Going on a safari is a once in a lifetime experience. If you ever get a chance to do it, you definitely don’t want to say ‘no’. It can be a ...
The thing to remember is that safari rides
are not like your average camping trips. You need to keep a few things in mind
before you travel – by taking care of these five things, you can guarantee a
joyful experience.
Plan your trip meticulously
Don’t just hop into a car and go for the
ride, but plan your safari trip well. If you are taking a guided tour, you want
to know how long the trip will be, what sort of route are you taking and if
there are any special things you need to bring with you.
On the other hand, if you are driving in
your own car, you need to make sure you plan the route well. Pick the spots for
pausing and have an idea of what things you want to see – and what is the best
way to see them.
Planning will also help with ensuring you
get to take
the right photos. You should prepare your camera – don’t start changing
lenses while you are driving. If you want to be extra safe, always bring an
external hard drive for photos and have a backup camera with you – just in
case!
Know when to travel
Not all safaris are alike and you can go
for a night, morning, day and evening safaris – both organised and self-driven.
In all these safaris, you might end up seeing a very different set of animals.
It’s a good idea to look for the things you are hoping to see and to understand
when is the best time to travel and see them. You can contact the safari
organisers for more ideas and information.
Furthermore, the location of the safari and
its route might also provide you with a view of different animals. Some routes
go near big areas of water, while others might be located more on the savannah.
Again, it’s important to learn what kind of animals you are expected to see on
which tour to ensure you pick a tour that matches your dream trip.
Understand the animals are not tamed
Wild animals are not just crazy and out to
get you, but it doesn’t mean they
wouldn’t attack if they feel threatened. You need to understand these
animals are not tamed – if you are travelling with children, it is especially
important to ensure they understand this fact.
You should read up on the safety features
in a safari. Essentially, you need to know what you must do in case the animal
would attack (don’t just randomly flee!). On an organised safari, you will have
the guide to help you so this is especially important when driving without a
guide.
Prepare for some hiccups
You will, hopefully, have a wonderful time
at your safari ride, but things don’t always go to plan. It’s important you are
prepared for the hiccups to ensure they don’t end up ruining your party.
For a self-sustained ride, the key is to
make sure you have a car repair kit in case of flat tyres and the like. You can
find great offers from brands like Kwik Fit. You also
want to add a small emergency kit to your car – just some painkillers, a
blanket, plasters and some anti-bacterial liquids.
In an organised safari ride, you still want
a few items with you. Essentially, a backup battery for your camera and phone,
some water to drink and perhaps a snack to ensure you don’t get too hungry if
the trip takes longer.
In both occasions, the key is to be
flexible and patient. Things can happen on a safari and you don’t want to get
agitated just because you need to sit in a car a bit longer than you initially
thought.
Remember to relax and enjoy
It might sound like an odd thing to consider,
but you need to remember to relax and enjoy the ride. Don’t add too many
expectations on your safari trip – such as seeing the Big Five
– or think it will be something very specific. There are all sorts of
experiences and each experience is just as valuable. You will enjoy it more if
you just show up with an open mind and see what happens. Remember that you can
always just go again if you want!
So, if you are planning to go on a safari
car ride, keep the above things in mind. They will help you prepare for the
trip and to have a safer and happier experience.
