hi all,

i am starting to work out travel/packing needs for our honeymoon and I have so many questions! I've been able to find many many answers and advice by searching through this forum, but i still have more.

some background in case you haven't seen previous posts - my fiance & i are taking our July 2007 honeymoon in tanzania. 9 days of safari (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire), 4 days in Matemwe, Zanzibar.

here goes!

1. How quickly does laundry get done at camps/lodges?

2. During the dry season, do we really need a wind/rain jacket? (don’t own one, would have to buy)

3. Do we really need long underwear? (again, don't own, would have to buy) Is this for sleeping? Will heavy “pajama pants” be ok?

4. Bad to wear jeans? (for evenings – they won’t attract tsetse flies at night, right?)

5. I don’t normally wear shorts much – would it be a bad idea not to bring any? (just pants converted to capris etc)

6. How bad are mosquitos & tsetse flies in the dry season (yes, mosquitos usually like me just want to be prepared)

7. Here’s an odd one: my fiancé & I both got our passports renewed. His is put together in the wrong page order. Is this a concern? Do we need to express a new one?

8. Another odd one - does anybody play music at the camps? In the evenings, etc?

9. SURVEY: How many of you check your bags vs. just do all carry-on? (i fear baggage loss!)

10. SURVEY: do you carry all your cash with you (in a money belt?), or put in safe at each place?

11. SURVEY: Do you treat your clothes with bug spray?(permethrin?)

thanks all! sorry for so many questions!!

You are way ahead of the game with 5 weeks of lead time.

1. If it is warm and sunny, a morning drop off of laundry can be back that afternoon. It is often line dried so the weather matters. If not one day, then a two-day turnaround. Since many guests only stay two nights, the staff is accustomed to a quick turnaround. My thicker wool socks would often come back damp, so in effect it took one more day to be able to put those back on my feet.

2. Even the dry season can have a few mm of rain. But as long as you have other jackets you should be fine. If a 2nd hand store is handy, you could see what they have.

3. Heavy “pajama pants” are fine instead of long underwear. I don’t take long underwear.

4. Downside of jeans—heavy so they add weight, don’t dry quickly, they are blue which is a bad tse tse color. That makes them bad to wear in the vehicle. If you pack them only for eve wear, which would be ok, then you have one pair of pants that is suited to only one purpose. If your luggage weight and volume can handle that, then fine. But I prefer my clothing to be suited for eve wear or if I need it, safari wear during the day. I want my trousers to multi-task.

5. No shorts is fine. I hardly ever zip off my convertibles.

6. Mosquitos & tsetse flies in dry season in Tanzania = almost nonexistent in my experience.

7. "Here’s an odd one: my fiancé & I both got our passports renewed. His is put together in the wrong page order. Is this a concern? Do we need to express a new one?"

You mean the numbers are out of sequence? I’d check with the Tanzanian embassy on that. I'd also check with the US Passport agency. If you cannot get through (and I was never successful in numerous attempts during March and April) then contact your Congressperson. I did and it helped.

That is an odd question indeed.

8. "Another odd one - does anybody play music at the camps? In the evenings, etc?"

You mean on a laptop or some device that others could hear outside your tent? Or are you thinking of bringing a guitar or a harmonica? Personally I would not want to hear music coming from anyone’s tent in the bush. I would find that annoying and a distraction from the sounds of the bush. I might even be asked to move tents as far away as possible and I am not known to move accommodations for picky reasons. I know this answer might seem harsh or make me appear to be a crabby old ____, but I wanted to answer your question honestly and convey the importance I attach to this issue.

9. SURVEY: How many of you check your bags vs. just do all carry-on?
I always try to carry on as much as I can. Depending on the weight limits, rule enforcement, strictness of security, I am sometimes successful and sometimes not.

10. SURVEY: do you carry all your cash with you (in a money belt?), or put in safe at each place?
I keep it on me. The odds of me being held up I think are less than the odds of me forgetting my stuff in the safe. I also knew someone who lost all their cash that was in a safe because an unscrupulous employee had the key or combo to the safe. That sort of thing is quite rare, but I feel better with the goods on my person.

