Duffle bags for safari
May 30, 2019, 1:10 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Toronto
Posts: 203
Duffle bags for safari
We are on a 10 cruise out of Cape Town, then fly to Johannesburg and transfer to a small jet to Kruger area.
We spend 4 nights then fly back to Johannesburg and up to Victoria Falls for two nights, returning to Johannesburg overnight before flying back to NA.
Any advise on a duffle as the size and style they listed I have read here can not be checked for Johannesburg, so we are confused.
We spend 4 nights then fly back to Johannesburg and up to Victoria Falls for two nights, returning to Johannesburg overnight before flying back to NA.
Any advise on a duffle as the size and style they listed I have read here can not be checked for Johannesburg, so we are confused.
Jun 2, 2019, 12:10 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Body in Downtown YYZ, heart and mind elsewhere
Programs: UA 50K, refugee from AC E50K, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 5,132
When I flew JNB-MQP I was onboard an ATR 42; not exactly a large airplane but not a particularly small one either. I took a normal sized suitcase (32kg or so) and checked it through normally.
In Namibia & Botswana however, I know that many air transfers involve Cessna aircraft of various sizes, typically from 5 pax to 12 pax. Obviously on something this small, size & weight make a pretty big difference. So on these aircraft, pax are strictly limited to just a few kg of luggage (typically 10 to 20 kg) to be carried in soft-sided duffles.
My sense is that the size of the duffle is only part of the equation; the weight of the stuff is more a limiting factor. The duffle (as opposed to suitcase) is more so that the bag can be squished into a small cargo space. The cargo space on some of these Cessnas are only 25 - 30cm high so something rigid like a suitcase has no chance of fitting in there.
So it really depends on where you're going and who you're going with.
Here are a couple of links that may be informative:
https://www.places.co.za/html/luggag...-botswana.html
https://www.wilderness-air.com/our-aircraft/
Jun 2, 2019, 12:20 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: NYC
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 119
If you’re returning to JNB before continuing onward, I’d leave your larger bag at the hotel and just bring a smaller duffel for the safari portion of the trip. We used LL Bean duffels without issue last year - lightweight and durable.
Jun 4, 2019, 8:18 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI,IAD,DCA
Programs: UA gold, Hyatt Plat Marriott silver,Hilton Gold, PC Plat., SPG Gold.,Hertz Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 650
Look at www.redoxx.com they have several bags they sell with an emphasis on safaris.
Jun 25, 2019, 3:22 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Toronto
Posts: 203
Since now the OR Tambo airport does not allow you to check soft bags we ask our Safari company about wheeled bottom and they said ok
It is a small jet operated by Federal.
So we want to store the one suitcase from cruise and take one wheeled duffle.
It is a small jet operated by Federal.
So we want to store the one suitcase from cruise and take one wheeled duffle.
Jun 29, 2019, 6:06 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
Just a data point, we were checking on for a SA Airlink flight from JNB to SZK. I asked the agent checking us in about being able to check in totally soft sided duffle type bags and JNB and she indicated that there was no such restriction. I have no idea if this accurately reflects JNB policy on duffles or not so YMMV.
We had regular luggage so it was no issue for us.
We had regular luggage so it was no issue for us.
Jul 4, 2019, 12:26 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
Just a data point, we were checking on for a SA Airlink flight from JNB to SZK. I asked the agent checking us in about being able to check in totally soft sided duffle type bags and JNB and she indicated that there was no such restriction. I have no idea if this accurately reflects JNB policy on duffles or not so YMMV.
We had regular luggage so it was no issue for us.
We had regular luggage so it was no issue for us.
Asked the SAA Airlink agent about it and she was adamant that they were not accepted. So much for consistency.
Last edited by cheltzel; Jul 4, 2019 at 1:03 am
Jul 5, 2019, 9:30 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Toronto
Posts: 203
Since we are not at a hotel before departing on the Federal Jet to Singita property, we either have to store luggage at airport ( not sure we will have time between flights as you fly domestic from Cape Town) or pay hotel we will return to, to pick up luggage from us and store at hotel.
This could be costly and tough to co ordinate so any suggestions I am listening.
This could be costly and tough to co ordinate so any suggestions I am listening.
Jul 5, 2019, 4:41 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 25
Since we are not at a hotel before departing on the Federal Jet to Singita property, we either have to store luggage at airport ( not sure we will have time between flights as you fly domestic from Cape Town) or pay hotel we will return to, to pick up luggage from us and store at hotel.
This could be costly and tough to co ordinate so any suggestions I am listening.
This could be costly and tough to co ordinate so any suggestions I am listening.
Jul 8, 2019, 3:53 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CPT
Programs: BA BD SA
Posts: 4,467
Data point #2 - Departing out of SZK and returning to JNB. There was a laminated card glued to the check in counter about the type of bags accepted. Totally soft duffles were highlighted as being not acceptable.
Asked the SAA Airlink agent about it and she was adamant that they were not accepted. So much for consistency.
Asked the SAA Airlink agent about it and she was adamant that they were not accepted. So much for consistency.
I thought this was only an OR Tambo restriction? Or does it cover all flights into JNB as well?
Jul 8, 2019, 7:04 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
This seems to be an issue with the automated baggage handling issue at OR Tambo (or at least that is what everyone is talking about). And the totally soft sided baggage requirement seems to be specifically are FedAir requirement (link). I looked at the SA Loge Link web site and it doesn't seem to have the issue with all soft sided luggage. But the SA Lodge Link site does not have a specific baggage requirements page and directs you to the main SA AirLink baggage page for its restriction. And I have never flown either FedAir or Lodge Link, so YMMV.
Jul 13, 2019, 3:56 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Toronto
Posts: 203
Very helpful
Are you returning to JNB on Federal Airlines as well? They will store bags for you if you are returning to JNB with them. They pick you up at JNB's main terminals in a van with a luggage trailer to drive over to their small terminal. It is a separate building and they have a large lounge/waiting area where you can reorganize your baggage. Their website is really informative and be in touch with them if you have more questions or want to confirm where they will meet you. I found their staff to be very helpful.