| Obviously,
there is a certain degree of danger when you are in
the bush with wild animals. Do not venture out on your
own and always ensure that you are in the company of
a guide. · If you must venture outside your room
at night, ask your guide for an escort.
Listen
to your guide's advice. They are trained to cope with
dangerous situations and have the bush knowledge and
sense to look after you.
It is an offence to interfere with a guide in their
line of duty and disregarding their safety instructions.
You will not only endanger yourself, you will compromise
the safety of the other participants as well.
Accidents
are infrequent and the camps have excellent safety records.
If you are not briefed about the safety drill in the
respective camp please insist that someone fills you
in.
Nothing is guaranteed in the wild, provided you use
common sense and abide by the general rules, you should
be perfectly safe. Never sleep outside.
Wildlife
is more familiar with people and less intimidated by
your presence at view points, hides and camps. Dangerous
animals pose an immanent threat at all times no matter
where you are.
Never
tease or corner wild animals, this may cause an unpredictable
response and a potentially dangerous reaction.
Feeding
of animals habituates them, causing them to eventually
lose their fear of humans. Animals become a nuisance
and danger to people prompting the authorities to destroy
them.
Never
stand up or protrude anything out of the game drive
vehicle, this will cause an unnatural response from
the animals, who have been habituated to the presence
of the vehicle, who view it as a neutral element in
their territory.
Apart from frightening the general wildlife, dangerous
animals will focus on the transgressor and may become
provoked to attack.
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When
you approach big game, do it with
caution and keep movement and noise
to a minimum. If
an animal shows signs of distress
or hostility keep clear of its line
of retreat and determine the best
way to avoid a confrontation.
Always
advance towards animals from downwind.
They would otherwise become alerted
to your presence, and given that they
have an acute sense of smell, you
will be detected.
Animals
can be terrifyingly deceptive and
may appear to be harmless and passive;
this can change in an instant if they
spring into lethal life.
Do
not under estimate the mobility of
hippo and crocodile.
Be
alert on game drives at all times,
it is important to anticipate abrupt
stops if a dangerous animal suddenly
appears and blocks your route or avoid
thorn branches along the game drive
route.
Although
the region has a fair share of venomous
snakes, spiders, scorpions and stinging
insects, but surprisingly few safari
goers suffer from serious attacks.
The
confines of camps and lodges are usually
free of risk but people undertaking
walking and mobile safaris should
be rather more wary.
Be
aware of the risk of malaria and be
responsible by taking precautions
to avoid it.
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