11. SURVEY: Do you treat your clothes with bug spray?(permethrin?)
No

I hope you are as organized on the wedding plans!

I imagine you must live someplace hot and tropical if you do not have a wind or rain jacket? We found that if it does rain in the dry season, the camp handed out waterproof ponchos. However, you are not going to want to get cold so I hope you do have more than just a fleece. If you are the type who rarely gets cold, then sure, don't get the long underwear (that I gather your travel agent suggesting?). We will be bringing ours. "Heavy" pj pants are not as good because they are heavy (you need to think light for packing for Africa) and don't dry quickly and cannot double as warmth under your pants.

Skip the jeans because they are heavy and slow to dry. This is a common question here. People are advised against it but come looking for permission to ignore. <s>

Fine on skipping the shorts, many do, esp when you're going. I agree with Lynn, it would not be a good idea to have someone in the next tent playing their harmonica while we're trying to sleep, for example.

The airlines are really strict these days about not letting you carry more than the limit onboard. We'll be checking soft duffle bags and carrying on camera eqt and medicines. We usually use a combo of money on us and the safe for passports. And we do use that spray and it has worked.

Who has organized your trip? Listen to your travel agent's advice and you'll have a wonderful honeymoon!</s>

Wondering if the lodges (Sopa, Serena) have hangers, for drip dry, etc.
Thanks

Clematis1, I actually live in NYC! Yes, my life &amp; purchasing history have ill-prepared me for a safari in Africa. I live in jeans and black clothing, own exactly 1 spring jacket (black), 1 winter coat (black), and a bunch of umbrellas (also black ). I need to/have had to purchase pretty much everything I’m wearing/using specifically for this trip – I didn’t even own a fleece, a pair of khakis, or a sports bra! As you can imagine, the costs pile up and I’m just trying to figure out what items are really necessary for me and which are not.

It sounds like the wind or rain jacket is pretty important…perhaps this is an idiot question, but are you guys referring to something like this? http://tinyurl.com/2sukms

I am happy to purchase anything necessary, but have never used some of these items – so that’s why I was asking.

Atravelynn, yes, I like to think the wedding is relatively organized too! I feel like I have to be, since I think the next 4 weeks are going to go by WAY too quickly!

Regarding the passport thing – yes, we have not been successful in getting any answers from the passport agency. very frustrating. I will do as you recommend though, and try the Tanzanian embassy – thank you!

One point of clarification on #8 – I perhaps did not phrase that correctly. I had heard (perhaps mistakenly?) that at some safari lodges there is sometimes evening entertainment, like local music or dancers. Was wondering if anyone had experienced that?

Full disclosure though – we ARE planning on bringing a ukulele with us on the trip – though NOT for use on the safari! We are rounding out our trip at Matemwe Bungalows and had hoped that environment (and the privacy) will be conducive to a little strumming. However, if you guys think it’s a bad idea we can reconsider.

Thank you both, atravelynn and Clematis1, for your replies – they are very helpful! I appreciate you taking the time. Would love to hear more thoughts on all of these.

We went to South Africa in December. I have 2 teenagers, we are from NYC. My kids wore their jeans and it was never a problem. Neither was color. Our travel agent told us that it is only the tourists that are so concerned. I actually found alot of the concerns that people expressed to be nothing to be worry about. We were in the rainy season, for example, and had every spray imaginable and the mosquitoes were just not a big deal and they love my daughter. A light windbreaker was helpful. I worried about many things that were just no big deal!

You might consider buying a cheap poncho that folds down to the size of a sandwich bag. You can throw that on if it rains and it would cover you and your bag, camera, etc. Even though it's the dry season, there can be the odd shower or two.

Oh, lodge entertainment. Yes, there often are local entertainers--everything from a guy and a guitar singing captivating folk songs to traditional dancers. You can disregard the previous rant, then.

A ukelele, I would never have guessed. Post safari a little strumming should be fine.

I like the fold up poncho idea.

