Dogster, I was about to console you on your crestfallen state - but then I thought better of it. There are low-life types in here who would mangle an innocent phrase.

Happy Travels, Roadie and the rest, lowlifes and all!

Hello!! I just discovered this forum yesterday and I am going on the same Smithsonian trip in August!! This is my bucket trip that I have dreamt about for 50 years, ever since I read the book Born Free about Elsa the lioness! I would dearly love to hear about your experiences and any helpful advice you could give me. This is a first time trip for me and it's overwhelming. I have already learned a lot just reading the thread to this point.

"I have already learned a lot just reading the thread to this point."

So, GwenC, are you bringing cameras or underwear?

Advice requested by GwenC: I'm sure you'll get packing info and suggestions from Smithsonian. Bring binocs. Keep a journal or at least brief notes. Call your credit card co before leaving home so your cards don't get cancelled after an African transaction. Bring copies of your passport and other important documents and email attachments of those scanned docs to yourself. Bring a lot of US $1s. Pack layers of clothes. Early mornings can be cold, especially in Ngorongoro so a hat or headband and gloves are a good idea because the top of the vehicle will be off and it gets cold at 20-30 mph. Reinforce your buttons before leaving home. Trim your toenail before leaving home. Take hand sanitizing gel in the smallest container. To increase the amount of stuff in your carryon (there is a chance the checked luggage will be delayed) tie any extra shoes to the outside of the carryon. Bring a big garbage bag, folded flat. Numerous ziplocks. Store your toothpaste in a zipped ziplock to help keep out small creatures. I had a mouse help itself to the lower half of my tube. Wrap about 2 feet of duct tape, the kind that can be ripped from the roll, around a pencil just in case. If you have any night drives bring a tiny keychain flashlight. The packing list will suggest a flashlight probably. Bring your own bird book or get the apps. Learn some of the animal names in Swahili, plus please, thank you, etc. If you take photos of kids during village visits, mail copies to the safari provider so the kids can get the photos when the company travels there again. Don't give out candy or pens to kids. If you wish to bring non-candy gifts for children, give them to the adults in charge of the kids. In addition to a tip, you might wish to bring something for your guide(s) from your hometown such as a cap, a t-shirt, a small packaged food item, or a local craft.

Experiences requested by GwenC: I could list millions, but you'll have your own. Here's one to skip. If you see a bunch of white junk scattered about as you enter the Serengeti, don't exclaim, "Oh no! Look at all the litter!" thinking it is styrofoam. It's bones.

Dear Atravelynn. One camera and 2 pairs of Ex Officio undies!! Thank you for your advice. I'm at work and it just so happens that I bought a keychain flashlight over lunch! Must have been ESP. Question: "Reinforce your buttons." Is that because of the bouncy traveling or the chance that I might possibly overeat?

Dear Atravelynn. One camera and 2 pairs of Ex Officio undies!! Thank you for your advice. I'm at work and it just so happens that I bought a keychain flashlight over lunch! Must have been ESP. Question: "Reinforce your buttons." Is that because of the bouncy traveling or the chance that I might possibly overeat?

Bouncy reminds me of a sports bra, bring one.

Those are good projections on what might happen to the buttons. Even without bumpy roads or several-course meals, it's just a good idea to help reduce problems. A little sewing kit--the kind that is just a cardboard with thead wrapped around and some needles stuck in is always wise too.

If you can possibly include a backup camera, even one way below your main one, it is a good idea, just in case. My camera or my travel mate's camera have died on a trip two times. A backup saved the day.

The keychain flashlight is amazing. You might already know this, but in Africa they call them torches.

Have a wonderful trip!

One of my favorite threads ever!!

A good reason to reinforce buttons, is that you will have your laundry done while in camp, multiple times. "They" (clothing manufacturers) do not sew buttons on like they used to. After 3 or 4 washings, it is easy for one to fall off. It is usually the one that hits you right where you most want a button.

"They" don't make shoes or socks like they used to either. But that's another thread. Don't want to ruin christabir's favorite with quality rants.

Along with a backup camera, bring at least 2 batteries. I never take under 3 and bring 2 chargers and 2 adapters. It seems excessive but if your charger or adapter breaks or gets lost or taken from a "group charging" area, then what? A spare spares you from potential despair.

A few years back I actually did have a battery charger burn up. Seems the camps electical generator system went screwing/bounced and my charger didn't like that and turned to smoke!! Course also took the battery with it!!

Camera kit and spares. My three different cameras require three different battery design and chargers. Bummer. My camera kit of spares of everything plus backup card drives plus tools plus cleaning kit plus etc weighs almost as much as the cameras. More bummer . I think the old days with 40 rolls of 35mm film my total kit was smaller/lighter!!!

regards - tom
ps - and no, I do not even take a laptop PC or such

Most airlines seem to be more concerned about the size than the weight. So if you have a very small heavy carryone you could get away with the extra weight. If it is large they may make you weigh it. You are also allowed a carry-on and a handbag or laptop bag. So pack a big laptop bag or big handbag and stuff that with the heavy stuff. Put ALL electronics and jewellery in your carry on. That is what tend to disappear, not clothes.

Just to expand one step further(as if it needed expanding) on Tom's idea of flipping the underwear, if one were to take a small pack of panty shields (which if you wore a hat on board, could be placed in the crown of the hat) then upon switching the underwear, a panty shield could be added and replaced daily or as needed and thus extend the wearability for perhaps months.
;-) Okay, so it was just a suggestion. ;-)

Panty shields - great idea!!!! You could flip those over also, yes?? (I've never used panty shields).
How about napkins from the dining room?

regards - tom

Love this blast from the past!!!

LOL!