Home
>
Outdoors
>
Ten African Safari Tips That You Must Know Before You Go

Ten African Safari Tips That You Must Know Before You Go

1. Take the early morning drives on safari even though that often means getting up while it's still dark. You'll be very glad you did because your wildlife sightings will improve.

The animals are a lot more active in the early morning and late evening because it is cooler and the nocturnal species are either getting up or going to bed so your chances of spotting them are generally much better.

2. A safari is not only about the big game. Take enjoyment from the surroundings and all the wildlife you see because if you turn it into a "big five" tick list exercise you might be disappointed. There are a multitude of insects, birds and smaller creatures that can be just as interesting if you take the time to look and find out more.

3. A pair of good quality binoculars is absolutely indispensable on a safari so make sure you take your own with. Some safari companies do provide them but they might be a little worse for wear after a lot of use and it can be frustrating to have to pass them along to the next person when you actually still want to look at that lion stalking it's prey.

4. Wear insect repellent in the evenings to ward of those pesky mosquitoes and make sure you leave as little skin exposed as possible by wearing long trousers, long sleeved shirts and socks to cover the ankles. During the day they are a lot less active so you don't have to worry about them then.

5. Any good safari operator will have some form of medication available but you might consider taking some of your own with on a "just in case" basis: Anti malarial pills, anti-diarrhoea medicine, motion sickness medication if you suffer from this, mosquito repellent and sunscreen.

6. If you are taking photos using film, remember to bring at least two rolls for each day that you will be on safari and bring spare batteries for your camera because they will go flat at the worst times and you don't want to miss those once in a lifetime photo opportunities because of that. You should be able to recharge batteries in most safari areas. Electricity in Africa is 220 - 240V AC50HZ.

7. When it comes to lions, a lot of patience is called for because they spend most of their time during the day asleep. But if you watch them for awhile you might be rewarded by an impromptu hunt or the appearance of cubs from the undergrowth or a similar drama. Patience is the watchword here.

8. Night drives on safari are a great opportunity to see the nocturnal animals that you will never see during the day but remember that the powerful spotlight which illuminates the surrounding bush and the glowing eyes also attracts a lot of insects so you might think twice before volunteering to hold it.

9. Generally the dry season is a time when you will be much more successful at spotting game because the vegetation is sparse and the wildlife is forced to congregate in the areas where there is still surface water available.

10. It's not uncommon for safari vehicles to break down because most of the roads are dirt tracks and the cars take a pounding every day. Any company worth their salt should be carrying spares and the driver or guide should have some mechanical experience.

Bruce Whittaker shares many more excellent African safari tips, advice and recommendations at good safari operator.

Win a 3 day walking tour in the Kruger National Park in South Africa by entering this free good safari operator.

tidy up service Glenview ..

In The News:

Essential phone settings to enable before losing your device, including Find My network, location services and security features for iPhone and Android.

The Fox News AI Newsletter gives readers the latest AI technology advancements, covering the challenges and opportunities AI presents.

Cybersecurity research shows weak passwords remain a major threat, with simple patterns and number sequences putting millions of accounts at risk.

New Android malware BankBot YNRK silences phones, steals banking data and drains crypto wallets automatically. Learn how this advanced threat works.

FDA approves first human trial for Paradromics' brain-computer interface that could restore speech for paralyzed patients through neural technology.

New phishing platform QRR targets Microsoft 365 users across 1,000 domains in 90 countries. Learn how to spot fake login pages and protect your accounts.

OpenTable now uses AI to track your dining habits and share insights with restaurants. Learn what data they collect and how to protect your privacy.

Google's discontinued Nest thermostats still secretly upload home data to company servers despite losing smart features, raising serious privacy concerns.

New Android malware NGate steals NFC payment codes in real-time, allowing criminals to withdraw cash from ATMs without your card. Learn protection tips.

DoorDash confirms data breach exposing customer names, emails, addresses after social engineering attack. Learn how to protect yourself from scams.

Concerned about Google's AI scanning your Gmail? Learn how to disable Gemini features that access your emails, Drive files and Chat messages for privacy.

Google warns Android users about dangerous fake VPN apps hiding malware that steals passwords, banking details and personal data from phones and tablets.

Apple's digital passport feature lets iPhone users breeze through TSA checkpoints this holiday season using Digital ID technology at 250+ airports.

A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.

South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.

Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Fake AI apps disguised as "ChatGPT" and "DALL·E" are flooding app stores with dangerous malware that steals data and monitors users without detection.

Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.

Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.

NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.

Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.

Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.

Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.

Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.

Ten African Safari Tips That You Must Know Before You Go

Outdoors