amsdon

I topped this thread from </B> 2006 </B>
Times are a changing....shall we add

1. Change your facebook settings so there are no e mail notifications in your in box while you are away on your trip.

2. Ask your friends to temporarily (or permanently) stop sending you those cute cartoon e mails while you are away.

Elainee

Pepto, sleeping pills, and a very small good quality brush to get dust out of camera lens. My point and shoot lens would not open from the dust. Brushed it out and then took many more phots.

LyndaS

GOOD point on the funny cartoon emails - it overloaded my remote mailbox on trip we were on!

adal01

Lynda,

Here is a good packing list site that is pretty comprehensive.
It's more general but could be helpful.

It's called www.PackingWiz.com

Jane62

I just found this wonderful thread as I was searching the forum for packing advice! I am going to South Africa only this June, so my question is: should I pack anything different as i know this was a trip to a different part of Africa.

My itinerary is:

1 night Johannesburg (3-hour tour of Soweto that afternoon)
3 nights Londolozi (Sabi Sands)
4 nights Phinda (KwaZulu Natal)
4 nights Kwandwe (they provide extra warm "safari suits")
3 nights Jeffrey's Bay (for surfer hubby)
4 nights Cape Town

My biggest dilemma right now is which jacket. In addition to a fleece to layer, I can either bring my very warm, tan, microfiber, down-filled jacket that goes down to below the rear end OR a lighter weight LL Bean jacket like this in the Mariner Blue color http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/32937...9-ppodxs&dds=y (fleece lining and windbreaker outer material, shorter than other jacket).

The blue is lighter in actual weight so in some ways prefer that (will likely wear on plane but overall, cutting weight is good - I will have the small safari plane weight restriction of 44 lbs. total, including carryon bag). But I'm afraid the color is too bright to be ideal for safari (I know there is much debate about whether and how much colors matter) and also, maybe I will wish I had the warmth of the tan down one?

I know I need especially warm clothes for the winter game drives.

shouldbewriting

Don't know how much difference the color makes. Last year on our &beyond safari everyone did wear neutral colors -- grays, tans, khakis, browns. But my heavier jacket -- from Land's End -- sounds more like the LL Bean one. Combined with a fleece and scarf, it did the job.

Jane62

Thanks, Shouldbewriting. I am still undecided. Every little thing is making me nuts!

By the way, I just saw your post about cash at Dubai airport for tips - that never occurred to me! So were you able to get cash there for tips? I didn't think about having to figure out what are appropriate amounts to tip in Dubai currency, but I'll be in the same boat, though we only have a 9-hour layover, we do get the free hotel room via Emirates and will use it.

christabir

I take a couple of warm, lightweight sweaters (think cashmere) instead of the heavy jacket. The weather changes so quickly, it's nice to be able to remove and add as needed. If it's really cold, there are blankets on the safari vehicle and you can sit in the front with heat. I've never taken a heavy jacket, but gloves and earmuffs (or the preferred hat for most) are necessities. We've been in rain, below zero and hot - all in a day or two. Layers!

Jane62

Interesting - thanks, Christabir! Do you have an opinion on whether the blue color (if I do take the lighterweight jacket) would be ok? Again, it's like the mariner blue color on this jacket (fourth color from the left) http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/32937...9-ppodxs&dds=y I've seen comments not to wear dark blue as it attracts mosquitoes and tse-tse flies but i know this is winter so probably not too many mosquitoes (still taking malarone anyway and will put on insect repellent) and there are no tse-tses in South Africa - are there?

christabir

If it's cold enough for that heavy jacket, then tse-tse flies won't be a problem. You won't wear it much, except when it's basically dark, so it doesn't matter what color. But as I said, you need more layers, not a heavy jacket. I would try to dye it beige or brown to tone down the color, but I am one of the few that cares about the safari colors. What the heck is a safari suit?!! (and where is Kwandwe)?

