Things to Know Before Going on Safari

Going on safari is an incredibly enjoyable and enchanting activity. However, there are some small details that, if you know them, can make your vacation much more enjoyable. In this article, based on my own safari experiences and research, I will list the things you should pay attention to, need to know before going on safari, and items that can help you prepare for your safari vacation.

1. Clothing Choices

What to Wear on Safari?

Choosing suitable clothing for safari is a crucial matter. In the early hours of morning safaris and on the return journey in the late afternoon, the temperature drops due to the absence of the sun. In addition to T-shirts that can adapt to any temperature, are comfortable, and do not make you sweat, make sure to have a jacket with you. I also used a neck gaiter to protect myself from the wind.

In the midst of the forest during the safari, you are in a very natural environment. To prevent any small creatures from biting you, I recommend wearing long pants and long socks.

For shoes, I recommend wearing comfortable athletic shoes, avoiding sandals or open-toed shoes.

What Color Clothing to Wear on Safari?

During the safari, it is recommended to wear earth-toned, soft-colored clothing. This is because some colors may attract the attention of animals, which is the last thing you want during the safari. You can choose earth-toned clothes such as army green, cream, and brown, which will make you look like a part of nature.

2. Safari Accessories

There are some items that will be good to have with you during the safari. First, I recommend taking sunscreen with you and applying it before the game drive starts. Secondly, I suggest wearing a hat and sunglasses. Although getting out of the car is prohibited during the safari, you are directly exposed to the sun. Lastly, be sure to pack a pair of binoculars in your suitcase. A good pair with a zoom feature will be very useful for observing animals from a distance during the safari. I can say that our binoculars were like my third eye during the safari.

3. Safari Region

As I mentioned in my Kruger National Park article here, the safari region is crucial. Depending on how large the park you will safari in, I recommend researching the regions and choosing your hotel accordingly.

4. Hotel Safety

Another important thing to check before choosing your safari hotel is the security situation of the hotel. Safari hotels are classified as either secure or insecure. Most hotels are built in the middle of the forest, close to the habitats of animals. Some hotels draw boundaries and surround them with electric fences to prevent animals from entering the hotel boundaries. Some hotels, on the other hand, provide services without any extra protection. In such unprotected hotels, there is a risk of encountering wild animals. I recommend asking about this issue at your hotel and choosing your hotel with confidence in the risk you take.

5. Prohibited Actions During Safari

During the safari, you are in the natural habitats of animals, and you are like a guest. Therefore, you need to act according to their rules. Animals generally do not perceive safari vehicles as a threat because they consider them as objects. However, there are some movements that must be avoided during the safari. I can summarize them briefly as follows:

No Eating or Drinking

Firstly, eating and drinking are strictly prohibited during the safari. A small meal you bring with you can attract the attention of animals that are experts in smelling, making you a target. Beverages other than water are not recommended either.

No Standing Up

For similar reasons, standing up during the safari is also prohibited. Your hands and arms should not go outside the window, and it is necessary to safari sitting down without attracting attention. Because safari vehicles do not have glass, if you attract the attention of an animal, you are exposed and defenseless.

In fact, we can say that all movements that may attract the attention of animals are prohibited. During the safari, we only got out of the car and took coffee breaks in areas defined as safe by our tour guide.

6. Getting to Know the Animals

Our spirit guide was very knowledgeable, and he informed us in detail about every animal we saw. However, to remember, we had a book with detailed information about the animals with us during the safari. Whenever we saw an animal, we looked at their photos in the book and checked information such as how rare they are, their lifespan, enemies, and how they live. I recommend that you also have a book of this kind with you, even if it is a small pocket book.

Notes & Recommendations & Closing

• For safari clothing and accessories like binoculars, a hat, you can check stores like Decathlon, Columbia.
• We bought the safari book called “Game Drive” from a bookstore in Franschhoek. But the same book and similar ones are also sold on Amazon. You can check Game Drive here.
• You can access my Kruger National Park article, where I tell about my safari experience, here.
• We were quite lucky and could see all of Africa’s Big Five. You can find my article on the Big Five (Big 5) here.
• You can find my other South Africa articles here.