The following packing tips cover keeping your luggage and it's contents as safe as possible from theft and damage and measures to take to avoid potential problems.

• Check your cases before packing to make sure they are in good condition with no broken parts. Replace or repair anything that looks suspect.
• If you are buying new luggage, buy good quality bags – and hopefully your wheels won't fall off. Make sure you can carry or move the luggage fairly easily as there will be times when there are no porters or trollies.
• Look for useful features such as good compartments, shape and balance for carrying and comfortable shoulder straps and handles. If it is a zipped bag, check the zips are super-sturdy and not likely to break open.
• Don't buy 'showy'luggage as it is more of a temptation to a thief.
• Opt for soft baggage as it is easier to stow in a charter aircraft, for example.
• Make your baggage visually distinctive for easy identification on the carousel - for yourself and for preventing other people mistakenly taking your baggage.
• Label with your name, cellphone number and flight number(s). Don't put your address on an external label as it advertises that you are away and your home may be targeted as a good place to break in.
• Make sure your baggage complies with your airline weight and size restrictions.

• Make a packing list and stick to it.
• Anticipate airport security searches and pack to make this easier and quicker with clear containers and ziploc plastic bags.
• Don't pack anything in your checked luggage that you cannot do without for a few days. Any essential medications or documents should always be in your carry-on luggage.
• Rolling up clothes minimises creasing
• Packing a smaller lightweight bag can be useful for shopping, as an extra piece of luggage on the return trip.
• If you are travelling with a family member, divide your clothing between your pieces of luggage so if one person's bag gets lost, the other can survive until re-united with his bag.
• Take photographs of expensive items to help make a claim if they are lost or broken.
• Pack small things in your shoes.

Keep small and light - don't expect airlines to stow extra large packages in the cabin. If you buy a large and/or fragile African souvenir (those wooden giraffe spring to mind) it may have to go in the hold.

Essential Contents:

• Small toiletry bag (if you don't want to rely on the free airline kit)
• Essential medication
• Valuable and fragile items - money, jewellery, cameras etc
• Travel documentation with copies in case of loss
• Change of underwear
• Reading material
• Telephone/address book
• Spectacles

In addition, make sure your rifle case and ammunition packing comply with international travel and your airline regulations.

Related topics:

• Travel Agents
- use a Africa specialist travel agent.
• Airlines To Africa
- Links to all airlines that serve African hunting countries.
• African Airports
- Airport information for all African hunting countries.
• Airport Security Tips
- Getting through airport security smoothly.
• Airline Baggage Allowances
- For checked and carry-on bags.
• Lost Airline Baggage
- Preventing lost luggage & what to do if it gets lost.
• Jetlag And Longhaul Flight Survival
- Tips to minimise jetlag.
• Air Charters In Africa
- How air charters work for African hunters.
• Visas And Passports
- Information on all African hunting countries.
• Global Rescue
- Don't hunt Africa without it.
• Travel And Medical Insurance
- Advice on where to getting hunting insurance.