SAFARI ETIQUETTE: THE DOS AND DON'TS
- All Out Safaris
- Apr 1
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 3
The safari experience is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, and it’s essential to respect the wildlife, your fellow travellers, and the guides to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience. So, what should you keep in mind when you’re out in the bush? Let’s explore some key dos and don’ts for safari etiquette.
Respect the Wildlife First and foremost, the golden rule of any safari is to respect the wildlife. Many guests sometimes treat the safari like a zoo, forgetting that the animals are wild and unpredictable. Here are a few things to remember when it comes to the animals:
Keep Your Voice Down: It’s easy to get excited when you spot a magnificent animal, but noise can disturb the natural behaviour of the animals. For example, during a leopard sighting, if guests are too loud, it can cause the prey, like a steenbok, to flee, ruining the hunt for the leopard. Always listen to your guide and keep your voice low.
Don’t Feed the Animals: While it might seem tempting, feeding animals creates problems. Not only does it disrupt their natural feeding habits, but it can also cause them to associate humans with food, leading to dangerous behaviour, such as animals approaching lodges or guests looking for handouts.
Stay in the Vehicle: It’s important never to stand up or lean out of the vehicle. Animals, especially elephants, may be startled by the sudden change in shape and could react defensively. Stay seated and keep your hands inside the vehicle to ensure safety.
Be Patient: Patience is key when it comes to wildlife sightings. Whether you're hoping to catch a leopard feeding on a kill or waiting for an elephant to come closer to the vehicle, give the animals time to behave naturally. Rushing or becoming impatient can lead to missed opportunities for great experiences.
Be a Good Safari Buddy While wildlife etiquette is crucial, safari etiquette extends to your fellow travellers as well. To make the experience enjoyable for everyone, here are some things to keep in mind:
Be On Time: Safaris start early, often before the sun rises, to catch the animals during the cooler hours of the day. If you're not on time, you risk missing out on prime sightings, such as a lion pride at sunrise. Respect the schedule and your fellow safari-goers by being punctual.
Take Turns for the Best View: Everyone wants to capture that perfect shot, but it’s essential to share the prime viewing spots. Let others have their turn at the window and be considerate when it comes to getting the best angle. It’s about sharing the experience, not hogging the view.
Ask Questions (But Be Patient): Safari guides love when guests ask questions! It shows curiosity and enriches the experience. However, be patient and don’t ask repetitive questions, like, “Are we going to see animals soon?” Instead, ask about animal behaviours, such as why a leopard is taking its time to come down from a tree, and learn more about their natural instincts.
Respect the Guide’s Knowledge: The guides are the experts, and they know the best places to find animals. Trust their judgement and avoid arguing with them. If there’s a specific animal you want to see, let the guide know, and they will do their best to ensure you get a good view.
Don’t Be Glued to Your Phone: While it’s tempting to take photos and check social media, remember to disconnect and immerse yourself in the experience. You’ll remember the wildlife more vividly if you just enjoy the moment, rather than focusing too much on your phone screen.
No Complaining: Safaris come with their fair share of challenges, such as bumpy roads, dust, and heat. Embrace these aspects as part of the adventure! Complaining about these conditions can negatively affect the mood of the group. If you’ve booked a safari, you should be prepared for these authentic experiences.
Camp and Lodge Etiquette When you’re at the lodge or camp, especially in a private game reserve or national park, the etiquette doesn’t stop at the game drive. Here are some things to keep in mind when staying at a lodge:
Respect the Animals Even at the Lodge: Just because you’re not on a game drive doesn’t mean your responsibilities change. Animals, especially during the dry season, may wander through the camp looking for food or water. Always keep your distance, even if you spot a leopard walking near your room or elephants drinking from the pool.
Be Mindful of Safety: Many lodges, particularly in reserves like Sabi Sands, may be unfenced, meaning animals can walk through the camp. Always follow the guidelines set by your lodge. Stay vigilant and carry a torch, especially at night, as animals such as hyenas or snakes can be active after dark.
Don’t Wander Off Alone: Whether you’re in a fenced or unfenced camp, never wander off alone at night. In the bush, you can’t always see what’s around you. The safest option is to stay with others or within the safe confines of your lodge or camp. It’s always better to be in a group when in such environments.
Respect the Staff: The staff at the lodges and camps work hard to give you the best experience. Treat them with kindness and respect. A simple “thank you” for a job well done can go a long way in creating a positive atmosphere.
