easier packing

[jashermd]

Hello,

Yes, the CPT-MQP flight is in a normal plane. The Kruger-Singita flight will be in a light plane.

The duffle versus backpack choice probably depends on how much time you think you'll spend carrying your luggage. A backpack is a lot easier to carry for long periods of time than a duffle without wheels. However, since I doubt you're a backpacker if you're headed to Singita, a duffle should be fine. Alternatively you could get one of those bags which converts from a duffle to a backpack (but be careful, some of these have frames).

In my experience, pilots on light aircraft in SA are less strict about the soft luggage thing than pilots in Botswana. I've seen some people get away with wheeled duffles in SA, but personally I prefer not to take the chance -- I've also seen people get left on the runway when their luggage wouldn't fit into the compartment. The problem is that any bags that won't fit into the compartment would have to be crammed into the cabin, and on a six-seater plane there simply isn't that much space and it's a potential safety issue. In the end it's up to the pilot whether or not to accept any bags which don't fit the rules.

Your soft-sided bag will go into the luggage compartment. A reasonably sized carry-on is fine, so you can keep your camera gear and computer with you. However, the carry-on bag can't be too big as it needs to be able to fit on your lap -- there's very little (if any) under-seat storage and no overhead storage.

Cheers,
Julian

[woolie]

Thanks Jashermd!

You're a wealth of information!

Where were you while I was planning this trip?

Seriously, you've been a great help and I appreciate all the tips. We will put them to good use and they will make this trip more enjoyable.

Hats off to you!

thanks

Laura

[jashermd]

Hello Laura,

It sounds like you have a great trip coming up -- please let us know how it goes! I'm always looking for new photos of different hotels and lodges to add to the Safari Photo Album and make it more useful to people -- if you take any and wouldn't mind contributing, PM me and I'll send you my email address.

Cheers,
Julian

[travel2fun]

emilymalone wrote:

If you pack your clothes, folded, in Ziplock bags, you can pull items from the bottom without wrinkling anything near the top of the luggage. Do not seal the bags, they flatten out beautifully I include at least one extra bag, so always have a way to keep clean and dirty clothes separate

emilymalone, I prefer to pack fresh underwear, a little make-up and only one or two outfits. That gives me reasons to shop as I go along and enjoy all of my new outfits when I return home!

[omegaet]

t-2-f.....very clever (maybe said with tongue-in-cheek or maybe true)! One thing is for certain, your comment will be removed from the view of my wife in order to limit the incorporation of thiscreative idea into her thinking process!



Regards.....

[funtimes]

Love this post - good ideas everyone and what an endorsement for ziplock ...wish that I sold those. Don't forget small woolite travel packs great for quick laundry. Enjoyed all the creative underwear throw aways - purchasing trips etc. I also subscribe to the black& white travel clothing plan - everything works together and itmakes packing light a breeze.Happy travels...Funtimes

[kyshel]

even tho this is lux link I adore big lots stores and buy their small toiletries and leave them at the last stop--with a note that I don't want them any longer. so they won't come back to haunt me (like old undies, etc) they also have mmini pack of latex gloves, stain wipes, etc that take little space/money and can be very valuable in a jam. gotta love anything cheap you can dispose of on the way!