It is time to get air - always a challenge. Most airlines are open for arrival on Group One but some are not open yet for the return.

I have seen some good fares on Qatar and then Mitch emailed me today and shared this with me.

"Lufthansa has some reasonable business class ticket prices. I will send our flight info, but we got nice flights, one stop in Zurich outbound, Frankfurt on the way home for $4600 each with taxes"

So nice when the air is completed.

Used BA avios for flight out. They do make it easy for a stopover of a few days and I might actually get my bucket list of a visit to Loire Valley. Now to try to get Qatar back. My favorite if we can get the new private suite seating.

Got flights today for me, Jerry, Barbara and Alex. $4600 via Delta and KLM. 2 stops outgoing but only one coming back. Looking to use Amex points for the other 4 in our little group but Amex site says too soon for return date. Hmm, yesterday I was able to see flights for the day before so I am guessing that sometime today that message will change?
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Helen

Helen-AMEX is at least a week behind. Keep checking with them so you don't lose the flights you are interested in. I ended up booking my own flights just for that reason. Say hi to everyone from Bert and I.

Hi Mitch! Will do. Our best to you and Bert.
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Helen

Wow, this pin is super unique, made from one of Ken's photo's!!

We have NO IDEA how this is going to turn out but a new option putting one of Ken's picture on a pin.

This picture was taken last year at MAKANYI with Group One. This was the first sighting of these new cubs it was wonderful. We saw them everyday, drinking, playing, running I think there were about six cubs. Unfortunately by the time Group Two arrived they have left the area. We kept looking for them and saw tracks but could not find them again,

They will be a year old when we return to Makanyi this year. Hopefully we will get to see them again.

There was a white lion cub in the area as well and one vehicle caught a glimpse of the cub but we could not find that anything but tracks.

LOVE this pin, I'm so envious !

Love this pin. Best safari one ever. Can’t wait to wear it.

Wow, that’s great! I love that picture. Those little guys were so cute.
We feel just so fortunate to be able to do these trips. Thank you, Ngaire and Ken.
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Helen

Lioness final documents and goodie package for both groups went out today. We will be in South Africa very soon and as always we can’t wait to go back.

Got ours ! Yay!
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Helen

LIONESS is fast approaching

To everyone on the LIONESS SAFARI - checked Baggage News – restrictions at JNB airport now in place.

You need to be aware of the new restrictions for checked luggage in South Africa. These restrictions apply to ANY BAG that will go through the checked luggage systems at the JNB airport.
These regulations have also been adopted in Dubai. The airports say bags outside the parameters below often shut down baggage sections of the system and leave passengers and airlines inconvenienced and delayed.

New guidelines
1. Only regular-shaped bags will be allowed at check-in counters
2. This means that the bags must have at least one flat surface to be accepted on the check-in system
3. Round or irregular-shaped bags will not be allowed at check-in counters
4. Bags with longs straps will not be allowed at check-in counters

What “flat” exactly meant was not clear but it is my understanding with some research it means a firm flat base (not just a square duffle with little legs on the bottom that looks flat)
I gathered this was the case from this comment I found online “you can get your bag wrapped and they will insert a hard flat surface base to comply with the standards”

Of course the game lodges and planes want a duffle type bag preferably totally soft. For a long time they have allowed a firm side with wheels as long as the other three sides are soft so bags can be squeezed into planes and safari vehicles.

So the days of light safari duffle bags are gone. I loved my safari bags been using them for years! Ken and I will be purchasing new bags to use for this trip.

Sending this out via email but decided to post here as well.

Ngaire,
Are you thinking the A Saks bags we have both used for safari do not meet the new policy. It does have a flat side that is very firm.

Ngaire, could you post details of the new bags you are buying. Thanks.

Ngaire,

Here are some web sites about the new SA regulations and about the regulations in Dubai:

SA baggage regs 1

SA baggage regs 2

Dubai baggage regs

I think our rolling duffel bags should be acceptable since they have a hard flat bottom and wheels. Also, from what I read, you can continue to use the bags you’ve used in the past if you are willing to have them wrapped at the airport. Ngaire, are the small planes we use to and from the safari camps going to change their luggage requirements?

Bert and I bought 2 wheeled duffels from High Sierra. They come in several sizes. They are light and fairly easy to roll. They have a flat bottom and pack well.you can but them directly from High Sierra or at Amazon (surprise-they sell everything).

