Kenya Safari ex Nairobi / NBO (short-long, etc.)
May 18, 2014, 1:54 pm
#77
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
When you guys say that hotels offer storage for luggage, you're referring to hotels in Nairobi (or other main airport city)? So you fly in, stay a night, and they'll hold your luggage for 3-7 days while you're on safari so that you can pick it up on the way back?
I haven't planned out the details, but it looks like I'm going to do a 5-6 day road safari. I fly into NBO on 7/24 in the VERY early morning and will probably be jet-lagged. I fly out of CPT on 8/5 in the early evening. I want to spend most of my time in East Africa on safari or similar, and only a few days in Cape Town, where I really have one goal, and that's to see white sharks. I figure I'll rest all of 7/24, and start safari on 7/25 for 5-7 days, returning to Nairobi on 7/29-7/31, and fly to Cape Town on 8/1-8/2 (haven't set up this flight yet). I think 3 days should be enough for white shark cage diving, but I want a few back-up days in case weather isn't great on any particular day, especially since this will be their winter.
I haven't planned out the details, but it looks like I'm going to do a 5-6 day road safari. I fly into NBO on 7/24 in the VERY early morning and will probably be jet-lagged. I fly out of CPT on 8/5 in the early evening. I want to spend most of my time in East Africa on safari or similar, and only a few days in Cape Town, where I really have one goal, and that's to see white sharks. I figure I'll rest all of 7/24, and start safari on 7/25 for 5-7 days, returning to Nairobi on 7/29-7/31, and fly to Cape Town on 8/1-8/2 (haven't set up this flight yet). I think 3 days should be enough for white shark cage diving, but I want a few back-up days in case weather isn't great on any particular day, especially since this will be their winter.
Maybe we will cross paths.
Sep 2, 2014, 5:58 pm
#78
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Redwood City, CA USA (SFO/SJC)
Programs: 1K 2010, 1P in 2011, Plat for 2012,13,14,15 & 2016. Gold in 17 & 18, Plat since
Posts: 8,826
Luggage... what about cameras?
33 pound weight limit for luggage on Safari? I thought I saw it listed as 20kg for the company we're using (I'll check to make sure).
But what about camera equipment? Yikes, that can add up fast! If I've got 12 pounds of camera equipment, that leaves 21 pounds for everything else?
Another question. If keeping luggage so light, why are people checking baggage? I read many reports of delayed bags (not too many lost, thankfully) and how long it takes for them to arrive at the carousel. Why?
Just curious. Thanks!
But what about camera equipment? Yikes, that can add up fast! If I've got 12 pounds of camera equipment, that leaves 21 pounds for everything else?
Another question. If keeping luggage so light, why are people checking baggage? I read many reports of delayed bags (not too many lost, thankfully) and how long it takes for them to arrive at the carousel. Why?
Just curious. Thanks!
Sep 3, 2014, 1:07 am
#79
Join Date: May 2006
Location: NBO, MEL
Programs: QR Platinum, TK Elite
Posts: 1,357
All internal safari flights only allow 15kg per person inc. your hand luggage. Remember that you can get laundry done at camps.
People check in luggage maybe for the reason of liquids, or sharp objects. Also Internatonal airlines won't let you carry 15kg of hand luggage.
People check in luggage maybe for the reason of liquids, or sharp objects. Also Internatonal airlines won't let you carry 15kg of hand luggage.
Sep 3, 2014, 9:27 pm
#80
Moderator: Travel Buzz
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 3,099
If you are altruistically inclined, you can simply bring items that you intend to leave. I tend to leave my "extras" with the hotel cleaning ladies, but there are always churches, hospitals, libraries or schools that could distribute a donation for you. Then you could start heavy, but actually lighten your load as you go along.
I tend to only pack a carry on, but like to shop as I travel. On my trip, my friend and I brought 2 suitcases each of checked bags, which were stuffed full of things that we brought just to donate... backpacks, infant clothes, kids shoes, medical books, socks, children's books, learning aids for grade schoolers, etc. We gave about half of it to the Graskop librarian, then our hosts and cleaning ladies at the next stops got the rest. We filled our newly empty suitcases with goodies we bought on the trip, as well as the misc. stuff that we didn't need as time went on. As the trip progressed and the stuff we donated was given away, we filled one of our two checked bags, and put the empty suitcase inside the other, so we still only hauled 1 carry on and 1 checked bag.
I got the idea from www.packforapurpose.org . Many of the places I visit are very poor, and school supplies and text books are even hard to come by.
