YOUR FIRST SAFARI? THINGS TO NOTE...
The reason for going on a safari is to experience the bush and the animals. Wild animals
Some African mammals may become aggressive when faced, for example elephants,
buffalos, hippopotamus, lions and leopards. Incidents involving these (or other) mammals
do happen, but are very rare and can mostly be avoided by behaving wisely. When inside
your safari vehicle, you’re safe. When on foot, the basic rules are staying away from areas
if you aren’t sure that there are no animals, and staying away from animals that you do
see. Any animal of some size may get aggressive if threatened, or if young ones or food
are threatened. An animal may behave non-aggressive even though it knows you are
there. If you are far enough away, it doesn’t feel threatened by you. But if you move
closer, this may change.
Some African mammals may become aggressive when faced, for example elephants,
buffalos, hippopotamus, lions and leopards. Incidents involving these (or other) mammals
do happen, but are very rare and can mostly be avoided by behaving wisely. When inside
your safari vehicle, you’re safe. When on foot, the basic rules are staying away from areas
if you aren’t sure that there are no animals, and staying away from animals that you do
see. Any animal of some size may get aggressive if threatened, or if young ones or food
are threatened. An animal may behave non-aggressive even though it knows you are
there. If you are far enough away, it doesn’t feel threatened by you. But if you move
closer, this may change.
Animals in lodges
You may meet animals, mainly such as monkeys and mongoose, on
foot in lodges or tented camps. These animals are rarely dangerous,
but they are wild, so keep your distance to them. Even if they
behave as were they tame, they may use teeth and claws if feeling
threatened. Also keep unattended doors and windows to your room
closed, to prevent monkeys and ground squirrels from entering
searching for food. Never venture outside the lodge or camp area. If
you move within the lodge area at night, for example to see if you
can spot some nocturnal animals, you may ask a watchman to escort
you (tip him afterwards). Nights are less safe for you, even within
the lodge (unless the lodge is fenced). Wild animals from the
surrounding bush may enter the area at night, when the lodge is
quiet.
You may meet animals, mainly such as monkeys and mongoose, on
foot in lodges or tented camps. These animals are rarely dangerous,
but they are wild, so keep your distance to them. Even if they
behave as were they tame, they may use teeth and claws if feeling
threatened. Also keep unattended doors and windows to your room
closed, to prevent monkeys and ground squirrels from entering
searching for food. Never venture outside the lodge or camp area. If
you move within the lodge area at night, for example to see if you
can spot some nocturnal animals, you may ask a watchman to escort
you (tip him afterwards). Nights are less safe for you, even within
the lodge (unless the lodge is fenced). Wild animals from the
surrounding bush may enter the area at night, when the lodge is
quiet.
Don’t run from predators
If you meet a large predator while on foot, don’t run. Running may
trigger the predator to give chase, and is also quite pointless, as the
animal runs twice as fast as you. If there are two of you or more,
move together closely; the predator may then see you as one big
opponent, instead of a couple of small ones. In lodge and camp
areas, a predator appearing is usually just passing through. Let is
pass. Slowly back off. Then inform a watchman or other staff that
there are predators around. A predator closing in on you should be
told that you don’t like it. Shout at it. Be dangerous. Pelt it with
stones if it comes too close.
If you meet a large predator while on foot, don’t run. Running may
trigger the predator to give chase, and is also quite pointless, as the
animal runs twice as fast as you. If there are two of you or more,
move together closely; the predator may then see you as one big
opponent, instead of a couple of small ones. In lodge and camp
areas, a predator appearing is usually just passing through. Let is
pass. Slowly back off. Then inform a watchman or other staff that
there are predators around. A predator closing in on you should be
told that you don’t like it. Shout at it. Be dangerous. Pelt it with
stones if it comes too close.
Walking safaris
Meeting animals on foot is part of the walking safari concept. Most
animals move away when they become aware of you, which usually
happens at some distance. Walking safaris in wildlife areas should
always be escorted by an armed ranger. If on foot close to lakes or
rivers where crocodiles may be found, you should stay at least 5
m/yd away from the water’s edge. Crocs have good camouflage, and
may be hiding in the water to ambush prey approaching on land.
