Safari Approved Bags

Choosing what type of bag to take on your safari can depend on where you are going, what you are doing (climbing Kilimanjaro or flying in small bush planes) and how long you are staying. Different regions have different luggage requirements and restrictions depending on what type of air transport is being used. Recently rolling duffel bags with a hard bottom frame and wheels have become quite popular. Now while this sort of bag is fine for many safaris, it won't work on most safaris in Botswana and Zambia where the hard frame and wheels can't be squeezed into the tiny luggage compartment in the belly of the Cessna. A traditional duffel bag or a completely soft-sided bag with wheels is appropriate in these situations (see the Swissgear bag below).

On recent Africa trips, we tested three new bags. In addition to two old ones (a true duffel for Kent climbing Kilimanjaro and an old 2nd hand Eddie Bauer duffel). We tested bags from the high, medium and low price ranges. All of these bags qualify as carry-ons and are about the right size for keeping within the strict weight limits of most small plane flights in Africa (33 or 44 pounds per person and a maximum size of 10 inches wide, 12 inches high and 24 inches long).

• Eagle Creek 22-inch Hovercraft model, purchased from Magellen’s via the link on our website’s Safari Shop. It cost $224 plus shipping and weighs 7 lb 6 oz with 2900 cubic inches of storage. We also bought the slightly less expensive 22-inch Load Warrior but returned it because we liked the Hovercraft’s pockets better. Note: This bag is not approved for flying safaris in Botswana or Zambia.

• The Swissgear Zurich 22 inch wheeled duffel. It has a 10-year warranty and was purchased from Target for $89. This is a true rolling duffel in that is can be packed down - there's no frame so this bag is ideal for flying safaris in Southern Africa. We don’t know the total capacity and can’t find it anywhere on the internet, but it looks about the same as the others.

• A Samsonite 22-inch wheeled duffel. This bag looks cheap and only cost $49 from a variety of sources. We didn't have high hopes for this one, but we took the chance incase we were pleasantly surprised. It has a 3-year warranty and weighs just 3.5 lbs with 3100 cubic inches of storage.

The Eagle Creek bag performed well and met the requirements for most East African and South African driving safaris or safaris with regularly scheduled flights (not bush planes). The Samsonite bag did meet the requirements for small aircraft transfers, but it was cheaply made and cumbersome to use. Finally, the Swissgear wheeled duffel mets most luggage requirements on safari, is made well and a great value. The bag is ideal for flying safaris, especially where you have access to laundry service. Be sure to check with us about specific requirements for your safari before purchasing your bag. Also, check out our packing list so you know you're not overpacking or forgetting something! Safari Njema!

Safari Gear - What to Take to Africa

Once you've figured out when you are going where to see what, the real fun begins--getting ready for your adventure in Africa. Your African safari is probably one of the biggest trips you'll take this year, or maybe for several years, and it's best to be prepared so you can enjoy every moment to its fullest.

While on safari in Africa, clothing, shoes, suitcases and gear can make all the difference. There's nothing worse than being too hot, too cold, wearing clothes that got wet and won't dry quickly or realizing your suitcase won't fit in the very small bush plane!

At Africa Adventure Consultants, we spend weeks and weeks each year visiting our favorite camps and exploring the remote corners of Africa. We test bags, plug adaptors, quick-dry clothing and more to make sure things work like they should and fit where they need to!

Whether you are getting ready for your safari or know someone who is heading to Africa, check out our tried and true favorites (great options for Christmas gifts, too!) or visit our Safari Shop for more information.

This women's DryFlyLite long-sleeve outer layer is perfect for cool mornings and evenings in camp. Since it's so light-weight you can also wear it on day-time game drives for added projection from the hot African sun. Added bonus - it's on sale at ExOfficio right now!

