hills27

Haven't read all the answers, so forgive me if this has already been covered, but Africa Adventure Company told me not to store my luggage at JNB under any circumstances. According to AAC, theft is rampant, despite locks etc. If you really need to store it, I'd store it empty or only leave clothes you don't care if you lose.

I took the large duffle from LL Bean and it worked great. I also took a medium sized LL Bean duffle inside my bag. It worked great for packing all my purchases for the way back (and separating them and some clean city clothes from the larger duffle full of dirty, dusty safari clothes).

hills27

As long as the bag is soft sided and within the weight limit, you're good.

ekscrunchy

Well that tidbit about JNB storage is now putting a crimp into the plans...

The travel agent just let me know that the bag should be no longer than 62 centimeters..

ekscrunchy

Well that tidbit about JNB storage is now putting a crimp into the plans...

The travel agent just let me know that the bag should be no longer than 62 centimeters..(the duffel bag that I will take to the camps..)

ShayTay

I've worn safari clothes in Kings Pool, Cape Town and the Winelands with nary a sideways glance from anyone. I pack in a 22" x 14" x 9" soft case from Rick Steves' company and it has served me well all over Africa. Of course, the camera bag is separate. I think you'll find that you don't need a lot of clothes, even with your varied itinerary. Laundry is done everywhere. By choosing your clothing carefully, you should be able to do the whole trip out of one duffle.

ekscrunchy

I am going to do my best to winnow down in order to fit into one duffel bag. I ordered one from LL Bean today. Another question: Do you all recommend I pack some kind of jacket for warmth or will a micro-fiber fleece pullover and a light cotton jacket with hood do the trick for nights or early mornings in the bush and in Capetown during late September-early October?

sandi

We all have our own thermostat, and while the temps even in morning and night might be comfy when vehicle not moving,, when they haul across the plains and the wind picks up, it gets cold. We visited end-Nov/early-Dec when it was hot and humid and yet we all needed layers on those morning/night game drives. That was in addition to the blankets that the safari vehicles had available.

cw

The personal thermostat observation is a good one! I live in New England, and in early September last year I wore a t-shirt, fleece, and tightly woven cotton jacket in the mornings and late evenings. (Also often to dinner.) I never wore the gloves nor the fleece ear band, nor the long underwear, that I brought with me.

Occasionally used the blankets in the vehicles.

Worse comes to worse, and you're freezing, you can always buy another fleece at the lodge shop. Or just bring a silk underwear camisole for an added layer.

hills27

I found most restaurants in Cape Town to be smart casual. A pair of black pants and a nice top/sweater worked well for dinner. I personally would have felt like a goofball in my safari clothes.

During the day in Cape Town I generally wore my jeans, which I ended up using for dinner a lot during safari as it was chilly. I know they are heavy, but I was glad I brought a pair.

LAleslie

Ekscrunchy, ditto, you don't need dressy clothes for Cape Town. They dress like Californians there. But you DO need to dress for dinner on the Blue Train. They are quite strict about it. Men must wear a coat and tie (they need to get with the modern world program!). You can just take a small bag to your state room and check the rest, but obviously you won't be back to Pretoria, so looks like you'll have to pack safari clothes and dress clothes on one bag for the trip to Lion Sands unfortunately.
We took a large (35"?) Eddie Bauer duffle and never had a problem on the small planes. It is tough, attractive, but only one pocket and unlined, and we thought it was too big (our clothes slid around inside).
Nationwide is a big S.A. airline. No worries. Definitely take a good fleece, and wear layers underneath in the mornings. I wore a light jacket in Botswana and Sabi Sands with two long sleeve T-shirts in Sept. and froze. All the rangers wore fleeces. Wish I would have bought one at a camp as a souvenir but they were out of my size.
Leslie
P.S. They were quite lenient at Joburg airport on the way out about luggage weight. The check-in attendant said S. Africa expects you to buy souvenirs and come back with more than you brought.

zinfanatic

Ekscrunchy, You are asking all the same questions I have had. What a dilemna- a nice one! We are leaving on Sept 22 and then safari in Botswana=hot! Afterward we are going to Capetown, the Winelands and the Garden Route-somewhat different clothes and climate in October. I have decided not to leave any luggage in Joburg before safari. I will pack everything in 30" duffel- not full and go! I think we will shrink wrap on our return trip to the US.

ekscrunchy

I am leaving Friday and will try to begin laying out stuff today to see what is what. I think I will take the 30" LL Bean duffel bag with another soft sided bag stuffed inside..

Question: For nights in the lodges..do many people wear jeans? From what I am reading, it seems that jeans with a nice top can be worn just about anyplace except the Blue Train and a few CapeTown/winelands restaurants...correct??

I did check the weather reports; the closest I found for the lodges was Livingstone where the temps do not go below the 60s...but from what you are all saying, I still need the fleece pullover and a light jacket...right?

Sorry to sound so clueless...trying to winnow down the packables..!!

ekscrunchy

Leving tomorrow and still have not decided about taking the fleece pullover (which is black, by the way). Forecast for next week shows lowest temp in (Livingstone/Kasane) to be 64 Degrees F.... Can I possibly do without a fleece? We will be in Lion Sands first week in October and Botswana the second week of the month.. I will pack light cotton jacket and will have cotton sweatshirt. Thanks for all the help! I hope I can give the same after my return!

Lynneb

I've just returned from zambia safari and a livingstone trip. We didn't need fleeces in the evenings at all but the am game drives in open vehicles were a little cold for the first hour. Can be chilly on the plane too. I'd take a lightweight fleece/sweatshirt just in case.

Cheweyhead

Take the fleece. We used them in the morning & evening drives in Botswana as you can be out late.
Also CapeTown had cold & rain in September.
We rode horses early in the morning in the Winelands and needed Fleece then too!
Have a great trip!

Leely

Have a great trip! What did you decide in terms of the shrink-wrapping?

Thanks for the note about Degustation--we may try it.

ekscrunchy

Thanks, all.

Leely...I got no definite answers about the shrink-wrap at JFK. I will see if I can find it and use it tomorrow. I plan to use it in JBG when I may have to store a bag while on "safari." I will check out all the options and let everyone know!!! The owner of the fish store said I could use his scale to weigh my duffel bag...I am afraid to know the total but we can take 20 kg on light plane flights now, according to the TA they upped the weight allowance recently...

Let me know about Degustation..it is next door to Jewel Bako in East Village and has the same owners. Counter seating; small place... I will give you more (probably unsolicited) advice on NY places when I get back if you want!!

Leely

Restaurant opinions are always welcome.

Have a wonderful time. Take notes!