napamatt

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...3/ubaggage.xml

Good news for people with upcoming trips.

Rocco did you already book CDG?

jweis

Hopefully this will save me from having to buy another small Pelican for my upcoming Nov/Dec trip.

Will wait with crossed fingers for more details on size limitations.

kerikeri

wow. two days after i had to chuck $50 worth of toiletries and forfeit my beloved amarula, and sa wines at duty free.

jasher

Hello,

Yes, I saw this as well -- a bit too late for my flight to San Francisco tomorrow AM, but great news for my flight to Tanzania next month!

KeriKeri,

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of the Amarula and wines -- toiletries are replaceable, but nothing can replace the taste of Africa when you're between trips.

Cheers,
Julian

kerikeri

you are so right!

good thing i squirreled away one measly 350 ml bottle from kenya in my checked baggage.

just another excuse to go back!

btw, you had suggested melville months ago to a different poster and i had an amazing time there at space, shopping and dining on that one great street. thank you for that and safe travels tomorrow.

kerikeri

Roccco

NapaMatt,

Thanks for the update.

I have not yet booked CDG as now I have a whole new set of concerns to worry about if I fly through CDG. It gets me into JNB only 2.5 hours before the flight to MUB and worse, I would only have a 2 hour 5 minute layover in CDG. I have not been to CDG in 17 years and I hear that it is such a huge airport that this is not giving myself much time to transfer.

Now my concern with going through LHR remains the petty weight limit (15 pounds, is it?) that Virgin Atlantic has for the carry-on baggage.

I am leaning towards flying LAX - JFK - JNB. This would get me into JNB at 5:50PM and I would spend a single overnight in JNB, likely at the nearby D'Oreale Grande (the 5* hotel of the Emperors Casino).

Because I am starting my visit with 3 nights at Linyanti Bushcamp, with an overnight I would have plenty of flexibility to choose between flying into Maun (MUB) or Victoria Falls (VFA) or even Livingstone (LVI) with a road transfer from VFA/LVI to Kasane and an air transfer from Kasane to Linyanti. I wouldn't do this as much to save money as I would to experience it first hand, as many travelers must endure this LVI/VFA to Kasane transfer.

Although it is a very long flight, I do like that I would have my personal entertainment center in economy class on SAA.

Well....I just checked the websites of each Qantas (where I currently hold a paid ticket), Virgin Atlantic and SAA, and each of them seems to have a carry-on weight limit of 15 pounds. I believe what may help, however, is that I believe that a laptop case is counted separately so that I may have my camera backpack and my laptop.

In my laptop case I may be able to fit my Canon 20d lens, minus the lenses, and I may have to dust off the good ol' photo vest and stick a couple lenses in my pocket during check in.

I probably should overnight in Joburg as I am really no good for the first couple nights of a safari when going straight into the safari. While the D'Oreale Grande is 15 minutes away from the airport, Linyanti Bushcamp will require around 5 more hours of travel including layover times.

I will keep checking on getting a frequent flier business class ticket as that would be the best option, even if only from Europe to JNB. The flights to Europe from LAX are too cheap in November to consider spending miles on a business class ticket from this starting point.

Thanks again for the update.

santharamhari

Hi Rocco,

Taking a direct transfer thru Maun, will give you your better chance of not missing/delaying your game drive in the Linyanti....did you say, this is the new Linyanti camp?

Hari

Roccco

Hari,

Yes, this is "Linyanti Bushcamp" by African Bushcamps.

www.africanbushcamps.com

I have e-mailed you photos and a fact sheet that does not yet appear on their website. It is a great looking new camp but I will let you judge for yourself with the photos.

