Backpack size and what to take on safari?

Hi Folks,

I will be off on a safari/beach holiday in June to Tanzania (14 days). It will involve a couple of flights on some smallish aircraft (i.e. flights from Arusha to Zanzibar etc).

We will be camping most nights on safari (although the tents sleeping bags etc are supplied). Having been on a more 'packaged' safari before I am a little uncertain as to what I should take this time and how big a backpack I can get away with (i.e. there will probably be a weight limit on the flights).

Does anyone have any suggestions remembering that we will also need some beach gear for Zanzibar (staying at Pongwe beach and Matemwe beach)? and I will of course be taking my camera (probably weighs about 2-3kgs).

Thanks for any help and advise!

Cheers

Dave B

I can't help you with the weight limits, but modern backpacks typically weigh about 3 kg empty. If you're not going to be doing any serious walking do yourself a favour and take a simple canvas duffel bag instead.

Dave, If you are going on a light aircraft there are baggage restrictions. You can't take a large suitcase for instance, but a backpack or holdall will be OK. I don't know if you will be returning to your starting point but if so you could leave any large cases there for storage. If you are travelling with reasonable sized bags you should be OK. The camera won't be a problem.

Hi Dave: Im a disabled old lady who did Malawi/Zambia last year & hope to do Tanzania this June. My contribution would be the most powerful, yet liteweight torch you can find - I'm off to shop for one now!