Probably a dumb question, but I am wondering whether socks are a necessity on safari?

I'm not really a sneaker or hiking boot type of person, and I had planned to wear Born sandals on my safari. I've worn similar styles of sandals all over Europe and Latin America, and found them to be quite comfortable, not just physically but also mentally since I feel more put-together wearing them than I would wearing sneakers. I was planning to wear these sandals with capri pants (brown, khaki, olive colors). I'm usually not even a person who likes to wear pants (I don't even own a pair of jeans or shorts)--just casual dresses or skirts--but I thought that pants were in order for this trip. It's not really an appearance thing, I just find dresses more comfortable, and also require less effort since I only need to put on one item of clothing instead of matching two pieces. And before I get myself into even more trouble (at the risk of being flamed), I should also mention that even while wearing dresses and sandals, I still travel lightly (one carryon duffle bag).

Details about my trip that may help:

Dates: August 4 to 18, 2007
Camps: Bateleur at Kichwa Tembo (Mara)
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Klein's Camp (Serengeti)
The Palms (Zanzibar)
Activities: Game drives (open vehicles)
Balloon flight (Mara)

I'm not planning to do any walking or hiking, just going to from my tent/cottage/room to the main dining area. My concern is wearing the capri pants and sandals to dinner (actually, I had even planned on wearing a casual dress and the sandals to dinner) and possibly getting bitten by mosquitos or tse tse flies (it seems most of the dining areas are open air). I also realize that it may be cool in the morning, particularly in the Crater, and I'm prepared to deal with that.

I've bought a good supply of 95% Deet, as well as Permethin spray for my clothing. I'm also bringing mosquito coils and citronella candles (but those will only help in my rooms, not while dining). I will also be taking Malarone.

So the question is, would it be better for me to have my ankles covered (ankle-length pants, socks, enclosed shoes) while on my safari, or do you think I'll be fine with my capris and sandals at night? Thanks!!

I find it depends on where they set up the dining area. If the tables are set right on the lawn, I tend to get bites on my feet if I don't cover up, even if I put repellent on. Other than that, I can wear sandals and be fine. The other issue is that it may be too cold to wear sandals and capris at night in the Mara and crater (and maybe Kleins too, I don't know the elevation there), particularly in August. So you might want to bring one pair of pants + socks and closed shoes just in case for either reason.

Flunnfnfold: I wore capris and socks during day and just sandals at night. no problem..but my big question is I think your itinerary is what I want to do next. With whom did you book if you dont mind sharing, and how did you choose, etc. I am just back from 2wks in SoA, and want to go back immediately (but must wait of curse) it was recommended to me to do Mara and Serengeti next. Also will there will be migration in August?
I took more socks than needed, so left a bunch for the staff. Left all my kakis too as I was sick of looking at them. I was proud I did NOT overpack, as my duffle was filled with my jackets mostly! Capris, one long pants, and two shorts all I needed. Very easy. This comes from a huge overpacker! Have a good time and if you don't mind sharing I'd love to find out more from you. Thx D.

Dining at both Bataleur and Crater Lodge are "indoors", though the sides are open. We weren't bothered by bugs during dinner at either place in September.

Thanks, everyone, for your responses to my silly question!

Marija,

I think we connected online once before because our itineraries were similar. Do you have any advice for requesting specific rooms/lodging at Bateleur, Crater Lodge, or Kleins (I think you only stayed at two of the three that I'm staying at, but don't remember which). I'm actually interested in being more out-in-the-open than in a room surrounded by foliage or with complete privacy. I've got a crazy fear of bugs, particularly scorpions and tarantulas (maybe Africa wasn't my best choice?) and would like to minimize sightings. Also, do you remember if they supply toiletries in the rooms, and whether you could charge your laptop/digital camera in your room, or did you have to do it in the main lodge? What about needing an electrical converter/adapter? Thanks.

