pcex

Hello,
My son will be backpacking around Africa for 6-12 months, so he will have a very large pack, plus sleeping bag and tent. Will he be able to take it on flights or will the size/ weight relegate him to travel only by road? I've heard about the 15 k weight limit, but the size may be even more of a problem than weight. Thanks for any advice.

sf7307

Are you certain about the 15k limit? We've been on flights recently (not in Africa, but in Asia) where the limit was 7k.

pcex

I think that's what it is, about 33-35 lbs.

sandi

In East Africa, the weight limit for internal flights in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda... is 15Kg/33-lbs. For flights between these countries, it's 20Kg/44-lbs.

When we were in Southeast Asia, the weight limits were much the same as those in East Africa; at least we were never questioned with any of our carryon bags and certainly not for checked bags which was 40/lbs.

pcex - If the weight of your son's equipment - personal backpack, tent, sleeping bagk etc. is over this 15Kg, he's going to run into a problem where they can't/won't take, or be assesses overweight fees. But the question I have is: 1) does he need all of the excess weight for safari? 2) will you be camping? and if so 3) aren't tents being provided?

If not camping, but staying at lodges or permanent tent camps, he doesn't need any of these items but his personal clothing.

Even if driving (let alone if sharing vehicle with other people), there is limited space for luggage and if he doesn't need these items, no need to take them.

So, what to do with the excess? Leave it with your tour operator in Nairobi or Arusha to collect at conclusion of the safari.

pcex

Sandi, thanks for the observation. You are right, he won't need it while on safari, but will need it the rest of the time he's there. The plan was to start in Arusha and end in Nairobi via flights from Kogatende to Siana. He would not be returning to the starting point. Any suggestions?

sandi

Know that the flight from Kogatende/KOG to the Masai Mara/Siana airstrip is NOT non-stop. It's 3/planes (separate segments) if I count correct. KOG/JRO*, JRO/WIL, WIL/SIA.

*this segment may even have a few stops till reaching JRO.

Then at JRO, your tour operator should be able to return the items left behind in Arusha for ongoing flights. But again, there are weight limits on JRO/WIL flight (20Kg).

And, once at WIL you again run into issues with weight (15Kg)on connecting flight to the MAR and this is a very tight connection. Flight arrives from JRO about 2:45pm, flight to MAR departs 3pm... sufficient time to clear Immigration and Visa purchase if needed (also you need the YF inoculations for entry).

Again, in consultation with tour operator/s, you can arrange for rep from the Kenyan company to meet you at WIL to collect/hold the unnecessary items till you return to NBO from the MAR, where I assume you are departing for home and your son to distances far-n-wide!