Tips for a Safari — Do’s and Don’ts

A safari is, for many, an adventure of a lifetime, a unique experience. Once you have booked your trip, it is time to plan for your safari adventure: get your visas and your vaccinations, and start packing.

However, keep in mind that like everything else in life, a safari has an Etiquette that you must adhere to, a set of rules and regulations that need to be followed to get the most out of your safari experience, and most importantly, stay safe.

Before leaving your home, you should get acquainted with Safari Etiquette and how NOT to behave while on a safari.

Most of the tips listed here are just common sense, but you would be surprised to learn that this is not the case for some people!

So, without further ado, here are some valuable tips for a lifetime safari adventure.

How NOT to Behave While on a Game Drive

Don’t get out of the vehicle!

This one seems quite evident, but many people ignore this rule, and they get out of the vehicle, or in some cases, they will have their limbs outside the car to take pictures of the wildlife! This is a very dangerous thing to do.

The animals have become accustomed to game-viewing vehicles, and they do not see them as a threat. Therefore, you are safe as long as you stay in the car.

However, if you get out of the vehicle, this changes everything, and you are now perceived as a threat and in jeopardy! Please stay inside unless your guide tells you you can get out of the vehicle!

Don’t be the ‘know-it-all’ of the group!

You might have gone on many safaris before, and you might have seen more wildlife than most people within your safari group, and therefore, know more than your fellow travelers, but please, don’t be obnoxious!

Try to share your knowledge, when appropriate, in a humble manner. Don’t interrupt the guide while he is giving information or facts about the wildlife, this could get very annoying.

Don’t make any enemies

When you go on a game viewing drive, you will share a vehicle with other fellow travelers. Usually, everyone will get a window seat, but some seats within the vehicle are better than others (better views, cooler places, more or less windy). So, don’t try to snatch the best place all the time on all the game drives. Don’t be selfish.

Also, one thing that you might not have thought of is that if you sit in different areas of the vehicle (back, front, left, or right side), you will be able to view and capture with your camera the wildlife from another angle, so be a good sport and share.

Cell phones, seriously?

You are supposed to be on vacation and away from your hectic and busy life!

So, what if you do not see your Facebook’s news feed in real-time, chat, or text your friends back home and give them a full live account of your game drive adventures?

Leave your cell phones at the camp, you can chat, text, or tweet after the game drive.

Only bring your cell phone if you intend to use it as a camera. Also, don’t edit and delete photos from your camera while on a game drive!

Furthermore, mute your camera and cell phone because some of your fellow travelers might not appreciate all the noises (the notification alerts and the beeping of your camera), which could be unnerving since they are trying to watch the wildlife in peace!

Noises

Safaris offer ample opportunity to socialize with others, which should be done during downtime! For many people, one of the reasons for going on a safari is that they want to immerse themselves in their surroundings and connect with nature, so, please, mute your voice!

Moreover, keep in mind that if you go to game viewing drives or bushwalk safaris, the animals will be distracted by your voices and move away.

Also, if someone is trying to shoot a video, please keep quiet so that they could get footage without any interfering noises.

Don’t be rude to the locals

The English language is not spoken everywhere on the African continent. However, you do not have to yell and talk very slowly to the locals, they may not understand you, but they are not deaf! Don’t rush them by asking many questions right away; take your time.

Start your conversation by greeting people first. Try to learn how to say “hello, and how are you?” in the local dialect, and wait for their reply before asking questions. If you want to take pictures of the locals or their homes, ask for their permission first.

Don’t wear bright colors

First, you need to wear comfortable clothing and layers, since the morning and evening can be a bit colder. Go for neutral colors like khaki, brown, and olive to blend in with your surroundings, especially if you are going on bush walks.

By all means, leave the bright colors at home, considering that colors such as red and white do attract wildlife.

Furthermore, the animals have an excellent sense of smell, therefore, avoid perfumes and choose fragrance-free insect repellent and sunscreen to avoid drawing unwanted attention.

How to Behave While on a Safari

Respect your guide

You should always listen and follow all the instructions given by your guide during your safari excursions. He knows a great deal about wildlife and how to track it. Don’t be shy to ask questions to your guide, this will enhance your safari experience tremendously!

Don’t put your guide in an uncomfortable position by asking him to do something illegal like driving off-road or chasing the animals! The primary goal of your tour guide is to keep you safe at all times.

To get the most out of your safari experience, talk with your tour guide, and tell him which animals you want to see during your safari.

Before taking pictures, ask for permission from your guide since the click of the camera might startle the animals or prompt a charge.

Unfenced camps

If you are staying in an unfenced camp, don’t walk alone around the camp. Animals have much better eyesight than you. Thus, they will see you before you see them. Always be accompanied by a guide or an armed ranger.

Tipping

Don’t forget to give a tip to your guide, driver, and staff of the safari lodge since an enormous percentage of their wages come from gratuities. If you are unsure of how much to give them, ask your safari expert or the camp manager.

Respect the wilderness

Be mindful and respectful of the plants and wildlife around you. The wilderness is not a trash site!

Everything that you bring in with you must not be left behind, which means that you do not throw your trash in the wilderness!

Use Some Common Sense!

Well, here you have it, a brief overview of Safari Etiquette. Remember, always use some common sense and don’t be disrespectful toward the cultures and beliefs of the African people while traveling across the Dark Continent.

Treat people the way you would like to be treated. Be courteous and respectful of the locals you visit, and you will learn a lot from them and also gain a new perspective on life!

If you are interested in getting more insightful information about how to plan your next safari vacation and avoid any unpleasantness, click here.

If you have any questions about Safari Etiquette or would like to share some of your experiences, please leave a comment below. I am looking forward to hearing from you.