Travelling post Covid

It was 849 days between international flights – a far cry from the 3 months normally spent travelling each year for the 10 years prior to 2020. 

Travelling 2022 style was always going to be different but I was so excited to be travelling again, that it wouldn’t have mattered what I had to do to get there. I actually self-quarantined for 9 days prior to departure to ensure there was no way I was going to get Covid…..I had to go on this trip!

Packing was different to the way it used to be – KN95 masks were a must, as was hand sanitiser (I use to take that with me before anyway) and antibacterial wipes were all in the hand luggage, but I felt like I was out of practice with everything else – what did I need to take with me? What was normally second nature didn’t come back to me straight away.

There were extra forms to complete everywhere and when you’re travelling between 6 countries including Australia, that’s a lot of forms to fill out, sometimes they were completed against a pole in an airport queue but other times on the plane before landing. 
It certainly didn’t feel as easy and worry-free as it used to – I was always thinking ahead, did I have the right forms completed, had I checked the Covid restrictions, did I need a Covid test today or tomorrow?

In saying that, once we were over those small checks, the rest of the trip ran amazingly smooth. Having everything pre-organised and booked before departure was a bonus – I certainly wouldn’t recommend “winging” it right now. There are protocols everywhere however if you know what to expect before you arrive, then that’s a definite plus and it will make for a seamless holiday….something we all love to have.

Each country had different restrictions, but they were also very understanding and very thorough with their checks and there were no surprises. Masks were mandatory almost everywhere (not like in Australia, where you’re not sure where they are needed and where they aren’t).  

Prior to departure, many people said to me “I can’t believe you’re going to Africa -   surely it’s the worse place to go!” I think it was in fact one of the best places to go….their systems were all in place and everyone was compliant with the rules. It wasn’t crowded and everything ran so smoothly.

After travelling through 6 countries, going on 17 flights and 2 helicopter rides and having 9 PCR tests in 3.5 weeks….it was most definitely a safe destination to visit and will always be remembered as my 1st trip post-Covid as well as one of the best trips I’ve ever been on.