For clients who wish to undertake their first self-drive safari, Henson suggests they book at least one game drive with a guide so that they can get a feel for the area and the wildlife they may encounter.Ĭommon sense is the most important tool one needs on a self-drive safari, according to Andy Raggett, owner Drive Botswana.
They should further also advise their clients to collect any additional relevant information regarding safety on arrival. It’s their territory, and you are their guest, he said.Īccording to Henson, travel professionals can indeed help clients by researching and communicating all the guidelines of the game parks prior to the client’s arrival. It is important to remember this is an area where wild animals roam freely. He explained travelers should try not slip into the zoo and commercial safari park mode. Incidentally, I found on that occasion that I could not reverse up hill as quickly as an elephant could run!” Mark Henson from said with a laugh. “Having been charged by a huge bull elephant in musth (a period among adult male elephants when testosterone levels are elevated and they tend to be more aggressive.), I know to keep at least 200 meters away from any elephant. We have been at lion sightings when a large male lion appeared from behind the bushes and behind all the vehicles walking meters away from people hanging out of their windows. The parks specifically ask visitors not to do this because it is a safety hazard, and yet visitors ignore this rule.
Drive safari windows#
He explained accidents tend to happen when visitors get overconfident: “We see many people hanging out of their car windows and standing up through the sun roofs to get that special picture. Visitors should keep a healthy distance from animals, especially elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, lions and leopards. We emphasize this point with all our clients so they can have a safe and fun experience in South Africa's national parks.”Īccording to Kalan, the main thing to remind clients is that they are in the wild and anything could be lurking behind a bush or a shrub. allow people to exit vehicles, but this is not the case in South Africa. He said: “For example, many national parks in the U.S.
They should adequately inform travelers about the safety rules when visiting an African park. Kalan explained tour operators and travel agents can have an important role to play in ensuring the self-drive experience is a safe and happy one. Heeten Kalan, owner Swagat at Kruger Park Lodge, agreed and said hundreds of thousands of people self-drive in South Africa's national parks every year, because a self-drive safari offers flexibility and a sense of adventure that is unparalleled. Keep calm and quiet and don’t let children get out of hand with wild movements,” she said. “They might look all cute and cuddly but are actually not used to humans. “Respect that this is wild animal territory. Often travelers are fooled by an animal’s cute and cuddly appearance, which makes them forget about the necessary safety precautions. Bettina van den Hurk, general manager of Private Safaris, said self-drives are as safe as the client makes it. The two British tourists in the car were hospitalized with injuries caused by the elephant’s tusks.Īlthough the incident was unfortunate, it doesn’t mean self-drive safaris are dangerous.
Seconds later, the elephant charges and overturns the vehicle, eventually pushing it off the road. The car gets dangerously close to the animal despite it showing signs of distress. The video, which has gone viral on YouTube ( ), shows a rental vehicle following an elephant in the game park. Nothing could be further from the truth, though, as exploring Africa’s wildlife at your own pace is one of the most rewarding experiences the continent has to offer. Shocking footage of a recent elephant attack in South Africa’s Kruger Park has left numerous travelers doubting that a self-drive safari is a good option for their next holiday.
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