PatEE

Our group of 6 is off to our Africa adventure in less than 2 weeks. In speaking with our travel agent on an optional night Safari drive, she seemed underwhelmed although did not discourage us from doing it. If you have done it do you recommend it and feel it was worth the money? Is there more to see than 'eyes in the bush'?

We were informed you are no longer allowed to take plastic bags into Kenya and could be fined if you do. I like to use some Ziploc bags in packing for convenience and safely packing liquids. We also like to dole out our daily meds into tiny little plastic bags for convenience. Is this a no-no that could cause us an issue if our luggage were checked? Of course we would be considerate and take all the empty one with us. I assumed it was more shopping bag type bags that is the problem, but don't want to have any issues.

amyb

I’ve only been on one night drive (I’ve only stayed at one camp where it was allowed) and it was incredible! Two lionesses we’d seen before dinner and their dozen or so cubs took down an impala and then fought over it! One lioness laid on as much of the impala as she could, preventing the other lioness from stealing it. The second lioness kept eating around her until she could get a big enough piece to tear off and take to her cubs. The cubs were all circling and eagerly awaiting dinner! It was incredible. The guides used a red light (instead of white so they weren’t blinded) so we could see clearly what was going on. It was fabulous. We also saw an African wild cat, which looked a lot like my own cat, and are impossible to see in the daytime. The other thing that’s neat is just going there and sitting without the vehicle running in the dark. The sounds, the amazing number of stars and the “eyes” you see are part of the fun.

I would question the extra cost for a night drive though. Usually this is included at most camps from what my friends have said. I did not pay extra, it was just part of what my camp offers. I could have done one every night but all but one night had rain so we chose not to go out.

The bags there are prohibited are single use bags, like you’d get in supermarkets here or like sandwich baggie type things it sounds like you’re planning to take your pills in. It’s not meant to cover the reusable, heavy duty plastic vacuum bags. I took those to both Kenya and Rwanda where a similar bag ban exists and had no issues.

artsnletters

What do you do about the 1-quart bag for liquid toiletries? And before you say just check everything, what do you do with the bottles in your suitcase, so they don't expand and leak?

amyb

Artsnletters, I never check a bag. I always go carry-on. For the one quart toiletries, I use this, from the Container Store: https://www.containerstore.com/s/tra...uctId=10034745. It’s a very sturdy thick plastic and it’s been on 3 safaris and several other domestic trips so far, soon to be 4!

PatEE

Amy, thanks for the advice on the night safari. I am sure we will do it especially now as it will probably be our one chance.
I admire anyone that can travel with carry on alone. I am struggling with the packing aspect. On previous trips I have tried to pare down what I am taking and I struggle with not having enough clean stuff to wear. This trip will be 33 days and is a mix of city touring and safari's.

inquest

Night safaris are not allowed in the Mara,but private concessions do offer night drives. I'm told Sabi Sands in Kruger offers night safaris. There is plenty of action at night and its a completely different experience,Big cats often hunt in the cool of the night and are after big game and the Hyenas are not far behind. Plenty of nocturnal mammals like Aardwolf, honey badger, porcupine and aardvark are out. The civets, african bush cat,caracal, pangolins and the bush pig forage after dark..
The jackals too join in for a piece of the action.
The night drives in South Luangwa in Zambia was fantastic.

amyb

PatEE, I've managed just over 2 weeks on carry-on only for safari, not sure I could do 33 days including cities. Most camps I've stayed at do laundry so now that I advantage of that, I actually bring fewer clothes. The only thing they won't do is undergarments so I take enough of that. There's also not the pressure of looking as presentable as I would in a city (literally at 5 a.m., wet down the hair to eliminate bed-head, apply bug repellant and sunscreen and go) so it far less overhead in terms of bringing cosmetics and accessories. You could look into your camps to see if they have laundry service and maybe a hotel or two along the way in the cities to see if you can leverage that and pack less! The Ziploc packing bags help too, but remember if you're using light aircraft to the safari areas, you'll need to keep your luggage weight under 15k, and they do weigh it all in Nairobi, every time I've left from there!

KathBC

It's not clear what exactly your itinerary is or what camps you're staying in but I usually stop in London for several days on the way down and then on the way home so need some city clothes.

I stay at least 1 or 2 nights in Nairobi to start and book the same hotel on my return. Take my duffel bag with all the safari gear with me to the bush and leave my carry on with the city clothes at the hotel. Just be sure to lock the bag securely.

Do not miss at least one night drive as it is a very different experience to day drives. Ya just never know what's lurking about.

I've never had to pay extra for one so do look into that altho as mentioned above you would have to be in a conservancy to be allowed a night drive. All of mine were in conservancies in S.A. & Botswana.

PatEE

Thanks for all the input on the night drives. I had wondered if it was worth it as the travel agent was lukewarm although said we should do it. So with all your positive comments it's a go.

That day we are at Ol Pejeta Conservancy and stay at Sweetwaters Serena Camp so am assuming the optional night drive is at the Ol Pejeta.


Ahhh, now back to the angst of packing.