Travelling within South Africa - Is my backpack too big?

Daphatty · 9th of May 2012 (Wed)

The wife and I will be traveling to South Africa for our very first safari next week. Of course, I will be bringing a respectable (but not unbearable) amount of gear with me to document this once in a lifetime vacation. My concern is that my LowePro Runner 350 may be too large to fit as a carry on during our flights between Cape Town and the safari airstrips. I've tried to find online photographs of the overhead compartments for a Canadair Regional Jet 200 and an Avro RJ85 Avroliner (the actual planes we will take) but came up empty. Has anyone flown on these types of planes and if so, how big were the overhead bins? If anyone has a source for photos that would be helpful as well.

I may order a POTN vest as a precaution but I'd need to do so quickly as we depart next Wednesday. Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to offer.

- Rob

tvphotog · 10th of May 2012 (Thu)

The planes can be tiny, often Piper Cubs. Some are 12 seaters. I'm not sure about luggage capacity. Check with the travel agent about actual size where you will be traveling to.

Daphatty · 10th of May 2012 (Thu)

Sadly my travel agent couldn't offer me any real insight into the stowage space of the specific planes I mentioned. The South African Airways website wasn't much help either.

lannes · 11th of May 2012 (Fri)

They look like they have very small overhead shelves, best get a photo vest as a back up

http://www.aircharter.uk.com/Aircraf...nal_Jet_CRJ200

Daphatty · 11th of May 2012 (Fri)

Thanks for the link. That photo is very helpful. I decided to order a vest just in case. I think I'll keep the vest in the laptop compartment as I travel.

cdiver2 · 11th of May 2012 (Fri)

I am doing a safari in Oct and had the same questions. I was told by my African agent the weight limit was 41 lbs if that is any help.

tvphotog · 11th of May 2012 (Fri)

This is another alternative which I have used. The Lowepro Harness and Utility Belt. I would tale two bodies, one with a long and one with a medium telephoto, even if you have to rent. It's extremely dusty there and changing lenses will really dirty up the sensor quickly.

cdiver2 · 11th of May 2012 (Fri)

tvphotog. I think there may be a problem fitting in a bush plane with that. I have been told they are cramped quarters in them

tvphotog · 11th of May 2012 (Fri)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdiver2

tvphotog. I think there may be a problem fitting in a bush plane with that. I have been told they are cramped quarters in them

I don't mean to wear that while you're sitting. Put it in the overhead, you can squeeze it in and crumple it up. It will be more comfortable than a vest in the Land Rover. you will need very little on the belt there as both cameras will be out and ready to go.

Also, when you get in the Land Rover, you can just put the harness over your shoulder rather than wearing it. It will be winter there, and you'll start out at 5:30AM with heavy coats. By noon, you'll be stripped down to shirt and pants as it heats up. Best not to be wearing that at all.

It's just a very handy way to trek with equipment. For me, a vest is not as substantial.

9th of May 2012 (Wed)	#1
Daphatty Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 291	Travelling within South Africa - Is my backpack too big? The wife and I will be traveling to South Africa for our very first safari next week. Of course, I will be bringing a respectable (but not unbearable) amount of gear with me to document this once in a lifetime vacation. My concern is that my LowePro Runner 350 may be too large to fit as a carry on during our flights between Cape Town and the safari airstrips. I've tried to find online photographs of the overhead compartments for a Canadair Regional Jet 200 and an Avro RJ85 Avroliner (the actual planes we will take) but came up empty. Has anyone flown on these types of planes and if so, how big were the overhead bins? If anyone has a source for photos that would be helpful as well. I may order a POTN vest as a precaution but I'd need to do so quickly as we depart next Wednesday. Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to offer. - Rob __________________ Canon 7D Gripped \| Canon T2i \| EF-S 10-22mm \| EF-S 18-55mm \| EF-S 55-250mm \| 430 EX II Induro AT-313 Tripod (for us six footers!) \| Induro BHD2 Ballhead

10th of May 2012 (Thu)	#2
tvphotog Cream of the Crop Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 5,381 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Travelling within South Africa - Is my backpack too big? The planes can be tiny, often Piper Cubs. Some are 12 seaters. I'm not sure about luggage capacity. Check with the travel agent about actual size where you will be traveling to. __________________ Jay Portfolio 5D III \| 5D II \| 7D \| Powershot S100 \| 24-105L \| 100-400L \| 16-35 f/2.8L II \| 24 T/S f /3.5L II \| 17 T/S f/4L \| 50mm f/1.2L\| 35mm f/1.4L \| 580 EX II \| 600 EX-RT \| Feisol 3441T/ Markins Q3t II/ Markins lever QR/ RRSL bracket \| Gitzo 3542L, Markins Q20, RRS lever QR \| Gitzo 5561T monopod, RRS MH-02 LR \| Lowepro Deluxe Harness, Util belt. Last edited by tvphotog : 10th of May 2012 (Thu) at 09:27.

10th of May 2012 (Thu)	#3
Daphatty Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 291	Re: Travelling within South Africa - Is my backpack too big? Sadly my travel agent couldn't offer me any real insight into the stowage space of the specific planes I mentioned. The South African Airways website wasn't much help either. __________________ Canon 7D Gripped \| Canon T2i \| EF-S 10-22mm \| EF-S 18-55mm \| EF-S 55-250mm \| 430 EX II Induro AT-313 Tripod (for us six footers!) \| Induro BHD2 Ballhead

11th of May 2012 (Fri)	#4
lannes Goldmember Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 4,374	Re: Travelling within South Africa - Is my backpack too big? They look like they have very small overhead shelves, best get a photo vest as a back up http://www.aircharter.uk.com/Aircraf...nal_Jet_CRJ200 __________________ 1Dx, 1DM4, 5DM2, 7D, EOS-M, 8-15L, 17-40L, 24 TSE II, 24-105L, 50L, 85L II, 100L, 135L, 200L f/2.8, 300L f/4, 70-200L II, 70-300L, 400Lf/5.6

11th of May 2012 (Fri)	#5
Daphatty Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 291	Re: Travelling within South Africa - Is my backpack too big? Thanks for the link. That photo is very helpful. I decided to order a vest just in case. I think I'll keep the vest in the laptop compartment as I travel. __________________ Canon 7D Gripped \| Canon T2i \| EF-S 10-22mm \| EF-S 18-55mm \| EF-S 55-250mm \| 430 EX II Induro AT-313 Tripod (for us six footers!) \| Induro BHD2 Ballhead

11th of May 2012 (Fri)	#6
cdiver2 Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Safety Harbor Fl Posts: 649 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Travelling within South Africa - Is my backpack too big? I am doing a safari in Oct and had the same questions. I was told by my African agent the weight limit was 41 lbs if that is any help.

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