When it comes to your African safari, packing your bag with everything you need is perhaps the biggest brain teaser of all! What do you take with you and what do you leave behind? An easy place to start is with your luggage and making sure it's going to be right for the job...

Bags: The ideal bag for travelling in Africa is a soft, lightweight duffel-type bag, especially if you are going to be using small charter-type planes between destinations when luggage weight is going to become an issue. 

With small planes the usual weight allowance is between 12kg and 15kg per person. That's between 26lbs and 33lbs. For your African  adventure we will tell you if there are any such restrictions on any of your connecting flights. If you are using standard commercial aircraft, or self-driving, then weight is not such an issue and a normal suitcase or travel bag will be fine. Check with your airline of choice on any limitations that may apply or ask us for advice.

Try and choose hardy, well-made luggage that will withstand the often rough handling that airline ground handlers dish out these days. Ensure that locks conform to airport and airline security requirements and make sure that items like scissors, nail clippers and pen knives are packed in your check-in luggage. 

Check the security requirements for cosmetics and any fluids you require for your journey. Do not pack cameras or anything valuable in your check-in luggage but rather bring valuables in your carry-on baggage. 

Choose a lightweight, back-pack type carry-on bag and check weight restrictions with your airline.

Clothes for the bush: There's an old saying that clothes maketh the man (or woman). Well, when it comes to Africa, clothes maketh the safari! It's important that you select the right clothing to bring with you on your safari so that you are both comfortable and dressed appropriately. 

The main rule of thumb for safari gear is neutral colours. That generally means any shade of khaki, beige or brown! Try and avoid bright colours and white, which although cool, can make you stand out a little too much when it's important to blend in. 

Long pants are good for walking as they protect your legs. Shorts and cut-off or "cargo" pants are also excellent choices. T-shirts, vests and long-sleeved shirts are also must-brings, as are a sweater and a fleece or wind-breaker. 

Even in summer, early morning and late-night game drives can prove chilly, so pack for all eventualities and you should be fine. Try and get your clothes to co-ordinate with one another to maximise the number of outfits you can put together and minimise your footwear to a good pair of hardy walking shoes, trainers and flip flops or sandals. 

There's really no need for heels in the bush! And don't forget your swimsuit and a hat - one of the absolute essentials on any safari.

When it comes to selecting your clothing think "layers" first, especially if you are travelling to Africa in the winter months. Select items that can easily be taken off and put on to either cool down or warm up, so that you can easily adjust to the rise and fall in temperatures, particularly when on game drives...

Clothes for the beach: If you are taking advantage of the chance to combine your safari with a spot of beach-side indulgence, then you'll need to add some nice beach gear to your luggage, as well as a few items for exploring the highlights of your chosen beach destination! 

The weather on the coastline tends to be a little more unpredictable, so add a lightweight rain jacket and perhaps a sun-dress for ladies and a casual shirt for gentlemen, together with a pair of deck shoes or dressier sandals for dining out.

Equipment:  You're going to need a camera! For the non-serious photographer, choose one that is going to give you zoom capabilities in the bush for those up-close-and-personal wildlife portraits and wide angles for the incredible landscapes you're going to witness. 

If you're more serious about your photography, then bring a range of lenses and a monopod or tripod, together with batteries or battery charger and lots of memory cards.

A good pair of binoculars is also desirable. For the bush, something in the region of an 8 x 40 or 10 x 50 focal range should be perfect, especially if you are a keen birder. 

It's always a good idea to bring a range of plug adapters with you - handy travel kits are widely available offering these. The voltage in South Africa is 220/230 AC 50 HZ. Most plugs are 15 amp 3-prong or 5-amp 2 prong with round pins. 

Bring your cellphone, tablet and laptop with you too. Cell coverage in urban areas is generally good and Wifi is widely available, but in the bush both can be non-existent! 

South Africa has a superb network of ATM bank tellers, all over the country even in the more remote areas of the country, all Visa and Master debit and credit cards are widely accepted, please ensure that international withdrawal and transactions are activated on your card.

All major banks offer Bureau de Change services.

Tipping is highly recommended, and a normal tip is anything from 10 to 20 percent of your cheque/ bill, BUT please don’t pay for bad service.

Your health: One of the most important things to bring with you is sun-screen. The African sun is tremendously powerful, and even on cloudy or overcast days the UV levels can be high, so please ensure that you are adequately protecting your skin at all times. 

A waterproof high protection factor is advisable, no matter the time of year. A good moisturiser or after-sun lotion is also a good idea to keep your skin moist as conditions in the bush are quite harsh, especially in the dry winter months. 

Basic amenities are provided at all lodges (shampoo, conditioner, body-wash/soap and insect repellant, for example) but it's always a good idea to bring your own, especially if your hair or skin need specific treatments. 

It's always a good idea to bring a small medical kit with you when you travel, with a good antiseptic cream or ointment, antihistamine cream and tablets, painkillers and a wide-spectrum antibiotic just in case. All of the lodges have trained personal either on site or a phone call away in the event of a medical emergency, and there are excellent emergency medical facilities across the country.

We recommend comprehensive medical insurance when you travel to South Africa. Private health facilities are world-class and the quality of service compares with the best in the world.

Staying safe:  Safety is always our greatest concern and although we will do all in our power to keep you safe, some basic safety elements are always good to follow.

Crime is a global issue, and wherever you go in the world there are going to be places where criminals have a bigger foothold. 

Like every country, South Africa has its "no go" areas that tourists really should avoid. We won't intentionally send you to these places and would ask you to be aware, wherever you are, of opportunistic crime - the kind you get all over the world. 

Don't leave valuables on display in a car or in your hotel room. Use safes when these are provided and when they aren't, lock them away in your luggage or keep them with you at all times. 

Watch your valuables when you are out and about. Don't wave wads of cash around at curio markets or in the shopping malls. Don't advertise what you have... These are the rules of travel the world over and not particular to our Rainbow Nation.

We want you to be safe but more importantly, we want you to FEEL safe and secure wherever you go. Ask any questions or raise any concerns and we will be delighted to set your minds at ease. 

Safety of another sort comes into question when you are on safari in our amazing wilderness areas and come into contact with wild animals. 

Please understand that the bush is not a petting zoo and the animals you encounter are wild and each and every one of them is a potential threat if you do not treat them with the respect they deserve. 

You will have qualified, experienced guides with you on game activities to help you understand the intricacies of wild Africa and to enlighten you on how amazing each species is, and how best to react around them. 

Please stay to the confines of the lodges or camps you stay in and do not venture out alone. If you choose a self-drive activity in the Kruger National Park, do not get out of your vehicle other than at a clearly designation viewpoint or rest camp. 

We're on hand to help you understand the rules and get you 100% bush-wise so don't hesitate to ask for help in this regard!