countingdown

I found this board after booking my safari, so there is no turning back, ticket purchased direct from BOS to JRO on NW-KlM (coach). It seems many of you either break up this flight staying overnight in AMS or upgrade to business class. Just wondered if anyone has done this and survived? Need some positive feedback!

Leely

I did SFO-LHR-NBO, no overnight, no biz class. It was fine! Don't worry; once you step off the plane in Tanzania it will all seem worth it.

What did help us: we had a full layover day in London and forced ourselves to go into town and walk around in the sun (i.e., no museums or other indoor activities). By the time we were on that flight to Kenya, we slept like the dead. Then in Nairobi we were up and at it all day long and went to bed at night. No jetlag problems, but we slept very soundly every night--probably some residual tiredness.

Enjoy your trip! It will be incredible.

sandi

I'm also a steerage passenger. Have done the trip more times than I can count. Just the short 2-3 hrs in AMS, then onto NBO or JRO. We've been perfectly fine and always excited upon arrival. Sleep like babies because the next day "the adventure begins." And sleep well every night thereafter. Never any jetlag to/from East Africa.

I fly out of NYC (JFK) making the same connections in AMS. You should be just fine.

... and now that you've told us about your plans and joined this forum, you're dues are a Trip Report when you return.

Happy safari!

climbhighsleeplow

Same here...I fly economy so I can afford to visit more! Upgrades and awards never works for me - I tend to book only a few weeks out as my life is somewhat hectic and unpredictable!

NWA/KLM has nice entertainment from IAD to AMS - plenty of movies to choose from on the personal consoles. I don't sleep on planes so I need entertainment.

I like to sit near the very back. At least you can get up easily there and stand around a bit.

From AMS to JRO, the secret is to sit in the very last seat! They open both doors and the back rows get out quicker than the front - to be first in line at the visa window!

Unfortunately the plane is older so the movies on the big TV monitors blow but I try to read or talk to people. Normally there are a lot of first-timers (and groups from Europe) on the flight and I enjoy sharing their excitement and their itineraries.

Igoustay

Have done the trip three times from Detroit, once with layover in Amsterdam and twice w/o. When we are fortunate to return to East Africa, think we will stop in AMS for one night simply to break up the trip. In either case, am looking forward to buttering my roll and having red wine with meal as we wing eastward. By all means, as previous poster suggested, please give us a report and some pictures. Am longing to smell East Africa wood smoke, touch thorning acacia, hear a hippo, sip a cold Kilamanjaro beer, ....
Dick

countingdown

Thanks everybody for the encouragement and advice! There will be no complaints from me, I am thrilled to be going.
Leely, do you have a trip report somewhere on here? I'll go see if I can find it.
Dick, how about you? When did you go and is there a report?
Sandi and Climbshigh....I think I have read some of yours along the way.
Thanks again!