Last minute tips for Serengeti

I would bring...

There are two very reasonably priced items which I would definitely bring to Africa:

BEAN BAG: Indispensable for supporting your camera when in vehicles and just about anywhere else. Either fabricate one from some rugged fabric (part of a leg from bluejeans works) of buy a commercially made bag such as the Kenesis Safari Sack.

http://www.kgear.com/r​/R420.html

Ensure that your bean bag has a method of filling and emptying. Then carry it to Africa empty (wrapped around your 100-400mm lens) and buy some rice or beans in Africa with which to fill it.

Avoid this eBay bean bag because IMO it is too small and the fabric does not appear rugged.

http://cgi.ebay.com …ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

DUST PROTECTION: Something as simple as a plastic trash bag will work but it is rather tacky and not as convenient as a cover designed for photography. Most rain covers will also protect from dust. OPTECH sells a very inexpensive "Rain Sleeve" which will work. They come in two-packs and are very light in weight.

http://www.optechusa.c​om/product/detail/?PRO​DUCT_ID=73

Ah! I can't believe that I forgot to mention: Tanzania requires that you have proof of a yellow fever shot for entry into the country. Also, they will gouge you for airport departure taxes in US$.

You definitely want to get the shot before you leave Canada. Trust me, you don't want a shot at their airport

Tanzania is not pushy about the Yellow Fever shot, but Zanzibar is. Be sure to get it well before going as it makes some people feel a bit crudy for a few days.

All shots, medications, etc are taken care of.

I don't have time to get a beanbag, as I leave in 25 hours, but the tour operator out of the states told me twice that beanbags were provided, could they be wrong?
Again the safari's are out of the Serena Lodges, but I don't know if different companies run the tours. And yes all tours are booked morning and late afternoon.
Wow, I have a basic rule about water and Ice, but at most resorts I have been to, the ice is ok, should I worry at the Serena's? And yeah, only bottled water for me.

DerekW wrote in post #5530150
I don't have time to get a beanbag, as I leave in 25 hours, but the tour operator out of the states told me twice that beanbags were provided, could they be wrong?

Who knows and really it doesn't matter that much. You can improvise.

Personally, I would not get out the vehicle and find a bush or somewhere in the open to 'do your business' as advised above. Africa can be exceptionally dangerous, especially for people who are inexperienced of true wilderness and are not tuned into sights and sounds and smells. You think you can see a Lioness stalking you in low grass, or sleeping in the shade of the bush you are about to piss over? You may be lucky 9 times out of 10 and on the 10th time all you will feel is a powerful thud that knocks you to the ground and you're dead. So take care, watch where you are walking and read up on all the basic potential dangers then be aware at all times.

All the Serena resorts have treated water and the ice is safe as well as the showers. They are high end places, so no worries. Be sure to get the UK style electrical adapter for your charger. 3 big flat prongs.

condyk wrote in post #5530784
Who knows and really it doesn't matter that much. You can improvise.

Personally, I would not get out the vehicle and find a bush or somewhere in the open to 'do your business' as advised above. Africa can be exceptionally dangerous, especially for people who are inexperienced of true wilderness and are not tuned into sights and sounds and smells. You think you can see a Lioness stalking you in low grass, or sleeping in the shade of the bush you are about to piss over? You may be lucky 9 times out of 10 and on the 10th time all you will feel is a powerful thud that knocks you to the ground and you're dead. So take care, watch where you are walking and read up on all the basic potential dangers then be aware at all times.

Lions are your least worry. The number one killer of humans in Africa is the hippo, followed by the buffalo. Not lions. They really don't want anything to do with you. Baboons are what you need to watch for. Those little buggers will steal anything not nailed down, and given enough time they will figure out how to get the nails out.

I almost lost my 30D to a rather large dominant male baboon. Half the troop jumped out from the bush directly onto our table and started taking and devouring anything and everything they could. Big rocks. Makes them leave rather quickly every time.

Az2Africa wrote in post #5530812
All the Serena resorts have treated water and the ice is safe as well as the showers. They are high end places, so no worries. Be sure to get the UK style electrical adapter for your charger. 3 big flat prongs.

I've got this one: http://www.kropla.com/​!g.htm

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

I can't log on to that site from work, but I'll check when I get home.

jaybird wrote in post #5530892
Lions are your least worry. The number one killer of humans in Africa is the hippo, followed by the buffalo. Not lions. They really don't want anything to do with you.

Hard to miss Hippo's and Buffalo tho' innit, even when you got your pants down.

RPCrowe wrote in post #5528908
DUST PROTECTION: Something as simple as a plastic trash bag will work but it is rather tacky and not as convenient as a cover designed for photography. Most rain covers will also protect from dust. OPTECH sells a very inexpensive "Rain Sleeve" which will work. They come in two-packs and are very light in weight.

http://www.optechusa.c​om/product/detail/?PRO​DUCT_ID=73

Dust protection....very smart.

DerekW wrote in post #5530905
I've got this one: http://www.kropla.com/​!g.htm

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

That's the plug that you will need, but get a good travel adaptor. I live in East Africa but travel with one called "Volt Plus Universal Adaptor" that I picked up at a duty free shop in an airport. It has UK, European, etc, connectos for the wall sockets and a universal female side to connect your gear.

You seem very well prepared. You are so going to have an amazing trip. The lodges and hotels you mentioned are first-class places. Some friends of mine in Rwanda are going to the Breezes in Zanzibar to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

You should be able to get very cheap saffron while in Zanzibar. A couple of dollars will get you a large bag. MUCH cheaper than North America.

I loved Tanzania. The country and people are fantastic. I really think that you are going to have such an amazing experience.

2 1/2 hours till we leave for the airport, guess I'm as ready as I'm going to be.
Thanks for all the insight!

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!

I'm Baaack!
I'll fill everone in on how it went. best trip of my life though!

look forward to the new thread an some pics

You must of taken 1 or 2 .......