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Tanzania/Kenya trip May 17, 2014
I'm single 56 year old woman from Toronto and this is my first trip to Africa. I'm going solo, so I'm a little nervous. I have travelled solo a few times but not on a tour and only to the States and London.
In an effort to travel light and not have to check in luggage, I was wondering if on international flights, they allow you to bring checked baggage directly to the plane. I have done this several times in North America, but I'm not sure about International flights. I'm flying KLM. Anybody know?
Also, if anyone is going on this trip, I'm flying in on the 16th. Wouldn't mind meeting up in Amsterdam, if possible.
In an effort to travel light and not have to check in luggage, I was wondering if on international flights, they allow you to bring checked baggage directly to the plane. I have done this several times in North America, but I'm not sure about International flights. I'm flying KLM. Anybody know?
Also, if anyone is going on this trip, I'm flying in on the 16th. Wouldn't mind meeting up in Amsterdam, if possible.
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I have taken this tour in the past, if you need any more advise there is plenty on the forum
This a trick that people have developed so they can avoid paying for luggage that is checked at the ticket counter. They have a small piece of luggage but stuff it so full that it won't fit in the overhead bin. The flight crew then "checks" it to the belly of the plane and they don't have to pay for it.
I've never seen anyone get away with that on international flights...but, to be honest, I probably wasn't paying attention. Besides, the overhead bins on those planes are usually big enough to park a Volkswagen in.
I am not sure what that means. That you want to check your bags plane side, or you don't. Can't be sure.
Unless it is a small bag, the only choice you'll probably have on international flights is to check it at the counter. Remember, overseas trips have strict weight limits to your bags. Some European airlines allow less weight in the bags than American companies. As far as I can tell, the small planes on the Kenya and Tanzania Safari also limit bag weights. I don't know for sure, but I will be able to tell you when I return in the middle of July.
I am with you. I have no desire to haul all my luggage through the airports. I'll have a backpack that will be full (and heavy) enough. Someone was in a forum room the other day complaining that since they were flying first class and were allowed to carry two 70 lb. bags they were disappointed that Tauck would restrict them to one 44 lb. bag. You'd have to be crazy to want to haul 140 lb. of stuff on a long trip to at least two continents. Oh well, whatever floats your boat, I guess.
In any case, I'll try to squeeze everything into a backpack and my small shoulder bag (similar to a purse). If not, I'll just check it in at the counter.
Less than 1 week until departure. YAY!!
Cheers,
Jan
Edit: I have to laugh. The system is obviously unaware of the BBC television series Yes, Minister and then Yes, Prime Minister. Sir H.U.M.P.H.R.E.Y Appleby was the epitome of a very British civil servant who had a Mandarin turn of phrase for everything. Some computers have no taste at all.
Hell, I am going to pack everything I need into a sock and put in my jacket pocket.
I'm reminded of all the stuff I had to take for, basically, 2 landings on Macquarie Island. And some intrepid souls who travelled from Pommyland had to bring summer gear for Australia and/or New Zealand as well, bless their hearts. That's real dedication to the art of travel! As per the usual practice for North Americans, those travellers only landed in NZ the day before and left the same day the ship docked. (How do you do a 'rolling eyes'?) But even they were staggering under the amount of gear in their suitcases. I do know that, although the hemisphere is the same, the climate and conditions are different in these 2 cases, but …. just, but …. [more rolling eyes ….. I must get that seen to.]
I guess I should have added a "hahaha" at the end of that. It was either a joke or sarcasm, or both. Probably both.
Anybody know how much DEET to take? Are there a lot of insects this time of year? Is 3 three oz. bottles of spray (for clothes), 2 three oz. bottles of lotion and 24 wet squares enough?
And yes, panic setting in so close to departure
Try not to worry too much about your case. Just make sure you have chosen a case that meets the airlines guidelines … and the same goes for your carry on pieces. You're flying out of Toronto. You are flying on a reputable international airline to get you to east Africa. The way things generally work is that the luggage is taken care of, and sent on it's way by the ground crew at Toronto. I've transited through Toronto lots of times …. probably even qualify to say many times. Sometimes I've been flying on to another Canadian city, sometimes to the States. The horror stories you often hear have more currency for US airports. That's my personal experience and those of many other Australians. (Just the facts, ma'am. It's just the way it is, people.)
