Woohoo!!!

lynda:
Just in case you see this--I am sooo happy for you!

Leely,
Are you on Micato Stanley Wing safari June 15? I am on that trip; just wondering.

Mary

Hi Mary,
No, I'm going on a private safari with a couple of friends. I'm sure you'll have a lovely trip. Did you tack on a beach extension or are you sticking to the Stanley?
Leely

No, we aren't extending the trip. By the time we leave and return, it will be close to 3 weeks and that is enough for my husband to take off from work! This is the first time we have been to Africa, but I can see us travelling there again in years to come, maybe after retirement.

Have a great time on your trip! Maybe our paths will cross.

Mary

bookmarking

Wow! Thank you so much! As a solo traveler, I will have to figure out how to pack items couples tend to share between 2 bags. Including reading matter. (For long flights I sometimes bring novels in French because I read it so slowly.)

Don't forget to refer to Lynda's appendum to this original list. She covers what worked and what didn't.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34902894

Juliet

Hi Lynda
We are also going on a safari in Aug '07 and landing in Nairobi and would love to take a suitcase for the orphanage.
Do you know how would go about it?
Can I do it even tho I'm not traveling with Micato or is if just their thing?
Ruth

Ruth, that is very kind! I will do some checking & get back to you on this!

Hello Lynda . Really enjoying all the posts and information. My Husband and I are off to Africa in October for just under a month and would be very interested in how your trip went. I am also interested in how your packing was. Did you find that you did not use some things/needed others? We are also bringing things down to an orphanage in Uganda/ but that will be from our British airways flight so weight of luggage will not be a problem. We are also going to drop off some items to a clinic in Zanzibar at the end of our trip, so will have to add the extra to our luggage for that on the smaller/restricted weight flights. I am hoping to leave some of my souveniers that I purchase on Safari in Nairobi airport before flying to Zanzibar at the end of our trip, and then picking up again before our flight back to Canada. Has anyone else done this in Africa? I tend to do this whenever I travel and know I will pass through an airport again.
I am from Vancouver island so interested in how the Vancouver/Canada souveniers went over.
Debbe

Hi Debbe-

Sorry I didn't see your post until today - I was in E. Africa when you posted!

In Sept. BA is reducing the weight allowed to 50 lbs - just thought I'd let you know that in case you hadn't read it. And, to add insut to injury - if you are going exonomy, you are only allowed one suitcase each (stil a 50 lb max). We flew World Traveller Plus so we were allowed two each. And they are VERY strict on any of their rules.

The Vancouver/Canada souvenirs went over very well - both last year (that is when this list was from) and this year again! Lots of the people in the lodges wanted a Canada pin - I had a few, next year I will bring more! also brought Canada keychains, these wwent over very well too.

For what worked and what didn't on this list - see this link:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34902894


Ruth-

If you are still out there, yes, you can contribute to the orphanage, they would LOVE that! I can put you in touch with someone - justlet me know!

From Canada, you should still be allowed 2 bags with a max weight of 23kg each in either WT or WT+ http://www.britishairways.com/travel...en_us#americas

As long as all of your flights are on one ticket, the higher of the limits should apply. But if you've purchaseed your LHR-Africa segment separately, then the allowance would be only 1 bag.

You can get a very compact travel sized Purell (1oz) which lasts quite a while and I wouldn't go anywhere without it!!

You are indeed right Patty - sorry I forgot about the checked through rule as we were going to stop in London (best laid plans of mice & men) on the way there and our agent had said good thing we were booked into WT+.

I thought I should copy the 'final list' here on the bottom of this post as to all that was REALLY required!


LADIE'S

4 t-shirts
2 short sleeved shirts or blouses
(just to look a little dressier at dinner)
1 long sleeved shirt for evenings (re mosquitoes)
1 black pants - comfy but nice ( traveling & dinner)
2 convertible pants
1 capris
1 multi pocket safari vest (lightweight)
1 fleece hoodie or sweater for warmth 1 rain/wind jacket - 'packable' is best
1 pr walking sandals
1 pr closed in shoes
1 pr pyjamas - light weight 'summer' flannel is good
2 pr socks - quick dry
6 pr underwear - quickdry if possible
3 bras
1 bathing suit
1 cover up (double duty - pool & around room as robe)
1 hat - we use Tilley hats, or the one Micato provides

