Laptop on safari?
 

Is it practical to take a laptop on safari?

I'm going on a lodge-based safari next week (in Kenya) and I would like to
take my laptop to download and process photos each evening. I also like to
write on holiday.

But I'm moving from lodge to lodge most (not every) night and I was
wondering if I might regret taking it due to the hassle.

What do you think?

Bobby

Re: Laptop on safari?
 

In message <[email protected]>
"Bobby" <[email protected]> wrote:

    > Is it practical to take a laptop on safari?
I haven't done it, but I've seen plenty of others doing it.
Just check the times the generator's on in each lodge for recharging.
Just make sure you don't get stopped by customs.
And don't leave it in your hold baggage.

I've taken an early psion several times, but it's been iffy, maybe or maybe
not due to having to go through the security scanner: I think modern laptops
must be well up to being scanned.

Liz

--
Virtual Liz now at http://www.v-liz.com
Kenya; Tanzania; Namibia; India; Seychelles; Galapagos
"I speak of Africa and golden joys"

Re: Laptop on safari?
 

On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 21:46:29 +0000, Bobby wrote:
    > Is it practical to take a laptop on safari?
    >
    > I'm going on a lodge-based safari next week (in Kenya) and I would like
    > to take my laptop to download and process photos each evening. I also
    > like to write on holiday.
    >
    > But I'm moving from lodge to lodge most (not every) night and I was
    > wondering if I might regret taking it due to the hassle.

Having never been in a Kenyan lodge I do know what you should expect there
in terms of electricity quality and availability. One thing I do know for
sure is that regular laptops lack the hardening necessary for being hauled
around in the field - I have broken my share. So make sure that you pack
the laptop in a really sturdy, comfy, waterproof package. The words
"Pelican case" immediately spring to mind.

As laptop are well known easily resellable high value items, try to make
the laptop bag look not too obviously like a laptop bag. Also do not leave
it unattended for too long and preferably always out of sight of the
casual opportunist.

Re: Laptop on safari?
 

On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 21:53:46 GMT, Liz <[email protected]> wrote:

    > "Bobby" <[email protected]> wrote:
    >> Is it practical to take a laptop on safari?
    >I haven't done it, but I've seen plenty of others doing it.

Indeed, I regularly travel with a laptop, whilst I've never done a
safari, I have done what I imagine is more aggressive with it
including rough camping etc.

    >Just check the times the generator's on in each lodge for recharging.
    >Just make sure you don't get stopped by customs.

Is there a big problem if you declare it on entry and exit in Kenya?
I've not heard of anyone with an obviously used laptop have any
problem. My camera is these days worth more than my laptop too, and
I'm definately not going to not take that when I manage to make it
Kenya.

    > I think modern laptops
    >must be well up to being scanned.

Mine goes through all the time...

Jim.

Re: Laptop on safari?
 

In message <[email protected]>
[email protected] (Jim Ley) wrote:

    > On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 21:53:46 GMT, Liz <[email protected]> wrote:

[taking laptop to Kenya]
    > >Just check the times the generator's on in each lodge for recharging.
    > >Just make sure you don't get stopped by customs.

    > Is there a big problem if you declare it on entry and exit in Kenya?
There used to be, at least in theory.
The regulations, or implementation of same, might have changed.
Hans-Georg?

    > My camera is these days worth more than my laptop too, and
    > I'm definately not going to not take that when I manage to make it
    > Kenya.
Gosh, as we say, each to his own!
I'd far rather take my cameras + kit than a laptop!
(Don't think I'd ever be able to take both: I'm always pushing the weight in
economy, especially hand baggage)

(Of course you could always get a cheaper/2nd hand camera for the trip.)

Slainte

Liz
--
Virtual Liz now at http://www.v-liz.com
Kenya; Tanzania; Namibia; India; Seychelles; Galapagos
"I speak of Africa and golden joys"

Re: Laptop on safari?
 

On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 23:21:46 GMT, Liz <[email protected]> wrote:
    >> My camera is these days worth more than my laptop too, and
    >> I'm definately not going to not take that when I manage to make it
    >> Kenya.
    >Gosh, as we say, each to his own!
    >I'd far rather take my cameras + kit than a laptop!

Er I think my crap writing with too many negatives in the sentence
confused there, my Camera costs more and is almost as demanding on the
need for electric as my laptop.

    >(Don't think I'd ever be able to take both: I'm always pushing the weight in
    >economy, especially hand baggage)

You'd be surprised :-) I've done laptop + SLR with 2 lenses in my
carryon rucksack when that was the only bag I was taking for the 3 day
trip! who needs other stuff? Although that has been with RyanAir
who's never cared about the weight of my hand baggage.

    >(Of course you could always get a cheaper/2nd hand camera or the trip.)

