AZJ - Johannesburg to Cape Town starting 23 Sept 12

Hi, Tony - yes, there are certainly two of us from Devon and Dorset. We're looking forward to it very much. I went Cape Town to Vic Falls 5 years ago and always said I'd go back to do "the other side". We're flying out of Heathrow Sat 22nd. Are you joining in Jo'burg?

Chris Shaw 

Hi Tony (and Chris) we're coming on the trip (husband - Nigel & me - Jo) and flying from Heathrow. Really starting to look forward to it as it will be our first trip to SA but our 3rd trip with Exodus, so confident of a good time! What is everyone doing about malaria tablets? South African friends have said that they personally wouldn't use them, just lots of repellant and long sleeves, but we're not sure if it's worth the risk, although would only take them for the first part of the holiday.

Chris, will look out for your Exodus sticker at check-in!

Jo Phillips

Hi, Jo and Nigel! Our numbers are growing. I'm afraid my Exodus "label for life" was demolished on the flight home from Burma in February! I'll probably use my old Exodus bag, though, so give me a shout if you spot me (and Penny). Malaria only looks high risk way up north for the first couple of days. I may just be very careful, but I expect I'll swallow pills for a few days and see if I'm bitten. I retire at the end of August so am really looking forward to a journey where I'm not rushing to go and racing back to work on my return. Happy days!

Hi Chris! Snap! I retired at the end of July although I was only working part-time anyway. To take malaria tablets or not is a bit of a quandery and I think we'll probably err on the side of caution for a few days, like you. I'm just about to send off for our Mozambique vizas so everything is starting to look a lot closer and, having a busy few weeks coming up, I'm sure the next few weeks will fly past. We haven't been away yet this year so I can't wait! Will definitely be looking out for you both at the airport!

We are going to take Doxycycline this time after a very unfortunate experience with Malarone earlier in the year in Loas. Although Malarone usually causes most people few side effects all four of us in the party had very upset tums for nearly a week which stopped immediately when we stopped taking the Malarone. Doxyxline is also much cheaper than Malarone!

Looking forward to meeting you all at LHR.

Hi Tony! We weren't sure if you would be at LHR or meeting up in Jo'burg. We'll keep our eyes peeled for Exodus labels in the Departure lounge.

We've reluctantly decided to take Malarone, I've used it before with minimal side effects as long as I definitely take it with food - I'm sure we'll all be reminding each other over breakfast - but Nigel has never taken it before so we'll be watching out to see how he goes, if it's too bad he'll have to stop and just rely on anti-mosi sprays, which is what our S A friends do

It's all coming round very quickly now and we're trying to make sure that we don't pack too much.

See you soon!

I tried Malarone once and thought I was going to die before I left home!! The answer seems to be - take whatever suits you. It's Doxycycline for me and lots of Deet. Counting the days now and looking forward so much to meeting you all. Here's to a great trip!