---------------------------------------

MEN'S

3 short sleeve shirts (Cool Max is good)
1 long sleeve shirt
2 polo shirts (Cool Max is good)
2 pr khaki pants (like Dockers)
2 pr convertibles
1 pr walking sandals
1 pr closed in shoes
4 prs socks
8 underwear
1 fleece jacket (light but warm - Columbia type is good)
1 stuff in sack rain jacket
1 multi-pocketed vest
1 bathing suit
1 light weight cotton bath robe
1 hat - Jim prefers the Tilley hat
---------------------------------------

NOTES:

- Smalls (underwear & socks) has to be laundered in the sink at night, shirts/pants can go to lodge's laundry
whenever you are on a two night stay.
- fleece hoodie is a must for warmth at the crater & Mt Kenya


OTHER THAN CLOTHES:

PERSONAL TOILETRIES
shampoo, conditioner (shampoo provided in every camp, but not always conditioner)
facial cleanser, body wash, moisturizer, deodorant
small washcloth - not always provided!
All toiletries should be in small, disposable containers - ie I packed 4 little shampoos (hotel size) & tossed the containers
as I used them

OVER THE COUNTER DRUG STUFF
a few bandaids - I used a few times
small tube of neosporin - I used a few times
Gravol-didn't use, but you never know
Immodium - same as above
Contact C - hubby used
Advil - used a few times
Non- drowsy antihistamine- I used for the 'rash'
Rolaids or Tums - hubby used

SUN AND BUGS
Cortate cream/ after bite - I took both & used both
pkgs of OFF wipes (insect repellent) - I liked these, easy to carry
small bottle of insect repellent - some lodges had this
sun-burn lotion SPF 30- I burn easy - a must for me

BUSH LOO STUFF
travel roll of TP- I used a whole roll
antiseptic wipes - used extensively
a few sandwich bags - used for bush breaks for the TP

LAUNDRY STUFF
small bottle of hand wash soap-Zero is good
twistable pegless clothes line
Tide To Go pen - invaluable to me!

MISCELLANEOUS:
one paperback book - not much time to read
a small field guide - not necessary, Micato drivers have, probably others do too
a few pens - a necessity
pencils & erasers - if you sketch or do crosswords
small note cards with envelopes - for drivers tips
journal book - VERY important to me!
small notebook - out in the field notes if your journal is of 'good' type
small exchange calculator - I found it handy
cheap dollar store plastic file pouch (8 1/2 x 11) - good for balloon certificates & itinerary
portfolio or zipped pouch for valuables for safe - to have your valuables in one place for the safe
airline neck pillows (inflatable) - doubles as a cushion in the vans
camera's & gear
some sheets of bubble wrap - for fragile purchases or gifts given to you
small Kleenex packages (2)
converter and adapters for the area
very small multi plug outlet - only one electrical outlet in your room usually
binoculars - Micato vans had, but I like mine
travel alarm clock - used when wake up calls were not early enough for us
extra batteries
extra sunglasses & sunglass cords
small basic sewing kit - just enough to fix a hem or two
duct tape - travel compact roll from Magellans or some around a pen
flashlight or reading light
small travel coffee mugs - optional but we like coffee on the early morning game runs
suitcase locks , combination is better - for locking bags while at lodges, etc or use cable ties

Linda, bless you for consolidating "The List." I'm doing a trial packing run this weekend, and this is really going to help me.

Thanks are echoed!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks so much Lynda. We are starting our purchasing and this will help so much. I am getting so excited about the trip. Reading your posts is so inspiring and I look forward to the rest of them. I keep hearing that even though this is our first trip to Africa, it will not be our last. I can't wait to be "captured" by Africa. We leave on Aug. 19.!!!!!

Thanks again for updating your list.

Ndonna

Lynda:

I am a canadian also and just wanted to point out that if you are flying out of london arpt you can buy the best wine gums in the world at the duty free. I got 3 boxes for 5 pounds and then you don't have to lug them all the way with luggage. Also gatwick sells dairy milk chocolate.

I am with you, I need my candy. We are off to Egypt for almost 4 weeks and making sure I p/u some wine gums in Frankfurt!

Have a great time, and ps the Kenyan coffee is great.