Safari Etiquette
Safari etiquette is something which, as a rule, is inadequately addressed by guides. This is partly because it is a relatively large subject, and they only have a couple of minutes prior to departure on the game drive. Spending time in northern Botswana has given me pause for thought on this subject, both from my own experiences and from listening to feedback from guests… So read on to make sure that you’re not “that” person 😉. In this column, we’re addressing the issues around being a guest on a safari vehicle. Next week, we’ll look at etiquette around self-drive vehicles…
Yesterday, a couple returned from what should have been a spectacular game drive, deeply disappointed. Another couple with two children, ages three and five, had completely ruined the entire drive for everyone by allowing the little ones to sit on their cell phones, with volume at full blast, sans headphones, for the entire drive – even when right next to two lionesses with cubs on a zebra kill. Can you imagine? Perhaps this is a good place to begin… If you have really young children, unless they are used to and interested in game drives, rather leave them at the lodge – each parent perhaps taking turns to babysit. A lot of lodges don’t allow children under twelve on drives – for good reason. They are ‘prey size’ and predators have been known to attempt to grab children off open vehicles. Many children today cannot sit still and enjoy the drive, and they disturb the other guests in the process – which is not fair, as everyone is paying good money for the experience.
That all said, I am a huge advocate of creating a love of the bush in children. So, what to do? Well, as a starting point, book your own vehicle if possible. Failing that, try to join other families on a drive. If all else fails, and the only way to keep the children quiet is cell phone content, be considerate and provide the little ones with earphones so as not to disturb the entire vehicle. A five-year-old does not have the social awareness to make these decisions on their own – let alone a three-year-old! However, in closing on this point, I find it terribly sad to see children glued to their cell phones in an incredibly beautiful wilderness area. The solution is to encourage interest in the natural world from a young age, teaching them what is appropriate behaviour from the beginning.
Which brings me to the next subject – talking on a game drive vehicle. Ideally, just don’t. But if you need to show someone something, or ask a question, do so in a whisper. Sitting watching the sun drop below the horizon, or watching a sunrise, can be an almost spiritual experience – ideally with no sound other than the birds or other wilderness sounds. Having someone make some inane comment in a loud voice just destroys the moment. Often, people are filming – either on a camera or simply on their cell phones. That loud comment will forever mar the memory.
Remember to place your cell phone on airplane mode and / or on silent. Beyond inconveniencing other guests, the possibility exists that some animal, like an elephant in close proximity, will take exception to the sound. Which is hardly ideal… When on a game drive, wear neutrally coloured clothing to blend in with the surroundings. They say that, as long as you are still, the animals see you as part of the vehicle. To be honest, I’m not convinced. I’ve had lions stop and look at me, with a stare that penetrates your very soul. In my humble opinion, they’re definitely not staring at the vehicle. But, in defence of the theory, I have also seen perfectly relaxed animals take flight when someone on the vehicle made a sudden movement which, beyond distressing the animals, also destroys the opportunity for others to view, take photos or simply appreciate that animal.
It should go without saying that you do not get off of a game drive vehicle unless instructed to do so. Nor should you have any parts of your anatomy protruding off the vehicle. I’ve seen a student filming a lion change position to get a better shot, thereby leaning right out of the vehicle – and attracting the interest of a nearby lioness. I nearly had heart failure! The thing to remember is that disaster can happen in the blink of an eye, and in the wilderness, consequences are life-threatening!
Finally, bear in mind that images contain metadata and so, if you are lucky enough to see a rare animal such as a rhino or a pangolin, please think twice before publishing those images on social media. Beyond simply alerting poachers to a general area, the images may contain metadata which enables them to pinpoint an exact location… The ‘likes’ that post will gather could cost an animal its life.
Wishing you happy safaris and quiet, productive game drives!!
Jacqui Ikin & The Cross Country Team