Info on malaria:
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger...sm/malaria.php

(Prophylactics not necessary in June). Personally, and I get slammed here often for this, I don't take the meds in winter - I don't take unnecessary meds. We were in SA last June, including Kruger for 10 days and KwaZulu natal (higher risk) for 10 days. No mossies. It's a personal decision.

It's a nice time to go. Enjoy!!

christabir

Oops - malaria risk in Phinda Oct - May (very low risk, they spray at Phinda).

shouldbewriting

The point about my Land's End jacket -- and your LL bean one -- is that it is windproof in a way that sweaters are not. Underneath mine I wore a short sleeve tee and a lightweight fleece, so layers are definitely the way to go; by lunch time it could well be hot. I run cold now that I'm older, but as I said earlier, those from cold climates will likely not be as affected as others from warmer ones. I would be more concerned about personal comfort than color; it looks to be quite a subtle blue.

I spent as much time as you, maybe longer, obsessing about every scenario and detail. In the event tipping in Dubai was a non-issue. The guy from the hotel was waiting right where we got off the plane, so there was no time to find an ATM, and he showed no sign of wanting a tip. He got us to the room in record time. I think we may have left a few dollars for room service, which I would recommend you try if tired -- food is reasonably priced and really quite good. The airline also provides a free cafeteria style breakfast in the terminal, but I did not think much of it as they had no fresh milk for tea, coffee or cereal. On the way home we had the room service breakfast in the comfort of the room and liked that a lot better.

We took malarone at the advice of our HMO, but did not see a single mosquito. Our guides said they never took anything, indicating that it may be hard to get malaria; however we suffered no side effects and were happy not to be risking any unwanted souvenirs!

christabir

Sorry - I wasn't clear (again). I do take a fleece. Besides the warmth, it's a great pillow on the flight.

Jane62

thank you everyone again. Kwandwe is in the Eastern Cape, near Grahamstown as I understand it - about an hour and 45 minutes drive from Pt. Elizabeth if I remember correctly. They were an &Beyond camp up until very recently but now are self-managing.

This press release talks about how they were changing up their winter program with longer drives starting later in the morning and ending before dark I guess as it is apparently especially cold there in winter. http://www.andbeyond.com/press_room/...ca_this_winter The description of the safari suits is

"Each guest will be given an &Beyond winter safari suit to keep them toasty warm for the duration of their adventure, especially handy on morning and evening game drives exploring Kwandwe’s Big Five wilderness. Designed exclusively for &Beyond , these full-length, hooded jackets have detachable mittens that can be removed quickly for those must-have photographs, and three snug layers to provide comfort from the winter elements."

Christabir, I was thinking about what you said about layering sweaters and fleece, but also thinking I wanted wind protection, as you are saying, Shouldbe and I happened to be going to REI today so I checked everything out and ended up buying this thing that may work well http://www.rei.com/product/816055/re...-jacket-womens it is a very lightwieght fleece jacket, black (hopefully that color will be ok) that is super warm and windproofed. I tried it out as it was windy and chilly hear tonight and it works well! Trying to lose weight as it is snug on me and if I want to put anything under it other than a long sleeved t-shirt, 'twill be tight!

Re the Malarone - yes I've read many a debate about it - since we're taking our 10 and 13-year-olds especially, I'd rather be safe than sorry so we plan to take it.

NGail

topping for wish list.

LyndaS

Ohmigosh, I had forgotten how much this thread had me laughing !

7 years ago, I just can't believe it - so hilarious!!!

It even had a guest appearance too (Jim), I really hadn't remembered that.

And, I have to say as we are about to embark on our 4th safari in May, that revised list still works and hasn't changed.

But most of all - thanks to all of my Fodors buddies, I learned a lot from this thread!

atravelynn

It's baa....aaack!

Have a nice trip Lynda.

NGail

What a great list!
I've been using it as I pack for our February trip to Tanzania.
For those who've been there around this time of year - I know its pretty cold in the mornings but does it cool down much in the evenings? Or is it still warm enough to wear light-weight clothes at dinner time? Are the dining rooms at the lodges open to the outdoors?
Many thanks.