Access to Electrical Outlet Adapters

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erock985
erock985

Hi Everyone,

I am about to head out on a 6 month trip around southern Africa (Namibia, South Africa) and east Africa (Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya), and I am finding that all of these countries have different electrical outlet types: http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plug-voltage-by-country/

If I tally up all the different outlet types that I need to account for, I get this: C,D,M,N,G. I have a universal electric adapter (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WC1HY2W/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) that should cover all the outlet types except for D and M, which are specific to South Africa.

Usually, I would just pack all the adapters I need, but since I am traveling for so long and running out of space in my backpack, I am trying to see where I can cut items out of my backpack (and it already seems like I have 500 adapters). Also, if possible, I would like some flexibility to go to places that I did not necessarily plan to go to and not be restrained by not having the necessary electrical adapters.

Has anyone found that you are able to find the necessary electrical adapters while you are traveling around southern and eastern Africa either right before you travel to a new country or once you arrive?

Thank you for your help!

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lidia_s77
lidia_s77

I am always unsure as to why some websites say that South Africa uses plug D as well. I've lived there most of my life and as far as I know and have seen almost all wall plugs are type M only and not compatible with type D. In recent years some restaurants and hotels have added the European wall plug C, but it's not very common. Since some, especially smaller, appliances used in South Africa come from Europe you will find plug adaptors converting the two-prong plug C to the three-prong plug M wall outlet very common and available at supermarkets, travel shops, shops at the airport etc. You shouldn't have trouble finding them or other plug-type adaptors and your hotel might have them already.

Type D is a bit smaller and is used in Namibia and India as far as I know. I'm pretty sure you will be able to find adaptor plugs there as well without too much trouble.

Also just be aware of the 110/220 V difference. This is usually not a problem for charging things like phones but always make sure that anything you plug into the wall will be able to handle the higher voltage without exploding or you would need to use a transformer.

Happy travels! :-)

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lidia_s77
lidia_s77

I realize you already have a universal adaptor, but in general you would only need a type C adaptor and not a type N as well since a type C plug is compatible with a tyoe C and type N wall outlet (but not vice versa).

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erock985
erock985

Hey @lidia_s77, thank you for all the info! That helps a lot. I am looking forward to visiting your home country!

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