To Mosquito Net or Not to Mosquito Net?
 

I would really rather not as I am only taking carry on luggage.... but I am staying in mostly Sopa Lodges... Do they have them? Are there critters flying around all over the place? Do you bring your own? Should I just bring tape to fix the holes if these places provide nets? DO these places provide nets? I did a search on this forum and found its not a topic thats discussed as often as I would have thought! Am I just paranoid?

Thanks!!!!!

Maybe because I prefer not to sleep under these, I barely notice whether lodges/camps have nets. And, if they do, I'm sure to advise the turn-down service NOT to put them down.

Maybe it's not discussed much as few people run into the situation of flying things around at night. More often safari returnees report never seeing a mossie. However, sometimes at night with the light on, a moth will be attracted to it, but once the light is out... it's gone.

If nets provided and you wish them to surround your bed, tell them to do so. If not, tell them not to. What many do before going to dinner is spray their room/tent (not over your bed linens, please)

Whether in tents or lodges, I can't recall anything other than an occasional moth and those cute geckos (geckos are good as they eat bugs) that scurry away and are harmless.

IF there is a warning for taking precaution regarding malaria I would highly recommend to take your own net - if you are concerned - as mostly in East Africa camps/lodges don't provide them despite being in a malaria area.

At A/C places mossies won't create a problem.

Ours is roughly 400grms and we carry it always with us - not just against the mossies but also against all crawling stuff like scorpions and spiders - I am arachnophobic.

(())

I've never seen a spider, let alone a scorpion. Maybe I haven't truly been to Africa and it's all just been dreaming :)

Further to those returning not seeing or being bothered by mossies... because it's cool or downright cold at night, depending on the altitude at which you bed down. Mossies don't fly much above 5,000', don't like the cold, and sure don't like the wind (why a/c works against them).

Don't recall if Sopa has nets. If you are at Ngorongoro Sopa, I'm sure there are none because of the cool temps. I did a google search of Sopa and mosquito nets and it appears most Sopas have them. Even though I always use the nets whenever they are provided, I've rarely seen a mosquito.

There are not critters flying around. I've never brought a net and I do own one for other locations. I cannot recall ever getting bitten by mosquitos in the night on safari. I do get bites at home.

I didn't have a mosquito net in my hotel room in Nairobi and I was annoyed all night by several mosquitos. They may not have been malaria carrying mossies but the high pitched noise kept me awake most of the night. That and the effects of slapping my face in my half sleep as I tried to whack 'em! I'm carrying a net for my next trip … would much rather that than spray chemicals around my sleeping area where possible. Not a mossie in sight in the Mara.

I had a net in all the lodges I stayed in last year ,but I pushed them all back and used that net loop to tie then against the wall.

I do not like sleeping with my bed circled by a net, and I never encountered a single insect. ( maybe I was lucky !!)

I may have been lucky also but never saw a skeeter or heard one either. I slept the first few nites w/ the netting all around my bed but the novelty soon wore off and I just pushed the netting aside in the rest of the lodges. No problems!!

twaffle - where were you staying in Nairobi?

Had to chuckle as it was in Nairobi, which is at 5,000' that I actually got bitten once (so now that totals 2/bites... a tse-tse in Serengeti in '98 and that mossie in '08, not bad within 10/yrs) and where mossies aren't supposed to be a problem. Was staying at Giraffe Manor which doesn't have a/c and didn't use the mossie nets they provided. Still prefer not to sleep under these.

If you decide to take the net and it is similar to mine (in its own little nylon bag), you can attach the nylon bag with the net in it to the outside of your duffle. Then it is not taking up room inside and is just bumping along on the outside.

I'm sure you won't need it, but taking it along may be more for your own piece of mind. After all, your recent events are not typical of the average visitor.

Even though 4 lip balms are not necessary, I feel better with a more than adequate supply. Same thing may apply to your net.

Have a wonderful trip!

Sandi, I was staying at Macushla. The first room I stayed in had nets (one fell on me during the night, not sure what I was doing :o ) the second room on my return from safari had no nets and I probably left the windows open too long. Having said that, I'm super sensitive to the noise of mossies more than the bites so just hearing them is enough to have me dancing around the room with a rolled up magazine. I didn't get bitten but because my next trip is partially in self catering bandas I'm going prepared with a net just in case.

... absolutely, it's the mossie noise more than the bite that would drive me nuts! and I'd be right there next to you with a rolled up mag or paper (hey, didn't someone have a fly-swatter on their packing list?) :)

From what I understand, the mosquitos that make that horrible noise that drives one crazy are not the ones that bite! I think I'd rather be bitten.....

Just returned from Kenya (Amboseli, Laikipia and Masai Mara). Was advised by my travel medicine colleague to take permethrim spray and Deet but guess what? No mosquitos at all! The worst I saw was a wasp in my tent in the Mara, but he was easily escorted out.

Have a great trip!