berimbolo wrote:
I think those small domestic flights have very strict weight limits.
Yes, they have strict weight limits and your bags will be weighed at Wilson for sure. Here's some blurry screen shots from a phone video I took at Wilson Airport when I arrived before they were open for check in. This is how small it is as you can see the whole checkin counter and the whole staff. You can spot the two scales they use to weigh your luggage at the counter. The difference about being weighed (and overweight) at Wilson is that you can just pay extra $$ and keep your bags with you. Unlike everywhere else where you could be forced to give up your gear only to be lost or stolen in the conveyer belt maze. At Wilson they'll weigh your bags, you make a payment if required, and then you walk out the glass doors on your left with your bags onto the tarmac. You can watch them load your bags onto your puddle jumper, so your gear never leaves your sight. Like I said earlier, once you've made it to Wilson you've made it to Disneyland and once you walk out those doors you enter the Safari Park of multiple dirt airstrips. There's no worries about missing connecting flights as they will wait for you. It's really easy to navigate your way around Kenya on these puddle jumpers from Wilson. I had 80+ lbs of carry-on gear with me plus two large bags of regular luggage. Not many people take this amount of gear so there shouldn't be much to worry about. No issues for me whatsoever other than having to lug it around and pack/unpack it as I fly between camps.
Alan Kefauver wrote:
Someone said: " Besides the bulk and handling, I am not a large, particularly strong, or young person, so having more weight than I can reasonably deal with is not great. I could handle up to 33 pounds distributed over two carry-on bags with no problem though"
32lbs of gear in a Thinktank Airport Advantage Roller. Best move I ever made so as not to carry a backpack. Weighed at Wilson and on FedAir.
I have the Thinktank Rollers too but they are a few pounds heavier than some lightweight bags I found which saved me over 6lbs between two roller bags. I put my thinktank backpack on top of the cheap lightweight rollers and it worked out well.
rdcny wrote:
Greetings from Tanzania - last day here in Arusha...raining daily up to several hours per day (and more at night as the temp cools).
We've had a great time meeting local people via birders and self-employed guides (see photo) or just shopping in the local market where locals shop etc. See photo below - see the white guy me...don't look at him, instead the person to his right: Isaac Kisulu a Maasai guy, the best bird guide in Tanzania (uses sound to bring birds in). Anyway, with him and on our own (and not in a National Park or protected area or private re$erve) we've got some animals and birds very close. ...Show more →
Nice! I would have taken a photo of that last bird and wouldn't have thought twice about it not knowing how rare it is.
artsupreme wrote:
Yes, they have strict weight limits and your bags will be weighed at Wilson for sure. Here's some blurry screen shots from a phone video I took at Wilson Airport when I arrived before they were open for check in. This is how small it is as you can see the whole checkin counter and the whole staff. You can spot the two scales they use to weigh your luggage at the counter. The difference about being weighed (and overweight) at Wilson is that you can just pay extra $$ and keep your bags with you. Unlike everywhere else where you could be forced to give up your gear only to be lost or stolen in the conveyer belt maze. At Wilson they'll weigh your bags, you make a payment if required, and then you walk out the glass doors on your left with your bags onto the tarmac. You can watch them load your bags onto your puddle jumper, so your gear never leaves your sight. Like I said earlier, once you've made it to Wilson you've made it to Disneyland and once you walk out those doors you enter the Safari Park of multiple dirt airstrips. There's no worries about missing connecting flights as they will wait for you. It's really easy to navigate your way around Kenya on these puddle jumpers from Wilson. I had 80+ lbs of carry-on gear with me plus two large bags of regular luggage. Not many people take this amount of gear so there shouldn't be much to worry about. No issues for me whatsoever other than having to lug it around and pack/unpack it as I fly between camps.
This again very true, the guys get to know you after a while if you go enough and will let you put the bags on yourself, or carry in cabin. Just ask them and they usually are fine with letting you haul
most wildlife in Africa is not in a National Park or a protected area. Indeed the Beesley Lark area is Maasai country - they graze their animals (mostly cattle, some goats) there. The Maasai don't hunt anything (but these days the younger folks eat fish and some barbecue that in Maasai tradition of just 30 years ago would have been a no-no).
Under the guise of wanting to protect wildlife the Tanzanian government is trying to evict the Maasai from Ngorongoro Crater. ON the other hand, they want to sell/lease part of Ngorongoro to the Saudis (of Arabia) for a private hunting reserve. Nothing wrong with hunting...it generates more income for African governments than tourism. A few years ago (like the 1980s) the Tanzanian government confiscated the largest Tanzanite mine in the country - it was on Maasai land...still is...surrounded by Maasai settlements but the mine has a concrete fence around it now and security major etc.
The Beesley Lark area is on Maasai land - you can find it on a map. Costs about $20/person to walk around but if you pay the fee, the Maasai will find the lark for you (and it is like finding a needle in a haystack otherwise). Photo below complete with Black Power arms was all about enthusiasm. I recommend these guys (Eric on the left, who you can hire to take you into any National Park and who is quite nice, is also sick of looking at lions up close sleeping or eating or whatever). He is partnering with Isaac Isulu (see that long thin build...like an antelope or cheetah or lark - all same habitat basically) - comes from generations of walking hours everyday tending herds. Isaac got interested in birds from his days as a kid when the game was to find a nest in the village and then protect it. Eric is learning birds...more fun and I agree (though Deb and I still love to see big animals wandering around).
There's another Africa to discover. It's about the many cultures here too - though we all come for the wildlife (which includes the amazing freshwater fish diversity in the Great Lakes). It ain't easy and Africa drives one mad sometimes. But compared to when I first visited this country Tanzania in 1995-96 there is a middle class now and lots of small local owned businesses. Deb and I support that wherever we go. More hope here than So Africa and Namibia...Zimbabwe a disaster and Botswana reminds me of this place Tanzania.
artsupreme wrote:
Nice! I would have taken a photo of that last bird and wouldn't have thought twice about it not knowing how rare it is.
