cary999

"6kg per person in 1 carry on through London last month"

Oh no. How will I carry on my camera gear?? If I can't carry it that will end my safari travel. Seriously

regard - tom

cary999

Stop, wait, answer - just don't fly through LHR
They are actually doing me a favor !!
Now how can I use those 100,000 flyer miles I have coming from British Airways???

regards - tom

cary999

I looked at VA web site for "hand baggage allowance" requirements -
http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb...andbaggage.jsp
True, <b>economy</b> class has the one piece 6kg/13lb limit. But <b>upper class</b> is much more, two bags 16kg. So it's not a security issue, it is an airline issue. But I bet they "blame" it on security.

FWIW - Britsh Airways is restricting hand baggage coming into USA to one piece but of usual size and weight. They call it "security measures". Yet First Cabin can carry on two bags of twice weight!! Who are they kidding?? Will sanity ever come back to air travel??
http://www.britishairways.com/travel...b?p_faqid=3939

regards - tom

atravelynn

"Will sanity ever come back to air travel??"

When people start refusing to fly and profits fall. So far I'm not one of those people.

I separate the sanity from the security issues, but as Tom points out, in some cases, security is just an excuse.

atravelynn

Leely,

Tell us more about Congo.

napamatt_2

"...and profits fall"

Which airlines are making money?

christabir

Tom - use them on AA and/or LAN and go to S America. See atravelynn's trip report for the Pantanal and you might be sold!!

We were just talking about a flight one of my co-workers took from NYC to LAX. Over 6 hours on the plane with delays. No food, 1 soft drink, no blanket, no media. It's just no fun to fly any more!! I don't know how they get back to profitability, but I don't think this is the way.

"....in some cases, security is just an excuse." Most cases IMHO.

sallysaab

OMG, we didnt take half of what you all list!
Did get a bit carried away with the knickers though, hehe

cary999

christabir - Been to S America four times in last seven years. Every trip a problem. In Buenos Aires we were robbed in broad daylight in a public area. In Rio, 2006, we were molested and feared for our lives. S America, I'm not going back, all yours!!!

AA, yep, that could be the ticket!!! Getting to JNB though might have to change to BA at LHR. Have to look into it. Or, fly all way BA to JNB but on way home to USA at LHR change to AA? If BA keeps the carry-on like it is, size and no weight, then ok, that is what I've been doing anyway.

regards - tom

christabir

Tom- I wouldn't go back either. What a nightmare!!

We went AA to LHR and BA LHR-JNB last year. It was fine, but a long layover. We have lots of AA miles so we go that way. DH is tall so we go business on the long leg.

Sally- what did you leave off that list? I used everything listed on a ten day safari.

ShayTay

Tom, use your AA FF miles on Iberia through Madrid to Jo'burg.

sallysaab

Christabir, it's probably easier to say we took:
1 black jeans
1 zip off pants
long sleeve shirt
2 shirts
2 t-shirts (should have been a couple more)
polar fleece
2 shorts (1 on 1 off, although could have gotten away with 1)
2 bras (1 on 1 off)
3 pairs socks
Undies, are you ready for it?
10 pairs, hehehe
nightie
Swimmers
1 pair shoes
poncho & the smallest umbrellas in the world!
spare glasses, between the 3 of us we shared toiletries
We were gone about 26 days.
whoops, I forgot, 1 pair thongs, and a face cloth.
Only place we didnt wash was Ndutu, as we didnt want to waste their water.

cary999

Thanks ShayTay, will certainly check that out.

regards - tom

mowmow

I'm an experienced carry-on packer--spent a month each in Europe, Turkey, Egypt with only a legal carry-on. Here's how you do it:

Only take what you absolutely need. Unless you are a very large or tiny or an alien, you can always buy another top, tshirt, etc almost anywhere. The planet is much smaller these days.

Pick a color scheme for mixing and matching outfits, for Europe, black/blue/brown pants with colorful tops works well, for safari stick with khaki green or grey. Everything in lightweight and modern fabrics that wash/dry easily and no wrinkles. You don't have to spend a fortune. My favorite black crepe travel pants are from Sears, they're gorgeous superlight refuse to wrinkle.

Wash a couple of things out every evening if you're doing your own laundry, that way it only takes a few minutes. It will be dry in the morning for you to pack up and go. I found putting stuff in a large ziploc bag with the water and soap worked well for preventing sloshing while using a pedestal sink.

The clothes aren't what gives me problems when packing, it's all the accessory stuff, especially with nobody to split it with.

