Luggage allowance in Botswana
An area of confusion for clients is the luggage allowances in Botswana. The need for luggage allowances is due to the extensive use of small planes to get from one safari camp to another. Small planes have to be used given the soft landing conditions of the seasonally flooded Okavango Delta and other areas such as the Linyanti Swamps.
These planes can only take a maximum of 20kg of luggage per person, and preferably between 12 to 15kg. This maximum is for both your main bag and any carry-on luggage such as a handbag or camera. So if you are travelling with heavy photographic equipment, this must be included in the 20kg luggage allowance. This ruling is very strictly enforced due to safety considerations.
However there is another factor to consider. The main luggage is stored in a hold compartment either underneath or at the back of the plane. This space is limited and so each bag must not exceed certain dimensions. These maximum dimensions are a width of 25cm (10 inches); height of 30cm (12 inches) and length of 62cm (24 inches). The actual baggage compartment on light aircraft is only 25cm high so the pilots must be able to manipulate your bag into the compartment. If the bag is overstuffed, this becomes difficult and when it cannot be done, it results in frustration and embarrassment all round, not to mention delays at the airstrip while bags are repacked.
Before you become alarmed about running out of clean clothes whilst on safari, remember that all safari camps offer a complimentary laundry service in Botswana, and that the dress code is very casual.
If you are travelling to South Africa and Botswana, and wish to bring your full luggage allowance, then we can easily arrange excess luggage storage at Johannesburg. You’ll just need to spend a little longer when packing, to pack a bag for Botswana and a separate one for South Africa.
Another weight issue
The charter companies in Botswana work on an average of 90-100kg (200 to 220lbs) per person including luggage. Therefore if you are above average in weight (ie more than 120kg or 260llbs), we need to know this in advance so that we can warn the charter companies. If you are larger than average but your partner is not, it shouldn’t be a problem, as it all averages out, but if both of you are above average, then we need to know. In exceptional circumstances you may need to purchase an extra seat in the charter plane. (Of course the purchase of an extra seat in the plane is also an option if you absolutely cannot reduce your luggage to 20kg per person.)
For more information visit us at http://www.cedarberg-travel.com