Beesley Lark Plains
Deborah Allen doing her best Maasai dress and reviewing Beesley Lark photos. She got the shot!
I just returned from my first visit to the Okavango Delta. I spent 8 nights in the Kwara Concession, well known for its predators. I put up a few photos in the wildlife forum at: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1832863
berimbolo wrote:
I was actually just talking to Max Waugh about Mana Pools. Apparently the walking safaris are getting overcrowded
I was in Mana Pools in 2017. Loved it. Walking safaris are a totally different experience than your typical game drive. Lots of places offer "walking safaris" in that you wander around near your camp and not see much. In Mana Pools we were able to approach wild dog, elephant, and more.
VKM2F wrote:
I was in Mana Pools in 2017. Loved it. Walking safaris are a totally different experience than your typical game drive. Lots of places offer "walking safaris" in that you wander around near your camp and not see much. In Mana Pools we were able to approach wild dog, elephant, and more.
Do you have a tour provider or camp that you would recommend? Is Mana Pools in an area where Id have to worry about tsetse flies?
berimbolo wrote:
Do you have a tour provider or camp that you would recommend? Is Mana Pools in an area where Id have to worry about tsetse flies?
I haven't been to Mana Pools in a number of years but yes they have tsetse files which can be a bit much at times. Also it's worth mentioning it's also in a malaria zone.
berimbolo wrote:
Do you have a tour provider or camp that you would recommend? Is Mana Pools in an area where Id have to worry about tsetse flies?
I stayed with Mwinilunga Safaris when I went. It's run by Dave and Tess, two super charming and warm people.
I honestly don't know if they're still running their camp as their website seems to be down. It was a basic camp (non permanent, power from a generator that ran just a few hours per day). I was there in the dry season and it was incredibly hot. Great for photography, but I would suggest being mindful of whether the camp can help keep you cool midday. A canvas tent with no power for even a fan was a struggle for me.
I don't recall having a problem with testse flies when I was there.
1bwana1 wrote:
For a first Safari nothing will beat the classic animals and scenery of East Africa. You can do Southern Kenya, Northern Tanzania, and even work in a side trip to the Chimpanzees and Gorillas.
There are many excellent camps, guides, and locations. From large crowded tourist camps and lodges, to private camping in private reserves. All available to fit just about any level of comfort from 5 star to sleeping on the ground.
For Northern Tanzania, and Southern Kenya, plan your trip around the great migration. Since you prefer the tawny colors, and the red earth of the dry season the animals will be easier to find. In the dry season they congregate around the water. In the wet season they disperse into the bush more. Travel is easier in the dry season, more difficult due to muddy roads in the we season. A well planned trip can get you a bit of both wet and dry. The migration follows the rain from North to South, then back up South to North. Dry season in one place is wet season in another. Like the animals, follow the rain.
You will get your big 5 with plenty of cats in East Africa for sure. Timed right you may get to witness and photograph a large migration crossing of the Mara River. Always a special event. Back in the day the migration was millions of animals. It is still tens or hundreds of thousands, and still a magnificent thing that should not be missed.
Sorry, I can't be much help with tourist operators. I usually go on my own or with a group of my local friends. We send a truck out with our camp and staff and meet them at various places.
Your camera choices of the R5 three zooms and TC sound like fine choices. African animals in the various parks, are big, well acclimated to people and easy to photograph. It is hard to take a bad shot of the East African landscape.
The vaccinations, testing, and procedures required due to Covid seem to always be in flux. I would monitor for current requirements as you approach you trip dates. In general you will only be required to have a Yellow Fever Vaccination and health card in East Africa. Get this well in advance. I would consult a Doctor with a travel medicine practice for a full set of recommendations of other vaccinations and precautions tailored to your own situation. You will also likely want a Malaria preventative pill. I have had malaria 6 times. Not fun.
-Steve- ...Show more →
How far in advance should a Yellow Fever vaccine be taken? Is a certain time frame required?
David Garcia wrote:
How far in advance should a Yellow Fever vaccine be taken? Is a certain time frame required?
Immigration will just want to see the vaccination card. My Wife once got the vaccination at Wilson Airport in Nairobi one hour before her flight to Arusha. So there is no time limit as far as I know.
1bwana1 wrote:
Immigration will just want to see the vaccination card. My Wife once got the vaccination at Wilson Airport in Nairobi one hour before her flight to Arusha. So there is no time limit as far as I know.
I know nothing about the Yellow Fever, but in general the protection really isn't instantaneous. So if you wana avoid the actual sickness and not merely pass customs, you should allow some lead time for the shot to take effect.
David Garcia wrote:
Another question... once you guys have booked your trip and all is arranged and paid for, how much additional Cash do you take along for incidentals?
Also, is a Cash exchange necessary or do they take U.S. Dollars?
If you just mean in camp, then I only ever take cash for tipping. Most camps are all inclusive (besides perhaps premium liquor and of course any souvenirs if they have a curio shop) so you won't need cash in camp. The last few camps I've stayed at accepted credit card or were able to send a link to a payment portal after the fact so I could pay online for any extras. It's worth checking with them on payment options if you think you'll be buying anything while on your safari.
David Garcia wrote:
Another question... once you guys have booked your trip and all is arranged and paid for, how much additional Cash do you take along for incidentals?
Also, is a Cash exchange necessary or do they take U.S. Dollars?
I took 200 USD for 1 week and 100 CAD in Kenya Schillings. I used all the Schillings and 200 USD, but that includes tips and souvenirs. I may have tipped too generously.