I found Patrissimo's comment about the jeans interesting. Interesting because this is the first post comment I've read that did not discourage jeans. When I was in South Africa the people wearing jeans were South Africans who traveled from Cape Town and from Durban, and the people wearing khaki were from the US and UK. I am in the latter crowd, and will pack my khakis. But, that is because I reside in the southestern US, and I live in khakis, so I happen to own many pairs. Also, they do dry much faster than jeans. But, I will probably wear my jeans on the int'l flight and will have them for double duty when it's cold at night. I can get many more wears out of a pair of jeans between washes than I can khakis.

Morgiane-
1. Lynn's right about the laundry. It comes back very fast. Same day or next day. Better than your average NYC hotel.

2. Again, Lynn's correct. If you don't have one, don't worry. I was in TZ in July 03, and didn't need one. But, if you can buy a cheap one, you'd have an extra layer for warmth and wind/rain protection if necessary. But, if you don't own it and can't buy it cheap, I wouldn't bother. ShayTay's rain poncho idea is a good one. I had a garbage bag with me (for dirty laundry), that I put in my camera back pack while on drives, just in case it rained. It never did, so I don't know how effective it would be.

3. I take long underwear, but that is primarily because I like lots of layers and don't own many warm clothes, other than a very heavy long winter coat, which gets used only when I come to NYC

4. See comment about jeans above.

5. No shorts is fine. I did zip off my convertibles a number of times in 03, and wore my shorts several times, but it won't be so hot that it really matters.

6. I did not have a problem at all with tsetse flies or mosquitoes in July. Even at Grumeti, I had no problem. But, I did spray all of my clothes with permethrin.

7. Lynn has the best advice here.

8. I am so glad you clarified this. I was about to say, &quot;please DO NOT bring any form of music with you . . . then you couldn't hear the sounds of the bush.&quot;

9. I check my duffle and carry on my camera equipment, critical documentation, medication, a small amount of toiletries and a complete change of clothes. I do this primarily because I don't want to haul my luggage during flight changes. I am not sure whether it would pass as carry on size or not. But I suspect it would not pass inspection anyway due to the liquid restrictions.

10. I keep my money with me. Most places take credit card, so you only need cash for tips at camp and miscellaneous items.

11. I do spray all my clothes with permethrin. It's probably unnecessary, but it is easy and does not make the clothes smell. I don't know if this helped or not. I do know that I was never bothered by mosquitos.

Have a wonderful honeymoon.

Do a search on the Europe board for the problems people are experiencing currently getting their passports renewed. It sounds like a complete mess! Even paying for expedited service, I might not trust them to get it back to me in 4 weeks. If at all possible, I'd go in person if you need the passport reissued.

Laundry gets done quickly but may take a while to dry depending on the weather. On this last trip, I got some of my clothes back still soaking wet after two days But you're traveling in the dry season so shouldn't experience days in a row without sun.

I bring a rain jacket mostly for riding because it's not always possible to get out of the rain while on horseback. If you're spending most of your time in a vehicle or at camp, I don't think it's absolutely necessary. But I like the cheap poncho idea.

I don't bring long underwear and I rarely wear the single pair of shorts that I do bring. I mostly wear capris during the day and lightweight yoga/lounging pants for sleeping. I bring one pair of jeans (again for riding) but don't bother laundering them. I don't treat my clothes.

morgiane, you've received good advice here from other posters. I'm going to chime in anyway.

1. Camps and lodges get laundry done unbelievably quickly in my experience. But why don't you give us your itinerary one more time? You must be getting excited.

2. No, not really, but bring at least one warm-ish thing for cooler mornings and evenings...just in case.

3. I don't think I took long underwear even when I was camping (real camping, on the ground).

4. Jeans are no problem if you want to wear them.

5. Two trips to TZ, both late-June and July, no shorts for me either time. I wear pants or skirts.

6. You'll get some mosquitoes on Zanzibar. I have also been bitten while in odd places like the Crater, where one wouldn't expect them. I was massacred by tsetse flies last year and absolutely untouched the trip before that. Go figure. It's not a huge deal but I ended up getting really itchy and it bugged me!!! Used toothpaste on all my bites; that seems to stop the itchiness for me. Not an attractive look, mind you.

