Africa is a deceptively large continent with a diverse range of different terrains.
It should therefore come as no surprise that the region is home to several diverse safari locations, each of which offers exposure to some of the most incredible ecosystems and concentrations of big game species.
Booking an Africa safari can represent a sizeable financial commitment (dependent on your budget) but regardless of whether you holiday in luxury or on a more modest basis you’ll also need to take safety precautions. Here are some of the most important precautions to take to ensure that you remain safe.
- Prepare for your Trip in the Right Way
The process of staying safe while on safari begins when you first book your trip, as you’ll need to take several steps depending on the precise location that you intend to visit and what type of safari holiday you are opting for.
Family safari holidays are growing in popularity but tirstly, you may need to get you and your kin vaccinated and organise any medication ahead of the trip.
A vaccination will protect you against any unfortunate bites, however, while we’d also recommend that you pack a strong mosquito repellent and a handful of malaria prophylactics.
You should also consult with your local practitioner to ensure that you get advice that’s tailored to your needs, but as a general rule you’ll require a yellow fever vaccination for travel for most of the countries that host safaris in Africa.
- Pay Attention to and Respect your Guide at all Times
The success of any safari trip rests largely with the quality of the guide at your disposal, as these individuals play a central role in helping you to get the most out of the trip and remain safe.
Even the best guide in the world can be undermined by the failure to pay attention, and this is where you can make a difference by proactively listening to the advice on offer and respecting the knowledge behind it.
Not only do guides boast extensive knowledge of the local terrain, but they also have an appreciating of animal behaviour and how different species are likely to react in an array of circumstances.
Above all else; it’s their job to ensure that you remain safe at all times whilst you travel and by listening to them intently you’ll avoid any unwanted incidents whilst on safari.
- Don’t Disturb the Animals
On a similar note, it’s crucial that you have the right outlook as a safari traveller. This means that you should respect the fact that you’re entering the natural habitat of numerous species, and act in a way that is fitting for the environment.
More specifically, you’ll need to remember that you’re not attending a zoo, or the type of managed safari park accessible in the UK.
This means that you should never attempt to disturb the animals as they roam throughout their habitat,or call out and wave to them from afar (as this is likely to spook them considerably).
This could cause them to seek flight or react aggressively, ruining the experience for others and potentially putting yourself in danger, as these horror stories reveal.
You should also remain quiet while on safari, particularly if this is an instruction that has been shared by your guide.
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