How Safe is a Safari?
As your main interest on a Safari is usually the wildlife, you will find that much of your time is spent in National Parks and Reserve areas (many of them private)…. You may be in a vehicle, on foot, on horseback, mountain bike, in a mokoro, or a boat… but the aim is to see some of Africa’s incredible and varied wildlife.
No matter how placid, cute, cuddly, and, at times, seemingly comatose the wildlife may appear, it is still wild – and you are in their territory.
Whichever Lodge (or Camp) you stay at, you will be given safety briefings…. This will include the regulations for moving in and around the property itself, how to behave on the vehicle, on the water, on foot and so forth.
The huge enjoyment of an African Safari is being able to travel and stay in largely unfenced and very open areas, where the wildlife (no matter how large or small!), can and does wander.
How often do you have the excuse that you are late for dinner, because a herd of elephant block the road or you had to avoid a pod of hippo on the River? Late for lunch because you tracked lion for a bit longer than planned? This is what a Safari is about – enjoying the wild, on its terms and at its pace… but at all times keep to the rules that your guide has imparted.
Always observe animals silently and with a minimum of disturbance to their natural activities. Loud talking on game drives can frighten the wildlife (or upset it!). Never attempt to attract an animal's attention…....
Respect your guide's judgment about proximity to wildlife in general, and remember that vehicles are not allowed to leave the road in National Parks (whether in Botswana, South Africa, Zambia or Namibia). Many of the Private reserves do allow a degree of off road driving, but only if the guide deems it necessary. Also, Private Reserves have very few vehicles in them, and all driven by professional guides, which makes off road driving far less invasive.
It is also good to remember that a vehicle or boat driven too close can hinder a hunt or cause animals to abandon a hard-earned meal.
No matter how placid, cute, cuddly, and, at times, seemingly comatose the wildlife may appear, it is still wild – and you are in their territory.
Whichever Lodge (or Camp) you stay at, you will be given safety briefings…. This will include the regulations for moving in and around the property itself, how to behave on the vehicle, on the water, on foot and so forth.
The huge enjoyment of an African Safari is being able to travel and stay in largely unfenced and very open areas, where the wildlife (no matter how large or small!), can and does wander.
How often do you have the excuse that you are late for dinner, because a herd of elephant block the road or you had to avoid a pod of hippo on the River? Late for lunch because you tracked lion for a bit longer than planned? This is what a Safari is about – enjoying the wild, on its terms and at its pace… but at all times keep to the rules that your guide has imparted.
Always observe animals silently and with a minimum of disturbance to their natural activities. Loud talking on game drives can frighten the wildlife (or upset it!). Never attempt to attract an animal's attention…....
Respect your guide's judgment about proximity to wildlife in general, and remember that vehicles are not allowed to leave the road in National Parks (whether in Botswana, South Africa, Zambia or Namibia). Many of the Private reserves do allow a degree of off road driving, but only if the guide deems it necessary. Also, Private Reserves have very few vehicles in them, and all driven by professional guides, which makes off road driving far less invasive.
It is also good to remember that a vehicle or boat driven too close can hinder a hunt or cause animals to abandon a hard-earned meal.
