarking on the first hike. Light, good quality, ankle protection and good socks are the key words. If the boots are leather, stock-up on wax.

Academic, Stationery and Other

  • 2 packs of playing cards
  • A4 Exam pads with punched holes – x 4
  • A4 Ring binders – x 3
  • A5 Page-a-day diary – x 2
  • Pens, pencils, glue, tape and scissors
  • Bird Book: Sasol, Newman or Roberts.
  • Tree Book: ‘Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa’ (Struik)
  • Mammals: ‘Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa’ (Stuarts) or similar
  • Other recommended books - ‘Safari Companion‘ (Estes), ‘ The Wilderness Guardian’ (Longman Kenya), or similar.

Passport and Medical Aid

  • Valid Medical Aid number and card
  • Valid Passport and ID. Check passport expiry date,
  • Driving Licence if applicable.

Medical

  • Ensure that you have a comprehensive medical check-up. You will participate in exercise and outdoor activities and Quest should know of any health restrictions. Check should include:
    • Heart, lungs and ears
    • Identification of blood group
    • History of operations
    • Any injuries or disabilities