Here is my itinerary:

D'Oreale Grande, Emperors Casino, Joburg (1) (probable)

Linyanti Bushcamp, Linyanti (3)

Baines Camp, Okavango Delta (3)

Chiefs Camp, Mombo Concession (3)

Lebala, Kwando Concession (2)

Lagoon, Kwando Concession (2)

Kwara, Kwara Concession (2)

Michelangelo Towers, Sandton (1) (you better believe I will be having a feast next door at Bukhara)

Sabi Sabi (3) (Now that I am alone, I will spend a night each at Selati Camp, Little Bush Camp and Earth Lodge)

Mateya, Madikwe (3) (this should be the ultimate way to end the holiday as it is likely the most luxurious property to be visited during my stay).

Given KeriKeri's recent comments on Madikwe, I am really looking forward to Madikwe not only for the luxury of Mateya but also for the lions. With only the capacity for 8 other guests in the lodge during my visit, and given the fact that I know the GM who may likely be my guide during my stay, I am expecting a very personalized experience.

santharamhari

Hi Rocco,

Just replied your email. Pics look good...especially, the dining area.

Your itinerary looks good. I just hope the rains dont affect your game viewing, especially in the Linyanti/Kwando areas. I think you will still do good in the delta camps....Chiefs and Kwara should be very productive.....

Looking forward to your report from Sabi Sabi also. Btw, lots of ppl i met on safari recently, talk very favourably about Simbambilli.....my next stop in the SSGR for my SSGR fix....

Hari

santharamhari

Bukhara, i think i may hv eaten at their location on the wine route....not sure, if it's the same...yes, very good north indian food...

Hari

Roccco

Hari,

I have two concerns on this safari:

1. Extreme heat!

2. Rains putting a damper on my stays at Lebala/Lagoon. I tried my best to get these stays pushed up to the start of my safari and I was originally supposed to arrive a week earlier. However, by the time I enquired about the switch, Lebala/Lagoon were completely booked and I took them at their first opening.

Hopefully at least I will get to Linyanti Bushcamp before the rains.

I am not worried about rains affecting my stays at Baines Camp and Chiefs Camp. I think Kwara should also be okay.

I do like that I am ending with South Africa in luxury and AIR CONDITIONING!!! For once I will really be able to enjoy the plunge pools.

Simbambili will certainly not disappoint for your next visit and, of course, I will be reporting on three different camps at Sabi Sabi. Earth Lodge looks like it could compete with the very best Sabi Sand lodges in terms of luxury. Hopefully for my late November stay it is not yet too busy with vacationing Europeans.

santharamhari

Rocco,

It would be excessively hot only if the rains hv not started yet....which means your game-viewing would be spectacular. Once the rains hv started, it never really gets uncomfortably hot.....however, yes, game viewing wont be near it's best(besides, you may need to shorten some of those evening drives)....

You didnt get the new Little Kwara for your dates?- the tents etc etc., are much bigger and yes, everything looks exactly like the pics that you had for these boards a few months ago....

Hari

Roccco

Hari,

Yes, same restaurant. Bukhara has at least three locations...Cape Winelands, Cape Town and Sandton Square in Joburg.

Their butter chicken is like no other, as is their Palek Paneer (sp.?).

They have a stunning website...take a look:

http://www.bukhara.com/

(I may be tempted to spend both of my JNB nights in Sandton just to enjoy Bukhara it is THAT good).

Roccco

Hari,

I am not sure whether I will be at Little Kwara or Kwara. I will find out and let you know.

While it would be nice to be at Little Kwara, if the camp is full, I certainly don't want to displace a full paying guest, especially a couple, for my own selfish desires.

Okay...you twisted my arm...if I can I will grab Little Kwara!

Roccco

Oh, how I wish I just did not look up that Bukhara website...I have beautiful Indian music playing and the most delicious looking food in front of my eyes...and not a damn thing I can do about it for another two months!

santharamhari

Haha, yes....LK will be more to your liking....

Butter Chicken, eh....i just had stuffed crab shells (Kerala style) at a sunday lunch a few hours ago...didnt eat too much, but, did drink a couple glasses of wine...while answering standards africa questions....heat? Food? safety? etc etc etc., gosh!!!

