Backpacking around Africa. Advice on budget.

[ChrisJ86]

I'm looking at backpacking around Africa. As in ... Africa. As much of the continent as I can possibly/'safely' see. The countries I'm esp. interested in are South Africa, Zambia, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somaliland, Tunisia, Morocco, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Niger, Mali, Senegal Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana.

I want to do this overland, starting in Jo'burg. By foot, by public transport and by hitchhiking. Yeah, I know this is a forum that's aimed mainly at those keen on getting around on two wheels, but I feel there are enough Africaphiles here to get a decent response.

Accommodation-wise, I'm looking at cheap hotels and, where possible/safe to do so, camping and staying with locals. In terms of food, I'm looking at, again, cheap places and, where possible, cooking. I'd trust my prep before I'd trust that of some road side stall in the middle of nowhere.

I'd like to spend my time just experiencing the different cultures and doing some aid work. I've already got three places in mind (two in Kenya, one in Ethiopia) and am currently looking for a few more.

Where do I want to finish? Well, ideally, where I begin -- Jo'burg.

So ... now I need some idea of how much I have to save (cost-per-month would be best). I have a job that'll let me make some money on the road -- freelance writing -- but I want a good bit of cash behind me before I head off. Time isn't an issue. Also, I'd like to factor anti-malarial meds into the budget. While I intend to take a decent supply with me, I figure I'm going to have to purchase some on the road (incidentally, what's the cost of anti-malarial meds like in Africa? Is it subsidised in places with decent health care systems like Kenya and Tunisia?