Spotting big game in Africa is one of the
great travel adventures. Surrounded by wide-open landscapes, dangerous animals
and the continent’s raw beauty. Once
you spot your first lion or elephant, your life will change.
So put on the khakis, pick up the camera
and - Welcome to the safari life!
No matter where you go in sub-Saharan
Africa, there are rules and regulations you must follow when in the bush. Rules
designed to keep you and the animals alive. Be aware, most rangers will watch you get eaten before they
kill one of their beloved animals. So follow the rules.
- Always stay in the van, truck
or 4WD – Africa is not a zoo and its animals will eat you. There have been too
many terrible cases of people getting out to try and grab the perfect photo. It
always ends badly.
- Never turn your back – this is
more for the brave souls who undertake a walking safari (one of the great joys
of Africa). The only thing that turns and runs in Africa is prey, so lions will
chase you.
- Listen to your guide – not
every situation can be safe for you. If your guide advises you to move on or
back away, then do so.
- Keep your voices down – animals scare easily and you wouldn’t want to miss a pride of lion because you are chatting too loudly.
These are the simple rules and they will
differ. From Botswana to Kenya, South Africa to Uganda, all rules vary. But
they are aimed at keeping you safe, keeping the animals safe and keeping the
tourist dollars flowing.
Danger, it's Africa!
When you travel in Africa, things can
always go wrong…quickly! So make
sure you are covered, don’t make a once-in-a-lifetime journey turn into years
of regret because you didn’t cover yourself properly.
Plus, being in the wild will bring you in
contact with all sorts of nasty infections: malaria, sleeping sickness and
dysentery are just a few of the lovely diseases you can pick up. Make sure your
vaccinations are up to date, and take precautions against insect bite:
- Wear long loose-fitting white
clothing
- Put insect repellant on exposed
skin – day and night
- Sleep under nets or have insect
repellant in your room
Crazy Monkeys
And watch out for Africa’s favourite pest –
the baboon.
These fellows will be at most tourist
places in Africa – they know travellers bring food and aren’t usually up for a
fight.
- Secure all your food and
belongings.
- Wind up windows in cars and
trucks.
- Don’t take food into your tent
or room.
Baboons and their other monkey buddies are
crafty and usually smarter than us, so if you want to see your new camera plus
a sandwich disappear, then just leave them out. They will be stolen.
The last thing you want to do is get
into a fight against the animals – baboons have giant teeth and will leave
quite the scar. Better to just let them have it, but assert yourself so they
don’t try it again.
Great Game Viewing Guide
Just because you have paid for a safari
doesn’t mean the animals are getting a cut of the profit…and they are WILD
animals.
If you want to see every animal within an
hour, it’s much cheaper to buy a ticket to the zoo.
If you go to one of the better game parks they don't have fences. Man and beast live side by side. But this doesn't mean seeing a
lion, elephant, hyena, leopard and cheetah is always possible.
(Surprisingly difficult to spot in the bush)
Here are some ways you can increase your
chances:
- Go with a trusted guide –
someone who knows the terrain, the best areas and the movement of the animals.
- Don’t expect to see everything
in one safari – I’ve spent months in the African bush and still see new animals
each time I go over.
- Pick your time of year – if you
have limited time, go when the grass is short, the animals are around and
viewing is expected. But in saying that, animals don’t have the same timetable
as us.
- Keep your eyes out – people
sometimes wait for the animal to come to them. They aren’t paid performers, so
search yourself. After a few trips, your eyes will become sharp and you spot
game everywhere.
- And finally, listen!! You
aren’t the only ones on the lookout for the animals. Smaller, less aggressive
creatures are also watching their backs. Bird calls, animal noises and strange
silence can all mean a lion is lurking nearby.
Guides will always have suggestions where
to look for the animals. Lions love the shade and leopards love the trees, don’t expect them to just walk into the middle of the road.
Always remember safari doesn’t mean
animal-spotting, it literally means journey – so take in your surroundings. The
environment is just as important as the creatures that fill it.
Where
The Wild Things Sleep
One of the true great experiences of being
on a safari is sleeping under the stars. Falling asleep to the bark of a lion,
the footsteps of a nearby hyena or the grunt of a hippo can be awe-inspiring.
But don’t be fooled, along with the joys
there are dangers, so go with one of the organized tour operators.
Your guides will run you through each rule.
- Zip up your tent.
- Don’t walk about at night.
- Don’t take food to your tent.
Animals won’t walk into your tent if it is
secure.
If you think these rules are a little
bit over-the-top, just wait until you see the footprints around your tent the
next morning.
My
Battery Is Dead!
Do yourself a favour before even
considering travelling to Africa, buy a good camera and some extra batteries.
Africa is a photographer’s dream, from its sun-drenched
plains, treacherous rivers and unforgiving jungles. Safaris can be some of your
most memorable experiences; lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes. You don’t want
to get substandard snaps or miss ‘that shot’ because your battery has died.
But don’t let you whole trip be seen
through the viewfinder, put the camera down and experience Africa.
(Impala - the snack food of Africa)
Hot
Tips for the Best Safaris
Kenya – if you don’t find animals here, then you will never see them. Try
the legendary Masai Mara, Tsavo National Park, Amboseli NP and Nakuru. Each
place is unique and will provide you with an unforgettable experience.
Tanzania – try the incredible Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater for plentiful animals
and breath-taking surroundings. For the more hearty souls, get down to Ruaha NP.
Botswana – heaven on Earth. The last great wilderness of Southern Africa.
Moremi NP, Chobe NP and Savuti NP make up the Okavango Delta region. Want to
live a National Geographic Dream? Head into this wetland paradise.
Related Articles
5 things I wish I knew before going to Kenya
5 things I wish I knew before going to South Africa
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