The Ampi Covertible Pant (men's or women's) is probably the one must-have clothing item for a safari. Any convertible pant will do, but this particular one is quick-dry, durable, and water, stain and wrinkle resistent. They even dress up nicely with a collared shirt for dinner at camp! Mornings and evening in Africa can be cool and heading out pre-dawn and returning after dusk means you need to be prepared for drastic temperature changes (as much as 20 degrees or more). Nothing helps with this like pants that zip into shorts!

In this ditigal age, plug adaptors are a very important element in a successful photographic safari! Plugs vary from country to country and many camps and lodges do not stock plug adaptors in the rooms for client use. It's best to be prepared. Use this guide to determine what kind of plug adaptor you'll need, then purchase your plug adaptor here.

Stay tuned for more information on safari-appropriate bags, rolling duffels and suitcases tomorrow!

Dropping Fences in Namibia

The border fence between Kulala Nature Reserve and NamibRand Nature Reserve in Namibia, near the famous Sossusvlei dunes, will soon no longer exist, a huge benefit for the desert wildlife and the ecology of the area. Visit Sossusvlei and the NamibRand Nature Reserve on our Best of Namibia flying safari.

Wilderness Safaris Namibia and the NamibRand Nature Reserve signed an agreement this month to open their common boundary fences to allow more freedom of movement for animals such as gemsbok and springbok across a larger conservation landscape. For animal populations to prosper in arid ecosystems such as the Namib, large open areas are necessary for seasonal movements in response to rainfall.

Sossusvlei itself means 'the gathering place of water' in the local Nama language, and, odd as it may seem, in good years seasonal rains in the foothills of the Naukluft and Tsaris Mountains succeed in reaching the vleis, creating temporary lakes that mirror the sand dunes surrounding them. The vleis have evocative names such as Hidden Vlei and Dead Vlei, while the dunes rise up to 300 metres above the valley floor with razor-sharp edges that stand out against the blue sky. The seemingly uniform red-gold sands that stretch wave-like to the horizon have led to another name: the Sand Sea.

Desert-adapted wildlife such as springbok and gemsbok (oryx) are the larger animals that live here. Smaller mammals such as bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal and the elusive aardwolf can be seen on night drives. Kulala is also home to a variety of birds like the aptly named Dune Lark, whose entire population is completely restricted to these red sands. Other good birds in the area include Gray's Lark, Sociable Weaver and Pririt Batis. At night the screeching calls of Barn Owl could be heard around camp.

Despite the lack of vegetation and low rainfall, a surprisingly diverse array of insects, reptiles and rodents make their home here - surviving thanks in part to the coastal fog that creeps up off the sea each dawn and penetrates up to 50km inland. The dunes nearest the coast are most mobile and no vegetation grows on them. Rainfall at the coast can average dramatically less than 50mm a year, and even further inland it measures only a paltry 50-100mm annually.

The fence will be removed in strategic areas along its length, resulting in the ecological merging of the 91,429-acre Kulala Nature Reserve with the NamibRand Nature Reserve that, at 425,515-acres, is now one of the largest private conservation areas in southern Africa.

*Photos by Mike Myers and Dana Allen.

Upcoming Events in South Africa

There's something fun about blending in with the locals while on an overseas vacation and attending events and festivals is a great way to live like a local! These events and festivals are happening in Cape Town and Johannesburg in the next few months. Plan on a diversion from your safari and sightseeing to get a real taste of local culture. Visit South Africa on one of our favorite safaris, or extend your safari to Cape Town for a few days of R&R and culture!

