The allure and excitement of a safari are nothing short of enticing. Experiencing nature’s refreshing embrace as you witness animals in their natural habitat is amazing, to say the least.
However, it is important to avoid making certain mistakes in order to ensure your safety while enjoying a wonderful safari experience.
Picture: Getaway Gallery
Here are a few safari mistakes to avoid:
Not listening to your guide
One of the most crucial safari rules is to listen attentively to your guide. Safari guides are there to keep you safe while also ensuring that you enjoy a wonderful experience. Do not make the mistake of not listening to them as they are trained and highly knowledgeable when it comes to animal behavior.
Midday game drives
Going on a safari during the day is likely to yield very unsatisfactory results. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to go game viewing. That is when the animals are at their most active. During the heat of the day, it is best to immerse yourself in other activities, or just like many of the animals, enjoy an afternoon nap.
Leaving the vehicle
Do not leave the safari vehicle, even when you believe there is no potential danger. You could actually be placing your life at risk as there could be some animals nearby which you are not aware of.
Ensure that you stay in the safari vehicle at all times, unless in extraordinary circumstances when instructed by your guide.
Being noisy or calling the animals
Although this one may seem pretty obvious, excitement can very easily cause one to forget about the importance of quietude on a safari.
It is best to observe wildlife in a quiet manner because calling the animals or attempting to get their attention will only cause disturbance. This may result in the animals moving away or getting agitated.
Refrain from shouting or standing up. Always try to be as still as possible, and pay attention to instructions from your guide.
Ignoring bird life
While the goal for most people on a safari is to spot the iconic Big Five, enjoying sightings of the birds is just as important and exciting.
Thus, remember to spot the different kinds of birds as well. Ask your guide any questions you may have regarding their appearance, sounds and way of survival in nature.
Camera distraction
Capturing wonderful wildlife shots is great. However, it is also important to be present and experience the safari in the moment. Avoid being too fixated on getting the perfect wildlife shot.
Moreover, ensure that you know exactly how your device works. By choosing to use your new camera for the very first time on a safari, you may find yourself spending a lot of time worrying and trying to figure it out instead of enjoying special moments.
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