Some final information about safaris

Going on a safari may also mean:
- Wait ceaselessly while being hungry and thirsty
- Exciting experiences with animals
- Adventures and much more...

You want to see elephants taking a bath, hippos grazing, lions devouring or giraffes drinking ???
Then,  these simple hints might help you to experience a perfect safari.

The early bird catches the worm

You should leave your camp as early as possible to go on a safari. Have a look at the sky (vultures might reveal where carnivores had a successful hunt).
Hippos only graze at night or in the early morning so that the sun will not burn their sensitive skins.
The convenient coolness in the morning will perk you up at once. Have breakfast in the bush.
There are several places where you may leave your car and enjoy a gorgeous view.

Drive slow and see more
You should not drive too fast on your safari. You will rarely find animals directly on the road. And partly, your view into the dense bush is restricted to ten metres. So rather drive slowly and see more.
Your safari route should be rather economical than generous.
When you are driving tempo 30, the distance from Olifants to Lower Sabie will already take you about six hours.

Do not panic
Keep your head and a secure distance especially to elephants and buffalos in any case.
I have been surrounded for almost two hours when I was on a safari!!!
Please keep calm. In most cases the animals are curious about the car, but about you.
Your intuition will help you to find out how close you may get to the animals.
e.g.: go on eating: everything is OK
a step towards you: slow RETREAT
trumpeting and braced ears – I am guarding my herd here.

Please be very careful when there are elephants with calves. Never separate the calves from the herd with your car – it will cause nervousness.
The “small” ones will try to impress you by their behaviour. But if you once accelerate to full throttle without actually driving, the small elephant will retire soon.

The late afternoon will set you into a romantic mood
You can take safari photos at best one hour before sunset.
The light is almost perfect and the bush comes to life again.
A safari in the afternoon should never be too wide-ranging.
In most cases something unseen happens and time becomes scarce.
Have a look at the board that indicate where animals have been seen in the camp.
It is updated several times a day and will help you to find animals very often. (see below).

Water and films are precious on safaris
You should plan your safari on the evening before you go!!! You can get maps, hints and suggestions in every camp.
You should take enough water (more than usual) and a big amount of films.

Abandoning the car is FORBIDDEN!!!
It is a LAW!!!
If you do not keep to it, you risk high fines. There are areas where you may abandon your car, but you should watch your environment nevertheless. Have a look at the floor, too. There may be bugs.

Hiking and night drives
This is the highlight. You can book accompanied tours right there. Take this chance for a change and be driven. This is a terrific experience, especially at night. The background noise is unique. And you have got a good chance to find animals.

Another special experience is a bush barbecue. You can book one in the camps! It is picturesque and very exciting.

Have you checked on the petrol??? Did you pack your mobile???

Display boards in the camps show the animal views
of the other guests. You should have a look at it e.g. before you go on a safari in the afternoon. In most cases you are lucky and the animals are still drowsing lazily in the shadows at the same place as in the morning. Please mark your “meetings” for the other guests. You should also chat with others about your experiences when you are on the way. Almost everyone does so in South Africa – The South African people are very communicative.
And your chance to see the Big Five increases!!!

You should stay at one place/watering hole
for a longer time. Especially during the dry season the animals, both carnivores and herbivores, will come to you automatically!!!
Patience will pay off here in the most cases. Driving around unsystematically will only increase the stress!!!

Do you have any more questions??? Do you know the best place to look for leopards???
No!!! Then book your safari with us!!!

Haia Safari (have a nice trip) and have a nice wanderlust
Andreas Hack, ITR Afrika