Question about luggage?
I know for some of the safari days, we can only carry the Tauck provided duffel bag. But what about the rest of the trip? What size suitcase should we bring- is there a limit- for an individual would you bring a 28" or 24"- what is the standard. 2 weeks is a long time, even with laundry. Thanks!!
0
Comments
Here are the policies about luggage restrictions for this tour, taken from the "Luggage Handling and Restrictions" section of the "Before You Go", found here.
I hope this helps answer your question!
-Tim
So we have 3 bags- please confirm?
1. a carry on/day bag (like a knapsack)
2. The Tauck supplied duffel bag for the safari days that is 33 pounds
3. Large checked luggage which is 62" dimensions?
-Tim
Tim or a past traveler will hopefully further clarify this, but I read the Tauck baggage guidelines to mean they recommend you take (1) a soft-sided day bag / backpack (for wipes, TP, camera, binoculars, etc.) and (2) one ("large") suitcase that will contain your (empty) Tauck duffel to Africa. Prior to day 4-5 and 10-12 you will have time to transfer whatever clothes you think you will need for those specific safari days from your suitcase into your Tauck duffel, which is the only luggage other than your day bag/backpack that will be allowed on the on-tour flights.
As to whether you can pack and take a "full" Tauck duffel (or rolling carry-on, etc.) to Africa in a addition to a full "large suitcase", that will be up to the airlines and probably needs further clarification from Tim. I know on our last trip to England, Tauck recommended we take only a handbag and one suitcase each. In addition to their hand bags and large suitcases, our friends took at least one additional rolling carry-on suitcase. While Tauck loaded their rolling carry-on onto the bus each morning, I got the impression they considered it excess baggage. Unlike their main bags which were picked up from their room on travel days, most of the time our friends had to shlepp their rolling carry-on(s) to and from the bus.
Bottom line, and I may be wrong, but due to baggage handler and time considerations, I don't think Tauck wants you to bring more than one piece of luggage that must be handled on most tours.
That being said, most people find that a hand bag or backpack and one piece of large luggage per person is more than enough for this tour where clothing is extremely casual. If you go through clothes quickly, I suggest getting some Travex garments from Eddie Bauer. They are light weight, easy to wash, and dry extremely quickly.
Clothing takes careful planning. This was our twelfth Tauck trip, and the clothing we needed was different from any other trip we had taken. We were careful about the clothes we brought. We preferred to shower and change into non-safari clothes for dinner, and we were able to include them without adding too much weight. If you want some suggestions, you can email me at joyce_sw@att.net.
We recently returned from the India tour where we had a Tauck duffel provided for part of the trip. It is indeed a very nice $79 eagle Creek bag that is provided in a carry case about the side of a house brick
When leaving home you take a reasonably sized suitcase of measurements that Tauck states, you pack the empty duffel inside your suitcase. You also take with you a small backpack -type bag with you--- I have a Vera Bradley medium size Backpack I take, it's enough to carry a complete change of clothing, a pair of shoes, medicines, Book and mini iPad and other sundries. I also take a small handbag
Do not worry, the provided duffel is absolutely big enough for anything you might want to take for the several days you will be without your big suitcase, even a change of clothes for every day, a spare set, a swimsuit, camera, toiletries and so on.
On return from our recent India trip we used one of our duffels to stuff most of our laundry into it, then we had no concerns that our suitcases were over weight or over full. For the first time ever we just about threw everything into the suitcases with gay abandon and would have been extremely embarrassed if any security guy had opened them they were such a jumble. My husband had originally wanted to throw the duffels away when we left India, but no of course I could not do that, they are good duffels and when we got home I washed them both and they are good to go.
The duffels are different than when we originally did our Kenya and T tour, those ones were the same size and had an end that zipped off and was a separate backpack, it was an awesome design but of a canvas material. We used them for several none Tauck chill out vacations and they were all we used for a week long trip until the 3 ounce fluids carry on took effect and then our ample supplies of sunscreen had to be checked, so no more duffel.
Once again, amply big enough, this is a very casual, amazing experience vacation, no dress- up, enjoy! We take the Tanzania Zanzibar trip later this year.
Your initial description, "take (1) a soft-sided day bag / backpack (for wipes, TP, camera, binoculars, etc.) and (2) one ("large") suitcase that will contain your (empty) Tauck duffel to Africa. Prior to day 4-5 and 10-12 you will have time to transfer whatever clothes you think you will need for those specific safari days from your suitcase into your Tauck duffel, which is the only luggage other than your day bag/backpack that will be allowed on the on-tour flights," is exactly correct. That is what I meant, thank you.
Thanks for the additional info, everybody!
I hope this helps,
Tim
Gathering all this wonderful information for about a year now. Our trip is coming up in July.
I am confused as to why you wouldn't use the duffel provided by Tauck as a carry on piece for the flight?
I would also like to know about the electrical outlets. On our previous travels (Europe, SE Asia) a basic plug adaptor was all we needed to charge iPads, phones and cameras. Will this suffice for Africa? The voltage is the same as for the other foreign countries we visited, but I have read somewhere that there is a need for a converter as well. I also read on the Forum that it is a good idea to bring an extension cord (240 V) with several ports on it as there are minimal outlets available at some of the hotels.
Thank you all.
There is no reason that you cannot use the duffle for flight carryon luggage. For me, it was a bit big for that, even though it has buckles and straps to reduce/increase size. My flight carryon bag (the only thing I carry...never use a handbag on flights and you certainly do not need one at all in Africa) is also the daybag I used on safari. Your daybag, while in the trucks, contains camera(s) equipment, binoculars, sunblock, insect repellent, tissues, sweater or anything else you might shed or need during the day, etc., etc. . You cannot use the duffle as a day bag because it is too large for the vehicles AND there are a few times you will not have access to it as it becomes your main luggage and travels ahead to the next destination. Most people used some sort of a backpack or satchel type bag.
As far as electrical...there is a thread running now about power on the Africa forum. Yes, all you will need is an adaptor as long as your appliances/electronics are dual voltage, and most new ones are. This is no different from Europe or SE Asia. I think the adaptor I used was a "C", but best to double check that. The "Travel to Go" power strip (lightweight, plugs into itself for compact travel, and contains 4 outlets) is pictured on that thread. I got mine at Fry's Electronics (in California), but Alan found his on Amazon. It is by "Monster" and was the best fifteen bucks I've ever spent! You only need one hotel outlet and one adaptor! As an added bonus, the main plug generates a dim blue light, I guess to ensure the user the electricity is working. For us, that was a double bonus as it served as a small nightlight. Many of the hotel rooms are VERY dark!
Thanks for the advice. After thinking about it, I think the duffel would be too heavy to use use as a carry on--no wheels!
I read somewhere that we should ask to lock our luggage after it goes thru inspection. Is there an issue with bags being gone thru at any of the airports in Kenya or Tanzania?
Going to look for that thread on electricity and then shop for the item you mentioned.
Thanks again.
Francesca
Thank goodness there was a picture of the power strip on the forum. I just ordered it. Thanks again
Francesca
I should have saved the packaging and sent it back. No big deal, I just ordered the 4 outlet one- it was $3.50 less, too!
Amazon also has the Monster Outlets to Go 3 outlet with USB (discontinued?) model.