• It will take you a while to adjust to spotting game, this is normal.
• Scan for movement in the grass, up trees and check this out with binoculars.
• Don’t be frightened to tell your guide you have seen something, even if it does turn out to be a log!
• Do exactly as your guide tells you, especially when out of the vehicle or on walks.
• Sunrise and at dusk are when the animals are most active and you get cross-over of day/night species.
• In trees look for a dangling tail - leopard. In grass look for twitching ears or tail tips - lions & leopard.
• Watch herds for unrest and the direction they face as they will give away a predator.
• Look at tracks in the roadway, many animals use them.
• Look in the sky as hyenas and lions do for circling vultures indicating a kill.
• Stop and scan at regular intervals as many animals will stay motionless, only moving when you have gone.
• Always ask your guide to identify a bird, tree, animal that you don’t recognize or any behavior that looks different.

Comfort

• Go to the bathroom before each drive (anywhere from 5-8 hours on the road), otherwise you will be forced to go in the bush!
• Have all your camera equipment organized and to hand. Try and keep a reserve of 10 shots in the camera at all times for that special moment.
• Don’t forget your binoculars.
• Take insect repellent, medication, sunscreen, headache pills & etc.
• Wear sunglasses or goggles if you are going to be poking your head out of the roof, as being hit by an insect (some like Dung Beetles are very large) can be painful.
• A dust mask is a good idea during the dry season.
• Drink plenty of water.

Do Not

• Feed the animals or throw food or any trash out of the window.
• Smoke near the animals as they hate the smell. Keep all butts in the vehicle. Fire is a real hazard.
• Wander off when you stop.
• Talk loudly near the animals.
• Pick up or take out any objects from the Parks.

Your Guide

For an interview with Gibbs/Safaritracks Senior guide Nigel Perks go to Interview with Nigel Perks

THE most important person on your safari. Many companies use drivers, rather than guides. SafariTracks emphasis with our partners is on guides rather than bush chauffeurs. As a minimum guides should be proficient in English, know about the area, the animals, the environment, trees and plants. A good guide will be:

• Able to converse and understand English.
• Able to spot game that you never can.
• A considerate and careful driver.
• Keen to impart his bush knowledge to you.
• Able to answer almost every animal related question, don’t expect him to be a political expert!
• Able to explain and anticipate animal behavior.
• Smart and have good personal hygiene.
• Able to position the vehicle from a photographer’s point of view.

Always ask about the guides in the places you intend to visit. If on arrival you are dissatisfied with your guide then ask for another.

Tipping

A general rule of thumb at present for tipping your guide is $15-25 per day, payable in one sum at the end of the safari - if you are satisfied! If you are camping it is normal to tip the camp staff.