Meeting animals on foot is part of the walking safari concept. Most
animals move away when they become aware of you, which usually
happens at some distance. Walking safaris in wildlife areas should
always be escorted by an armed ranger. If on foot close to lakes or
rivers where crocodiles may be found, you should stay at least 5
m/yd away from the water’s edge. Crocs have good camouflage, and
may be hiding in the water to ambush prey approaching on land.
Snakes
It is rare seeing snakes on safaris. Most snakes try to get out
of your way when they notice you, so they are gone before
you have a chance seeing them. But all don’t, and as some
East African species have strong or even deadly venoms, you
should always look where you are walking and use a
flashlight when walking outdoors at night.
Snakes don’t bite because they are evil, but because they
are frightened or feel threatened. For safety reasons, you
should stay at least two snake lengths away from any snake
you can’t identify as harmless. For the reason of not
disturbing the animal, you should back away even further.
Never try to handle a snake unless you know what you are
doing. Seemingly dead snakes may not be dead at all, and
should not be approached. And so on. In short, stay away
from snakes. The only snakes that may regard humans as
prey are very large pythons, but they are not seen very
often. Don’t leave children unattended where there are
pythons around.
It is rare seeing snakes on safaris. Most snakes try to get out
of your way when they notice you, so they are gone before
you have a chance seeing them. But all don’t, and as some
East African species have strong or even deadly venoms, you
should always look where you are walking and use a
flashlight when walking outdoors at night.
Snakes don’t bite because they are evil, but because they
are frightened or feel threatened. For safety reasons, you
should stay at least two snake lengths away from any snake
you can’t identify as harmless. For the reason of not
disturbing the animal, you should back away even further.
Never try to handle a snake unless you know what you are
doing. Seemingly dead snakes may not be dead at all, and
should not be approached. And so on. In short, stay away
from snakes. The only snakes that may regard humans as
prey are very large pythons, but they are not seen very
often. Don’t leave children unattended where there are
pythons around.
Other reptiles and amphibiansThere are no poisonous lizards or frogs in East Africa. The
largest lizard, the Nile monitor, is shy but is capable of
biting if cornered.
Wash your hands after handling reptiles or amphibians (but
rather leave them alone).
largest lizard, the Nile monitor, is shy but is capable of
biting if cornered.
Wash your hands after handling reptiles or amphibians (but
rather leave them alone).
Insects and creeping things
You don’t see that many insects or creeping things during
dry seasons. More appear during rainy seasons (including
beautiful ones, such as butterflies). The same goes for
mosquitoes, which by biting may infect you with malaria, a
life-threatening disease unless properly treated.
Mosquitoes thrive in moist and warm areas, and are most
common during rainy seasons, near rivers and lakes, and by
the coast. The mosquitoes that may carry malaria are active
at night.
Tsetse flies, which are active during daytime, may infect you
with sleeping sickness. This is very rare to safari-goers,
though. The bites hurt a lot, and are reason enough to kill or
chase flies out of the vehicle.
Avoid storing food in your room or tent, as it may attract
ants.
You don’t see that many insects or creeping things during
dry seasons. More appear during rainy seasons (including
beautiful ones, such as butterflies). The same goes for
mosquitoes, which by biting may infect you with malaria, a
life-threatening disease unless properly treated.
Mosquitoes thrive in moist and warm areas, and are most
common during rainy seasons, near rivers and lakes, and by
the coast. The mosquitoes that may carry malaria are active
at night.
Tsetse flies, which are active during daytime, may infect you
with sleeping sickness. This is very rare to safari-goers,
though. The bites hurt a lot, and are reason enough to kill or
chase flies out of the vehicle.
Avoid storing food in your room or tent, as it may attract
ants.
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A SAFARI WILL BE ALWAYS A GREAT MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE - WELCOME TO AFRICA!
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