African Airline Carry-On Rules (2026)

African carriers publish different cabin allowances, and a connecting regional or safari flight may impose a separate limit. Check every operating carrier before packing camera equipment or other heavy items.

Carry-On Rules by Airline

Ethiopian Airlines

The dedicated carry-on table and FAQ agree on these limits. Listed personal accessories are additional, but official pages conflict on their weight (3 kg versus 5 kg, with a 7 kg heading); confirm the applicable limit. No exact personal-item dimensions are established. Present cabin baggage at check-in. See the reviewed Ethiopian guide for scope and official links.

Kenya Airways

Kenya Airways Economy permits one main bag up to 55×35×25 cm plus one accessory up to 40×30×15 cm. They share 12 kg on flights to/from the EU, US or UK, and 10 kg on other routes, including domestic Kenya. Business permits two main bags plus the accessory within 18 kg combined. Confirm each operating segment; a 12 kg international allowance does not raise a 10 kg onward limit.

Check the packed bag and confirm the linked official policy.

EgyptAir

EgyptAir publishes these standard allowances:

For flights to/from/within the US, EgyptAir allows one cabin bag plus one personal item. Departures from South Africa use 56×36×23 cm and 7 kg per piece. See the EgyptAir rules before applying the standard table.

South African Airways

Both classes also permit one small handbag or slimline laptop bag up to 40×30×10 cm. Business does not allow a single 16 kg bag. See the SAA guide for international liquids and current power-bank restrictions.

RwandAir

RwandAir’s current passenger page permits one main bag up to 55×38×20 cm and 10 kg, including Business; Johannesburg uses 7 kg. It does not establish a second Business main bag or an unrestricted additional personal backpack. Confirm special baby or assistive articles separately.

Check the packed bag and confirm the linked official policy.

Royal Air Maroc

Royal Air Maroc permits one 55×40×25 cm cabin bag:10 kg in Economy or 12 kg in Business. One separate personal item up to 40×30×15 cm and 2 kg is included.

Check the operating carrier on connections. The airline states checks at check-in and boarding. A loyalty or checked-baggage benefit does not establish an extra cabin piece. Full Royal Air Maroc guide.

Air Mauritius

Air Mauritius Economy permits one 55×35×25 cm main bag with a 115 cm three-dimension total and 7 kg; Rodrigues uses 5 kg. Business permits two main bags of 7 kg each. Only listed small articles are additional; the reviewed page does not establish an unrestricted second backpack or a numeric personal-bag box.

Check the packed bag and confirm the linked official policy.

Airport Security at Major African Hubs

JNB — O.R. Tambo, Johannesburg, South Africa

O.R. Tambo is the busiest airport in Africa. International departures involve thorough security screening with a 100 ml liquids rule. Carry-on bags are X-rayed and travelers may face secondary checks. Allow at least 3 hours for international departures from JNB.

NBO — JKIA, Nairobi, Kenya

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has a reputation for multi-layer security. You'll pass through at least two separate screening points. A separate check may apply for the US-bound pre-clearance process. Arrive early and ensure carry-on bags meet your airline's size requirements — agents occasionally check at check-in.

ADD — Bole International, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

For Ethiopian, present cabin bags at check-in as its published policy requires. Confirm screening procedures with the airport; this guide has no measured inspection frequency or queue-time guarantee.

CAI — Cairo International, Egypt

Confirm the departure terminal and check-in deadline in your booking. EgyptAir’s standard Economy cabin limit is 8 kg, so weigh the packed bag before leaving.

Tips for Safari Travelers

Reduce the packed load. Choose only the equipment you need and weigh each permitted bag. Do not assume pockets, a camera bag or a carried jacket create an unlimited exemption from Ethiopian’s accessory conditions.

Bush plane legs have their own strict limits. Many safari lodges are accessible only by small charter planes (Cessna 208, Pilatus PC-12) that impose 10–15 kg total baggage limits including carry-on. Soft-sided duffel bags are often mandatory. Confirm with your safari operator.

Plan the camera kit within the allowance. Include the equipment and bag in your measurements; EgyptAir Economy normally permits 8 kg. Do not assume that camera accessories are an uncounted extra allowance.

Count equipment within the permitted baggage. A camera or binoculars do not create an unrestricted exemption. Confirm airline, security and safari-operator conditions.

Compare your actual itinerary. Use the route checker and verify any regional or safari operator’s separate conditions before booking for a heavy camera kit.

Airline sources and scope

Reviewed 30 September 2026 for the SAA, Airlink and FlySafair claims above.

• SAA hand baggage: cabin class, size and weight.
• SAA restricted items: international liquids and power banks.
• Airlink hand baggage: standard cabin allowance, class and space restrictions.
• Airlink liquids: international screening guidance.
• FlySafair luggage and Packing: free cabin allowance, depth conflict and domestic liquids.

Sources for these corrections

Reviewed 30 September 2026 by Codex (AI source review). The review covers the corrected baggage claims; unrelated destination claims are not recertified.

• Official policy — Economy/Business allowance; dimensions graphic; additional items; airport/partner notes
• Official policy — Baggage for young travellers; Child Restraint Devices
• Official policy — How to pack LAGs; Exceptional cases; Connections
• Official policy — Items prohibited in checked baggage; Power Banks guidelines
• Official policy — Class/route table; personal-accessory column; approved label; NOTE
• Official policy — Restricted Items; local-authority/gate note
• Official policy — Family services; lap-infant guidance
• Official policy — Hand luggage paragraphs; moulds/sizers; Johannesburg; baby allowance
• Official policy — Checked baggage; Carry On Baggage; hand-luggage guideline
• Official policy — Main allowance and destination exceptions