Cape Town
SEPTEMBER


Chelsea Spring Festival at Kirstenbosch
Includes the Re-creation of the award winning South African Chelsea Flower Show exhibit, floral art, botanical art at the Kirstenbosch Biennale, gardening talks.
Saturday, 05 September 2009 to Monday, 14 September 2009

RMB WineX
Premier Wine Festival promises an impressive showcase with over 250 different wineries, wines from around the world and suppliers of glassware and accessories.
Wednesday, 09 September 2009 to Friday, 11 September 2009

The Art of a Higher Good
The International Art Exhibition for Human Rights (Truth, Compassion and Tolerance) is exhibiting in Cape Town, after traveling the world since 2006
Wednesday, 09 September 2009 to Tuesday, 22 September 2009

The Crazy Store Table Mountain Challenge
A 35km trail run around Cape Town’s world-famous mountain, has been firmly established as one of South Africa’s premier off-road running events. Both professional athletes and novice runners can enjoy the off-road course traversing the fynbos slopes of the Cape’s mythical mountain.
Saturday, 12 September 2009

Riebeek Cellars Shiraz and Art Festival
Riebeek Valley is merely 1 hour’s drive from Cape Town. This year the festival will take on an outdoor ‘Mediterranean Market’ theme. Opportunity to see some of the best up and coming local artist talents, and sample some of the top Shiraz offerings from Riebeek Cellars.
Saturday, 19 September 2009 to Sunday, 20 September 2009

Hermanus Whale Festival
Join in the world’s only Welcome Whales Wave and revel in music, comedy, cabaret and African rhythms every night during the Festival. The whales are always the star performers.
Thursday, 24 September 2009 to Sunday, 27 September 2009

OCTOBER

Cape Town International Kite Festival

Every year thousands of visitors, including international kite flying teams from around the world gather in Muizenberg to witness spectacular show kites, live entertainment, stall, schools' competitions and much more
Saturday, 10 October 2009 to Sunday, 11 October 2009

Franschhoek Uncorked
With most Franschhoek wineries on board, there is something for everyone with: cellar- and vineyard tours, barrel-tastings, scrumptious food- and wine pairings, art exhibitions, flower-bulb markets, jazz- and blues bands, live music extravaganzas… and much more.
Saturday, 10 October 2009 to Sunday, 11 October 2009

Franschhoek Classical Music Festival
A range of classical music events at some of Franschhoek’s finest eateries and the beautiful Dutch Reformed Church
Saturday, 31 October 2009 to Sunday, 01 November 2009

Christmas Craft Market
Crafters from all over the Western Cape will exhibit their handcrafted products at the Franschhoek Dutch Reformed Church Hall.
Saturday, 31 October 2009 to Sunday, 08 November 2009

Johannesburg
SEPTEMBER

South African Tattoo
A tattoo is a a drumbeat or bugle call that signals the military to return to their quarters and the South African tradition of tattoo dates back to the 17th Century and Cape Dutch rule in the Cape. This dazzling event will be held at MonteCasino.
Wednesday, 09 September 2009 to Sunday, 13 September 2009

Taste of Joburg
The city's top restaurants and chefs will be serving a selection of sample sized signature dishes. This event promises to be the gastronomic event on the Joburg calendar.
Wednesday, 30 September 2009 to Sunday, 04 October 2009

OCTOBER

RMB WineX Wine Festival
Opportunity to meet local and international winemakers, taste their current releases and learn about the latest trends in winemaking. This is a premier public event on South Africa's national wine calendar.
Tuesday, 27 October 2009 to Friday, 30 October 2009

Good Food & Wine Show
Celebrity chefs bring you mouth-watering, palate-tingling culinary delights, demonstrating their art in no less than four state- of- the- art Kitchen-Theatres. From gourmet classics to culinary art, organic produce to specialty seafood.
Thursday, 29 October 2009 to Sunday, 01 November 2009

New British Airways Check Baggage Policy

Checked baggage updates straight from British Airways; changes affect those flying to destinations in Africa from the USA. Visit our Safari Shop for our top recommendations on bags to take on safari--remember to pack light as most camps and lodges have laundry services available!

New Policy:
"British Airways will make changes to its free checked baggage allowances and baggage charges, effective October 7, 2009.

Checked baggage allowance changes:
Customers travelling in the World Traveller economy cabin to and from the USA, Canada, Bermuda, Argentina, Mexico and the Caribbean will now have a one bag free allowance of 51lbs.(23kgs).

