Luggage Guidelines

You need to get away from the idea that you're going to be in a 747 and get used to the idea of being in a light aircraft like the one shown.  Your main bag is going to need to fit either at the rear and sometimes at the nose cone. The larger aircraft tend to head to the glorious beaches of the Kenyan coast or islands of Tanzania.

The larger planes do have a little more room for your luggage. They also have the normal overhead lockers.

The planes that you're going to enter the parks in, your hand luggage will have to go under the seat in front of you.

You need to think the smaller the better, number one, because it's got to fit in that light aircraft. It also needs to be squishable. Bring a sports bag, a duffel bag, backpack, or a softshell wheelie bag, as long as it is made of fabric.

It cannot be a hard suitcase. If you bring one of these hard suitcases, it is likely not to end up on the flight with you. It might follow you around the parks for a few days until it gets safely back into your hands. Space is limited! They want to be able to manoeuvre your bags into small compartments. The more squishable, the better.

You might have seen on that previous clip that 15kgs is the standard. The combined weight allowance for your hold luggage is 10kgs. You are allowed to have 5kgs of hand luggage. So, be warned. If you're like me and not a savvy packer, you have to be very careful about what you think you'll need. I'm a "what if" packer. What if I need this? What if I need that? You need to be very careful about picking out what you think you'll need to carry with you.  So just a little reminder there 15kgs is the norm.  We will discuss the beach flights later on because they can be different in terms of their allowances.

As mentioned, I will keep reminding! The smaller, the better. You are looking at these dimensions for your checked luggage: 45cm x 33cm x 60cm. For your hand luggage, go as small as you can. It's got to fit under a seat in front of you in one of those light aircraft. 

A little day pack, like the one in the image, can hold your camera, passports, phones, hats, and sunscreen. It's handy for the things you need during the day and on game drives. For example, you've got your extra layer. Perhaps a scarf.  You can then throw it into your little bag when you're out on safari and spotting the amazing wildlife! 

Like me, if you struggle to fit everything within the 15kg allowance, you can organize and upgrade to an "XL" seat or freight seat. You can also opt for extra luggage allowance. These are subject to availability, so can book out quickly. As you saw with those aircraft, there are only 8 to 12 seats. Let us know if you think you're going to struggle with your luggage, and we will arrange an upgrade or increased luggage allowance for you at an additional cost.

This is another option for us unsavvy packers.  You would like a bag for the Game Parks and a bag for the beach. The flights to the coasts and islands can sometimes allow for greater luggage allowance depending on the airline, normally around 20 kgs.  At all the major points like Arusha, Entebbe, and Nairobi, you can leave a bag with our partners or at the airport. On your way from the parks to the beach, grab your other bag. Take it to the beach, so you've got your sundress, Hawaiian shirt, speedos, and sarong! Leave your beige and safari gear in one bag. Get out all your colourful beach wear out to enjoy the white sands and the Indian Ocean. This option is dependent on your itinerary and flights.