Hari

GreenDrake

Roccco - sounds like a great trip!!

As you know I also will also be shortly facing some serious heat in Zambia (It was 105 in Mfuwe the other day with a low of 75). Some of the small lightweight things I am taking to help combat it:

1) Chillow - its lightwight with water removed. This one will be an experiment seemed to stay fairly cool when I tested it at home.

http://tinyurl.com/hkkyd

2)Small battery fan 8" by 5" fan I got at Sharper Image for sleeping in bush camps. This was perfect in the bush on my last trip.

3)Water activated headband (soak them and beads inside expand

http://heatreliefdepot.com

Fred

Roccco

Fred,

Thanks for the wonderful links.

The chillow sounds like a winner. I will then donate it to my Corgi, Scooter, afterwards, as I feel so bad for him when he goes and sleeps on the tile floor when he gets hot.

Chances are that I will just end up using my already purchased Qantas Airway ticket. It will require me to spend a couple nights in Sydney on the way home (which would cause me to shorten my time in Madikwe to 2 nights) but that is the direction I am leaning. I would still get 4 game drives in Madikwe and then have a couple nights to see Sydney.

My final itinerary would be as follows:

D'Oreale Grande Hotel, Joburg (1)

Linyanti Bushcamp, Linyanti (3)

Baines Camp, Okavango Delta (3)

Chiefs Camp, Mombo Concession (3)

Lebala, Kwando Concession (2)

Lagoon, Kwando Concession (2)

Kwara, Kwara Concession (2)

Michelangelo Towers, Sandton (1)

Sabi Sabi (3)

Mateya, Madikwe (2)

Sydney Four Seasons? (2)

Arrive home on a Monday morning at 7AM. All of a sudden, I hate Mondays!

GreenDrake

Rocco - friend of mine bought a chillow one for her Airdale who loves laying on it.

Looks like carry on baggage size limit for flights departing from the UK will be going up to 55x45x25cm or 22x18x10 inches by possibly Friday 9/22. I am assuming they will still limit carry on to this ONE bag.

Sunday Times 9/17

Airports fight move to loosen curbs on plane hand luggage

Airport managers are resisting a government plan for a partial easing of baggage restrictions for passengers because, they claim, it will create confusion and worsen chaos at airports, writes Dominic O’Connell.

Douglas Alexander, the transport secretary, wants to increase the maximum size of hand luggage allowed on planes and to let passengers carry small amounts of liquids. Discussions are under way between Alexander, the airports and the airlines in the hope of reaching agreement in time to make an announcement tomorrow and to bring the changes into force on Friday.

Tight restrictions on what can be carried on planes were introduced last month after an alleged plot to blow up transatlantic jets using liquid explosives in toiletries and drinks bottles was foiled.

Even if the rules were relaxed to allow passengers to carry liquids there would still be restrictions on the size of bottles. Airports argue that this could create severe delays. One senior airport executive said: “This would double the amount of items being x-rayed. It would be a big addition to the workload of security staff who are already flat out with extra body searches and shoe searches.”

Critics have accused Alexander of being too ready to give in to the lobbying of airlines such as British Airways and Ryanair. BA has been hard hit by the liquids curb because of its large number of business passengers going on short trips for which they carry overnight toiletries.

Michael O’Leary, the chief executive of Ryanair, has been the most outspoken critic of the restrictions on hand luggage. His and other budget airlines achieve fast turnaround times partly because they discourage passengers from checking luggage into the hold.

Alexander plans to increase the permitted size of cabin bags from 45cm x 35cm x 16cm (approximately 18in x 14in x 6in) probably to 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. This change is not opposed by airports. BAA, which runs Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports, declined to comment yesterday.

O’Leary has threatened to sue the government for income lost because of the introduction of the security measures.

jasher

Hi KeriKeri,

Glad you liked Space - I haven't had a chance to visit it myself but it looks like a great place. I love that neighbourhood.

Cheers,
Julian