I just got an e-mail from my TO (Eastern & Southern) as we were just touching base after all the news recently.

They also let me know that the woman I had been working with (Ivy) has left the company and that someone else would be handling our tour.
So this new person just sent me a confirmation of all of our arrangements.
However, included in small print was this:
<b>Luggage allowance 15 kg per person including hand baggage.</b>
This is the first I've ever heard of the weight limit including hand baggage. I assume this means carry-on.
CAN THIS BE RIGHT???????

Technically YES.

If you have a normal size carryon that doesn't obviously look weighted down, they won't weigh with your main piece of luggage. Same goes for your camera equipment... if it doesn't look heavy heavy.

But sometimes they do weight everyting, so then all are included in your weight allowance. They may charge a fee for Kg over.

You can take carryon and camera bags with on the plane, but realize, there aren't any overhead storage bins in 12-19/seater planes. Carryon goes on floor between your feet, camera on your lap.

Intra-country, it's 15Kg/33-lbs; for flights between Ken/Tnz you're allowed 40-lbs.

Believe me, we all initially panic over the limits, but manage to get in under the allowance. You don't need half of what you pack, laundry is available, you wear same items; no one will know or care, certainly not the animals.

That's the actual policy. However, in my experience they don't weigh your carry-on as long as you don't set it next to your checked bag. Just hold on to your carry on and it's very unlikely they'll weigh it.

Also not sure from where to where you're flying but there usually aren't any scales at the bush airstrips, so your luggage would most likely only be weighed if you were departing Wilson or Kilimanjaro or Arusha.

Thanks sandi and Patty.

We will be flying:
-Wilson to Samburu
-Samburu to Mara
-Mara to Nairobi

We also have flights to/from Rwanda:
JRO-KGL
KGL-NBO

I'm trying to learn as much as I can here about what and what NOT to pack to keep it light, but having to include my backpack and all camera/video equipment in that 33 lbs sounds like that could be a problem.

I think I'm going to do a trial packing run soon, just to see where we are with the weight.
Maybe it won't be as bad as I'm imagining.
But first I have to shop for our duffle bags.
Anyone have any suggestions on a good LIGHTWEIGHT duffle bag?
I've looked at some of the ones that seem pretty durable but they're kind of heavy.

Great pics, by the way, Patty!!! I did notice that you sure did dress nice...you always looked so good...how'd you manage that with the weight restrictions?
Also, I may have missed some of your posts. How was business class on your flights??

Thanks, luv2globetrot! I'm a serious over packer and this trip my duffel only weighed 12kg! If I can do it, anyone can Every trip I try to pare down and I still came home thinking I could've brought less. As a matter of fact, when our bags were delayed, I thought &quot;I can survive with what's in my carry on, what did I bring the rest for?&quot;

Here's the duffel I have http://www.outdoorproducts.com/proddetail.aspx?sku=252-

It's just over 2 lbs empty. If I did it again though, I think the medium one would suffice. I find the large a little too big.

I wouldn't worry too much about the camera equipment. My experience which seems similar to most others is that they don't weigh it. And if you're just a little over, the overweight fee isn't that much. For example, on Air Kenya it's 200 KES per kg http://www.airkenya.com/terms.asp

Our original KQ CDG-NBO-CDG flights ended up getting canceled but we were rebooked on KQ AMS-NBO and KL NBO-AMS. I found the KQ 772 seats much more comfortable for sleeping than KL. You're returning on the KQ LHR redeye, right? If so, I think you'll appreciate the seats for sleeping. Just try to get a pair of window/aisle (or vice versa) seats on the 2 side as the configuration is 2-3-2. We were a last minute rebook and had no choice so ended up in the 3 seat middle section which was still OK. I don't remember much about the service on KQ which probably means it wasn't particularly good or bad. I slept most of the flight too which could be the other reason I don't remember much. I just remember the lovely seat, ahhhh.... Mark did mention that his feet touched the back of the seat shell in front of him when sleeping. Since the seats are flat and not angled, your feet are more elevated and don't go into a space underneath the seat in front of you like an angled seat. Therefore anyone tall may find that they can't completely stretch out.

AMS-JRO is a day time flight so I think you'll be fine with the KL seats. I think KL will be switching to 772 (from MD-11) on the AMS-JRO route by the time you fly, so the same advice applies about seats as they're also 2-3-2. The entertainment system on KL is very good so that should help pass the time.

The rest of our long haul flights were on AF which seemed the same as I found them to be previously - good seats, OK service.

The DL 763 retrofit should be completed by the time you fly so you should have on demand video and they're introducing new duvets and pillows next month.

Enjoy your flights!

Thanks Patty for all that great info!
Boy, you must be a good packer!!!

If you don't mind me asking, what did you pack in your carry on? And was it a backpack?
Usually I only carry a backpack on the plane with medicine, books, puzzles, etc, sleep mask, noise canceling headphones, toothbrush, toothpaste and various sundries like gum and my camera.
But I guess it might be a good idea to pack one change of clothes.

Thanks for the feedback on the business class...sounds pretty promising! And boy do you have a good memory!!!
I have the date marked on my calendar for when we can call KLM for our seat assignments.

And thanks for the link for the duffel bag.
Have a great weekend!
&gt;-

I looked up your old post. I don't have <i>that</i> good of a memory

Between the 2 of us, we had 3 carry-on items - a camera/video bag, my &quot;purse&quot; which is actually a small messenger/travel type bag, and a small carry on bag which contained our binoculars, a change of clothes each, pair of sandals or flip flops each, 2 baseball caps, 2 swimsuits, medicine, travel size toiletries, and some reading material. I always try to bring on board whatever I think I may need to get through the first few days if my luggage doesn't arrive. I'm starting to think if we'd just bring 2 slightly bigger carry-on bags + camera/video bag + purse (counting the latter two as our personal items), we could avoid checking anything. I'm not there yet, just starting to think about it