The words "African safari" conjure up different images in people's minds. Some imagine slicing through the jungle with machetes in search of big game, while others envision tranquil drives in air–conditioned 4x4s. Safaris do, in fact, come in all shapes and sizes. Here is a rundown so that you–with the assistance of your safari–savvy travel agent–can find the perfect fit.

Luxury Lodge Safari – Safaris that combine the best qualities of a 5-star hotel with a relaxing drive into the wilderness to capture wild animals with your telephoto lens.

Bush Camp Safari – Similar to luxury lodges except your hotel is a semi-permanent tent set up in nature for a more up-close and personal experience, creating some unique and unforgettable moments, such as an elephant roar waking you up.

Walking Safari – While following a trained guide, you hike through the countryside where the 4x4s can't go, tracking the animals you want to find while avoiding the ones that want to find you.

Self-Drive Safari – A few places in Africa, namely Namibia and South Africa, have areas set up for you to drive and explore without a guide, trusting your instincts to find wild game.

Specific Game Viewing – Some outfits feature safaris designed to find specific animals, such as gorillas, elephants or even exotic birds.

Elephant Back Safaris – Elephants provide both a unique and protected way to traverse the wilds.

By Air – You can either fly to a remote area to increase your chances of spotting the best beasts, or you can take a hot air balloon ride over the savannah to increase your chances of getting vertigo.

Whichever you choose, choose to consult your travel agent first. Agents like us know which countries are the safest to travel in, which guides have the best reputation, and which end of a warthog is best to photograph (they're better looking from the backside).

When traversing the globe, we should never forget that we are guests in the countries we visit. Acting respectfully of the local customs is not just preferred but expected, so you should be prepared and know which actions are acceptable. With that in mind, here are general etiquette introductions to China and South Africa.

China

Bow Now? While bowing slightly from the shoulders is a popular way to respectfully greet someone, shaking the person's hand is also acceptable if that person initiates the hand-to-hand contact. Their handshake may be gentle, so respond in a gentle manner. Also, when meeting a group of people, you should address the most senior person first.

Last is First – Respect and formality are important in China, so address someone with their title and surname, which is their first name when they were introduced to you. For example, international basketball star Yao Ming would be addressed as Mr. Yao, since Yao is his surname.

Saving Face – Public displays of emotion are frowned upon in China, since self-control and self-respect—two concepts behind “mianzi,' or the public face one puts forth—are held in high regard. If someone appears shy or aloof when speaking with you, it is a sign of respect, not unfriendliness.

Hold Your Hand – Hands do not play a part in Chinese conversation, so do not gesticulate wildly when conversing. Yet hands do come into play when two same-sex friends are in public, for you'll often find them holding hands. Do not mistake this as a public display of affection, which is not tolerated. Additional hand-related no-nos: don't put your hand in your mouth, bite your nails or point with your index finger—all considered rude.

Table Manners – Forget what your mother told you, for burping, slurping and talking with your mouth full are all acceptable and, in some cases, signs of gratitude.

South Africa

Respect the Community – Since South Africa is a very multi-cultural nation, citizens form tight bonds within their families, tribes and communities, so never show disrespect to the greater group.

Dress for the Greens – While most occasions call for informal dress in South Africa, one place where jeans are not allowed is at the golf course. Another thing that is looked down upon during a round of golf is skipping the halfway house, which is a small restaurant golfers visit after the ninth hole for a drink and a snack. Even if you're not hungry, other golfers find it rude to skip this pivotal break.

Voice Volume – When speaking with a resident, raising your voice will make you appear overly aggressive and challenging, while lowering your voice to a whisper will make it seem that you are spreading gossip. Speak at a normal tone if you want keep the conversation civil, and keep your hands out of your pockets while speaking, since this is considered rude.

There's always a moment of hesitation when you're standing at the car rental counter and the clerk asks, “Do you want additional insurance?” Do I, you ask yourself, quickly wondering what your personal auto policy or credit card do and do not cover while driving a rental car. As your travel agent, we have answers to all your travel-related questions, even this one.

Your personal auto policy does cover you when driving a rental car, but how much depends on your policy. If you already have comprehensive and collision insurance for your own car, then buying the rental insurance, called CDW (collision damage waiver – also known as LDW, or loss damage waiver), would simply duplicate coverage. If you turn down the CDW, you still have to pay your deductible if the car is stolen, vandalized or damaged in a crash. If you have a bare-bones auto policy without comprehensive and collision coverage, the rental insurance is a wise investment.

Credit cards can include collision and theft protection if you charge the rental, but coverage varies. Some credit card policies cover only damage to your rental car but not to other cars, while some fail to offer personal liability coverage for injury or death claims. The benefits they offer are secondary to your auto policy, which means you will need to pay the deductible of your personal insurance in the event of a claim, which may cause your rates to increase.

Insider's tip! Those of you with an American Express^® card can purchase Premium Car Rental Protection, which provides up to 42 days of protection for a one-time charge of $24.95. This plan offers primary coverage for damage to or theft of your rental vehicle, so you can bypass your personal insurance company if you need to make a claim.

So why choose the CDW? By purchasing the CDW, you are no longer responsible if the rental vehicle is damaged by an accident, vandalism or theft loss. That is, as long as you do not violate the rental agreement by driving recklessly or under the influence of alcohol, which would void the waiver.

The issues here are complex, so before your next trip to the rental car counter, do your homework. Find out how much your personal policy covers, which will be a good indicator on whether or not you should purchase the CDW