Real-Life Safari Etiquette Stories To illustrate the importance of good safari etiquette, here are some real-life examples:
A Missed Sighting Due to Poor Etiquette: While on holiday with my dad and friends, we witnessed a pride of lions cross a river. Unfortunately, the sighting was spoiled because some guests in a nearby vehicle were too loud, causing the lions to move off. It’s a reminder that when you're on safari, every decision you make can affect the experience of those around you.
The Dangers of Ignoring Etiquette: There have been instances where guests, despite being warned by guides, have ventured out of vehicles or ignored important safety instructions. One tragic story involved a guide who, during a sleep-out in the bush, decided to sleep away from the group. Unfortunately, the guide was killed by a leopard. This is a sobering reminder of how essential it is to follow the guide’s instructions for your safety.
Wildlife and People in National Parks: In places like Pilanesberg National Park, I've seen some extreme cases of poor etiquette. One family actually got out of their vehicle, took plastic bags, and bathed in a dam infested with crocodiles and hippos. Not only was this reckless, but it also put the family at risk and disturbed the wildlife.
On safari, it's always a thrill to witness incredible wildlife moments, but sadly, not all sightings go as planned.
Josh: “While I’ve never missed a sighting, I’ve experienced several that were marred or, at the very least, tainted by others' actions. Take, for example, an unforgettable experience I had while on holiday with my dad and some friends. We spotted a pride of lions—two adults and seven cubs—across a river. It was amazing! The lioness called her cubs over, and all seven crossed the river and came to rest just two metres from our vehicle. It was an incredible experience, one that would stay with me forever. But just as we were soaking it all in, another vehicle arrived and drove directly onto the rock the lions were perched on. The driver didn’t seem to care where the cubs were hiding. The bush was thick, and the only clear view was from a few specific spots, but this driver charged straight in, causing the lions to scatter. It ruined the moment for everyone. I even had a friend arrive right after, hoping to share in the sighting, only to see it disrupted.In the heat of the moment, we confronted the driver, asking what he was thinking and suggesting he could’ve simply asked us to move. He used the excuse that his power steering forced him up the rock! Safari etiquette is all about being considerate—guides should share the experience and allow other vehicles a chance to view the animals. When you're out there, remember, it's not just about you; it’s about giving everyone an opportunity to enjoy the moment.’’
Shelby: “And then there’s the situation with a leopard I spotted in a tree at Pilanesberg. We had it all to ourselves for about 20 minutes, and the leopard was calm and relaxed. It was a fantastic photographic opportunity. But then, a noisy open vehicle arrived, with guests shouting and disturbing the peace. The leopard, understandably, became uncomfortable and left. The sighting was ruined simply by poor behaviour. Another example comes from when we spotted a pride of lions lying low in the grass at Pilanesberg. We had patiently waited for an hour, knowing they’d move as the sun began to set. Just as they got up to walk towards the road, a line of vehicles arrived, with some drivers cutting in front of us, even though we had been there first. The lions crossed the road, but my photo was framed by vehicles blocking the view.’’
Respecting others is key. In these instances, it’s about first-come, first-served. If you’ve been waiting, others should respect that. And when it comes to vehicle size, be mindful of visibility. Open vehicles can block the view of smaller vehicles, so it’s always better to let the smaller vehicles go ahead or park beside them, not in front. Everyone should have a fair shot at a good view.
If you're on a self-drive safari, following the rules and reading the pamphlet you get at the entrance is essential. There's an unwritten rule in places like Kruger: Always park in the lane closest to the animals. If your vehicle is high and can obstruct others’ views, consider positioning yourself to the side, not in the way.
If you're on a guided safari, choose a company that encourages cooperation between guides. When guides communicate and work together, everyone benefits. On our last tour, our group worked with other guides to alert each other about sightings, ensuring that all guests had a great experience.
Finally, give animals space. I once saw a leopard mum and her cub near the road. The cub was relaxed, but another vehicle parked right next to the tree where the cub was. The mum then took the kill and left, likely disturbed by the proximity. If everyone had parked on the other side of the road, the cub would have stayed, and the sighting would have lasted longer.
The key takeaway is simple: respect the animals, your guides, and fellow travellers. Whether you're on a photographic safari or a private tour, practising good etiquette helps ensure everyone has an unforgettable experience. Let’s all be mindful of our surroundings and be the kind of safari-goers who enhance the experience for others. Happy safaris!
To listen to our recent podcast on this topic, click the links below for the various platforms.
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