august trip 2018 Kenya Tanzania
looking for suggestions on what you didn't bring that you wished you had and what you brought that you should not had. also what type of jacket or warm weather gear would I need for early am or late night. Arriving one day early in Arusha. Any suggestions on what to do with the day after arrival but before the trip begins. Traveling with twenty -something adult kids and hubby,. Any reviews on the binoculars that are recommended from the web site necessarygear.com? thanks in advance
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We didn't really bring anything that we wouldn't bring again. I wore a sleeveless safari jacket as did my wife. She sometimes wore a light fleece vest. The key is to dress in layers- cool mornings become moderate or even hot afternoons. Read about the climate here and on the web- K&T is on the equator, but high plains (6000'+) so is not as hot as you might think. Due to clear skies and thinner air, sun can be strong, so cover up and wear longsleeve shirts that can be rolled up. I wore pants with lower legs that zip off. I used that feature only a few times.
Things to do- well covered in K&T archives- walk around the lake, hire driver and guide for tour of Arusha National Park (covered extensively here). Do not go into town without an escort/guide. We rarely used binocs- opinions differ wildly on this topic. I suggest you read all the old K&T forum threads.
I posted a link to the actual Kenyan government website and quoted the text- "The ban applies to all plastic carrier bags and flat bags used for commercial and household packaging." Read my post here.
I find a BUFF useful-- covering nose and mouth from the dust, extra head warmth, and especially round my neck to cushion my camera and binocular straps, they can be found in many colors and patterns and different price points and brands these days I found some for around $5 when I was in Namibia. In the US they are around the $20 range. We use them on many trips and are quite the fashion statement.
Let me add one thing, I have no issue using them, but my wife who wears glasses, finds them extremely difficult to use- impossible with glasses on and with her visual acuity, difficult to adjust and use otherwise. So, since it is just me, I more often than not just use my camera, whose lens has greater magnification than many binoculars, to see distant things.
Let me also make one additional point. I'll use an argument similar to one that British and others have used when discussing cameras and photography- you don't want to spend your whole trip looking through a view finder (or the eyepieces of binoculars) at distant subjects while missing the big picture. As you might expect some of the best views are right in front of you. And, due to the extremely rough dirt roads (some little more than paths), it is nearly impossible to use binoculars while the vehicle is moving. Let the drivers spot the animals and drive up closer so you can view and photograph them.
I used my buff quite often, especially during the long, dusty drive across the Serengeti to the Four Seasons.
I’m also wondering if anyone knows the size of thenTauk duffel.......
There is a post in the forum archives with model and dimensions and a photo- just search on "duffle" or "duffel". Or, just Google Eagle Creek Duffle Bag and check out the medium size.
Our Tauck duffle bags being unloaded after arriving back in Arusha from the Serengeti.
correct -- no fancy clothes needed!
Our duffles had straps that you could cinch down to make the bag smaller.
Our tour guide issued us a large ziplock bag with tour info, etc., so those are okay.