Baggage Allowances to and in Africa
Baggage allowances differ by airline, route, aircraft type and, on some scheduled flights, by ticket class. It is important to check the rules for every flight in your itinerary, not just your international flights.
Please check the details with your airline using the links below. Your Cedarberg Africa itinerary and pre-departure documents should also be your main source of guidance, as they reflect the specific flights and aircraft planned for your trip.
Domestic and Regional Flights in Africa
Domestic and regional flights within Africa often have lower baggage allowances than international routes.
As a general guide:
- Southern Africa: 20kg / 44lbs per person is common on scheduled domestic and regional flights.
- East Africa: 15kg / 33lbs per person is typical, especially in Kenya and Tanzania.
These baggage allowances vary by airline and route, so please check your itinerary carefully. If in doubt, ask your Cedarberg consultant.
Baggage Allowances on Charter Flights in Africa
Within Southern and East Africa, you may travel by charter flight or light aircraft transfer, especially in Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Kenya or Tanzania.
These flights usually have stricter baggage rules than scheduled airlines. Allowances are often 15kg or 20kg per person, plus a small handbag or backpack, but this varies by country, carrier and aircraft type.
The baggage policy is that it needs to be in soft, squashable bags. Hard suitcases are not suitable, as bags often need to be fitted into small or irregularly shaped luggage compartments.
Many safari camps include laundry, so you may not need as much luggage for this part of your trip. Where possible, we can sometimes arrange for extra luggage to be stored while you are on safari, though this may involve an additional cost.
Please treat any guidance on this page as general information only. Your itinerary and pre-travel documents will give the detailed advice for your own trip. If in doubt, ask your Cedarberg consultant.
Why Weight Matters on Small Aircraft
On small planes, weight is critical for passenger safety. Unlike larger commercial aircraft, there is very little flexibility around the total weight of passengers, luggage and equipment.
Camera equipment and additional weight
If you are travelling with extensive photographic equipment, you may need to purchase an additional seat.
Please note that purchasing an extra seat does not mean you can take the full weight of another passenger and their luggage. It usually allows only an additional baggage allowance, as luggage must still be stored safely in the aircraft’s baggage compartments and cannot be kept loose on a seat.
Passenger weight considerations
If you are heavier than average — for example, over 110 to 115kg / 240-250lbs, please let us know before travel, especially if your itinerary includes light aircraft flights.
Depending on the aircraft, routing and other passengers’ weights, the charter company may require an additional seat to be booked. This can feel frustrating, particularly if your travelling companion is lighter, but the decision is made for safety reasons and is outside our control.
We will always advise you as sensitively and clearly as possible if this applies to your itinerary.
Links to major airlines baggage guidance
Please consult the airline links below to double-check your baggage allowance. Check by your country of departure, routing and ticket class. This is VERY important as some airlines have a different checked baggage allowance according to the route.For example, passengers flying from Europe to Africa may have a lower checked baggage allowance than passengers flying from North America. (We appreciate that this is unfair.)
However, once you are travelling within Africa, the lower domestic, regional or light aircraft baggage limits will be the limiting factor, regardless of your international allowance. See above.
Baggage Allowances – Travelling on Domestic Airlines within Africa
Generally the baggage allowance on a scheduled airline is typically 20kg (44 ilbs). But this is NOT always the case.
Most scheduled airlines in Kenya and Tanzania for example have an upper limit of 15kg. This should be clearly stated in your itinerary. But if in doubt, email or ring us.
Baggage Allowances – Travelling on Charter flights (even Seat in Plane)
Within Southern and East Africa, you may use charter flights with light aircraft. Especially in Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia. These always have more stringent baggage allowances. This varies by country and carrier. So your itinerary is your source of information. (What is said below is general info only).
This is typically either 15kg or 20kg plus a small handbag or backpack. This must be in soft squashable bags. So hard samsonite-like suitcases are NOT suitable. They may need to stuff the bags into various small baggage compartments around the plane.
Typically you will not need much luggage for these parts of your trip as laundry is included at the safari camps. We can usually arrange for extra bags needed for other parts of the trip to be stored (at an extra cost).
If you have extensive photographic equipment, you may need to purchase an extra seat on these planes to allow you extra weight. However this is ONLY the weight of your baggage allowance (eg 20kg) and not the weight of an extra person and his/her luggage. This is because the luggage has to be stored in the luggage compartments and cannot be kept on a seat for safety reasons.
