%20(2).jpg "عبدالرحمن مجدي - Abdo magdy")
Going On Safari? Here’s What To Expect
What can I expect on an African safari?
What to expect on a safari tour?
An
African safari
is a bucket list item for
many nature and animal lovers. Those who do get to go consistently say they’ve
experienced the trip of a lifetime. Making a few major choices up front will
help ensure the same is true for you: choosing where to go, understanding what
you should expect to see, knowing what to bring, and how to prepare for an
African excursion. We’ll outline each of those for you here.
going on safari
block ad safari
google chrome safari
safari pc
 |
| Going On Safari? Here’s What To Expect |
may interest you History of Amelia Island
Nowadays, the shooting is done exclusively with cameras, as it is
forbidden to bring firearms on almost all safaris, and, in most cases, the
animals are protected by strong anti-poaching laws. However, photography is
strongly encouraged, as is having up close encounters (without touching) the
wildlife.
Why do people like to go on safaris?
The Big 5 include the lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and
rhinoceros. Many game reserves in Africa have all five and many, many more
mammals, reptiles, and birds to see. When choosing a safari, you should make
sure the animals you’d like to see are in fact likely to be there (spoiler
alert: There are no tigers in Africa).
Most safaris last more than a day, ranging from two to five days
on average. In order to ensure you get the most out of your experience, you
should go for a multi-day tour. Although safari guides are experienced and
often know where various species like to hang out, it is difficult to predict
exactly where they will be at any given time, which makes the search all the
more exciting.
safari google
safari web
chrome safari
safari iphone
Where
To Go
The choice of where to go involves three decisions: which country,
which game reserve, and which resort or accommodation style. Let’s break these
down…
Many countries in Africa have wonderful wildlife reserves where
safaris are offered. The best countries include: Tanzania, Botswana, Kenya,
Zambia, South Africa, and Namibia. Of course, there are other countries too,
but these are a good start and the highest-rated by visitors.
Choosing your country can and should be influenced by how you’ll
get there, vaccination requirements, and available infrastructure. South Africa
is a very good choice due to major and notably modern international airports,
lower vaccination requirements, and a relatively well-developed infrastructure
(in the unlikely event you may need serious medical attention).
Choosing a game reserve will depend more on what you’re looking
for. If you’re interested in a quick experience and would like to combine your
trip with a visit to major attractions like Victoria Falls or the Cape Town
wine region, there are game reserves in or near those destinations. Hwange
National Park near Victoria Falls and Inverdoorn Game Reserve near Cape Town
are examples.
may interest you Home Water Treatment and Boiling Water Treatment
If you want the full immersive experience, nothing comes close to
Kruger National Park. It is the largest and likely most complete in terms of
wildlife. Because it is a national park (actually spanning the borders of three
countries), it has somewhat stricter rules regarding game drives. Tourist jeeps
are required to stay on the roads for the safety of the animals and tourists.
Some private game reserves such as Sabi Sand Game Reserve have more relaxed
rules and allow game wardens to bring you closer to the animals. Sabi Sands is
attached to the southern tip of Kruger Park and has an open border, so the
animals in both areas are the same.
glamping
Accommodation ranges from “glamping” style tents (well-equipped
tents with shared outdoor bathrooms) to more luxurious cottages that include air
conditioning and ensuite bathrooms. Most safaris are sold as a package which
includes: park entry, two or three daily guided game drives, and full meal
service. It is not possible to wander around on your own and you must always be
with a licensed and trained game warden. This is for your safety and protection
of the wildlife.
Safaris can range from $700 to $1,200 per night (based on double
occupancy) depending on the reserve, the resort, and the accommodation level.
mobilesafari
safari windows
ios safari
What
To Expect Every Day
If you book a multi-day safari, each day will be structured
similarly.
Early wake up times allow for tourists to get hot coffee or tea
(expect good quality) and a hot breakfast. Some days may only include a quick
morning snack to take advantage of sunrise. If this is the case, a full
breakfast is usually scheduled for when you return from your first game drive.
Most days will have a morning and an afternoon drive into the
park. Some evening drives, depending on your location, may take advantage of
sunset and certain animal behaviors. You will likely be sharing an open-air
jeep with between 4 and 10 other travelers. There will usually be a driver and
a spotter at the front of the jeep. They are there to find animals and keep you
safe. It’s important to listen carefully to instructions and rules to help
ensure the safety and enjoyment of the group. The spotter will usually carry a
firearm for rare emergencies, but will almost never take it out.
You may be able to hike into certain areas of some parks, but
it’ll be nothing too strenuous, and it’s always optional. Most people can enjoy
a safari regardless of their mobility, but be sure to inform your tour provider
in advance if you need special accommodation.
You can expect your days to be full of adventure, and your
evenings full of celebration. Meeting new people and sharing stories (or
photos) of the day is common. Drinks are readily available (only after the last
game drive), but are usually above and beyond the cost of your package.
Photography
Since the only things you can take home from an African safari are
memories, you are encouraged to bring a camera. If you’re not a professional
photographer, that’s okay. Don’t worry about bringing too much bulky equipment
— leave that for the pros!