The changes will affect customers booking from October 7, 2009 for travel from this date. Customers with existing bookings or new bookings up to and including October 6, 2009, for travel anytime, will be unaffected and the current two-piece free allowance and existing charges will remain.

Customers travelling in First, Club World, Club Europe, and World Traveller Plus, in addition to Gold and Silver Executive Club members travelling in World Traveller, will retain their existing cabin allowance.

Sporting equipment allowance changes:
For new bookings made from July 31, 2009 for travel from October 7, 2009 British Airways will no longer accept sporting equipment free of charge in addition to the free allowance. This applies to customers in all cabins. Customers with existing bookings made and ticketed before July 31, 2009 for travel after October 7, 2009 will be able to check in one item of sporting equipment in addition to their free cabin allowance if they present their original receipt when they check in at the airport.

For full details including a chart highlighting the changes and new baggage charges please visit batraveltrade.com/baggage

We are making these changes to align the allowances for the USA, Canada, Bermuda, Argentina, Mexico and the Caribbean to the rest of the world where we are currently allowing one free bag of up to 51lbs. (23kgs). We have carefully monitored customer trends on these flights and the vast majority choose to travel with one checked bag. Maintaining the two-bag allowance on flights to and from Brazil, Kenya, Nigeria and connecting journeys between India and the USA, Canada and Bermuda reflects customer behavior on these routes as well as local regulatory requirements.

We still provide a very generous hand baggage allowance, and in addition we are offering significant savings for excess baggage fees purchased online.

The changes to the baggage allowances are part of a package of measures we are implementing to address the economic downturn and to better reflect changing customer trends. The changes also bring additional benefits as the reduced aircraft weight allows us to save fuel and lessen our impact on the environment."

African Recipe You Can Cook at Home

Kampango is a catfish that is endemic to Lake Malawi, but this recipe can be prepared with any type of mild whitefish like Tilapia or cod. For information on tours in Malawi, take a look at the following safaris: Malawi Surf & Turf and Zambia and Malawi Adventure. For details on custom safaris that include Pumulani, please email us at info@adventuresinafrica.com.

Pan-Fried Kampango Fillet served with Braised Lentils and Leeks courtesy of Pumulani Lodge (Lake Malawi, Malawi)

Ingredients:
4 Kampango Fillets (approx. 200g each)
1 cup seasoned flour
3 medium Leeks, chopped
1 cup Puy Lentils
2 sprigs of fresh thyme
4 medium carrots, julienned
2 tbsp. Butter
2 tbsp. Sugar

White Wine Sauce
1 Onion, Sliced
125ml White Wine Vinegar
750ml Single Cream
250ml Dry White Wine
Knob of cold butter
Lemon Thyme or Chives
Salt and Pepper
Method:
Cut the Kampango into approx. 8cm slices, toss the fillets in seasoned flour and leave to one side until ready to cook.

Lentils
To prepare the lentil mixture, boil the lentils in water until soft, not mushy (do not add salt to the water as it makes the lentils tough) Drain and put to one-side.

Cut the carrots into julienne slices and simmer until soft, then add the sugar and butter and let the carrots caramelize.

Chop the leeks and saute in butter until soft, add the drained cooked lentils and warm through, add the carrots, and a teaspoon of chopped thyme. Season the lentils with salt and pepper at this point.

White Wine Sauce
Place the onion, vinegar and wine into a pot and boil over a high heat until reduced to 2 tablespoons, sieve and return the liquid to the pot, add the cream. Whisk in the knob of butter, add the lemon and chives and season.

Pan Frying the Fish
To assemble, spoon a mound of lentils onto the center of the plate, place one fillet of Kampong on top. Surround with the white wine sauce, and top with some of the caramelized carrots.

*photo courtesy Sarah Fazendin, the Fazendin Portfolio.