7. Hmm. I don't know about this.

8. Lynn et al covered this. Enjoy the uke on Zanzibar.

9. I check my bag and carry on the camera, money and meds. What else do I really need?

10. I carry my $, leaving perhaps some cash in a stash somewhere in my duffel bag.

11. First trip, I treated EVERYTHING with permethrin. Second trip, did not. Second trip, I was driven mad by tsetses but permethrin is not supposed to be effective for that so this is likely just a coincidence?

12. Congratulations and have a great trip!!! Take lots of photos but remember to occasionally put down the lens and really see and enjoy what's around you, warts and all.

Perhaps I meant to say &quot;see and enjoy what's around you, warthogs and all.&quot;

Enjoy the adventure.

I also live in black (and white - neither of which is suggested for Africa) so for my trip - leaving this Thursday - I purchased very inexpensive &quot;on sale&quot; tan pants, shorts, whatever from Target, TJ;s, any 2nd hand store, and I plan on leaving everything behind as I will not wear it here in town. My Travel Agent also recommended this as the locals love anything you may leave behind. I purchased great tees from Old Navy - 5 bucks - and will leave those too! No sense bringing back what you won't wear in NYC. Just my 2cents. Happy Happy Honeymoon. Everytrip my DH and I take we call our honeymoon! Have fun and just enjoy it. Sam

Morgiane,
I just returned from TZ about 6 hours ago so I will give you my perspective ( I can't sleep, still on TZ time)
1) I dropped off my laundry in the evening and had it back the next evening. The cost for each item was between 750 - 1200 TZS (and they fold eveything very neatly). The exchange rate was 1250 TZS - $1.
3) It gets very cold at night at the Crater. Both nights I was there, the bar was very crowded. Everyone wanted to be by the fireplaces. I wore flannel pjs at night for sleeping. At dinner and for the beginning of the drive, I had long pants with a half-zip sweatshirt with a collar. I was fine but you have to decide how much cold you can tolerate.
4) Hardly anyone had jeans. Most had lightweight pants, either zip-offs or khaki type. I went to the local Goodwill store and bought 2 pairs of pants for under $10. Tsetse flies are out in the day.
5) Shorts are your personal preference. I like shorts, so I wore them a lot, but the other women in my van wore longer pants.
8) There was entertainment at the Lake Manyara Sopa in the dining room but that was all.
9) I checked 1 bag and carried my camera, binoculars, medications, money and documents with me. I kept a small bag with my glasses, papers, a book, and money inside a larger bag. That way, I could stow the larger bag and put the smaller bag under my seat.
10) I kept my money and papers with me at all times. It's easy to keep them in a money belt or around your neck.
11) I did not treat my clothes.
Enjoy!

Thanks so much to everyone for the well wishes and feedback! This is all such great input – I really appreciate it.

Leely, I'd be happy to post my itinerary again! here it is:
July 6-7: JFK-AMS-JRO (Kia Lodge)
July 8: Flight Arusha to Lobo, Northern Serengeti (Migration Camp)
July 9: Northern Serengeti (Migration Camp)
July 10: Northern/Central Serengeti (Mbuzi Mawe)
July 11: Sunrise Balloon Ride, Central Serengeti (Mbuzi Mawe)
July 12: Central Serengeti (Serengeti Serena Lodge)
July 13: Masaai Visit/Ngorongoro Crater (Ngorongoro Serena Lodge)
July 14: Ngorongoro Crater/Tarangire (Swala Camp)
July 15: Tarangire (Swala Camp)
July 16: Tarangire (Swala Camp)
July 17: Flight JRO TO Zanzibar (Matemwe Bungalows)
July 18: Zanzibar (Matemwe Bungalows)
July 19: Zanzibar (Matemwe Bungalows)
July 20: Zanzibar (Matemwe Bungalows)
July 21: Stone Town Tour, Zanzibar, fly ZNZ-DAR-AMS-NYC

and yes, we are both sooooo excited! For warmth, I got a Polartec 200 Fleece jacket, and have a hoody sweatshirt. I am still waffling on the rain jacket…and now I'm wondering if I have TOO much warm stuff!