Dana,

I booked through Go2Africa, even though three of my four lodgings are CC Africa camps. I got a few quotes from the popular agencies (e.g., Thompson, Micato, CC Africa themselves), but Go2Africa offered the best price. What I didn't realize was that I was actually paying them to organize my trip. Maybe that was naivete on my part. I never use a travel agent, so I didn't realize that there would be a fee. But when I just received my final invoice two weeks ago, sure enough, there it was. I don't recall how much it was exactly, since it was in South Africa Rand (that's where Go2Africa's headquarters are), but I think it equated to between $100 and $200. Actually, it was probably worth it, since we are flying between locations and there were about 8 flights total, 5 hotels, transporation to/from airstrips.

*Nairobi (Wilson) to Mara
*Mara to Nairobi (Wilson)
-(then Wilson to Kilimanjaro,
-then Kilimanjaro to Lake Manyara--
that's going to be a BAD travel day)
*Manyara to Klein's
*Klein's to Arusha
-(then Arusha to Zanzibar)
*Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam

I knew that I wanted to hit the Mara, Serengeti (although people didn't recommend that I needed to see both since locations/animals might be similar), and the Crater, plus some beach time. We had hoped to do the Seychelles instead of Zanzibar, but because there aren't flights there each day and our time was limited, it just didn't work out.

I researched all camps in those afore-mentioned areas, and I chose what I thought would be best for me (and hubby). I'm not much of a camper, or one to "rough it", and they seemed to be some of the best/most luxurious. I also really liked Migration Camp in the Serengeti, Cottar's, Little Governors. I looked at the Serena and Sopa chains also as mid-priced options. I probably would have been satisfied staying at them, but I hope that I'll be ecstatic with the CC Africa camps.

Unfortunately, I picked some of the highest-priced lodgings, but I've waited all my life for this trip (or at least for the 10 years that my husband and I have been married and talking about it) and I'm not likely to go again (the world is a big place, and no matter how much I like the places I've been, there's always somewhere new to explore). We will do South Africa someday, though--so I'm interested in YOUR itinerary, too (interested in seeing Sun City, Johannesburg, the Garden Route, Kruger, Capetown but haven't done much research yet). This will be our most complicated(and most expensive trip to date), but we are celebrating a bunch of important events with this trip (e.g., paying off our mortgage, the last birthday before we enter a new decade, 10 successful years of marriage) so it seemed okay to splurge just this once.

We're flying Emirates to/from Kenya and Tanzania. Obviously it wasn't our only choice, but we didn't want to fly through somewhere that we had already been (e.g., London, Paris, Rome), so that left Dubai, or Johannesburg on South African Airways. We'll do a 2-day stopover in Dubai on the way to Africa, but fly back with just a connection.

Hi, fluffnfold,

Both Bataleur and Crater Lodge are well protected from outdoor bugs. I never saw a scorpion or tarantula. You don't have to worry about seclusion, since lodgings at both are close to one another. At Bataleur we had the "tent" closest to the lodge and I found that to be noisy. You want to hear animals, not laughing tourists! Toiletries were supplied at both lodges. We charged our equipment in the rooms. We had adapters but I'm not sure if we needed them there. Have a great trip!

fluffnfold, I know you will be very happy at CCA properties as we stayed with two of them in Kruger area (Ngala and Exeter)and the service and people, especially our guides and trackers were the key components to such an exceptional experience. They have been trained to offer fabulous service. We enjoyed all the staff - and as I had stated before, I brought their smiles home with me. Along with about 1,000 photos!
But I am with you; a trip of a lifetime - go for the lodges you want!
I plan on including a few CCa lodges on my East Africa Safari (hopefully next year!) Thanks for sending me your itinerary and I look forward to your trip report. Have fun, don't worry about bugs. They have lots of animals to snack on. D.

Hi fluffnfold,
We're going to some of the same places as you later in the year-Bateleur and Dubai specifically, before going to Rwanda, so will be interested in hearing about your trip. We're also stopping off in DXB for 2days enroute and then just for a few hours on the way home. Hope you'll post a report.

I'm not a sock person, but did pack 2/pr for my recent trip. If you wear sneakers, it's a good idea to have something on you feet, even if the short tennis socks. Otherwise, the early morning and late afternoon/evening game drives can be cold, especially in open vehicles. Besides in August, it's winter in East Africa. I would therefore seriously consider socks and wear as you see fit.