2020 Mar 3
You know how there are certain norms and routines that you are supposed to follow when you go visiting relatives or family friends? For example, dressing for the occasion or not yelling in the house if there’s an infant around? Same goes for when you go visiting our four legged neighbours in the jungle. The word “safari” instantly takes you to Africa, doesn’t it? However, did you know that our little island has 22 safari tours, with the famous Wilpattu safari tour being named one of the best in Asia? With the many species of flora and fauna being your hosts, here’s a set of guidelines on what not to do on your next safari
1. Don’t Break Rest
Prior to leaving for your adventure, make sure you are well rested. Do not stay up late the previous night. The best safari tours are definitely exhausting, having to hold on tight in a bobbing vehicle driving off road, and continuously ducking under branches in open roof jeeps.
2. Avoid Bright Coloured Clothing
This does not mean you need to wear camouflage attire on your tour, but bright colours are to be avoided. If the safari includes getting out of the vehicle, make sure you have long socks and fully covered shoes.
3. Loud Mobile Phones Scare Off Wildlife
How rude is it when you’re at the dinner table, having a conversation and your phone starts ringing? It is the same when you go on your safari. Your easily agitated hosts will not be pleased. Do put your mobile phone on silent and make sure not to make any loud noises as well, when you are in the vehicle.
4. Don’t Forget About First Aid
Do not forget to ask your guide whether the vehicle is equipped with necessary medical aid such as plasters and insect repellent. Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it!
5. Avoid Dehydration
As you depart, make sure you are well hydrated. Taking along water is advised, but not in disposable plastic bottles. Moreover, do not leave water bottles unattended. Place them in a backpack, or under the seat where they won’t be flung out by the movement of the vehicle.
6. Don’t Venture Out Of The Vehicle
Remain in the vehicle at all times, unless told otherwise by your guide. This includes all parts of your body. Be mindful of your limbs, and do not stick them out. According to guides, a lot of the guests injure themselves sticking their arms out to take photographs. Everyone likes a good post for the ‘gram, but be mindful!
7. DO NOT LITTER!
Do not dispose of anything while on the tour! Every house has its bin, and throwing trash around will be deliberate polluting and ruining of the natural ecosystem wildlife parks are aiming to preserve.
8. Don’t Leave Your Binoculars At Home
To experience the most out of a safari, do not forget to bring a pair of binoculars. Most animals keep their distance from the main trail and therefore having an aid to see such animals will definitely pay off.
9. Don’t Just Look Outside – Look Up!
Do not forget to look up – i.e., watch out for birds. Most of the time, safari goers are focused on seeing large animals and miss out on some breath taking species of bird among the canopies of the forest. For birding not only pleases the eyes, but may even intrigue your ears with their wonderful calls!
10. Avoid Commotion
Upon seeing an animal, there is always a riff of excitement that passes through the entire vehicle. Often, as a result of the noise and movement the animal feels threatened and tends to flee. Therefore, do not cause commotion and stay still so as not to startle the creature and ruin the sighting for everyone. During close up encounters , do not take your eyes off the animal and pay close attention to its body language. You can tell when the animal has had enough (if you are not sure, ask your guide!), and it is advised to back away slowly when this happens, with no sudden movements.
Finally, a bonus tip, that probably should have been first – a safari is a one of a kind experience. It is all about disconnecting from everyday life and reconnecting with nature. Keeping that in mind, it is absolutely important that you leave your mobile phone in your backpack or somewhere out of sight, and grasp all you see by living in the moment! Chances are, that you probably will not have signal anyway, so why take the risk on missing out on a sight that may last only a few seconds, just because you were on your phone? Experience the most out of wildlife with your safari adventure by giving it no less than your fullest attention, for hours of fun surely awaits you!
