I'm just wondering what everyone else uses to carry their cameras and personal items on game drives. I was considering using a backpack as my carry on when flying but thought this may be too big for a day bag. We'll be in a shared vehicle for game drives. Do those of you that check luggage bring a carry on, a day bag/camera bag, and a purse?

I checked luggage and had a carryon and small purse (that could actually fit into the carry-on). DH had the camera bag (with multiple lenses) for his carry-on. I used a lightweight fold-up backback for game drives (I brought it in my luggage to use for gorilla trek in Rwandas), but any lightweight fold-up tote would work fine. It just keeps your drive gear (sunscreen, insect repellant, water bottle, notebook, pen, that small purse if there is no safe in your room/tent, hat, extra layer of clothing) together -- then you won't be late for your game drives and aggravate your drive mates.

I check luggage, take a backpack with camera gear as carry on, plus a small bag as personal item. Sometimes this small bag has to fit in the carry on, as international restrictions vary from the US. I also have pockets in my jacket to distribute things around, when restrictions get tight. On game drives I take the camera bag, which goes on the seat next to me, plus I did what skibumette does, use a different foldable bag (old, beat up bag has a zipper at top), which I put my lightweight jacket in, as well as money etc. It is very narrow and fits on floor. When the bag moves around, (due to bumps) nothing falls out, nor are the contents dusty, thanks to zipper.A super small, lightweight duffle would also work, as it would fit under the seats.

If your carryon is a standard size backback, you can use that for your day-bag; sufficient room usually for camera equip and stuff.

Otherwise, use a separate bag for camera equipment and then take a small bag (fanny-pack type or other) for remainder of "stuff" you need with as: passport, money, credit cards (unless you leave in camp/lodge safe, which I don't and always keep with), meds, handiwipes, scarf, hat, hair items, etc.

I always take a backpack on drives - it's cold in the AM and gets warm so I have to stow my jacket, etc (and vice-versa on PM drives). Bug spray, wipes, binoculars and sunscreen.... I use the one available through the Sierra Club website. Nice bag and only $12! Lasted for years and just bought another one when I abused my first just a bit much. I carry my passport, etc in one of the zippered pockets so I "can't" lose them when on drives.

A standard size carry-on would be rather too large for most game drive vehicles. Unless you have a private vehicle all to yourself. So for drives I take my main camera bag only, less than half the size of a regulation carry-on.

regards - tom

Since I agonized about luggage decisions and we haven't gone yet, I'm not sure if I can help. But for what it's worth, we packed a fold up tote like this (a more rustic version)
Chttp://www.whatshebuys.com/long-1624-089.html?zmam=37532548&zmas=1&zmac=1&zmap=Long-1624-089

And the boys are bringing their nylon drawstring gymbags (easy to fold into backpack - We all had these in the Galapagos)
http://www.ebags.com/product/adidas/...58530986056910

And yes...I am bringing a small purse and camera bag in my daypack (which I will carry on as my personal item). The daypack is small enough to take on game drives, but I think the tote will work better. BTW, my friends who have gone with teens say that power bars are a must, especially if you will be in shared vehicles w/ Brits and Europeans - Their kids don't snack as often as Americans!

Crosscheck- hate to get you back on the luggage thing but what is your daypack? Is the fold up tote your daypack? Good idea about the power bars.

Tom- If you just have the camera bag do you have a place for a water bottle, binocs, sunscreen, removed clothing, etc.?

I was considering something the size of a hydration pack without the bladder but I'm not sure if this is really big enough to use as a carry on for the plane. I feel I should have at least a change of clothes and toiletries should they lose my check bag. I think the foldable/packable bag (for game drives) inside the average size backpack (plane carry on) may work best. My purse is very small and will fit inside anything.

I agree with Sandi and Christa--if your backpack is a standard size daypack it will be fine for drives. I did carryon and packed a daypack for Rwanda inside. When I got to Kenya I used my daypack for drives and stowed my smaller messenger bag/purse in my luggage.

I believe crosscheck has already exposed me as choosing design-impoverished luggage but here is what I have (not the plaid!):

http://www.jansport.com/js_product_d...?cid=&pid=TDN7

I carried my camera in a paaded skin, extra lens, binos, small backup camera, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen and all that other stuff in it.

Have a great trip!

Meant to say on other safaris I just used a messenger bag. The Rwanda thing made me get even more bag-conscious.

Leely2, Even if your luggage is design-challenged, I can tell you've got style (plus you're from the Bay Area, you're a witty, literate writer and your photo in the mirror looked very cool).

long2, I have an earlier version of this backpack: I love it because it's very light, has a convenient section for my little laptop, and is stylish enough to work for urban meetings when traveling. I happen to have the khaki color, even though I purchased it in my pre-safari days.

http://www.ebags.com/product/victori...21224001432407

Ok, I admit, I am a blonde and very confused; do I have to carry my passport on gamedrives in the Mara in a pack that I take everywhere? I have admittedly been on only one other Africa safari but I put my passport in a safe& took a small bag for my camera and my fleece that I took off - do I need more planning for Kenya?
Thank you; I am worried about carrying a passport and maybe losing it!
Any and all suggestions welcomed!
MB

MB - I have never stayed at a camp that had a safe (I don't think) so I usually take my passport. I don't think it's necessary, but the less I handle it by leaving it in a zippered pocket in my backpack at all times, the less likely I am to misplace it. I have a strong leather case for it so I don't wreck it.

Greetings from another blonde! Whatever you did before should be fine. I often left a travel wallet with my tip money and my passport in the room/tent safe (if there was one) but carried other cash and ID on me in my money belt. Had my game drive backback/tote bag (with all the stuff mentioned above) on the seat beside me + binocs around my neck. (If there wasn't a room/tent safe, then the travel wallet went in my tote bag.) DH had all the camera stuff.

Thanks christbir and skibumette - I think I will ask if there is a safe - I do have a tendency to misplace things (esp. rumbling around at 5:30am preceding a game drive!) and hope there is a place to lock it up and keep it in the tent. I am sure the tour op would know...
I don't think I'd need money in the mara would I? (at the end of course for tips, etc)
We'll be at this camp 5 nights and onto their mobile 2 nights; I'd hope they have a way to secure belongings!
One more thing to stress over. Zippered pockets might work! I guess I should be on the hunt for a bag with secure zips...
Last trip I left the bag in the vehicle when transferring from Zambia to Chobe..via road and river and a very honest driver returned it; lucky, lucky... Don't want to even think of doing that again so I let DH carry it all, LOL

There is a great company called Think Tank---they are a company of photogs who designed the perfect camera bags which are ergonomic and just fab. You can buy a daypack (a larger) one and stuff your extras in no prob. They are also a name thieves don't know so you are not advertising that you are carrying a camera. Hope this helps

Will check out the company; thanks for the info!

I found out Serian does not have safes in the tents so definitely need to re-think my bags in the vehicles. At least it is only the 2 of us in the jeep with the driver/guide and need not worry about accidental mixups (which has happened and causes major panic attacks!)

Making my lists; 2 months to go!

- cam bag for cam gear only
- small back pack for sunscreen, tissues, glasses etc.

Thanks everyone for your input. As much as I'm looking for an excuse to buy another bag I did discover that a relative has a bag that may work. It's a nylon healthy back bag. I'm not sure if it's a large size or medium but I know it isn't the small and it may work. Actually, the large size looks quite large to me in the picture on the mannequin.

http://tinyurl.com/2ebhdqf
http://tinyurl.com/25x745b