I do not think Asaks bag are hard enough on the bottom.Based on what I am reading they put a HARD BASE on the bottom of the bag when they wrap it. Our Asaks bags are NOT firm unless packed.

My interpretation (and I could be wrong) "unpacked and laying on one flat side" - like a regular bag on a major flat hard side. I have no Asak bags like that and I think I have all the models there are - I love those bags.

If you want to take an ASAKS you need to get the airport you are leaving from to wrap it with a HARD bottom. In JNB they are prepared but in any other airport maybe not! Trying to find out if SZK and HDS can wrap a bag cannot get an answer to that question either. Ralph IF you can get your asaks wrapped with a hard base in LHR to arrive that way in JNB you will be in the clear. Your safari you need to check it to SZK like that. Then your worries are over.
Your flights flights Mala Mala to Makanyi no issues, the flight from HDS to Tswalu - no issues and the flight Tswalu to Fireblade Aviation terminal no issues. Get it wrapped again when you leave JNB to return to the USA.

Group Two has to fly into JNB - to SZK and then HDS to JNB - so they have a problem if HDS wont wrap their bag with a hard bottom. You would think they would be prepared but I have never seen a wrapping station in SZK or HDS?

Mitch the flights in South Africa have been accepting wheeled duffel bags for a long time so what you have Mitch is no problem for the small flights in South Africa. You are set and in my opinion a two wheel duffle is much better. My two wheel duffle Asaks bag constantly falls over and it does not have one flat side. Only hard on the base with the wheels. A 2 wheel with a "hard side" where the handle is attached is the BEST BET.

However, I am into 4 wheels now they are so much easier, So I am taking a bit of a risk in the planes. But on our planes we have 8 people in a 12 person plane in almost all cases I think this wont be an issue. How can they not take me and the bags?? These bags should arrive today just hope that side with the handles is hard enough as it is a soft sided duffle type.

https://www.amazon.com/Lucas-Lightweight-Midsize-Softside-Expandable/dp/B01LYK8ZRF/ref=sr_1_3?crid=AHUBO981H15&keywords=lucas+24+suitcase+spinner+lightweight&qid=1556031410&s=gateway&sprefix=lucas+24%22+%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-3

WHAT A PAIN

.

Just an update on the luggage issue for Lioness.

Asak DOES have a 2 wheeled duffel with a hard side - I was incorrect! I found this when I checked my Asak bags last night. However the model I have tips over easily so I prefer the new bags I purchased. Looks like a bunch of new rolling duffels on the Asak site that look quite different from mine. Asak bags are great. The material is super strong but light, the handles and zippers are excellent quality. We have never had a problem with any of the asak bags and used them a TON.

SZK has no bag wrapping facilities and HDS DOES have bag wrapping facilities. Cost in JNB to put the hard side and wrap your bag is R90 around $8. Group two will be flying back from HDS.

Ok so now I am confused, bewildered and verklempt. Are we thinking that Delta/KLM/ BA are not going to take our checked bags if our ultimate destination is Cape Town? We fly from LAX to AMS to CPT and our “kids” are flying BA from LAX to LHR to CPT. All bags should be checked through from Los Angeles. I have never seen bag wrapping at LAX exc in the Tom Bradley terminal which we are not flying out of. Anyone have any insight on this?
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Helen

This is ONLY JNB AIRPORT - no worries with Cape Town the restrictions do not apply to Cape Town.

You are in the clear for the entire trip until you hit HDS when you fly HDS to JNB. BUT I did find out that HDS has bag wrapping facilities so if you have a bag they wont allow you can get it wrapped for about $8 and be on your merry way.
LUCKY YOU!!

Oooohhhhh! That’s much better! I thought this was ALL South African airports.
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Helen

Haven’t read this whole thread since I’m not on this trip. But, FYI everyone interested, you can buy wheeled duffles with a flat bottom at Patagonia.com — they have a few different sizes.

So the issues are only related to CHECKING IN AT JNB. So flying in no issue at all - duffel bag to your hearts content.

So after all this concern we could have taken our regular duffel bags and simply have them wrapped when we left JNB. BUT I do have my new suitcases and we are packed. But I am using my duffel bags as well going to the ship. We have gifts for all the clients as we are celebrating our 40th year in business. These will be empty when we fly to JNB. So once in JNB we will decide what to do - use our new bags with wheels or use our duffel bags. We have OPTIONS!!