I tend to only pack a carry on, but like to shop as I travel. On my trip, my friend and I brought 2 suitcases each of checked bags, which were stuffed full of things that we brought just to donate... backpacks, infant clothes, kids shoes, medical books, socks, children's books, learning aids for grade schoolers, etc. We gave about half of it to the Graskop librarian, then our hosts and cleaning ladies at the next stops got the rest. We filled our newly empty suitcases with goodies we bought on the trip, as well as the misc. stuff that we didn't need as time went on. As the trip progressed and the stuff we donated was given away, we filled one of our two checked bags, and put the empty suitcase inside the other, so we still only hauled 1 carry on and 1 checked bag.
I got the idea from www.packforapurpose.org . Many of the places I visit are very poor, and school supplies and text books are even hard to come by.
Jan 23, 2015, 2:33 pm
#82
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
Things went extremely smoothly, with no real hiccups at all. The weather was great, though it can be chilly at night and in the early morning. Make sure you have layers. It never got hot, but the sun can be harsh if you don't have shade. I read a lot about what to wear and what to avoid wearing, and honestly, I think a lot of that really didn't matter. We didn't see anyone wearing bright pink sweaters, but I don't think you have to spend a fortune buying the Crocodile Hunter's wardrobe. I brought lots of bug wipes, but we saw zero mosquitoes. Having said that, probably not a bad idea to take anti-malarials just in case.
Jan 24, 2015, 2:47 am
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
Elsa's Kopje is the place to stay.
Regards,
Johan
Jan 24, 2015, 4:23 pm
#84
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 2
Which package are you doing? My wife and I roughed it a bit and did the "adventure package" (something like that). We slept in real tents with no beds. We're not typically the outdoorsy type so things were a little strange at first, but it ended up being the best trip of both of our lives.
Things went extremely smoothly, with no real hiccups at all. The weather was great, though it can be chilly at night and in the early morning. Make sure you have layers. It never got hot, but the sun can be harsh if you don't have shade. I read a lot about what to wear and what to avoid wearing, and honestly, I think a lot of that really didn't matter. We didn't see anyone wearing bright pink sweaters, but I don't think you have to spend a fortune buying the Crocodile Hunter's wardrobe. I brought lots of bug wipes, but we saw zero mosquitoes. Having said that, probably not a bad idea to take anti-malarials just in case.
Things went extremely smoothly, with no real hiccups at all. The weather was great, though it can be chilly at night and in the early morning. Make sure you have layers. It never got hot, but the sun can be harsh if you don't have shade. I read a lot about what to wear and what to avoid wearing, and honestly, I think a lot of that really didn't matter. We didn't see anyone wearing bright pink sweaters, but I don't think you have to spend a fortune buying the Crocodile Hunter's wardrobe. I brought lots of bug wipes, but we saw zero mosquitoes. Having said that, probably not a bad idea to take anti-malarials just in case.
We picked the adventure package as well. We have been camping before so I don't think it will be a problem.
Were you able see any of the migration? River crossings in the Mara? I don't have a fancy camera but plan on getting a bridge camera. Any advice? Also, thinking of adding a day to the Mara to see more migration or at least increase odds of seeing it. The cost is $300 pp which is quite a lot for my budget but I have no idea how much time I need to spend in Mara to see what I want. I'm sure I could spend several weeks if budget allowed but with the cost being an extra $600 I'm reluctant.
We will be there during the first 2 weeks in August. Very excited!
Jan 24, 2015, 5:11 pm
#85
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
We picked the adventure package as well. We have been camping before so I don't think it will be a problem.
Were you able see any of the migration? River crossings in the Mara? I don't have a fancy camera but plan on getting a bridge camera. Any advice? Also, thinking of adding a day to the Mara to see more migration or at least increase odds of seeing it. The cost is $300 pp which is quite a lot for my budget but I have no idea how much time I need to spend in Mara to see what I want. I'm sure I could spend several weeks if budget allowed but with the cost being an extra $600 I'm reluctant.
We will be there during the first 2 weeks in August. Very excited!
Were you able see any of the migration? River crossings in the Mara? I don't have a fancy camera but plan on getting a bridge camera. Any advice? Also, thinking of adding a day to the Mara to see more migration or at least increase odds of seeing it. The cost is $300 pp which is quite a lot for my budget but I have no idea how much time I need to spend in Mara to see what I want. I'm sure I could spend several weeks if budget allowed but with the cost being an extra $600 I'm reluctant.
We will be there during the first 2 weeks in August. Very excited!
Apr 25, 2018, 1:17 pm
#86
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Potomac MD
Programs: UA MP 1K
Posts: 7,182
Will be in Kenya in mid-July. Looking for a 2 day safari to Amboseli National Park. but I don't want to stay in a tent. Ol Tukai seems to get excellent reviews, but of the 2 booking agencies I have found on Trip Advisor, one is extremely expensive ($690 for lodging alone) and the other only does tents. Any help for tour companies? Thanks.