Thought i would post it on here instead as a journal entry for as i'm sure many others will want some advice and i will add as i think of more

You will have an amazing experience at the vervet sanctuary. Some tips that i can think of at the moment are:

- Take clothes that you don't mind getting dirty, I left some tops and trousers there when i left, for the workers, there always greatfull for anything
- Take flip flops for the showers, they are bush showers and have a concrete floor so its not very comfortable to stand on!! and there not always warm but after a hot day its quite nice to have a cold shower!
-Make sure you have a really decent warm sleeping bag i was very cold at night and ended up wearing about 6 layers each evening. Not sure what the temperature will be like when you go but its def worth investing in one!
-Take some warm jumpers (i lacked in these!!) which was a mistake! if you can't fit them in your suitcase, its not that expensive to buy some in the local town
-Take a light waterproof, ideally one that folds up small that u can just carry about with you if need be.
- Take a good camera!! sure you will get some great pictures, if i can work out how to do it i will try to put some on here, it may have changed a bit since i was there tho, lot of improvements being done!
-Def make sure you have enough money to do the Kruger National Park trip and for the daredevils go to Graskop to do the big swing!!
-I def advise investing in a really good tourch it gets really dark at night very quickly, and a head tourch it may not be the most fasionable accessory but it sure makes life a lot easier when your trying to get ready for bed in the dark!
-i'm sure you prob no this but there is no electricity in the cabins so don't bother taking hair straightners, hair dryers etc. Every one is in the same situation and no one cares!
-There is electricity in the cottage where you will eat and socialise in the evenings so you can charge ipods,phones etc. But this is no where near the cabins.
-I took my phone with me and when i got to jo'burg airport i bought a South african sim card. There network is vodacom. It worked in my phone and it was cheaper to phone home (UK) just topped it up with credit. I found this easier rather than rack up a huge phone bill and find out how much i spent when i got home!
-Take a book or something to do in the evenings and when your travelling on the coach
-If you havn't got one get a credit card to take in case of emergencys, when i got to jo'burg airport, my suitcase was damaged so had to buy a new one it was good to have the credit card there so i could worry later about the money and not spending any of my spending money
-Make sure you have a good suitcase! and secure it with a padlock (i didn't! and paid the price!) don't put any money in the suitcases keep it all with you. I had a 'body wallet' that goes underneath your clothing and kept my passport, tickets and money in there very handy!

Thats all i can think of at the moment, will add any more that i think of, feel free to post any questions and i will do my best to answer them!

Annaliese