Going on an African safari and seeking some useful safari tips and wildlife spotting techniques? Continue reading to learn some safari tips I wish I knew when I went on safaris in Kruger (South Africa), Zambezi (Zimbabwe), and Chobe (Botswana) National Parks. Also be sure to read through the wildlife spotting skills and techniques to help maximize your viewing opportunities too.
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African Safari Tips
Going on a safari is a dream come true for adventure and wildlife enthusiasts (it definitely was for me!). To be able to witness wildlife in their natural habitat, see breathtaking landscapes, and also immerse yourself in African culture make safaris an unforgettable experience. If you’re planning to go on a safari, make the most of your trip by reading my safari tips. These will help you prepare and enjoy every moment of your safari adventure.
1. Choose the Right Time of Year
The time of year you go is crucial for a successful safari. The dry season is June to October and is often considered to be the best time to go on a safari. During this time, animals are easier to spot especially around water sources. When you have a specific region in mind to safari, do a bit of research as different parks and nature reserves have varying peak wildlife viewing times.
2. Pack Safari Essentials
Packing the right items can greatly enhance your safari experience. Essential items include the below (can click on each to purchase from Amazon):
- Binoculars: Observe wildlife from a distance
- Camera & Extra Batteries or Charger: Capture incredible moments
- Portable Charger / Power Bank: Keep all your devices charged
- Water Bottle: Stay hydrated
- Chilly Towel: Stay cool during hot and sweltering days
- Dissolvable Soap Sheets: Stay clean – not all park restrooms have soap
- Tissue or Toilet Paper: Restrooms may not have toilet paper, and if need to go in remote areas
- Small Bag for Trash: Throw your trash away while keeping the environment clean
- Insect Repellant: Protect from insects, especially mosquitos
- First Aid Kit: For any unexpected injuries, big or small
- Sunscreen & SPF Lip Balm: Skin protection from the harsh sun
- Backpack: Carry all your essentials
- Lightweight Clothing: Pack light-colored earthy tone clothing to blend with environment
- Hats & Sunglasses: Protect your face and eyes from the harsh sun
- Comfortable footwear: Sandals or shoes to last the day
For more details, check my post Safari Essentials: Top Items to Bring on African Safari.
3. Follow Your Safari Guide’s Instructions
Every game drive will have a safari guide and/or driver come along with you to help spot and talk about the wildlife. They are an expert in navigating the terrain and also understanding animal behavior. It’s best to always listen to their advice and instructions for your safety as well as the protection of the wildlife.
Safari guides are also communicating with other guides to find out where some good wildlife sightings are. The guide/driver may head to these sightings, and if there’s a condition of seeing the animals (such as being quiet), then it’s best to listen to them.
4. Stay Quiet and Patient
Wildlife spotting requires patience and silence. If you remain still and quiet (also per your guide’s instructions), animals are more likely to come and stay in view. Also the guides may also know where a certain animal is hanging out and may approach their resting place. It’s important to keep quiet as the truck approaches to not frighten the animals. During a game drive in Chobe, our guide had heard of a sleeping lion, and we slowly and quietly approached the lion in its slumber and surprisingly did not wake him!
Additionally, understand that the animals are wild and roam the lands as they please and may not be at every turn, so it helps to be extremely patient on game drives. There was a game drive where all we saw were birds (which I stilled loved), but some people tend to want to see larger and rarer animals. If you’re patient and go on numerous game drives, then you’re bound to see some wildlife. AND if you’re patient while on safari, you can witness some truly magical moments in nature 🙂
5. Respect Wildlife and Their Habitat
This goes without saying but it also must be said – RESPECT THE WILDLIFE & THEIR HOME. If you’re near animals during a safari, maintain your distance and never ever try to feed or touch them. They are wild animals and respecting their space ensures your safety as well as preserves their wild natural behavior.
Additionally, please do not litter! Dispose of your waste properly to minimize your impact on the environment. I mentioned bringing a small trash bag for your waste since there may not be a waste basket on the truck and you’ll have to keep it until you get to a proper trash bin.
Wildlife peacefully grazing
6. Maximize Game Drive Opportunities
If you want to maximize your wildlife sightings, then you should take advantage of all game drives offered. There are usually early morning and late afternoon game drives since these times are the most productive times for wildlife sightings. During these times, animals are more active since it’s a much cooler part of the day.
7. Embrace the Unexpected
Safaris are very unpredictable, so it’s best to be prepared for any unexpected events. Sometimes it can be weather, or for me, it was my safari truck getting stuck in the mud at sundown! In this situation, it helps to remain calm and try to offer any help if you can. Luckily for my safari group, a couple had just recently gone on an off-roading adventure where getting large trucks out of muddy ditches was a learned skill that helped us out of our safari situation (thank goodness). However the best unexpected moments are hands-down a surprise animal since the best sightings happen when you least expect them.
Contrarily, however, animal sightings are also not guaranteed since the wild animals will be where they’ll be. It’s important to acknowledge and understand that sightings aren’t always to be expected so that a no-sighting game drive won’t get you down on your trip. If this happens, try to go on another game drive! The more you go out in the lands, the more opportunities you’ll spot wildlife.
Regardless of what unexpected mishaps or blessings you may encounter though, embracing them will add to the adventure and make your safari unique.
8. Wildlife Spotting Skills and Techniques
To maximize your safari experience, try these wildlife spotting skills and techniques. For my safari group, we had way more animal sightings after following these simple tips:
Scan the Lands
To start looking for wildlife, scan by doing a zig-zag-like pattern of the lands within your entire field of view. Start by looking a bit farther out in the distance, and doing a left-to-right sweep of the lands before moving your view down to a distance a bit closer, then sweep back right-to-left. Repeat again and again until you’re sure you haven’t spotted any movement or animals. Usually we started a bit farther since closer animals would be more obvious, but farther ones are certainly less obvious and would need some skill to spot.
Use Binoculars
Start scanning the lands with your naked eye, then use binoculars for a closer look. Binoculars with a strong zoom (like 8x, 10x, or 12x magnification) would be ideal. I also used the large zoom on my camera to help spot (and also photograph) animals.
Look for Movement
If there’s no obvious whole animal in view, then look for movements or shapes that stand out from the rest of the surroundings. Things to looks for or can be indicators of nearby wildlife include: ears flicking, tails swaying, tall “trees” moving (aka giraffes), twigs moving (legs walking), sudden tree/bush movements, or birds suddenly flying.
Check Water Sources
Your guide will most likely always stop at a water source to spot wildlife. During dry season, animals usually gather around waterholes, lakes, and rivers to hydrate themselves. This is usually a sure fire way to find some animals, especially hippos and crocodiles.
Listen to Sounds
This is when being quiet really comes in handy. When listening for animals, try to listen for sounds of leaves or bushes rustling, twigs cracking, and birds chirping. These sounds are clues for wildlife activity. Birds and other animals can also signal the presence of predators as well.
Rustling sounds of leaves and bushes indicate wildlife
Look for Tracks
The guide will likely be looking for these as well, but try to recognize any footprint tracks, fresh animal droppings, and any other sign of wildlife. These can lead to nearby animals that aren’t obviously visible yet. Our guide would point out giraffe tracks as well as elephant dung, which we eventually spotted!
Final Words
A safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that immerses you into nature to witness wildlife in their natural habitat. By following the above safari tips, you can enhance your adventure by ensuring it’s safe, enjoyable and unforgettable. Bon Voyage!
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