Christabir's list is good, I'd change just a few things:

Pants – 2 both zip off/roll up variety-gives you options if the weather changes or the tsetse flies descend
skirt or lightweight nice pants-1 look very nice with a shirt and scarf and your sweater, also gives you something to wear while your other stuff is being laundered or drying
Short Sleeved Shirts – 2 t's or camp style as you prefer
Long Sleeved Shirt – 2, one that rolls up to a short-sleeve
Silk or poly underwear top – 1
silk or poly bottoms-1 if it will be cold at night or on treks
Wool sweater – 1 a cardigan can double for evening and warm wear
scarf- buy a necklace when you get there
Fleece Jacket - 1
Fleece pants -1 lightweight
Socks – 4
heavy socks/slippers
Undies – 4
Bras – 2
PJ's I bring a set of workout shorts and top for double duty or wear my longjohns if it's cold
Sun Hat – 1 a bandana can be helpful too
Walking shoes –one pair of boots if trekking, otherwise walking shoes, and a pair of sandals
Bathing suit (if it's color coordinated with your pants/skirt, you can wear it as a bodysuit/top under your sweater)
pareo
Ear Muffs or hat, gloves
Glasses or contacts & solution
Sunglasses w/neck strap
Back up glasses/contacts
Thank you notes (for tips)
manila envelope to put stuff in hotel safe
bubble wrap for fragile purchases
Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
Deodorant (unscented, small)
Conditioner/shampoo combo
Sunscreen – 1 if you run out you can buy more or 1 facial 1 body
Lip sunscreen
Woolite packs- easy to rinse out
Gallon ziplock to do hand laundry in if sink is small
Handi Wipes or hand gel
Bug lotion – small
Tampons/pads as needed
Any meds you take/vitamins/Malarone/Ibuprofen/Cold meds/Immodium
Camera stuff with extra memory and battery w/charger and adapters - in your personal bag, not the carry-on in case they gate check you. Smaller memory is better in case you lose one
Cell phone/MP3 and charger, ear buds
Binoculars – smallest lightest you can find for your needs
Flashlight – a small or a small headlamp
Antiseptic cream/Bandaids/Ace
blister kit if trekking
Needle, thread, duct tape wrapped around a small pencil or pen
Rain pouch poncho or rain shell/suit
A small daypack or tote
Baggalini or keychain duffle in case you need another bag or buy too much stuff. You can pack heavier stuff in your carry-on and check it and use this as your carry-on with fragile items.
Bird/mammal/flower book, star book, diary, guidebook pages, notebook

christabir

Oh yeah, tom - I forgot all about that!! We flew Iberia in 2006 and it was a longer layover with the flight to JNB at around midnight. We went into Madrid for a few hours on the 14 hour layover. The killer is the long layover on the way home, but free is free!!

KissyPants

I have a question on this topic--the WS classic camps in Botswana say that they provide (1) bug spray and (2) basic toiletries. If we go, we are keen to carry on only, which these days is really only a problem for toiletries. Has anyone used the bug spray provided by Wilderness Safaris and if so, how is it? Can we rely 100% on it or BYO? Can anyone tell me exactly which toiletries will be provided at the camps (i.e., shampoo and conditioner, or just shampoo, body lotion?)

Also, is black a bad color for safaris? I understand khaki/grey is recommended, but what about black pants or a black fleece--OK or avoid?

Thanks!!

ShayTay

The WS bug spray may be for the room, not for use on your body. Take your own insect repellent. Usually, their toiletries will include shampoo, conditioner and body lotion (but my last stay at WS was in 2006; that may have changed.) Black is not a good color to wear on safaris. If there are tsetse flies in the area, they will be attracted to black, which is used (along with blue) on the tsetse fly traps. Also, black will easily show a lot of dust.

christabir

Bring a small bugspray. We used the stuff at WS but if you are going anywhere else you'll need your own. (I think the stuff at WS was "better" than we can buy in the US. Avoid contact with skin) Off sells a small one that can fit in your baggie. I don't take black - khaki, beige, light olive are my safari colors. WS also puts their toiletries in cute pottery (at least in 2006) and is refilled daily. Much more eco-friendly but difficult to "steal".

KIBOKO

All the WS camps had bug spray called Peaceful Sleep which is 10% DEET in the vehicles and in the tent (for use on the body). We used that when bug spray was necessary and it worked fine. You might have to apply it a little more often as is is only 10%. All had shampoo,conditioner, bodywash, regular soap and laundry soap.

Black fleece is no problem but I think black pants would be hot out on a game drive. We have never had tsetse encounters at any Wilderness Camp in Botswana.

cj

fourwheelinit

In Amsterdam there is a great fleamarket called Albert Cuyp Market where you can get warm clothes for cheap if you need to. We were there in November and froze. Just don't buy their $2.50 umbrellas. Turned inside out within the first 10 minutes and others were littered the road!