Oh I'd almost certainly take the 4 cameras... I own (from the smallest
sub credit card sized one to the digital SLR with the long lens)

Jim.

Re: Laptop on safari?
 

In message <[email protected]>, Bobby <[email protected]>
writes
    >Is it practical to take a laptop on safari?
    >I'm going on a lodge-based safari next week (in Kenya) and I would like to
    >take my laptop to download and process photos each evening. I also like to
    >write on holiday.
    >But I'm moving from lodge to lodge most (not every) night and I was
    >wondering if I might regret taking it due to the hassle.
    >What do you think?
    >Bobby
You may find that you return minus your laptop!
Why not take a camera and notebook? The headache of wondering if your
laptop might be stolen, plus carrying it around, make taking it on
holiday an unattractive proposition. Just my opinion.
Pat
--
Pat Anderson

Re: Laptop on safari?
 

On Mon, 24 Jan 2005 08:53:02 +0000, Pat Anderson
<[email protected]> wrote:

    >You may find that you return minus your laptop!

You may also return minus your money, your camera, your underwear,
what's so special about the laptop?

    > The headache of wondering if your laptop might be stolen,

so don't worry about it? if it happens it happens. I've travelled
extensively all over the world with a laptop, I stay in hostels, I
don't wrorry about it and it's not been stolen yet. both the two
laptops I've carried cost 600quid, sure having it stolen would be not
nice, but neither would the camera equipment, or the credit cards, or
whatever cash I'm carrying, or the GPS.

We all often take lots of things on holiday because they increase the
enjoyment of the holiday, and whilst I generally actually carry the
laptop for work, I do enjoy the immediate turnaround of photos you get
with it.

Jim.

Re: Laptop on safari?
 

On 2005-01-23 22:46:29 +0100, "Bobby" <[email protected]> said:

    > Is it practical to take a laptop on safari?
    >
    > I'm going on a lodge-based safari next week (in Kenya) and I would like
    > to take my laptop to download and process photos each evening. I also
    > like to write on holiday.
    >
    > But I'm moving from lodge to lodge most (not every) night and I was
    > wondering if I might regret taking it due to the hassle.
    >
    > What do you think?
    >
    > Bobby

I went to Kenya in November carrying an iBook and it was pure joy. The
equipment will be safe in any safari vehicle, and in the lodges there
are no problems at all. Just be wary of leaving it in a tent on its
own, but leave it at the hotel deposit.

Geir
--
.................................................. ..........................
No matter where you go, there you are
.................................................. ..........................
Geir Ertzgaard
iBook g3/500
iBook G4/977
iMac G4/1.2
iMac G3/233
.................................................. ..........................
Minolta Dimage 5
Minolta Dimage F100
Minolta Dynax 5

Re: Laptop on safari?
 

I find it easier to carry two smaller storage systems such as a FlashTrax.
I keep one in my carry-on with my cameras and lenses and the other in my
wife's carry on. I once had an Image Tank fail and don't trust storing all
my photos on only one device. I store each flash card on both devices each
day before reformatting in the camera for the next day of shooting.

I don't want to spend my evenings editing photos so I don't miss a laptop.
The only thing I sometimes miss if the ability to resize photos to an email
size if I want to email some pictures to a friend.

Scott

"Bobby" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Is it practical to take a laptop on safari?
    > I'm going on a lodge-based safari next week (in Kenya) and I would like to
    > take my laptop to download and process photos each evening. I also like to
    > write on holiday.
    > But I'm moving from lodge to lodge most (not every) night and I was
    > wondering if I might regret taking it due to the hassle.
    > What do you think?
    > Bobby
    >

Re: Laptop on safari?
 

On 2005-01-25 06:01:20 +0100, "Scott Elliot" <[email protected]> said:

Though you miss the opportunity to log your trip on a word processor
which I find a good thing to do.
Then you can always backup your pics on CD-R and store that somewhere
away from your computer. I always do that, and find it cheaper than
buying an extra gadget for image storage.

Geir


    > I find it easier to carry two smaller storage systems such as a
    > FlashTrax. I keep one in my carry-on with my cameras and lenses and the
    > other in my wife's carry on. I once had an Image Tank fail and don't
    > trust storing all my photos on only one device. I store each flash
    > card on both devices each day before reformatting in the camera for the
    > next day of shooting.
    >
    > I don't want to spend my evenings editing photos so I don't miss a
    > laptop. The only thing I sometimes miss if the ability to resize photos
    > to an email size if I want to email some pictures to a friend.
    >
    > Scott
    >
    > "Bobby" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    >> Is it practical to take a laptop on safari?
    >>
    >> I'm going on a lodge-based safari next week (in Kenya) and I would like
    >> to take my laptop to download and process photos each evening. I also
    >> like to write on holiday.
    >>
    >> But I'm moving from lodge to lodge most (not every) night and I was
    >> wondering if I might regret taking it due to the hassle.
    >>
    >> What do you think?
    >>
    >> Bobby


--
.................................................. ..........................
No matter where you go, there you are
.................................................. ..........................
Geir Ertzgaard
iBook g3/500
iBook G4/977
iMac G4/1.2
iMac G3/233
.................................................. ..........................
Minolta Dimage 5
Minolta Dimage F100
Minolta Dynax 5

Re: Laptop on safari?
 

