In search of a Light weight bag pack for a safari

SushiRyu wrote:

Chizuka wrote:

I will be going on a safari in Tanzania and I am looking for a backpack that will be

1) as light as possible (because of the 15kg weight restriction on ALL luggage i.e. checked luggage + carry on). If the bag weighs too much, it will take away valuable weight for me.2) it will be my carry on bag, so besides camera equipment, it needs to be able to hold a few clothes items, an ipad, all chargers, toiletrie, etc. 3) i will be carrying the following gear: Lumix G9, PL 100-400, Oly 40-150 Pro, Oly 12-40 Pro, Oly em10 mk2, and probably the Panasonic G85 (if I buy it)4) I really would prefer not to pay more than 200 $ US for it.

Thank you all for your help and advice.

Petite woman here, so I can understand the carrying issues.

1) wear dresses, the lightweight travel ones (try REI or similar) roll up to be about the size of a baseball.

Hello SushiRyu, Sorry no dresses for me. I don't wear them at home and won't wear them while travelling.

2) toiletries. forget all makeup. You need a toothbrush, toothpaste, sunscreen and chapstick. Depending on your hair type, bring a comb or minimalist method.

I don't wear make up, so not an issue for me. I do intend to carry just the essentials as you mention (toothbrush, etc.)

3) Chargers, probably not much you can do here.

Yep!

I own an Osprey "Snowkit" duffel/backpack that has become my favorite travel bag for any purpose. I would recommend you look at Osprey (I see it was recommended earlier), but the specific trailkit/snowkit/bigkit line has design features that work very well for your use case. I often put my camera bag into the main compartment and then have my clothing and toiletries in packing cubes with it, then use the separate bottom section just for dirty clothes as I go. There are helpful side/top pockets that I stash passport, chargers, etc into. It keeps everything organized, and I always feel like they did a perfect job balancing compartments/pockets with open space.

I have looked at the Osprey Transporter and I am considering it. But I am also thinking of getting an inexpensive duffle bag from MEC (in Canada) and getting some packing cubes.

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5044-007/Duffle-Bag

I will look at the models you suggest though.

In your case, you have more camera gear than I do, so you might be better served using the main compartment only for your camera gear, and putting clothes into the separate bottom compartment.

The backpack straps are comfortable for me, and also stash away to turn the bag into a duffel (others have mentioned here that airlines hate backpacks). There are convenient grab handles on most sides of the bag too, which is great when trying to grab it from overhead compartments, etc.

I was thinking of getting a bag with backpack straps but I am not sure if I will anymore because I will be carring my camera bag (carry on) on my back so not very useful to have the backpack strap.

The Osprey bags run under $200 (I think they start around $120) but you would still need cases or something for your gear so it's protected within the bag. Customizable padded inserts for bags can be easily found online for not too much. So you should be able to create a system for under $200.

https://www.rei.com/product/117631/osprey-trailkit-duffel-40-liters

https://www.amazon.com/waterproof-shockproof-Mirrorless-protection-IN02X/dp/B00VFXRJY6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?tag=camrevguide-20&s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1481173500&sr=1-11&keywords=padded+camera+bag+inserts&linkId=254a90b4d6512e06ba2a7bcabe58b531

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and for your help and suggestions.