So, just to make you feel better … about the getting there and back process … here are are a few tips that might help to settle your mind.
Go to the web site for the airline that is issuing your international ticket. If you hunt around, you will find the luggage rules for both checked and carry on luggage. They will give you the case dimensions and weight restrictions. So choose your own case and carry ons accordingly and make sure the case is solid enough to survive multiple arrivals & departures. My advice is not to take one that is on its last legs.
Another tip, get a luggage strap from the travel accessories part of the luggage store/department. Buy a nasty colour, one that doesn't match your case. Put it on your case as tightly as you can and make sure you thread it under the handle. If it loosens or comes undone in transit, it might still stay on. The strap makes it much easier to capture your case from the carousel and drag it off. So much easier than finding the handle as all the cases whiz past! The strap also helps identify your case as well as helping to keep your belongings inside if the zip fails. (Chances are this will never happen, but knowing I've done this makes me feel better!) Label all your luggage inside and out.
Go to the web sites for any of the international airports you'll be transiting through. They are generally full of useful information. Knowledge is power, after all. Don't worry about the African airports. Tauck will take care of you.
Some important packing tip. Your hand luggage has to be able to contain your most valuable items: passport, travel documents, money(of course) any medication (with their original packaging), any prescriptions for that medication, any cosmetics, etc. you can't live without (remember the liquid rules!) camera, chargers for all your gadgets and a change of clothes …. a spare top and pair of knickers. The last items are the practical, I can survive till the luggage turns up bit.
And most important …. prepare for a wonderful, life changing trip.
Cheers,
Jan
When spraying the Deet on yourself, minimize the amount you use by wearing clothes that cover up most of your bare skin. Deet is powerful and not something you want to be spraying all over yourself with gay abandon. Also, consider other people nearby you if you decide to spray yourself in public because they do not want to get covered in it, especially on their hands, or eyes. Several of our trips, my husband and I have almost been overcome by other people over-spraying nearby us. We learnt on our first Africa trip not to go too crazy on the spray, it made us nauseous until we figured out the problems. Also avoid spraying it in the vicinity of food, we have seen this happen too.
I think the wipes are a great idea, depending on whether you want to take both, I am sure one spray or lotion for your skin and one lot of wipes. On our India tour, the tour director had spray she could spray on us if we wanted.
This is indeed a life changing and wonderful trip.
Everyone who is suggesting to not spray Deet in an enclosed area is on the mark. Inhaling it is not recommended. Children shouldn't handle Deet either. Combination lotions or sprays of Deet and sunscreen should not be used. Sunscreen washes off in water, or with sweat, and needs to be applied more often than Deet. The more Deet you apply, the greater the chance for toxic effects. Only put it on exposed skin, not under clothing. Also, Jan and British pointed out, keep it out of your eyes, and mouth. I am only taking wipes and lotion, not sprays. I may try the Picaridin (see below).
Other options:
Permethrin...used ONLY on clothes and allow it to dry completely before wearing the clothes. It is best to put it on the clothing before you pack (and after it is completely dry). It will last through several washings.
Picaridin...a newer (around 2005 being approved in the US), odorless, non-greasy product that seems to be as effective as 10% Deet concentrations. Since it is so new, the research on contraindications is still yet to be determined. Remember, we thought DDT was safe too. It seems safe, if used as directed, so far.
There are also some products with eucalyptus or 2% soybean oil that are available. I don't know much about them. You can Google them.
I've heard, but am not sure, the US Navy Seal recommendations are for Deet concentration no higher than 25%...for what it is worth.
Amazon sells two 2 OZ. tubes of Ultrathon for $17.96, although another listing shows a single tube for $6.52 (both Prime eligible)- go figure! It also comes in pump spray. It is a 3M product originally developed for the military to provide 12 hours of protection. I'm sure it is available at most outdoors outfitters like Bass Pro, Cabellas, Gander Mtn. etc.
I'll let you all know how my trip was when I get back
Counting down to Thursday departure.... YAY!!!