Patty: I like your idea of the yoga/lounging pants for sleeping. I think I will bring those instead of the sweats or long underwear. And perhaps I will throw in one pair of shorts as well, depending on space. How many pants/capris do you bring? I am leaning towards one regular pair of pants &amp; 2-3 lightweight roll-up pants/capris? I really love jeans, but maybe I already have enough stuff. Also, do you horseback ride in Africa? That sounds wonderful. Where do you ride?

It sounds like some of you do go ahead and check bags...I am trying not to be paranoid about them getting lost...the liquid restiction is a doozy...currently trying to figure that one out! I saw from another post someone brings solid shampoo/conditioner – I may try that one. For those of you than DO only take carry-on...how have you managed with the liquid restrictions for things like sunscreen? do you buy in the airport after security??

Almosthere – really nice to know that I am not the only person who lives in black (and white ). I love that you and your DH call every trip your honeymoon! that's fantastic.

again, thank you all for your patience and help in answering my questions! I am sure I will have more in the weeks to come.

The TSA agent I recently talked to said that he would only allow liquids through in their original containers with the weight printed on them. That's not stated on the TSA website, but apparently it's up to the agent. He says he can't weigh everything and it keeps him from being accused of discrimination (&quot;You let that guy through with his unmarked container and not me!&quot

One thought: if you have a product such as conditioner you buy at a beauty supply place or sunscreen that you can't get in trial sizes, just buy a trial size container of conditioner, shampoo, etc., then empty out the container and fill it with your own product.

Your trip sounds great! On my last trip I brought a pair of jeans, a pair of linen pants (mostly for evenings), a pair of capris, a pair of long pants convertible to capris and a pair of shorts. I've ridden in the Laikipia, Rift Valley, and Aberdare/Mt Kenya regions of Kenya and on Ndarakwai ranch in the West Kili region of Tanzania. Let me know if you want more info.

Unless it's important for you to use a specific brand, shampoo is always available, but conditioner may not be. Congrats and have a great trip!

On my last trip, I brought one pair of lightweight full-length pants, two (or three?) pairs of pants that hit the ankle and a skirt. But I only liked one pair of pants and in my photos I'm always wearing the same thing.

Your itinerary looks wonderful. Excellent to end the safari with three days in Tarangire at Swala. Niiice.

Hi Morgiane,
I was just scrolling through this post and noticed that we will be in many of the same places either the same day or a day apart.

After a day in Nairobi, we will be staying at the Kia Lodge, not the same night as you, but on July 5. The next day we fly to Grumeti air strip with 2 nights at Kirawira in Western Serengeti.

But, we will then spend July 8 &amp; 9 at the Migration Camp and July 10 at Mbuzi Mawe. We then move onto the Ngorongoro Serena Lodge for a night (July 11) followed by 2 nights at Tarangire River Camp on July 12 &amp; 13.

We follow up our Safari with a week in Germany and then 3 days in Amsterdam.

Looks like great minds think alike Have a great trip and we'll see you (literally) in a little over a month.
Duane (and Denise)

Firstly - congratulations on your future wedding! Hope it all goes smoothly and that you ahve a wonderful day.

Otherwise, I'm glad to see I'm not the only person who doesn't own a wind/rain jacket (I have a smart winter coat, a warm winter coat, a lighter winter coat, and that's it, all invarying shades of grey/black). I'm planning on taking a fleece, and a sleeveless puffer jacket, which will hopefully keep me warm. Shopping in London's a lot more expensive than NY, so a rain jacket will be expensive over here.

I&quot;m not planning on getting wet, so I'm taking jeans (I'll travel in them anyway, so the weight doesn't matter).

I'm not much of a short person (we don't tend to have much need for them here!) so I was planning on taking some cotton skirts.

I'm going to be checking my bag (you have to in London), and taking my camera, binocs, malaria tablets, and a change of underwear etc in my carry on bag (along with travel docs and a book for the flight)

This is however, my first safari (24 days to go), so don't take my advise....