In message <[email protected]>
Geir Ertzgaard <geir¾tertzgaarddotnet> wrote:

    > On 2005-01-25 06:01:20 +0100, "Scott Elliot" <[email protected]> said:

    > Then you can always backup your pics on CD-R and store that somewhere
    > away from your computer. I always do that, and find it cheaper than
    > buying an extra gadget for image storage.

Last year I got an Apacer CD burner which worked fine for me, and I put it
into my hold baggage because it was nothing like as expensive as a laptop.
I'd maybe rather have had an Phototainer, but by the time I'd heard of them,
they'd been raved about by at least three UK photo mags, so there wasn't one
to be had...

I also 'locked' the important pix on the camera's card, because I wanted to
be double-sure. In fact that made extremely sure, because they were also
burned onto each subsequent CD.

I did think a laptop might be good for whiling away the return journey, if
you had enough batteries! The older I get, the more tedious I find flying
and all the hanging about airports etc.

Slainte

Liz

--
Virtual Liz now at http://www.v-liz.com
Kenya; Tanzania; Namibia; India; Seychelles; Galapagos
"I speak of Africa and golden joys"

Re: Laptop on safari?
 

Travelling with your laptop should not be such a hussle. Make sure you leave it at the front desk with the manager when you are not with it. I'd leave it just before breakfast and pick it up after having dinner. That way you'd know where it is. You could also carry it in a bag all the time with you. Make sure you lock your luggage all the time as you dont want to tempt others into helping themselves.

Where will you be staying? I could tell you if they are respectable lodges.

Re: Laptop on safari?
 

On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 21:46:29 -0000, "Bobby" <[email protected]>
wrote:

    >Is it practical to take a laptop on safari?
    >I'm going on a lodge-based safari next week (in Kenya) and I would like to
    >take my laptop to download and process photos each evening. I also like to
    >write on holiday.
    >But I'm moving from lodge to lodge most (not every) night and I was
    >wondering if I might regret taking it due to the hassle.

Bobby,

I travel with my laptop, because I need it to offload photos
from the camera and tracks from the GPS, to show movies, to
write my travel diary, and to communicate, for example to upload
my travel diary to my web server while I travel.

I've never declared the computer on entry or exit and don't know
what would happen if I did or if they checked me. You may want
to find out, but I think whatever you find out officially will
not be reliable anyway.

I have an inverter with me, so I can use and recharge the laptop
from the car battery. For cars that don't have a cigarette
lighter socket, I have a special cable with huge alligator
clips, so I can go to the battery directly.

In the lodges there is sufficient electricity to recharge it, so
you can use it at least some of the time, depending on battery
life.

Some lodges, like the Lake Naivasha Hotel, even offer you a
timed Internet connection. For that you have to sit down in the
secretary's office and use her telephone line or some such. I
forgot about the details.

Then there is GPRS (mobile phone Internet) roaming, but you may
want to be careful with the price. It may or may not be
bearable. Ask your service provider for GPRS roaming rates (and
be sure your mobile phone is GPRS capable and is a 900 MHz GSM
phone.

During travelling you want your laptop packed dust and shock
proof, so bring an extra bag.

Hans-Georg

--
No mail, please.

Re: Laptop on safari?
 

"Hans-Georg Michna" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 21:46:29 -0000, "Bobby" <[email protected]>
    > wrote:
    >>Is it practical to take a laptop on safari?
    >>I'm going on a lodge-based safari next week (in Kenya) and I would like to
    >>take my laptop to download and process photos each evening. I also like to
    >>write on holiday.
    >>But I'm moving from lodge to lodge most (not every) night and I was
    >>wondering if I might regret taking it due to the hassle.
    > Bobby,
    > I travel with my laptop, because I need it to offload photos
    > from the camera and tracks from the GPS, to show movies, to
    > write my travel diary, and to communicate, for example to upload
    > my travel diary to my web server while I travel.

HG:
Sounds to me like you could lighten your load considerably, and still do all
those things, if you carried a good PDA. I just got an HP, and I'm still
learning what it can do, but so far I am wondering why the hell I've been
lugging my heavy laptop around when I can carry this thing that is about the
size of paperback.

--riverman