If you think you need a zoom or telephoto lens to capture a great
picture of a big lion, you’d be mistaken! You will likely be 15 to 50 feet from
most of the animals, so moderate zoom is all you need. Most of the photos will
be daytime shots, so there’s no need for a flash (which is actually forbidden).
Tripods are also not likely needed unless you’re taking photos from the resort
lodge, as there is not really a good place to use one from the jeep.
Leaving the jeep (even to get a good photo) is never allowed. The
best advice is to have a camera that you have used before so that you are
familiar with the important features. Smartphone cameras from the last year or
two have excellent cameras for daytime photography, so it may be possible to
“get away” with that and still impress your friends with high-quality photos.
When sitting in the jeep, you’ll have to be courteous to others so
that everyone has an opportunity to point and shoot. Most of the time, everyone
has the chance to take a great picture. But be careful with selfie sticks: they
may not be allowed on the game drive, as objects protruding from the jeep can
appear to taunt the wildlife. And you don’t want to taunt the wildlife, do you?
What
To Bring
You are definitely going to want clothing you can layer, rain
gear, sun protection, a hat, and several pairs of closed-toe shoes. Wearing
light earth-toned colors is preferred, as it attracts less attention from the
animals.
Bring any toiletries and homey comforts you can’t do without
because you won’t find a Walmart or Western drug store on your safari. Pack
your medications in your carry-on along with a change of clothes. Your camera —
along with extra batteries and a charger as well as a universal power plug
adapter to charge your gadgets — is a must. Even within Africa, electrical
outlets in different countries are not standardized.
In addition to your required bug spray, don’t forget a high SPF
for your face and arms. It’s possible most of the year to wear shorts on
daytime drives, but long pants are recommended if you’ll be bush walking. Night
drives tend to get chilly very quickly, so bring along a sweater or a light
jacket.
Check the government website of any country you’ll visit for visa
requirements. Many countries have a visa waiver program, but not all, and this
changes from time to time. You will need to carry with you (preferably at all
times) your passport (valid for at least 6 months past your last day of travel)
and your yellow inoculation card.
Health
And Safety
Depending on which country you visit and at which time of year,
you will definitely have to take precautions for your health and safety. At
least six months before your trip, you should check the government travel
website to find out which vaccines you’ll need. Your doctor can also find this
information if you tell them specifically which countries you’ll be in and for
how long. Possible vaccines you may need include yellow fever, typhoid,
cholera, hepatitis A and B, rabies, MMR, and prophylaxis for malaria. You will
need to bring a “yellow inoculation card” on your travels to prove to local
authorities that you are not at risk of carrying disease into or out of African
countries.
Every traveler is responsible for bringing any medications they
may need for the trip. It’s important to bring an extra supply in case you’re
delayed for some reason. Access to medical facilities in Africa is different
than in North America or Europe.
Mosquito repellent is seasonally required, but if you’re going in
spring, summer, or fall (remember the seasons in the southern hemisphere are
opposite from the north!) you should definitely have strong mosquito repellent
rated for high risk areas. Most accommodations will provide mosquito netting
over beds as an added precaution.
All of the food and drink provided on the resort is geared to
foreign tourists and is safe to consume. That said, any time you’re off the
resort, or in bathrooms, consider the water unsafe to drink.
Check your health insurance to make sure it includes travel
coverage, or purchase separate travel health insurance. Many safari packages
will require proof of this.
safari windows 10
safari win 10
mozilla safari
Special
Considerations
Choosing a time of year to go on safari is important. The best
months for wildlife viewing are April to September. The weather is better at
the beginning and end of this period in terms of temperatures and the chance of
rain. Choosing the latter half of that time will ensure shorter grass on the
savanna (it will have all been eaten) and easier access to more animals. If
you’re lucky enough to be around for the “Great Migration” toward the end of
that time, you’ll enjoy watching millions of animals moving to where water and
food are available. November is a quieter time to go, and pleasant weather and
fewer crowds are a benefit.
When booking your travel to Africa, there are plenty of good
airline choices. Airports in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Nairobi are desirable
for their regularly scheduled and Western-style flights. From one of those
airports, you can expect a shorter domestic flight or a bus transfer. Have your
safari tour book these transfers for you, or be fully aware of the details if
you do it yourself. Renting a car and traveling on your own is discouraged, as
there is little or no highway infrastructure to most game reserves. You should
expect a several-hour, intermittently bumpy ride. Note that smaller domestic
flights may have more strict luggage restrictions than international flights.
While in Africa, consider taking advantage of one of the other
wonderful attractions for a few days before your safari. This will allow you to
adjust to the time change (and season change) and reduce the risks caused by
flight delays.
You will likely pay for your safari using a major credit card.
Bringing cash is advised only for emergencies (don’t bring more than a couple
hundred dollars), but do change some money to the local currency prior to your
trip for tipping. Although this is not required or expected, it is certainly
appreciated. A guideline for your driver and guide would be $10 a day (local
currency equivalent), a few dollars per day for your accommodation staff and
restaurant staff. Most resorts will have a communal tip jar to be shared among
the staff.
With my best wishes