How important....

I am leaving for Tanzania in about five weeks. (!!!!) I have gotten a lot of good info from this site (as I did when I went to London a number of years ago), but have a couple of questions:

camera---I have a very small Nikon coolpix L1 I purchased a couple of years ago before going to Italy. I have wonderful pictures from Italy.
BUT, I am the kind of person that likes some pics as a reminder of the trip, but prefer to "be in the moment" and experience rather than always have a camera to my face. (I did take about 600 pics in 2 weeks in Italy) So is my tiny Nikon okay?

Clothing--I will be in northern Tanzania most of the time, then a few days in Zanzibar and a few days in Selous. I am a naturally warm person--do I really need a hat and gloves? Lots of layers? (I am going on a balloon ride over the Serengeti, and suspect I may need a hat for that).

Shoes--I have some New Balance country walkers, am planning on picking up some Tevas (the tour co. said to bring water proof sandals)--can I just wear these the entire time--perhaps with socks (not so attractive, but I don't care). If there weren't weight restrictions on interior flights I wouldn't be so concerned, but I am trying to limit my shoes to one or two plus croc flip flops.

Thanks for all your info!!



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I just answered this but now it is not there. So if my answer appears twice, that's why.

If you can possibly afford it, get a P&S Image Stabilizaton 10x or 12x or higher optical zoom.

I don't know if Nikon has one but Canon does with the S3, S4, S5, and rumors of S6.

Panasonic Luminix has some.

Sony's DSC series of H2, H5, H9, etc works too.

This kind of camera will not turn you into an F-stop fiddler who misses all the action around you. It will allow you to capture as a reminder nice shots of the animals and other things you are looking at with your naked eye and binocs.

Before you leave become comfortable with zooming and the automatic mode. No need to use all the features on the dial. Take your manual with you in case questions arise. If you have down time in airports or on the plane, you can read about the other features and practice some.

Take the L1 too as a backup. I never take just one camera. Only once did I ever need the second one, but I am glad I had it.

Clothes--If you are going to the crater in TZ, you'll want at least a hood on your jacket to put up and tie to keep your ears warm. Throwing in a pair of gloves or a thin headband that covers your ears takes so little room, why not? Remember you will not just be sitting there. You'll be in a moving vehicle going 20 mph and often faster and the top will be open or off. It's not just temps but windchill.

Layers--they are the best way to go and allow you to avoid packing really heavy stuff you may not use often. Two lighter tops can equal one lined fleece. You have more versatility with two light items than one heavy.

Your footware looks fine. I am a New Balance gal, myself.

diane
not so much time left before you finally take off!

- regarding your camera
the cool pix should be sufficient as long as you don't expect GREAT - i mean really great - shots with which might be only possible with a big(ger) lens.
if you are able to cope with the insufficiency it should be fine.
but buying another body plus lense(s) would mean a further investment of at least 3.000 US$ and a couple of weeks to get familiar with that new equipment.
my husband has got a coolpix 5500 which he bought in 2002 as a back up for his big digital stuff and which he didn't want to take to vic falls putting that at risk (spray)
he was perfectly fine with the coolpix.
but of course for wildlife pics for sale he always uses his big nicons.

your attitude is excellent: don't watch all the action thru a lense as this takes a lot of the excitement away! pictures are fantastic to back up your memories but cannot replace the experience! so leave your camera on your lap once in a while ;-)

clothing:
gloves can be left at home as far i am concerned.
layers are always good. but a sweatshirt, t-hirt and shirt or jersey should be sufficient. maybe you can replace the jersey with a windbreaker. but that should be fine!
regarding the hat: it's not a must for ballooning but as i haven't bean to selous i don't know which kind of vehicles they have. if they have open top then you need a hat!

regarding shoes:
one pair of light walking shoes should be enough plus sandals and flip flops.

happy travels!


div

diane
forgot:
waterproff sandals is a contradiction in itself ;-)
if your walking shoes (i don't know the brand you mention) get wet and they have a couple of hours or over night time to dry up - you should be perfectly fine with these and forget the waterproof stuff.
for boat rides your flip flops should do fine!

i have a pair of hitec-walking shoes for safari. they get wet on a "regular" basis. i leave them outside tent during siesta or over night and they were always dried up when i needed them!

div

I am not sure my country walkers qualify as "light"--they are supposed to be waterproof, but my last ones definitely were not! the Teva sandals are made for being in water. Can't really wear the flip flops except for "slippers" as I need good arch support.

I will check out cameras!

Lynn -

Diane posted the same query twice under different headings; you replied to to the first, probably why it doesn't show here.

Diane -

it's suggested you keep all queries regarding your upcoming trip under one thread heading. This allows you easy acccess and responders can follow your progress.

thanks, Sandy--I couldn't figure out how to change the heading and decided too late it was ambiguous and not as likely to garner a response..

Diange - Well understood. We've all been there at first. Welcome aboard!

So, can I limit my shoes to Crocs (I use the Mary Jane style with an over the front strap) only? I don't mind wearing them with socks, and they work great as slippers and instead of flip flops.