SAFARI VIRGINS PART 1: THE BIG SEDUCTION
Feeling enticed? Feeling unsure of the unknown? If you've never been on safari, why should you go?
. . . keep reading and you shall soon find out.
Photo Credits: (c) T J Allen Art
NOTE: My answers are based on my time spent at luxury lodges and private game reserves in South Africa. National parks, self-drive safaris and other African countries will have different rules and experiences.
Why go on safari when I can visit a zoo?
I appreciate zoos and conservation parks play an important role in protecting species, generating public awareness and raising funds, but in my opinion, they are incomparable to the experience of seeing wild animals living freely in their natural environment. A zoo experience is predictable; you know what you will see and where. Game drives in Africa are laced with excitement and the authenticity of real life. You never know what is around the next corner and you certainly can’t predict what sort of animal behaviour you will witness; it might be prey animals grazing or it could be carnivores on the hunt. I guarantee you will be emotionally engaged and totally absorbed in the moment. Work emails and everyday life stresses will evaporate into thin air.
Once you’ve seen an animal at the zoo you feel like you’ve ‘done’ them and move on to the next. How does it differ on safari and how do you sustain interest?
Even if you see elephants, for example, on every game drive, you are likely to encounter different individuals or family herds which provides opportunity to observe various characteristics … and of course chance to take more photos for your ‘ultimate trip shot’. The rangers are very aware that guests appreciate variety so if you keep seeing the same species you may not stop for as long or simply pass-by if it seems most guests have already had their fill. It has to be said, the poor impala (a breed of antelope) are often overlooked as they are two-a-penny out in the bush!
Do be prepared for not seeing everything on your ‘want to see’ list during your game drives. Nature is unpredictable. The animals freely roam across thousands of acres, sometimes across multiple reserves so there are no guarantees, but the excitement of not knowing what will appear next will keep you on the edge of your seat.
At the zoo, you only appreciate what you see and know to the best of your ability but on safari your ranger will provide a running commentary of facts and stories and can decipher body language and interactions so that you understand what you are witnessing. It’s like having Sir David Attenborough sat alongside you … near impossible not to be fascinated!
Is safari worth the money?
There is no denying that safari trips are expensive, especially when visiting high-end private game reserves, but it is all relative when you start to break down what you are getting for your money and what you value about the experience. It has to be said, if you buy a cheap day safari or self-drive, you’ll get what you pay for (hordes of vehicles and tourists, public campsites and only seeing animals that happen to pass by the roads as you drive).
At the other end of the scale in a private game reserve you will get:
Private exclusivity (only guests staying at the lodges can enter, no day visitors or self-drive)
Twice daily game drives (usually lasting 3+ hours each)
Comfortable, open-sided jeeps for prime viewing
Off-road, close-up safari (in national parks, you are limited to animals visible from the main roads only)
Un-restricted timings (in national parks, night drives are not permitted and time is limited at sightings)
Luxury accommodation and facilities
Sensational catering (alcohol is sometimes extra)
Highly qualified and knowledgeable rangers and trackers
Exceptional lodge staff providing fantastic customer service
Additional activities: walking safari (often included), hot air balloon rides (at cost), photography masterclasses (often extra), spa treatments (at cost)
Additional surprise extras to make you smile
Instagram-worthy views
Off-the-chart game viewing
‘Big Five’ game plus a whole host of other species, monitored and protected by park staff
Plus, you have to remember that all provisions have to be brought into this idyllic location in the middle of nowhere
The first time I went on safari (at the stunningly beautiful Tuningi Safari Lodge in the Madikwe Game Reserve) I justified the cost by saying that it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I couldn’t miss out on . . . . after experiencing a magical few days, I admit I got suckered in! The ‘once’ part went swiftly out the window and I found myself hooked on a not-so-cheap but enormously worthwhile hobby . . . and it has since evolved into an abundant source of inspiration for my career.
Every penny spent has brought joy and memories to my life and I feel richer for each new experience I gain.
Photo Credits: (c) T J Allen Art