tinydancer

I've been avoiding posting, because of how obsessed I get with reading replies, etc, but the time has come to do it. We leave next week for our safari:
1 nt Arusha Coffee Lodge
3 nts Oliver's Camp
2 nts Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
2 nts Dunia
4 nts Sayari
(Fly to Nairobi)
1 nt House of Waine
(Fly to Masai Mara)
5 nts Serian (3 mobil, 2 main camp)
(Fly to Kigali)
1 nt Top Tower Hotel Kigali
3 nts Virunga Lodge/ 2 gorilla treks
(fly to Bangkok)

We have all our shots, documents, Malarone, Busman spray & gel, antihistamine (tabs & cream), wound & tummy medications & band aids & blister protectors, beige/tan clothing (part of which I dyed because impossible to find women's t's & short sleeved in these colors), long pants, short pants & convertable pants, pj's, medium weight fleece, wool socks, walking shoes & sandals, combination shampoo/conditioner, lip balm, sunscreen, hat, travel padlocks, Pentax k-x with 2 lenses, 2 sets Energizer lithiums AA plus 2 or 3 sets Ansmann 2850 rechargeables, Kindle, about 60GB memory (but some are old and class 2), rain jackets & pants, garden gloves & regular gloves, and the smallest kit of makeup I have ever traveled with, + P-mates, tissues, wipes, anti-bacterial gel. Also have one of those little battery operated anti-mosquito things that clips on clothing and can turn on for 2,4, 6, or 12 hours to repel insects.

I know some people said they saw no mosquitos, but since we are in tents in pretty isolated areas I want to be extra safe just in case.

We are doing 2 gorilla treks and plan to only use our walking shoes as we own no boots, plus we plan to shop for Wellingtons in Kigali in case we decide to use those instead.

Have I forgotten anything vital?

Also, I'm leaving my good jewelry home, but need to keep in some earrings. I have either small gold hoops, very, VERY small diamond studs, or small pearl studs, all of which I can keep in for extended periods so my ears won't get sore, will any of the three be suitable to wear in Africa? The only old watch I have is a gold color Seiko, so should I just bring that or buy a cheap watch?

Also, my camera has a small built in flash, but I am thinking of taking the extra, larger flash. My question is, what is the likelihood I will use fill flash for wildlife? Maybe I can leave the bigger flash home? I'm also bringing a smaller extra digital for backup.

I've been reading all the lists from our TA and what I've found on Fodors, checking them twice, and hoping we have everything we need. Later in the week we'll pack it up and see how we fare with our 15kg limit.

But I also have a light dress, skirt, and swim suit as we are spending a few days in Thailand on our way home.

Gosh I'm excited!

twaffle

Sounds like you have most things covered so good luck with the 15kg limit!
What a wonderful trip you have planned, enjoy your last week of excitement, no sleep, packing and re-packing. Look forward to hearing all about it.

cary999

I'd really really really miss a small flashlight. In fact I take two. Doesn't need to be big, a 2 cell AA or AAA Maglight is perfect.

Bigger camera flash is a tough one. I don't like to use it, but I take one anyway. And seldom use it anyway!!!!

regards - tom

sangeeta

Kisses to the gorillas.

tinydancer

Thanks! Yes, forgot to mention flashlights, we both have one. He has a stronger one than I do, but TA tells us that the camps we are staying in supply them.

No sleep huh? Well, you could be right about that. The house is a wreck with stuff thrown all over so we don't forget to pack it or else aren't sure yet if we will.

So much to think about.

Did I forget to say thank you to everyone on Fodor's who gave me so much help, with advice and ideas since I first started planning this? Thank you all so much!

Anyone else leaving soon who we might catch up with? Already meeting up with moneyburns.

cary999

"....TA tells us that the camps we are staying in supply them."
Yes, usually big industrial D cell type. Works fine if emergency around the room. With a little Maglight you put it in your pocket and use it at night in vehicle to find things in bag, adjust camera settings, help light your walk to room, really handy. Don't mean to go on about it but, well, what can I say, I think it's a man thing

Oh, and BTW have a great safari. I envy you

regards - tom

tinydancer

No worries, love the back and forth. Mine is a tiny little Maglight that I can clip on to anything like a belt loop or strap. Thanks Tom!

moneyburns

Hi Tiny,

Sounds like you are on a roll! Get it packed; set it aside and chill before you go! You are going to have a fabulous trip and by the time I see you wlll have been on many exciting game drives to share with us when we meet!
I think you have this week (?) to get it all together so do not fret...just enjoy! What a great itinerary and I am already envious. See you at Serian!
MoneyB

tinydancer

Hi money! Yes, it's Monday night here and we fly out next Monday afternoon! Soooooooo excited!

See you soon!

rossmtbiker

"...Also, my camera has a small built in flash, but I am thinking of taking the extra, larger flash. My question is, what is the likelihood I will use fill flash for wildlife? Maybe I can leave the bigger flash home? I'm also bringing a smaller extra digital for backup..."

I have not yet been to East Africa, but we are planning our trip for October. I have done a lot of reading on the Canon web forum: http://photography-on-the.net/
and the recommendations there are to leave your flash at home, save the weight and space. There are a few caveats, hopefully your driver will understand the lighting needs for photography, the light can apparently be fairly harsh at mid-day, and you may want to take some shots back at the lodge. However, as you say, you have a built-in flash that can be used for the "campfire" photos.
Have fun and please post a link to your photos.

tinydancer

Yes, I am leaving extra flash at home (but bringing a small, extra camera), AND: I MADE IT: I weighed everything handbag, carry on, camera gear, my bag to check, including all my clothes and shoes, everything, and the total comes to just under 19kg, so once I'm wearing the clothing and shoes and carrying my fleece, should be alright. Now I just have to make it through the weekend without the temptation to put anything else in. (I'm also bringing a waist bag for use on walking safaris and in Rwanda.) 3 more sleeps!

moneyburns

Safari Njema Tiny -

See you there!

MoneyB

pepnjak

We are leaving Wednesday Sept 8 for Tanzania. We are going on a 6 day safari,4 days in Arusha(visiting a secondary school and family),3 nights at the base of mtn. Kilamajaro and 5 days on Zanzibar,stone town for a few days and a few days on the beach.

We too are all packed and after I finished packing small gifts for the children,2 defalted basketballs and a few items for grownups I might meet I am still under 35lbs..BARELY!!

I'm afraid I am not all Khaki...brown,khaki and black..I'll save the khaki for our safari!!

Oh Yes, I also remembered the scarf suggested for the final "touch"
for any outfit!!

VERY EXCITED...celebrating 40 years of marriage to my best friend!!Trip of a life time!

tinydancer

You bet moneyburns! I am sooooooo excited!
pepnjak: amazing! I may try to get it completely down to that. Congratulations of 40 years of marriage to your best friend! Have a great safari!

KathBC

pepnjak would love to see your itinerary and where you're staying...perhaps a thread of your own?

pepnjak

KathBC...I will put up our itinerary this afternoon on a new thread!

296vancouver

Ii would re-think the walking shoes and get some hiking boots before you go! Anyone in walking shoes that I met on my first gorilla trek sank knee deep into the mud and so needed (a) porters to pull them up at nearly every step and (b) porters to retrieve their shoe out of the mud at nearly every step. Although the guides wear them, Wellies have NO traction and you will definitely need traction unless there's been no rain for a couple of weeks.

Also, didn't read your whole post but if you didn't get gloves already I'd get some -- I was the only person with them and they were much much coveted!

tinydancer

Yes, forgot to mention that we do have gardening gloves with leather, but boots are definitely out. Our shoes are not walking shoes, they are hiking shoes (lots of traction and they tie up as high as they possibly can.) We're doing this at the end of 3 weeks of safari with weight restrictions and we don't even own boots to begin with. We'll just have to hope for the best. It isn't the 'rainy' season, so although there may be rain (since it's a rain forrest) it isn't as wet as it could be. But we'll find out for sure in 3.5 half weeks because our flight leaves in less than 6 hrs!